1. Choose the aquarium
A 60–120-litre aquarium is the best start for a beginner. In a larger volume temperature and water parameters change more slowly, so mistakes are not punished straight away. A tiny nano tank looks lovely but needs more attention.
The easiest option is a set in which the tank, filter, light and heater are matched by the manufacturer. Check on the product page what the set includes and whether a cabinet comes with it.
2. Equipment you need
The filter keeps the water clean and hosts the bacteria that break down substances harmful to fish. The heater keeps a temperature that suits tropical fish, usually 24–26 °C. The light is needed for plants and for watching the fish; keep it on for about 8 hours a day.
If the set does not include everything, choose the filter and heater by aquarium volume: the manufacturer states the right volume for each model.
3. Substrate and plants
If you want plants, use a nutrient substrate such as Tropica Aquarium Soil, or a nutrient layer under gravel. For a fish-only tank, sand or gravel is enough.
Plant from the start and plant plenty: plants take up nutrients that algae would otherwise use. Easy plants that need no CO2 are a good start: Anubias, Java fern, Cryptocoryne and fast-growing stem plants.
4. Cycling the aquarium
Fill the aquarium, add a water conditioner that neutralises the chlorine in tap water, and switch on the filter, heater and light. Now the cycle begins: bacteria grow in the filter and substrate that turn ammonia and nitrite from fish waste into much less harmful nitrate.
Cycling usually takes 4–6 weeks. Do not add fish during that time; check the water with tests. Once ammonia and nitrite read zero, add fish in small groups over several weeks, not all at once.
5. Everyday care
Change 20–30% of the water once a week with water of the same temperature and conditioner. Feed only what the fish eat within a couple of minutes. Rinse filter sponges in aquarium water, not under the tap, so the useful bacteria survive.
