How to Set up Your First Fish Tank Under $15

Almost all of us love pets.Fishes are great pets.Noiseless,mess free and the least expensive maintenance pet.And so cute,you could gaze at them for hours.Kids specially love them.Fishes are also known to bring peace and prosperity as per an old saying.It is said that you can concentrate on how they swim and this will relax your mind.They are absolutely a treat to watch.Now if you have no experience in setting up a tank you could start with a bowl and that too under $15.Well I've managed to keep mine healthy for about 2 years now.Touch wood!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fish bowl height 7.5'' and .5 gallon
• A plastic plant
• Gravel
• Fish
• Fish food
• A fish net.

1. 

   Go to a pet store.If you are not sure you would be able to take care of a fish try Betta fishes.They are known to be hardy as they survive in tough conditions plus they are beautiful.Here is a pic of my fish.Named it Nemo.It is a red Betta male fish.(Price=$2-$3)
   
   * With great deals at Stores like Petco and Petsmart,sometimes you can set up a fish bowl in $10 to 12.They have an economy kit and with signing up at the pet program you will almost always receive a coupon for your next purchase that will make the whole setting up below$15.I managed to set up for $12 with the great rebates and sign ups at the store.

2. 

   Now buy the bowl,plant,gravel and fish food.Wardley Essentials Betta food is great.They float and don't sink so whenever your fish swims up it can have the food without you worrying to encourage it to have it then and there.Put no more than 2 pellets a day and you are done..
   Bowl=$7.99,plant=$2,gravel=$2-$3

3. 

   Buy a fish net now.You will have to clean up the bowl once a week only.Just get a discarded kitchen bowl ready and fill it with water.With the fish net,remove the fish and carefully place in the bowl.Remove the water from the fish tank and fill it with water.Shake and remove the water.Repeat twice.Need not remove the plant and gravel while cleaning.Fill it with water and place the fish again by pouring over the small bowl carefully in the tank.(Fish net=$2)

4. 

   After buying,just wash the bowl once,add gravel to about an inch.Fix the plant erect between gravel.The gravel will hold the plant.
   
   Add clean water and the fish.You are done!!

Tips & Warnings

• Fish food is really economic.You get so many deals at pet stores like Petco.You almost get a free deal every now and then.You have to feed 2 pellets a day.It lasts like forever...
• You may add water conditioner to make the water more favorable.I use aqua plus.A tsp weekly after you clean the tank,in the water is all you need.
• Never add another fish to the same tank as these fishes are not friendly
• When going on a vacation,you may buy shells of food.Leave a shell and it will keep dissolving food till 4 days .For a longer period,you might consider leaving it at a friend's place.

[jgallaherdesign]

on 11/25/2009 these are great! thanks for the ehow!

[calwesttropical]

on 11/21/2009 Think I might add a little fish bowl in my office. Great idea! 5*

[sanderdoe]

on 11/12/2009 Great article just in time for Christmas. Kids love fish tanks and under $15 is good for mom and dad! 5*

[cookiesmagic]

on 11/11/2009 I will use this for my fishes

[mvalora]

on 11/11/2009 Thanks for the tips on setting up a fish tank.