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Everything you need to know about how to start a fish tank. Learn about setting up an aquarium, choosing the right type, and acclimating new fish to your tank.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Wondering why you may need CO2 in your fish aquarium? Learn the basics from a Petco aquatics specialist.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Gravel vacuuming helps remove solid waste from your substrate. Learn about the different types of gravel vacuums available & how to clean your fish tank.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
When choosing a new aquarium or moving to a new home you’ll want to know the dimensions, weight, and size of your tank to plan accordingly.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Learn how to care for freshwater livebearers, recommended diet & aquarium setup. Find the right food, supplies & equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Without anything to use for scale, it is hard for me to tell how big your tank is, but in general it seems very small. Also, the water that is in the tank appears very cloudy right now, so that would be the first place to start. Water quality is very important, and will make or break your ability to house and care for fish. I would recommend getting a good filter system (you can visit a local pet store to assist you with brands in your area, as I am not familiar with what you can get in India). Be sure to bring the measurements (height, length, width) of your tank, or the gallons or liters so they can tell you what capacity of filter you will need. Everything else will depend on what types of fish you get - if you plan on getting multiple fish, they will need to be small - a general rule of thumb is one square inch of fish per gallon of water. Depending on the species you get, you may need to also get a bubbler to ensure there is enough oxygen in the water for them, and you will also
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Before you buy any fish, you will need to set up the tank. A basic set up includes: a tank, filter, hood/light, heater, gravel and some decor. The tank should run without fish for at least 4 to 6 weeks. This gives it time to cycle. The Nitrogen Cycle is critical to the health of the tank and any fish you will be keeping. During this time, beneficial bacterial will populate the filter and substrate (gravel). These bacteria will be responsible for breaking down fish wastes and other wastes (uneaten food, dead plants, etc.). You will need a home test kit to monitor water chemistry (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH) or you will have to submit water samples for testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or for a small fee. At first, you will see high levels of ammonia and nitrites. Over time, as bacteria grow, these levels will drop. When ammonia and nitrites are at 0 ppm and nitrates are below 20 ppm, you can consider adding fish. Regular (every 1 or 2 weeks) partial water changes as we
Updated on August 12th, 2025
At the very least, a 10 gallon tank with a filter, heater, hood and light. Ideally, the tank should be up and running (without fish) until it cycles properly. This means there needs to be sufficient time for beneficial bacteria to colonize the tank and filter to be able to break down wastes, namely ammonia and nitrites and to a lesser degree, nitrates. This can take several weeks to occur. You can cycle a tank with fish in it, but it will require daily testing of water chemistry to prevent a toxic build up of ammonia and/or nitrites. Either can kill your fish if not treated. Follow this link for a FAQ regarding Glo Fish: https://www.glofish.com/about/faq/ Follow this link for more about cycling a tank: http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php
Updated on August 12th, 2025
I would recommend to have the water completely changed. New water should be ideally submitted for quality testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or a nominal fee. High ammonia levels, PH imbalances may be responsible for that as well. Oxygen concentration and quality of the filters should be determined as well. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Your tank may be overstocked which will contribute to excessive algae growth. Other causes include poor water quality, overfeeding, too much light and slow water current. Consider removing some fish to another tank or getting a larger tank. If you choose the latter, it will need to be properly cycled before you move fish. A general guideline is one inch of fish per gallon of water. Use the adult size of any fish you plan on keeping when estimating tank requirements. Put the lights on a timer. A photoperiod of 10-12 hours on and the remainder off should suffice. Increase filter flow if you can. Standing or slow moving water will promote algae growth. For now, you can use an algae scrubber to clean glass and tank furniture. Perform partial water changes and rinse filter media. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Use tank water, not tap water, to rinse filter media to preserve beneficial bacteria in the sponge.
Updated on August 12th, 2025