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Discover the fish tank filter system that’s right for your aquarium. Learn about mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration at Petco.
Updated on October 29th, 2025

What is activated carbon and should you add it to your aquarium filter? Learn about activated carbon's uses, maintenance, and how to add it to your filter.
Updated on October 29th, 2025
Learn how to care for live rock & sand. Live rock serves as a platform for coral and invertebrates and provides a surface for beneficial bacteria to live.
Updated on October 29th, 2025
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 29th, 2025
Learn how to care for soft coral, recommended care & habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies & equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on October 29th, 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
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!
Updated on August 12th, 2025
These cubes are typically placed in the filter or directly in the water flow. The filter should have a compartment that can be opened to remove filter media. Without knowing the brand of filter, more accurate advice cannot be given. The cubes begin to work immediately to reduce ammonia levels but they should not be used as a long term solution. Monitor water chemistry using a home test kit or by submitting a water sample for testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with a nitrate level of 20 ppm or less. Perform partial water changes, no more than 30% at a time, to stabilize chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. This would be recommended over using another method.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
A small tank with one Betta will require minimal upkeep. Most small HOB (hang on back) filters will be sufficient. Tetra, Fluval and Aqueon make a wide range of acceptable filters. The tank should have a cover or hood as well as a light and a heater. Bettas do best between 78 F and 80 F. Feed 1-3 pellets once or twice daily. Change the filter as per manufacturer instructions. Rinse filter media with tank water, not tap water, to preserve beneficial bacterial populations. A partial water change, no more than 20-20% of total tank volume, may be necessary every 2 weeks to maintain water quality and stable chemistry. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Water conditioner brands include: AmQuel Plus, NovAqua, Prime, StressZyme and StressCoat. You don't need all of them. Follow the directions on the bottle. Allow the tank to cycle before adding a fish. This will allow beneficial bacterial populations to colonize the filter and substrate
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Some iron is necessary for a healthy aquarium, but too much can promote algae growth or impart an unsightly yellow or orange tinge to the water. Reverse osmosis (RO) filters are deal for removing mineral and heavy metals from water but they can be prohibitively expensive. Buying RO water from a local market or pet store is also a possibility but not economically feasible if you have a large tank. The best option may be a Polyfilter, which can be purchased in the local pet store or online. These filters will remove iron or other metals/chemicals and must be changed monthly or quarterly. You can also buy a water conditioner that will precipitate out some of the iron which can then be removed by mechanical filtration. An example of just one is Rid Metals (by Kordon). Follow label directions carefully, perform regular water changes and monitor iron levels with a home test kit or by submitting a water sample for testing.
Updated on August 12th, 2025