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Congrats on welcoming home aquatic life
The Petco Freshwater Aquarium Guide
We’ll help you navigate the exciting journey into pet parenthood with helpful tips, expert guidance and shopping recommendations for all your milestones together.
1. Choosing the right Aquarium
After adding water, substrate and décor, set the heater and wait 24–48 hours before introducing fish to ensure the temperature is stable and water is clear.
1. Choosing the right Aquarium
After adding water, substrate and décor, set the heater and wait 24–48 hours before introducing fish to ensure the temperature is stable and water is clear.
Aquariums
Having the right-sized habitat helps keep them healthy and relaxed while preventing aggression and stress.
Shop Aquariums
Lighting & Hoods
Enhance the colors of your aquatic life while helping live plants grow with a variety of options that match any habitat.
Shop Lighting
Aquarium Kits
A cost-effective way to bundle a range of essentials that help you set up their home.
Shop Kits
-
Aquariums
Having the right-sized habitat helps keep them healthy and relaxed while preventing aggression and stress.
Shop Aquariums
-
Lighting & Hoods
Enhance the colors of your aquatic life while helping live plants grow with a variety of options that match any habitat.
Shop Lighting
-
Aquarium Kits
A cost-effective way to bundle a range of essentials that help you set up their home.
Shop Kits
- Aquariums
- Lighting & Hoods
- Aquarium Kits
2. SETTING UP YOUR FRESHWATER aquarium
Bring home essentials to help them feel safe and comfortable while supporting their natural instincts.
Substrates
Aquarium substrate is needed as a base and can help keep live plants and other décor in place while helping beneficial bacteria to grow.
Shop Substrates
Plants
Not only can plants add visual interest, but they can also provide a shelter to help your aquatic life feel safe and secure.
Shop Plants
Décor
Add personal touches to their home while also providing territorial boundaries and hideaway places for when they need to rest or de-stress.
Shop Décor
Thermometers
Used for monitoring water temperature daily to help ensure fluctuations do not harm the health of aquatic life.
Shop Thermometers
-
Substrates
Aquarium substrate is needed as a base and can help keep live plants and other décor in place while helping beneficial bacteria to grow.
Shop Substrates
-
Plants
Not only can plants add visual interest, but they can also provide a shelter to help your aquatic life feel safe and secure.
Shop Plants
-
Décor
Add personal touches to their home while also providing territorial boundaries and hideaway places for when they need to rest or de-stress.
Shop Décor
-
Thermometers
Used for monitoring water temperature daily to help ensure fluctuations do not harm the health of aquatic life.
Shop Thermometers
- Substrates
- Plants
- Décor
- Thermometers
3. Filtration and water care
Proper filtration and temperature are crucial to maintaining aquatic life health, paired with additives and conditioners that help promote stable water quality.
Heaters
Heaters help maintain stable water temperature and are essential for healthy metabolic rate and immunity.
Shop Heaters
Filters & Media
Help meet the biological, chemical and mechanical filtration requirements needed for stable water quality.
Shop Filters & Media
Air Pumps & Accessories
By circulating water, air pumps increase dissolved oxygen while adding extra dimension when paired with bubble wands or action décor.
Shop Air Pumps
& Accessories
Water Conditioners & Additives
A variety of conditioners and additives help neutralize toxic chemicals in tap water, stabilize pH, add electrolytes and stimulate slime coats.
Shop Water Conditioners
& Additives
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Heaters
Heaters help maintain stable water temperature and are essential for healthy metabolic rate and immunity.
Shop Heaters
-
Filters & Media
Help meet the biological, chemical and mechanical filtration requirements needed for stable water quality.
Shop Filters & Media
-
Air Pumps & Accessories
By circulating water, air pumps increase dissolved oxygen while adding extra dimension when paired with bubble wands or action décor.
Shop Air Pumps
& AccessoriesShop Air Pumps & Accessories
-
Water Conditioners & Additives
A variety of conditioners and additives help neutralize toxic chemicals in tap water, stabilize pH, add electrolytes and stimulate slime coats.
Shop Water Conditioners
& AdditivesShop Water Conditioners & Additives
- Heaters
- Filters & Media
- Air Pumps & Accessories
- Water Conditioners & Additives
4. Finding the right nutrition
Set a strong foundation for their health with quality nutrition.
4. Finding the right nutrition
Set a strong foundation for their health with quality nutrition.
Pellets, Flakes & Freeze-Dried Food
Packed with the necessary blend of minerals and vitamins to help promote a healthy immune system.
Shop Fish Food
Fresh & Frozen Food
Fresh and frozen food are a natural option and more appetizing for some aquatic life.
Shop Fresh & Frozen Food
Plant Food
Live plants need nutrition, too, and plant food has essential minerals to help them thrive.
Shop Plant Food
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Pellets, Flakes & Freeze-Dried Food
Packed with the necessary blend of minerals and vitamins to help promote a healthy immune system.
Shop Fish Food
-
Fresh & Frozen Food
Fresh and frozen food are a natural option and more appetizing for some aquatic life.
Shop Fresh & Frozen Food
-
Plant Food
Live plants need nutrition, too, and plant food has essential minerals to help them thrive.
Shop Plant Food
- Fish Food
- Fresh & Frozen Food
- Plant Food
5. SUPPORTING A ROUTINE
Follow these tips to help them stay happy and healthy.
Cycling their tank
Understanding the nitrogen cycle before adding aquatic life is crucial to the overall health of your ecosystem.
Acclimating your aquatic life
Help ease the stress of a new environment by properly acclimating your aquatic life before putting them in their new home.
Cleaning their tank
Routine maintenance like changing water, vacuuming gravel and scrubbing algae help maintain a healthy ecosystem and water quality.
6. SPECIES-SPECIFIC CARE SHEETS
Discover tips and essentials that help support every aspect of their health.
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GloFish® Care Sheet
Born with their vivid colors, GloFish® are not injected with dyes.
