Starting your first aquarium is an exciting journey, and with a little preparation, you can create a thriving and beautiful underwater world. This guide will take you through the essential steps to set up your fish tank correctly and safely. Always try to get the biggest tank for the space you have. A bigger tank is easier to keep than a smaller tank.  

Step 1: Choosing Your Equipment

Before you even add water, you need the right tools for the job.

• The Tank: A 60 to 100-litre (15-25 gallon) tank is a great starting point for beginners. It's large enough to be stable, but not so big that it's overwhelming. Click here
• Filter: The filter is the life support of your aquarium. A good quality internal or external filter will remove waste and maintain water quality. For a beginner, an internal filter is often the easiest option.
• Heater: Most tropical fish need a stable temperature. An adjustable aquarium heater with a thermometer will keep the water at the correct temperature for your chosen fish.
• Lighting: Fish and plants need light to thrive. The lighting will also help you to see your aquarium. A simple LED light bar is a great and energy-efficient choice.
• Substrate: This is the gravel or sand at the bottom of your tank. Sand is a great choice for bottom-dwelling fish, while gravel is a classic option that's easy to clean. Click here
• Decorations: Rocks, bogwood, and artificial or live plants give your fish places to hide and explore, which reduces stress.
• Water Conditioner & Bacteria Starter: These are essential chemicals. The water conditioner removes harmful chlorine from your tap water Click here, and the bacteria starter Click here (also known as a biological booster) helps kick-start the nitrogen cycle.

Step 2: The Physical Setup

Now you can start putting things together.

1. Placement: Choose a sturdy, level surface away from direct sunlight and heat sources like radiators. Direct sun can cause excessive algae growth and temperature fluctuations. Make sure the fish tank sits on a polystyrene base, this will ensure that it has a flat flush surface to sit on.
2. Rinse Everything: Thoroughly rinse the tank, substrate, and all decorations with tap water. All wood that goes into your new tank is advised to be soaked in water for at least a week or so before adding it to the tank. Do not use any soap or cleaning chemicals, as these are toxic to fish.
3. Add Substrate and Water: It is always advisable to wash your substrate before placing it into the tank. Most substrate will say it has been prewashed but this will not remove all of the dust. Place the substrate in the tank. Slowly add a small amount of tap water. A great trick is to place a saucer, small plate or even a plastic bag on the substrate and pour the water over it to avoid disturbing the sand or gravel.
4. Install Equipment: Place the heater and filter in the tank and add the rest of the water. Make sure to hide the wires as much as possible.
5. Condition the Water: Add the water conditioner and the bacteria starter according to the instructions on the bottles. This is essential to getting your tank in the best condition ready to add you new fish.
6. Add Decorations: Arrange your bogwood, rocks, and plants to create a visually pleasing and functional environment for your fish.
7. Finalise the Setup: Plug in the heater, filter, and light. Let the equipment run for at least 24 hours to ensure it is all working correctly and the water temperature is stable.

Step 3: The Nitrogen Cycle (Cycling the Tank)

This is the single most important step for a successful aquarium. The nitrogen cycle is the process where beneficial bacteria grow in your filter and substrate, converting fish waste into harmless chemicals. This process can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks.

• What you need: You will need a water test kit to measure ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.
• How it works:
  • Ammonia: Fish produce waste, which breaks down into ammonia, a highly toxic chemical.
  • Nitrite: A type of bacteria converts the ammonia into nitrite, which is also very toxic.
  • Nitrate: A second type of bacteria converts the nitrite into nitrate, which is much less toxic and can be removed with water changes.
• The Goal: You need to wait until the test kit shows zero ammonia and zero nitrite, with a reading of some nitrate. At this point, the tank is "cycled" and safe for fish.

Step 4: Adding Your First Fish

Once your tank has successfully completed the nitrogen cycle, you can add your first fish.

• Don't Overstock: Start with a few fish. You can gradually add more over the next few weeks, but never add too many at once, as this can overwhelm the beneficial bacteria.
• Acclimatisation: When you bring your fish home, float the bag in the aquarium for 15-20 minutes to allow the water temperatures to equalise. Then, slowly add small amounts of your tank water to the bag to let the fish adjust to the new water parameters. Finally, gently net the fish and release it into the tank. Do not dump the bag water into your aquarium.
• Enjoy! Now you can sit back and watch your new fish explore their home. Remember to feed them a small amount once a day and perform regular, partial water changes to keep the environment healthy.
• If you are in any doubt do not hesitate to ask us, we are here to help you with advise and keep you up to date with what to do.
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