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Step 1
Choose the fish community you want in your tank. Select fish that will get along with each other and live well in the same water and temperature conditions.
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Step 2
Select a tank and lid. Base the tank size on how many fish will live inside and how often you want to change the water. Smaller tanks mean fewer fish and more frequent water changes. Tank walls come in glass and acrylic. Glass is heavier, cheaper, unlikely to scratch or shatter and will not yellow over time like acrylic. However, glass can distort your outside-looking-in view of the fish. Irregular shaped tanks must be made from acrylic because glass is not malleable enough.
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Step 3
Purchase gravel or sand to line the tank bed. Gravel is appropriate for most fish. Fish that like to burrow will prefer, and be safer with, soft penetrable sand.
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Step 4
Buy a heater. There are many varieties available, including submersible and filter heaters. Hanging heaters are the least expensive. Examine the different features and choose the heater that best fits the style of your tank and needs of its aquatic life.
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Step 5
Pick out decorations for the freshwater aquarium. Decorations make the tank look more attractive and keep fish happy because the hiding places satisfy their biological need to hide from predators. Because some fish prefer certain decorations over others, ask at the pet shop for suggestions. Select non-toxic decorations that are designed for aquarium use. Get a mix of large and small items while aiming for 50-75% cover.
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Step 6
Get a filter. Freshwater fish tanks need at least a biological filter, but you can buy a multi-purpose filter that performs biological, mechanical and chemical filtering. Each type of filter removes waste in a different way. All filters keep the water healthy for the fish and reduce the frequency of how often you must change the water.
