Saltwater Filters & Media

Aquarium Filtration: Pick the Best Filter for a Thriving Tank

Discover the fish tank filter system that’s right for your aquarium. Learn about mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration at Petco.

Updated on October 23rd, 2025

Build Your Thriving Saltwater Tank: Easy Setup for Marine Life

Learn how to set up a saltwater fish tank and key considerations regarding placement, supplies needed, and the overall set up process.

Updated on October 23rd, 2025

Essential Large Marine Fish Care Guide: Tank Setup, Diet, & Tank Mates

Learn how to care for large marine fish, recommended diet and habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.

Updated on April 9th, 2026

Aquatic Pet Safety: Keep Your Home Aquarium Pets Healthy & Safe

Learn how to safely handle your aquatic life to avoid toxin & bacterial exposure. Find aquatic life care supplies at your neighborhood Petco pet care center.

Updated on October 23rd, 2025

Your Guide to Healthy Freshwater Aquarium Plants & Thriving Fish

Learn how to pick the right aquarium plants, substrate, lighting, and fertilizers to ensure that your aquarium plants thrive and stay healthy.

Updated on October 23rd, 2025

What fish and supplies are best for a beginner's small tank?

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

Where can I find expert help for my fish tank filtration questions?

You should contact by email the administrators of the website (you can find general email on the contact section) and they put you in touch with the Head Vet in charge of hiring new experts. Best of luck and hope to see you joining the team soon. Dr. Orioles

20-gallon tank setup: What fish and supplies do I need to get started?

A fish tank will need a filter, a light/hood and a heater. Make sure the filter is rated for at least twice the tank volume. The heater should be adjustable since water temperature will depend on the species of fish. Good "starter" fish include Tetras, Mollies, Danios or Tetras. A new tank should be set up and left running empty for several weeks before adding fish. A pinch of flake food can be sprinkled in daily. This "cycling" will allow a population of beneficial bacteria to colonize the tank and filter. These bacteria will break down wastes (ammonia, nitrites and nitrates) which are toxic to fish.

Is my well water with a salt filter safe for my aquarium fish?

Water softeners leave very little salt residue in the treated water. Most, not all, fish *should* do fine in softened water. Make sure you get species that does better in soft water. Use a hardness kit and monitor KH. This parameter is what can affect pH. You can set aside a gallon or two and test it after it has aged for 24-48 hours to confirm it is safe to use. Check the softener unit for a bypass valve. Some units will have one or you can get one installed. Taps/faucets outside may not be in line with the softener, so you can use water from there if necessary.

When should I change my aquarium filter for a healthy fish tank?

How frequently to change the filter depends on what type of filter you have. There are mesh filters that filter large particles of uneaten food, feces, etc. - these often just need to be rinsed to remove the material and that is it. If they get damaged in any way, that is when they need to be replaced. Other filters that remove toxins - often carbon filters or ammonia filters, have a set time frame that they should be changed with. This time frame is often set by the manufacturer, and usually ranges between 1-3 months, but you can look at the package or talk to the pet store where you purchased it for more guidance. The biological filter, which is made up of a surface for bacteria to live on, usually don’t need a great deal of cleaning as you can kill all of the good bacteria. I hope that helps to answer your question - if you need further assistance, I would recommend a store with fish experience, or we can do a consultation together here as well! Good luck!