1. The minimum at the start
At the start a beginner needs four things: a net, a siphon, a thermometer and a bucket used only for the aquarium. The net is for moving fish, and the siphon cleans the bottom and does a water change at the same time. The thermometer shows whether the water stays at the temperature your species need.
Keep the bucket for aquarium use only, so that no foreign substances get into the water. Glass cleaners, scissors and tweezers can wait until you need them: a scraper once algae appear on the glass, scissors and tweezers once you plant and trim.
2. Choosing a net by the size of the fish
Choose the net by the size of your fish: the fish should fit in the mesh easily without being squeezed. The AquaEL Fish Net 5" measures 12.5 × 10 cm and the AquaEL Telescope Fish Net 4" measures 10 × 7.5 cm, with a telescopic handle. AquaEL nets come in several sizes, so larger fish get a larger net.
According to the manufacturer, the mesh of both nets is made of soft, fine material that protects the fish's sensitive skin. The rectangular shape reaches into the corners of the tank, and the telescopic handle helps in a deep tank. Catch calmly: it is often easier to hold one net still and guide the fish into it with a second one.
3. Siphon and cleaning the substrate
A siphon draws debris from the substrate and carries the water with the dirt into the bucket. The Aqua Nova GC is a siphon with a valve in three sizes: the GC-10 with a 258 mm triangular cleaning tube, the GC-18 with a 458 mm tube and the GC-24 with a 612 mm tube. The valve regulates the water flow.
The AquaEL Gravel & Glass Cleaner starts the flow with a hand pump, so there is no need to suck water into the hose. It comes in two sizes, L (33 cm) and XL (66.5 cm), and the longer one suits a deeper tank.
Move the tube slowly over the bottom so the flow lifts the dirt but leaves the substrate in place. Keep the flow lower over plants and fine substrate.
4. Cleaning the glass: scrapers and magnets
Clean the glass only with tools and products made for aquariums. The Aqua Nova Floating Magnet Cleaner floats: if the magnets come apart, the inner part rises to the surface. Its sizes include S (7 × 3.5 cm), M (9 × 4.5 cm) and L (11 × 5.5 cm).
The AquaEL Magnet Cleaner 2in1 suits glass and acrylic tanks; it has a scraper and a soft brush that, according to the manufacturer, does not scratch the surface. It comes with a steel scraper for glass and a plastic one for acrylic. The size follows the wall thickness: S for walls of 3–6 mm, M for 3–8 mm and L for 5–10 mm.
The Resun 3-in-1 is a hand scraper with a steel blade head, a plastic blade head and a sponge head; the long model adjusts from 59 to 90 cm, the short one is 12 cm. On acrylic use only the plastic blade or a soft head, and keep sand away from between blade and glass, because a grain of sand scratches.
5. Scissors and tweezers for plants
Long scissors and tweezers let you care for plants without putting your hands deep into the water. The Aqua Nova Plant Scissors are 25 cm stainless steel scissors with straight or curved blades, also suited to terrarium plants. The Tropica Scissors 25 cm are S-shaped and made of brushed stainless steel; according to Tropica they also suit smaller tanks, for trimming both front carpets and stem plants.
The AquaEL Straight Tweezers are 27 cm stainless steel tweezers with straight ends. Use them to plant and for other precise tasks; the manufacturer recommends them especially for planted, nature and nano aquariums. After trimming, remove loose plant pieces from the water.
6. The thermometer and where to put it
The right range depends on the species. The Aqua Nova Digital Aquarium Thermometer is fixed inside the tank with a suction cup and, according to the manufacturer, measures the water temperature with high accuracy. A battery is included.
The display of the Juwel Digital Thermometer 4.0 is mounted outside, on a Juwel aquarium on the cover flap, and must not get wet. The sensor is held in the tank by two suction cups and its cable is 100 cm long. According to Juwel it measures from 0 to 40 °C to within ±0.5 °C; the AAA battery is not included.
Place the sensor where the water moves, not right next to the heater. Check the reading regularly, especially after a water change.
Tool, purpose and when you need it
| Tool | What it is for | When it is needed |
|---|---|---|
| Fish net | Catching and moving fish | Right at the start |
| Siphon | Cleaning the substrate and changing water | Right at the start |
| Thermometer | Keeping an eye on water temperature | Right at the start |
| Bucket for the aquarium only | Old and new water | Right at the start |
| Magnet cleaner or scraper | Removing algae and deposits from the glass | When algae appear on the glass |
| Scissors and tweezers | Planting and trimming plants | When the tank has plants |
Checklist
- A net that suits the size of the fish
- A siphon long enough for the depth of the tank
- A bucket for aquarium use only
- A thermometer with an easy-to-read display
- Magnet cleaner size chosen by wall thickness
- Only a plastic blade or soft head on acrylic
- Scissors and tweezers once the tank has plants
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Frequently asked questions
What size of aquarium fish net should I choose?
Choose the net by the size of your fish, so the fish fits in the mesh easily. AquaEL nets come in several sizes, for example 12.5 × 10 cm and 10 × 7.5 cm.
Which aquarium tools are needed right away?
At the start a net, a siphon, a thermometer and a bucket used only for the aquarium are enough. Glass cleaners, scissors and tweezers come later, when you need them.
Where should a digital thermometer go?
The sensor goes in the water where it moves, not right next to the heater. The display of the Juwel Digital Thermometer 4.0 stays outside the tank and must not get wet.
What does not scratch an acrylic tank?
According to the manufacturer, the soft brush of the AquaEL Magnet Cleaner 2in1 does not scratch the surface, and a plastic scraper for acrylic is included.
