What Supplies Are Needed To Start a Fresh Water Fish Tank?

Keeping fish can be a rewarding hobby, and a well-kept freshwater aquarium can add a lot of aesthetic beauty to your home. However, maintaining a freshwater fish tank can also be a lot of work. In order to avoid fish deaths and unhealthy tank parameters, a fair amount of research must be done prior to setting up your aquarium. Before you make that first trip to the pet store to buy fish, you need to make sure you are prepared with all of the materials necessary to start a freshwater tank.

  1. Fish Tank

    • Obviously the first step in setting up a freshwater aquarium is buying a tank. You can simply buy a tank that fits your budget. However, if you already have an idea of what kinds of fish you want, you need to make sure you get a tank that is big enough to accommodate those fish. Generally, you need 1 gallon of water for every 1 inch of fish.

    Filter

    • A filter cleans your tank water, and is essential to the well-being and survival of your fish. They come in many styles and if you buy your tank brand new, it will likely come with an external power filter that hangs on the back. External power filters are believed by most experts to be the most efficient and easiest type of filter to use. However, there are also internal box filters, which sit inside the tank; but they are really only effective in smaller tanks (under 20 gallons). An under-gravel filter is another option; this type sucks water through the substrate, creating an effective biological filtration system.

    Hood/Canopy

    • As with filters, most new aquariums come with a hood or canopy. However, if yours does not, it is an essential purchase. Many freshwater fish jump out of the water every now and again, and the only thing that will keep them from getting out and dying on the floor is a hood or canopy covering their tank. In addition, the hood also allows for lighting, which will help keep the water at the right temperature, as well as facilitate the growth of any live plants within your tank. Finally, a canopy or hood will keep the claws and hands of any respective cats and children you may have out of the water.

    Substrate

    • Substrate is important for providing an anchor for plants and decorations, and promoting the growth of the beneficial bacteria that will keep your water clean. Aquarium gravel is recommended for the beginner and comes in many colors. Aquarium sand (not coral sand) can also be used in a freshwater setup, but is harder to clean.

    Other Supplies

    • Other supplies needed to set up your tank include nutritionally-balanced fish food; a fish net to transfer fish into/out of the tank; an aquarium vacuum to do partial water changes; a bucket in which to drain the dirty water during partial changes, and from which to drain clean water back into the tank; an aquarium thermometer to monitor temperature; and a water test kit to monitor water parameters, like ammonia, nitrites and pH.

    Optional Supplies

    • Depending on the type of fish you get, the area you plan on keeping the tank, and the time of year you are setting it up, you may need an aquarium heater to keep the water at the right temperature. A glass scraper/cleaner is also highly recommended if you want to keep the glass algae-free and looking good. Decorations, like structures and live/artificial plants will make your tank look nice, and are often required to keep your fish comfortable and stress-free. Finally, water conditioner is essential if you are planning on filling your tank with tap water.