Submitted by: John Rammon

It is amazing to have your own tropical fish tank. The fact is that these aquariums change every month with the addition of new fish, growth of plants or even the look of the fish inside. That means it is best to start with a small set-up, even more so for beginners to tropical aquariums. You may want to jump right in with a fancy species, but those fish may take expert care that you just aren’t ready to provide yet. That said, you need to be patient, learn about the fish you begin with and then add more delicate fish as you go along.

What’s In An Aquarium?

To start your new hobby, there are a few things you need to pick up. The first is a tank, then you will need a filtration system adequately sized for the number of gallons in your tank, a water heater, some plants (fake or real, depending on what you are planning for your tank), substrate (gravel, sand, etc.), and some decorations and hiding places for the fish. As far as substrate goes, what you choose depends on what sort of fish you will have in your tank, what look you are aiming for, and whether or not you plan to have real plants. Once you add any substrate, make sure you let it settle for a couple of days. When that is done, you can then proceed to adding your decor. These spots will look great and provide the fish a place to hide if they are anxious or rest on as they sleep at night.

Plants – Natural Or Artificial?

As you choose the live elements to put in your tank, be wise! For example, if you plan to include some java ferns and decide to put goldfish in your tank, you will soon have no plants left as goldfish are herbivorous. They also can eat other fish or invertebrates, so you can’t put any other animals in the tank that are smaller than a goldfish’s mouth. If you plan to put anything “fake” in your tank, such as plants or decor, be sure that they are indeed intended for a fish tank, otherwise they could leach chemicals into the water and kill everything inside. As long as you learn about each element you plan on adding to your tank, you should be able to make for a harmonious environment.

Choosing the Fish

As for the fish, choose species which don’t grow too large so they don’t end up too big for your tank. For example, fancy goldfish need 10 gallons of tank space each to live a long, healthy life. Regular goldfish need 40 as this fish tends to grow pretty big. If you’re not sure, ask the staff at your local fish store to get the low down on the species you’re interested in.

From aggression to food choices to whether or not a fish schools and therefore needs tank mates, proper research on these important details will ensure that you make the right choices and end up with a beautiful aquarium indeed.

About the Author: For more details on how to create the perfect aquarium read our complete guide on tropical fish care. Also, visit us at

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