Things You'll Need:
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Step 1
Determine if you want freshwater or saltwater.
Freshwater is typically easier and less expensive(therefore mistakes are less expensive) and that's what we will write about here. -
Step 2
Go big or go home.
You need to purchase a tank. The bigger tank you buy up front the easier the set up/maintenence will be. Water evaporates. If a gallon of water evaporates from a 10 gallon tank, it will affect the parameters of the water more then it would in a 55 gallon tank.
Craigslist, eBay, etc. all offer used tanks for a discount. This may be a good less expensive option for you. -
Step 3
While at the store you will need to buy the essential items. Regardless of what fish you plan on keeping, you will need:
-Lighting
-Filter
-Substrate
-Food
-Net
-Vacuum
-Test kit
-Decorations
-Water conditioner
If you plan on keeping warm water fish(most of the fish you see in stores are warm water) you will also need:
-Heater
-Thermometer -
Step 4
Once you have all the necessary equipment, you are ready to get started. Start by thoroughly rinsing whatever substrate you choose. Make sure you keep rinsing until the water coming from the substrate is completely clear. Once that's done, add it to the tank.
NOTE: You can add it to your tank whether its empty or filled. -
Step 5
Just add water.
Fill your tank up with water. If you choose to add the substrate after filling, make sure you leave enough room for the rocks later.
Add water conditioner, PRIME makes good products for this.
Set up your filter per the instructions and get everything running.
Add decorations so your eventual fish will have something to hide behind. -
Step 6
Before putting your community fish into the tank, it needs time to develop the naturally-occuring bacteria needed to process the ammonia produced by your fish into the more harmless nitrate. This process can take up to 8 weeks, during which time it is important to do weekly water changes (15-20% of the water).
To make this bacteria form you have two options:
1. Fishless cycling. This means you need to actually add the ammonia (you can buy at any market or anywhere that sells home cleaning supplies). Once you add the ammonia, allow it to be cycled through and the bacteria will form itself.
2. Using feeders or other inexpensive and hardy fish to cycle your tank(White Cloud Mountain Fish, Zebra Danios, Platys and most catfish will work). Just add these fish to the tank and allow their waste to do the work for you.
Regardless of which way you go, the tank will get cloudy from the bacteria blooms. This is normal and will take time to go away. -
Step 7
Once the tank is fully cycled. You can go ahead and properly add your fish.
