Your Starter Guide
for Owning Fish

Keeping fish is a rewarding and exciting hobby but before you go out and purchase your first aquarium, here are a few factors to consider to help you before you do so. If you are uncertain of anything always make sure you ask questions before purchasing.

Aquariums are fun and great for the whole family and making sure you have the correct knowledge is key to any successful fish keeping.

Size, location & style 

When setting up your aquarium, keep in mind the following steps:

Start by determining the appropriate tank size based on the fish species you plan to keep. For instance, a 21-liter tank would not be suitable for African Cichlids but would work well for smaller fish such as Neon Tetras, Guppies, and Danios.

Then, select a suitable location for the tank. Consider factors like exposure to sunlight, ease of maintenance for gravel cleaning and water changes, and proximity to heating or cooling systems.

Lastly, choose the aquarium brand. Would you opt for a basic glass tank where you buy additional equipment like filtration and lighting, or a complete setup like the Aqua One Ecostyles with integrated features?

Species of fish 

When choosing the type of fish to keep, certain factors play a crucial role:

• Compatibility with other fish
• Dietary requirements
• Preferred pH level and temperature
• Ideal substrate

It's essential to understand that each species has specific needs. Seek advice from a team member or do additional research to ensure your fish receive the best care possible.

Filtration

The primary aspect to consider when setting up an aquarium is filtration.
New hobbyists often overlook the importance of selecting the right filtration system based on the aquarium size. With a variety of quality filtration products available like Eheim, Fluval, Aqua One, it's crucial to determine the appropriate size. When buying a filter, ensure it can filter the total liters of aquarium water three times per hour. This calculation guarantees adequate filtration for your aquarium.

Lighting

Nowadays, many aquariums come with integrated lighting fixtures. While older models may have fluorescent tubes providing Tropical or Sunlight settings, newer aquariums are equipped with LED lighting. Having the right lighting is crucial, especially for cultivating live aquatic plants. These plants thrive with ample lighting, so it's essential to understand both the intensity and duration of light exposure to avoid algae growth in the aquarium.

Maintenance and chemistry

No matter what size your aquarium is, you will always need to perform some sort of maintenance and water change to keep your aquarium clean and free of pollutants. This is done so by using a vacuum gravel pump or cleaner. By using this device you will be removing any unwanted waste, old food and decaying matter out of the water which can cause deadly toxins to elevate to levels that can cause major sickness and even fatalities in the aquarium.

Using and adding a good water conditioner and beneficial bacteria to your aquarium after you gravel clean and water change will remove any chlorine, heavy metals and unwanted toxins in the aquarium. It is very important that you do this no matter what water is being used to refill the aquarium.