Freshwater
Freshwater aquariums, filters, lights, heaters, CO2, substrates, fertilisers and live plants.
€16.99
from€11.99
€20.99
Fits: Unifilter 500, Unifilter 750 +1
from€7.99
Unit price: €2.66 / pc
Advice and care
How to choose freshwater aquarium equipment
Start with the volume, then pick the equipment and livestock that suit that tank.
Volume first
Pick the tank before the equipment: filter and heater are chosen by litres.
Plants or fish
A planted tank needs nutrient soil, fertiliser and a stronger light than a fish-only tank.
Time to cycle
Let the filter run for a couple of weeks and test the water before adding fish.
Frequently asked questions
Which aquarium suits a beginner?
A medium-sized set with the filter, light and heater already matched. Water values change more slowly in a larger tank than in a very small one.
Does a planted tank need a CO2 system?
Easy plants such as anubias, ferns and mosses grow without CO2. Dense carpets and red plants need CO2 and a stronger light.
Read more
Freshwater aquarium equipment works as one system, so the parts have to match. Filter and heater output are chosen by volume in litres, and the light by the tank's length and how demanding your plants are. If the equipment is too weak for the tank, careful maintenance will not make up for it: the water clouds and the temperature drifts.
The second decision is whether the tank is mainly for plants or for fish. A densely planted aquarium needs a nutrient-rich substrate, regular fertiliser and often added CO2; a fish tank does well with gravel, a good filter and a few undemanding plants.
The most common mistake is stocking too quickly. A new filter has not yet grown the bacteria that break down fish waste, so add fish gradually and check ammonia and nitrite with tests. After that, a weekly partial water change keeps the water clean.
Related guides
All guides
1-2-Grow!5 min read5 sections
Tropica 1-2-Grow! cup plants: unpacking and planting
What a Tropica 1-2-Grow! cup is, how to unpack the plant, rinse off the gel, divide and plant it, and how it differs from a plant grown in a pot.
Read the guide
Substrate5 min read5 sections
Nutrient aquarium substrate: soil or gravel for plants?
When to choose a nutrient soil and when plain gravel: Tropica Aquarium Soil, Soil Powder, Tropica Substrate and Aqua Nova plant soil, depth, setup and renewal.
Read the guide
Fertiliser5 min read5 sections
Liquid fertiliser for aquarium plants: choosing and dosing
Tropica Premium, Specialised and Carbon Nutrition, Aquaforest and 2Hr: macro and micro fertiliser, dosing by the label and the algae risk of overdosing.
Read the guide