Did you just buy your first aquarium? We welcome you to this exciting world. Every year a large number of beginners join the world of aquarium enthusiasts, and many leave it after a brief and unsuccessful experience due to inadequate beginnings. As we do not want that to happen, follow these tips and enjoy a nice hobby for many years.
 

Choosing the aquarium

 
1. Size: choose the largest aquarium you can afford (it’s easier to keep it in the long run). With a large aquarium you will get more stable parameters and more space for fish and plants. Another advantage of opting for a large aquarium is that, this way, fish will not feel stressed by living in a crowded place. It is recommendable to find an aquarium that can have 80 litters at least.
 
2. Location: the best place to locate your aquarium is inside your house, this will help you find out quickly if something has happened in it. It’s better if you put it near an outlet and to maintain the parameters it is better to be away from drafts and stoves. It is important that it is well lit so that plants can photosynthesize and release CO2, but try not to give direct light so that sunlight does not affect water’s final temperature. Make sure that the surface where you put it is flat, resistant and stable.
 
3. Filtering: depending on the size of your aquarium, choose a great backpack filter.
 
4. Illumination: in freshwater aquariums the most recommendable choice are LED tubes of 0.4 W / litter and in saltwater aquariums, 0.6 W / litter. If you want to have more plants you will need more power.
 

Installing the aquarium

 
5. Sand: once you have the filters and lighting, you have to start looking for a good choice for the bottom of your aquarium, something that can make it look as beautiful and clean as possible. Place sand, gravel or substrate gently on the bottom and on the back to make it deep enough.
 
6. Decoration and plants: once the sand, the decorative elements and the plants you wanted to add are correctly positioned, you can provide hiding places for the fish but try not to overload it because they will have less free room to swim.
 
7. Water: to fill the aquarium use only cold water, never hot water, since it contains too many toxic ions. Let the water come out of the tap a few minutes before filling the aquarium. Try to do it in the morning.
 
8. Water conditioning: pay attention to this step as it is vital for fish to live in good conditions. Treat the water with antichloride and conditioners. Operate the new system for several days, preferably more than 15 days, making the necessary adjustments in heating, lighting and filtration before putting the fish inside.
 
9. Levels: check PH, KH, GH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates often to see if they are at the appropriate levels.
 
10. Water changes: approximately every 10-15 days a partial water change is made, a change of approximately 20% of the total volume. With the passing of time you will get to know the optimal water renewal pattern that works best in your aquarium.
 
11. Maintenance: review the equipment periodically and have provision for an adequate selection of remedies and replacement equipment to respond without delay to any emergency.
 

Putting the fish in

 
12. Choosing fish: depending on the characteristics of the fish you may need an aquarium or another, take that into account when choosing it, as well as the incompatibilities between different breeds and preferred habitats of each.
 
13. Parasites and diseases: buy fish that are free from parasites, for this it is important to know if the importers perform quarantines. Buy only fish of healthy and active aspect. It is a good idea to buy fish at noon and put them in the aquarium by the afternoon, to avoid a long period of stressful exposure to the ones already established.
 
14. Transportation home: protect the fish from the stress of temperature and other inconveniences on your way home. A good way to do this is by taking it in a dark isolated container, so when it is delivered in its transparent bag, it is convenient that you have prepared a box for the fish to make the trip the safest and most comfortable experience possible.
 
15. Placing them in: turn off the lights of the aquarium and make the bag float without mixing the waters, this way you will equalize the temperatures. After a few minutes, untie the bag, but do not pinch it, and add a 25cl glass of water from the aquarium to the bag. Every 10 minutes add a glass until you triple the starting volume. Then, release the fish carefully inside the aquarium. Avoid pouring water from the bag inside the aquarium, it should be damaged because of the trip.
 
16. Feeding the fish: do not feed the fish the first day, it is better to wait for the next day. It is convenient to provide small amounts often. Avoid overfeeding at any time since everything you do not eat in 2-3 minutes will end up as surplus and can worsen the quality of the water.
 
17. Number of fish: even if you really want to see your aquarium full of fish, under no circumstances try to cram an aquarium as soon as you buy it. Do not buy all the fish in an aquarium at one time. Acquire a third at the starting number and then gradually fill the container during the following weeks, this will allow the filtration system to gradually adapt to the growing population of the aquarium. In marine aquariums, you do not reach the maximum level of fish before six months of starting it.
 
18. Customs of the fish: before acquiring them, carefully equate the fish with the water conditions. Find out about the habits of the fish and their diets and make sure that you can adequately provide for their needs. If you cannot do it, do not buy the fish.
 
If you are looking for an online shop where you can buy anything your need for your aquarium from the comfort of your house, here at Guppy’s Aquarium Products you will find them!