How to Care for a 55-Gallon Fish Tank

If you plan to raise fish, you'll need an aquarium. There are several factors to consider when choosing a tank for your underwater pets, including the quantity of fish, the placement of the tank in your home and price. A 55-gallon fish tank is a good choice for beginners because it doesn't contain too much water and is fairly easy to take care of.

Things You'll Need

  • Algae pad
  • Gravel vacuum
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check the tank thermometer. A change of temperature may cause infection or help disease spread. Most fish are fine in water from 75 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Some more exotic fish may require a different temperature, so ask before you buy them.

    • 2

      Clean the water filters and pumps once a week to reduce the levels of nitrate, a naturally-occurring result of the breakdown of fish waste. A high nitrate concentration will harm your fish.

    • 3

      Perform a more thorough cleaning once every two weeks. Scrub the glass with an algae pad, replace half the water in the tank with fresh, dechlorinated water, vacuum the gravel and clean any algae or debris from rocks and plants.