Your first aquarium
A collection for anyone still choosing a spot for a tank, or who has already brought one home and isn't sure what to do first.
the aquarium without mysteries: a guide for beginners
Lpkn: the aquarium without mysteries, for those just starting out
A first aquarium looks like a simple purchase: glass, water and a couple of bright little fish. But very soon a small ecosystem with its own rules takes shape inside it, and the health of its inhabitants depends on whether you understand those rules. We have gathered calm, clear explanations in one place to help you make sense of water, equipment and which fish can live together before anything goes wrong.
Patience is a fishkeeper's most important tool. No filter works faster than bacteria grow, and no purchase can replace a few weeks of calm waiting.
Where to start reading
Water and cycling
Why tap water can't go straight in with the fish, where the ammonia in an aquarium comes from and where it goes afterwards.
Tank inhabitants
How to choose fish that will get along, why quarantine matters, and what to know about snails, shrimp and live plants.
Care and holidays
A step-by-step water change, cleaning the filter without harming the bacteria, and getting the aquarium ready while you're away.
Guide sections
- Sections
Four big topics: water and the nitrogen cycle, equipment, aquarium inhabitants and regular care.
- Guides
A step-by-step article on doing a water change without stressing your fish, plus the article catalogue.
- Questions
Short answers about tap water, which fish get along, everyday care and the first signs of trouble.
- Collections
Reading paths: your first month with an aquarium, an aquarium with a child, plants and snails.
- Reference
A fishkeeper's glossary: nitrogen cycle, nitrite, water conditioner, quarantine, schooling fish and more.
- New
A feed of new guide pages with dates, topics and a note on who will find each one useful.
- Archive
Every finished page of the guide, sorted by preparation date and main topic.
Setting up an aquarium in five steps
Choose a spot and set up the equipment
Find a sturdy surface away from radiators and direct sunlight, close to a power socket. Install the filter, heater and light and add rinsed substrate, but don't rush to buy fish yet.
Prepare the water
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine, and both are harmful to fish. Chlorine leaves if the water is left to stand, but chloramine doesn't, so it needs a dedicated water conditioner.
Start the filter and give the bacteria time
Once the tank is filled, switch on the filter and let it run. The beneficial bacteria that process waste usually need several weeks to grow into a reliable colony.
Add the first inhabitants a few at a time
Start with a small group of hardy fish that suit your conditions, and wait for the system to adjust to them. Add new tankmates gradually rather than all on the same day.
Keep an aquarium diary
Note the dates of water changes, filter cleaning, new arrivals and anything unusual in how the fish behave. Notes like these help you spot a problem earlier and work out how it started.
The essentials in brief
Are you a pet shop?
No. Lpkn is a guide with articles for beginner fishkeepers. We don't sell fish, plants or equipment, don't take orders and don't recommend specific shops or brands.
Can I add fish right after filling the tank?
It's best not to rush. In a new tank, colonies of beneficial bacteria need time to grow, usually several weeks. While there are few of them, toxic ammonia and nitrite build up, so fish are added gradually.
Can I release fish I no longer want into a pond?
No. In natural waters, aquarium fish, snails and plants can become invasive, push out native wildlife and spread disease. Rules also differ by country, so check local rules. It's better to rehome them with other fishkeepers.
A fish is sick. What should I do?
First check when the last water change was and whether anything in the aquarium has changed. Then ask an experienced fishkeeper or a vet who treats fish. We don't advise trying medicines at random: they can do harm.
About the project
This domain used to host only unrelated pages that had nothing to do with this guide. None of their content is reproduced here; all we inherited from the old address is the name.
We write for people setting up a first aquarium on their own or with their children. We explain what happens in the water, which mistakes are the most common and how to look after the inhabitants without harming them.
Exact keeping conditions vary from species to species, so we don't give precise figures and always suggest checking the requirements of the species in question. If a question concerns illness, we recommend asking a specialist.
Sources
- Beginner fishkeeping handbooks
- Materials on biological invasions in freshwater
Information is current as of the date this page was prepared. Fish, plants and invertebrates vary widely in their needs, so before buying a new animal, always check the requirements of that particular species.