| What do you need to know to begin keeping a | | | | And don't put fish in it yet! Purchase your tank. |
| freshwater aquarium in your home? It may seem | | | | Add your substrate. Figure out what filtration |
| daunting to consider starting an aquarium as a | | | | system to get and set that up. Add lighting. Get a |
| hobby, but once you have the basics down, it can | | | | heater. Plant your landscape with live plants. Add |
| be quite easy. | | | | rocks and hiding places. Then let your aquarium sit |
| Get a good reference book | | | | for a week. |
| The first suggestion I would have is to get a | | | | Test your water daily, the pH level, ammonia, |
| good book on freshwater aquariums. You'll need | | | | nitrates, etc. Make sure the above levels are |
| one as a reference guide to be able to look up | | | | stabilized and normalized. And make sure the |
| problems and issues you may have with your | | | | temperature stays consistent, preferably |
| tank. You'll want to see pictures of types of fish, | | | | between 75 and 80 degrees. Then add your fish! |
| pictures of how to set up your tank landscaping, | | | | And remember--don't overcrowd your fish. This is |
| pictures of diseases, and more. | | | | a common beginner mistake. All this does is lead |
| Getting a good reference book will help you avoid | | | | to stress and death amongst your fish and the |
| frustration down the road, and in the beginning, | | | | strongest fight to survive. Learn that minimal is |
| too. It's best to do as much research as you can | | | | better. |
| up front. | | | | Keep up with regular maintenance and feeding |
| Research the types of fish you want | | | | Feed your fish once or twice a day. Only feed |
| Find out how big your fish will get. Find out which | | | | enough that your fish eat all their food in a few |
| fish are aggressive and which are more docile. | | | | minutes. It's important not to overfeed. This |
| Are they top or bottom feeders? Do they swim | | | | stresses the fish and leads to more toxins in the |
| in groups? Do they like hiding places? You'll want | | | | water. |
| to consider all this when you set up your home | | | | Change the water by 20% weekly. And use |
| tank. | | | | non-chlorinated water when you add new water. |
| Find out which fish are compatible with each other. | | | | Check with your local fish store to find out if you |
| A good local fish store will be a good resource | | | | need to add anything to your local water for your |
| because that's where you'll probably buy your fish. | | | | tank. |
| Ask for their advice. | | | | Check the pH, ammonia and nitrates at least once |
| Set up your freshwater tank | | | | a month. If there are health or stress problems |
| There are so many different types of tanks out | | | | with the fish, test more often. |
| there these days. You can choose glass or acrylic. | | | | If you keep up on the basics of aquarium keeping, |
| Round or square. Will it hang on the wall like a | | | | you'll be sure to have a healthy and happy |
| picture, or do you want a wall-hung bubble tank? | | | | aquarium! |
| Or maybe a custom special shape. | | | | |