What Do I Need to Start a Home Aquarium?

A home aquarium brings nature right into the comfort of your home and provides a great amount of enjoyment. Proper aquarium setup is important for the health and longevity of your fish.

  1. Aquarium

    • Standard aquariums are rectangular and made of plastic or glass. The water surface area determines how many fish can live in the tank. As a rule of thumb, a rectangular tank will support an inch of fish per gallon of water. A tall thin tank supports less fish than a rectangular tank with the same number of gallons.

    Gravel

    • It's best to use commercial gravel in the bottom of the tank. Commercial gravel is coated and prevents minerals from dissolving. Natural gravel and shells can dissolve minerals into the water, which can harm fish.

    Filter

    • Get the right filter size to match the size of the tank. There are several designs, including one that hangs on the back of the tank. Disassemble and clean it when you do partial water changes.

    Water

    • A commercial conditioner neutralizes chlorine and other chemicals the water company uses to make water safe to drink. Follow the instructions on the bottle. Change about a third of the water every three weeks.

    Fish

    • Fish store employees can recommend fish that are compatible. It's best to populate a new tank with less fish than it can accommodate. Gradually add fish until the tank is fully populated. Some of these should be catfish and other scavengers that consume uneaten food on the bottom of the tank.