| Aquariums, as daunting as their setup might seem | | | | necessary equipments ready, and have your |
| to be, can be rather simple, if you are able to | | | | water chemistry levels regulated first. Some of |
| constantly follow all important steps needed to | | | | the items that are absolutely necessary for your |
| keep everything in your fish tank intact. | | | | aquarium are filters, fish-compatible substrates, |
| Know the responsibilities involved | | | | and some maintenance equipments such as water |
| Okay, having your own freshwater aquarium | | | | pH test kits. |
| setup might not be all that difficult, but you must | | | | Choose a fish that matches the setup |
| understand what you are actually getting into | | | | Is the fish tank large enough to accommodate |
| before starting anything. Are you prepared to | | | | many kinds of fish? Can fish survive in the pH |
| take care of your fish, to feed them regularly and | | | | levels provided by my aquarium setup? If I were |
| to check on them regularly for any signs of | | | | to buy bottom-feeders, would they be able to |
| sickness? Are you prepared to clean the fish tank | | | | survive in the living conditions of my aquarium |
| each and every time that dirt starts to | | | | setup? Keep questioning yourself until you find the |
| accumulate in it? Are your ready to always check | | | | perfect fish that match all of your preferences |
| the water chemistry levels of the aquarium to | | | | and are, at the same time, compatible with your |
| make sure that it's still suitable to support life? If | | | | fish tank. If you need to buy another fish, repeat |
| not, then don't even dare to dream about having | | | | the same procedure again, altering the |
| an aquarium at home. | | | | preferences for another kind of fish. |
| Do a little research | | | | Be mentally prepared for the maintenance work |
| Before you buy anything, try to do some | | | | Saying yes to all of the questions in the second |
| research regarding everything involved in | | | | paragraph should mean that you have understood |
| freshwater aquarium setups. It can help you get a | | | | how being an aquarist works. You should have |
| general idea about the hobby in general, and also | | | | accepted that unless all of your fish have died, or |
| helps you construct helpful questions that you | | | | unless of your passion for the hobby has died, |
| might want to ask to other more experienced | | | | you cannot quit, and must do maintenance work |
| people on the matter. | | | | in order to keep your tank clean and the fish and |
| Complete the items needed first before buying | | | | other aquatic life healthy. A good amount of |
| the fish | | | | diligence is required for you to keep focused on |
| It is highly recommended that you first start to | | | | fish tank maintenance, and to prevent you from |
| make the home of your fish before even trying | | | | performing only half-hearted work, which can |
| to buy fish. You should be able to have all the | | | | result in fatally harming your fish. |