How to Start a Small 2 Gallon Fish Tank

Starting a fish tank can be a rewarding and educational experience, but steps need to be taken to ensure the well being of the fish in the long run. While new fish keepers are generally encouraged to try a slightly larger tank, which can be more forgiving when it comes to water quality, many companies make 2 gallon starter kits, which work fine with the proper adjustments to equipment.

Things You'll Need

  • Small HOB filter or canister filter
  • Gravel
  • Decorations
  • Water conditioner
  • Cycle starter
  • Heater
  • Thermometer
  • Test kit
  • 5 gallon bucket
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase all of the materials found in the "Things You'll Need" section before you purchase and bring the fish home. Most important on the list is a small filter that either hangs over the back of the tank or right inside of it and the corresponding filter cartridges. The weak undergravel filters that come with most small tank setups are inefficient and difficult to clean, so this upgrade can save you headaches in the long run.

    • 2

      Rinse the aquarium gravel thoroughly by either cleaning it in small batches with a strainer or by pouring the gravel into the 5 gallon bucket and swishing it around.

    • 3

      Add the gravel in a 1 to 2 inch layer across the bottom of the 2 gallon aquarium and place any decorations into the tank, making sure to provide a good balance of hiding spots and open swimming water.

    • 4

      Fill the tank slowly with 2 gallons of water and add a few drops of aquarium water conditioner according to the package directions. The water conditioner will remove chlorine and other harmful chemicals from the water.

    • 5

      Hook up and turn on your filter and heater. Temperatures can vary widely depending on the type of fish you keep, but most tropical varieties do well in a 75-82 degrees Fahrenheit range.

    • 6

      Start the nitrogen cycle in the tank using an appropriate tank start-up solution, which contains beneficial bacteria to help begin the process of breaking down contaminates. Properly establishing this cycle can take weeks, but understanding it and maintaining the cycle are arguably the most important facts in maintaining a healthy freshwater aquarium: a healthy cycle breaks down harmful chemicals in the tank for healthy water. Test your aquarium's ammonia and nitrite levels daily for the first two weeks to make sure these levels stay low and change 50 percent of the water if the levels creep into the "danger zone" indicated by the test kit.

    • 7

      Add fish to the tank only after the nitrogen cycle is established and stable and be sure not to overpopulate your tank. A tank this size will happily accommodate a single male betta or a school of 4-5 white cloud minnows, guppies or small tetras.