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Your First Aquarium: A Simple 7-Step Guide for a Thriving Tank
Starting your first aquarium is easier than it looks. Follow these steps and you’ll avoid the most common beginner mistakes while building a beautiful, healthy underwater home. All gear mentioned here is available in-store, and we offer water testing daily.
What You’ll Need
- Tank (20–29 gal is ideal for beginners), sturdy stand, and snug lid
- Filter with media, heater (for tropical fish), thermometer
- Dechlorinator, test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH), gravel or sand
- Hardscape (rock/wood), plants (live or artificial), quality fish food
The 7 Steps
- Plan your fish. Peaceful community fish are easiest: tetras, rasboras, guppies, corydoras, honey/dwarf gourami.
- Rinse & place. Rinse substrate and decor, install equipment, then fill with dechlorinated water.
- Cycle the tank. Add bottled bacteria and a tiny ammonia source. Test every few days; cycling takes ~1–3 weeks.
- Plant & aquascape. Fast-growing live plants keep water stable and help prevent algae.
- Add fish slowly. Start with a small group; wait a week before adding more. Always acclimate.
- Feed lightly. Once or twice daily, only what they finish in 30–60 seconds.
- Weekly care. Change 25–30% water, clean glass, and rinse filter sponges in old tank water.
Stability beats perfection. Small, consistent changes make for happy fish and crystal-clear water.
Under The Sea Aquatics Technicians
Target Parameters (Freshwater)
- Temp: 24–26°C (75–79°F) • pH: 6.8–7.6
- Ammonia: 0 ppm • Nitrite: 0 ppm • Nitrate: < 40 ppm
- Lighting: 6–8 hours/day for low-tech planted tanks
Easy Stocking Ideas
10–15 gal: 6 neon tetras, 4 pygmy corydoras, 1 honey gourami.
20 gal: 10 ember tetras, 6 panda corydoras, 1 bristlenose pleco.
29 gal: 12 harlequin rasboras, 8 kuhli loaches, 1 dwarf gourami.
Troubleshooting
- Cloudy water? Normal in new tanks—avoid overfeeding and keep up water changes.
- Algae? Reduce light hours, add fast-growers, and check nitrate/phosphate levels.
- Fish at surface? Test immediately; increase surface agitation and do a partial water change.
Bring a photo of your space and we’ll help you pick the perfect tank, fish, and plants. New hobbyists get a free setup checklist at the counter.
Maya Chen
Picked up a 20 gal from your store last week and followed this guide. Tank is cycling and plants are pearling—thanks for the clear steps!
Under The Sea Aquatics Team
Love to hear it, Maya! Bring a water sample anytime and we’ll test it for free while you browse.
Daniel Ortega
Great stocking ideas. Would a bristlenose pleco be okay in hard water? My tap is around 7.8 pH.
Priya Natarajan
The weekly checklist is a lifesaver. Please do a follow-up on easy live plants next!