List Of Stuuf You Need To Start A Freshwater Aquarium

[Cool-Katz]

Hi it's me again. I wanted to know the list of stuff that you need to start an aquarium?

 

[Box]

Water!

 

[snake007]

Well for starters a tank

Filter
Heater
Air Stone (Optional)
Substrate (Optional)
Decor (Optional)
Thermostat
Lighting (Optional)

And a fishless cycle method.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Aquarium
lighting
substrate
filter with media
heater
thermometer
live plants (preferably)
decorations

You'll need to cycle your aquarium for several weeks before you add fish, so I didn't put fish on the list quite yet. Best to spend the weeks while your aquarium is cycling reading up on the different species of fish to determine which ones you like best, will live happily together and will have enough room to flourish in the size tank you decide to get.

Welcome to our forum!

 

[mike455555]

Well for starters a tank

Filter
Heater
Air Stone (Optional)
Substrate (Optional)
Decor (Optional)
Thermostat
Lighting (Optional)

And a fishless cycle method.

+1 although you want a light and substrate... ohh and you defo want water

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Patience... most important thing for any fish keeper. The cycling process will test that, no matter whether you do it fish-in or fishless method.


You will also need:

ammonia (for fishless cycle)
liquid test kit(s) - API Master Kit is a good place to start (includes ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, high ph) Salifert is also a good test kit, but far more expensive than API in US.



Oh, and welcome to the forum.

 

[CezzaXV]

Bicarbonate of soda is also a good thing to have in cycling if your pH drops too low and crashes the cycle, but you can wait until you actually need it before you buy. If you have hard water you might not need it.

Another thing you'll need is a pipette, syringe or something similar to measure out amounts of ammonia. 5ml or 10 ml is the ideal size.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Water!

Really? Are you sure? I used vodka.....oh crap...maybe that is why my fish are swimming funny....

 

[Box]

Water!

Really? Are you sure? I used vodka.....oh crap...maybe that is why my fish are swimming funny....

 

[Lufbramatt]

Don't forget a couple of buckets, gravel vac, a "sponge on a stick" thing for cleaning the inside of the glass, a fine net for catching fish, and some old towels to absorb any spills at water changes. Also need dechlorinator for the water, polystyrene to go under the tank (depending on the tank design).

 

[micko]

I think all has been covered. I would definitely agree with eaglesaquarium on the test kit. Liquid test kit is far better than strips. They are kinda expensive but without it you won't know whether your ready for fish or not. Ammonia is needed IMO for a good fishless cycle. The test kit will also tell you if your in a hard or soft water area and will tell you your Ph so you can work your eventual stocking around that.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Water!

Really? Are you sure? I used vodka.....oh crap...maybe that is why my fish are swimming funny....

Sorry I am in a goofy mood lol

 

[This Old Spouse]

So here's your tidy list:

Aquarium

lighting

substrate

filter with media

heater

thermometer

live plants (preferably)

decorations

food

ammonia (for fishless cycle)

liquid test kit(s) - API Master Kit is a good place to start (includes ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, high ph) Salifert is also a good test kit, but far more expensive than API in US. Nutrafin good too.

bicarbonate of soda

pipette in 5ml or 10ml

a couple of buckets

gravel vac

"sponge on a stick" thing for cleaning the inside of the glass

a fine net for catching fish

and some old towels to absorb any spills at water changes

dechlorinator for the water, preferably Seachem Prime or StressCoat+

polystyrene to go under the tank (maybe ... I don't but lots do)




And it wouldn't be a bad idea to get some ich medication and an antibiotic like Myxazin because fish always tend to get sick late on a Saturday night. Not quite sure how they know, but there you have it.