Choosing and setting up your tank

Choosing your first tank can be tough, most beginners should start with a 10 or 20 gallon tank. A 10 or 20 gallon tank are easy because they are small, take up less room, are easier to clean, and are cheap to start and maintain. Any smaller and the stocking options would be very small and the fish would be less happy. There are a lot of options on the market, most beginners would do great with a kit. Kits usually include everything you need but the tools, decorations and the fish. Most 10 or 20 gallon kits can cost from $50 - $200. You will also need a strong space to hold your tank such as a drawer or desk because water way a LOT. For tools and items you mainly need a net, a siphon, stress coat, stress zyme (fluid chemicals), and a chemical testing kit or strips. They’re items can vary from $5-$40 (each).

Decorating your tank.

When filling your tank with substrate and decorations choose what’s best for you and your skill. Gravel is a good choice for a beginner tank (especially if it is larger and round as your fish won’t be harmed or swallow it accidentally). For decorations it can get complicated real fast. You’ll want to choose what you think you can handle. This means if you don’t think you can handle real plants than don’t get them, but some plants are VERY beginner friendly and help your tank beneficially. For other decoration like fake logs and fantasy items it doesn’t matter what you get just leave swim room for your fish. Rocks and wood/driftwood are easy to keep and won’t add any problems (Sharp rocks could injure fish. Also wood may grow fungus the first time you put it into the tank, if so take it out and scrub off gently). Hiding places are important for fish to stay less stressed.

Stocking your tank.

Certain fish are to big or aggressive to others, to learn what to put in your tank visit the Freshwater Fish page. The MOST important rule when stocking a tank is for every gallon you can have 1 inch of fish, basically if you have a 20 gallon tank you can put 10 2 inch fish in it.

Maintaining your tank

Every week you should test your water using your chemical testing kit or strips. If the PH is too high for the fish you have stocked in your tank you must clean it. Use the siphon and siphon the waste in the gravel and water into a bucket, sink, or anyplace to dispose of the water. You should also scrub all the algae off glass and decorations. If ammonia or other illness causing substances are in your tank you must treat and clean the tank. For information on how to treat illnesses or how they are caused go to Illnesses and Chemicals. If fish die remove them immediately and check your water, if the fish have diseases or ick quarantine them. Fish passing is part of the hobby it happens to the best of us, don’t feel bad about yourself.