Starting Your First Aquarium: A Beginner’s Guide to a Thriving Fish Tank

Starting your first aquarium is an exciting journey it’s like creating a miniature underwater world in your home. But the key to success isn’t just buying a tank and adding fish. A thriving aquarium comes from understanding the water, the inhabitants, and how to balance them. Always remember, you're a water keeper, not a fish keeper. Look after the water and the fish look after themselves.

Here’s everything a beginner needs to know to start strong.

Step 1: Choose the Right Tank

The first step is selecting a tank that suits your space, budget, and goals:

• Size matters: Bigger tanks are actually easier to maintain than small tanks. A 60–80 litre (15–20 gallon) tank is perfect for beginners. Larger volumes are more stable and less prone to sudden water chemistry swings.

• Location: Keep your tank away from direct sunlight to avoid algae blooms, and place it on a sturdy surface that can handle the weight. Away from doors so there is no risk of getting damaged or broken. Lastly, it is advisable to avoid placement near a radiator.

Tip: Think long-term. Starting with a slightly larger tank will save headaches later.

Step 2: Understand Your Water

Water is the lifeblood of your aquarium. Its chemistry directly affects fish health. Beginners should focus on three key parameters:

1. General Hardness (GH): Measures minerals like calcium and magnesium. Essential for fish health. GH too low can cause stress and sudden deaths.

2. Carbonate Hardness (KH): Buffers pH to prevent sudden swings. Stable pH = happy fish.

3. pH: Indicates acidity/alkalinity. Most tropical fish do well in pH 6.5–7.5, but stability matters more than exact numbers.

💡 Pro tip: Test your aquarium water before adding fish to your tank. We happily test water for new fish keepers. We recommend stabilising the water chemistry by allowing it to sit for 7 days before adding any fish, shrimps or snails.

Step 3: Set Up Your Filtration and Equipment

• Filter: A good filter keeps water clean, circulates oxygen, and supports beneficial bacteria.

• Heater: Most tropical fish need 24–26C (75–79°F). Discus and Betta require warmer water of 26-29C. Cooler water means less waste accumulation, and therefore less maintenance.

• Lighting: Supports plants and enhances fish colours. Too much light can encourage algae, so balance is key. Recommended to start on 6hrs per day on a single period, no break. Feel free to increase half an hour each week until you reach 8 hours. We do not recommend more than this as it encourages algae growth over plant growth.

Start by running the tank empty with equipment on this lets your water chemistry stabilise before introducing fish.

Step 4: Cycle Your Tank

Cycling is the process of establishing beneficial bacteria that break down fish waste. It’s crucial to avoid ammonia and nitrite spikes, which can be deadly.

Steps to cycle a tank:

1. Add a source of nitrifying bacteria such as Seachem Stability. It is crucial you feed this bacteria during the cycle by adding small amount of fish food every other day.

2. Test water in 5-7 days for for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.

3. Only add fish once ammonia and nitrite are zero, and nitrates are low.

Skipping or rushing cycling is the number one cause of first-time fish deaths.

Step 5: Choose Your First Fish

For beginners, start with hardy, small tropical fish:

• Tetras (Neon, Cardinal, Silvertip)

• Mollys or Platies

• Corydoras Catfish

• Danios

Tips:

• Add a few fish at a time, not all at once. (6x Silvertip Tetra)

• Acclimate new fish slowly to the tank water. (See our in house guide upon purchase)

• Avoid overcrowding this stresses fish and destabilises water chemistry.

  
  

Step 6: Feed Wisely

• Feed small amounts every other day. Only as much as fish can consume in 2 minutes.

• Overfeeding pollutes water and harms fish via ammonia spikes.

• Rotate foods for balanced nutrition (small pellets, occasional frozen/live foods).

  
  

Step 7: Maintain Regularly

Maintenance keeps the aquarium healthy:

• Water changes: 30–50% weekly to remove toxins and replenish minerals.

• Check GH/KH: Especially in soft water areas, GH of 5–8 dGH keeps fish healthy.

• Clean filters carefully: Don’t use soap; rinse in tank water to preserve bacteria.

A consistent routine is more important than perfection. Ideally maintained 4-6 weeks at a time. Weekly cleaning will destroy beneficial bacteria, leading to cloudy water, unhealthy biology of the tank and ammonia spikes.

Step 8: Enjoy & Observe

The most rewarding part of an aquarium is watching fish thrive. Observe your fish daily:

• Eating habits

• Colour intensity

• Behaviour (swimming patterns, interactions)

Early detection of stress signs like clamped fins, heavy breathing (more than 1 breath per second), loss of appetite and lethargy. This can prevent problems before they escalate.

Final Thoughts

Starting your first aquarium can seem daunting, but by understanding water, cycling the tank, and introducing fish gradually, you set yourself up for success.

Remember: stability over perfection. Water chemistry will fluctuate slightly, but a well-prepared tank protects your fish and allows them to thrive.

Your first tank is just the beginning once you’ve mastered the basics, you can explore aquascaping, advanced species, and more complex setups. Always contact us if you require guidance or advice.