• Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Congrats on welcoming home aquatic life

  1. Home
  2. New Pet
  3. New Freshwater Aquarium Guide

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.

PETCO
TIP

Save 15% on supplies and nutrition for your freshwater fish—including aquariums, food, décor and more—with Vital  Care Premier.

Join Now
Join Now

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

Aquariums

Having the right-sized habitat helps keep them healthy and relaxed while preventing aggression and stress.

Shop Aquariums
Lighting & Hoods

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

Aquarium Kits

A cost-effective way to bundle a range of essentials that help you set up their home.

Shop Kits
  • Aquariums

    Aquariums

    Having the right-sized habitat helps keep them healthy and relaxed while preventing aggression and stress.

    Shop Aquariums

  • Lighting & Hoods

    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

    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
 

1

Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium Tank 40 Gallon Breeder

2

Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium Tank 20 Gallon Long

3

Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium Tank 10 Gallon

1

Aqueon Freshwater Aquarium Clip-On LED Fixture

2

Aqueon LED Deluxe Full Hood, 30" L

3

Aqueon Live Planted Aquarium Clip-On LED Fixture

1

Aqueon LED 10 Gallon Aquarium Kit, 22.88" L X 12.75" W X 13.88" H

2

Aqueon LED 29 Gallon Aquarium Kit, 32.25" L X 14.25" W X 20.63" H

3

Imagitarium 2 Gallon Cumberland Tank

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
 

1

Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum, 8.8 lbs.

2

Imagitarium White Aquarium Sand, 20 LBS

3

Imagitarium Black Aquarium Sand, 20 LBS

1

Zoo Med Betta Bed Leaf Hammock

2

GloFish Mangrove Green Tree Plant Fluorescent Under Blue LED Light Aquarium Decor, Medium

3

Imagitarium Colorful Plastic Aquarium Plants Foreground Value Pack

1

Imagitarium Large Tree Log Aquatic Decor

2

Imagitarium Flowerball Aquarium Ornament

3

Zoo Med Aquatic Natural Mopani Wood

1

Imagitarium Glass Thermometer, Small

2

Imagitarium Aquarium Strip Thermometer

3

Imagitarium Digital Aquarium Thermometer

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

  • 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

    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

    Shop Water Conditioners & Additives

  • Heaters
  • Filters & Media
  • Air Pumps & Accessories
  • Water Conditioners & Additives
 

1

Aqueon Preset Aquarium Heater, 50W

2

Aqueon Mini Flat Heater, 5 Watts

3

Aqueon Mini Heater, 10W

1

Fluval 307 Performance Canister Filter 120Vac, 60Hz

2

Aqueon QuietFlow LED PRO 75 Aquarium Power Filter

3

Aqueon QuietFlow LED PRO 10 Aquarium Power Filter

1

Fluval 207 Performance Canister Filter 120Vac

2

Marineland 275 Penguin PRO Power Filter, Multi-Stage Aquarium Filtration

3

Imagitarium Air Pump, 2.5W

1

Aqueon Water Conditioner, 16 oz.

2

API Freshwater Master Test Kit

3

Imagitarium Freshwater, 2.5 Gallons

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

  • 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
 

1

Aqueon Betta Pellets Betta Food, .95 oz.

2

Hikari Tropical Algae Wafers for Plecostomus & Algae Eaters

3

Tetra Goldfish Select Goldfish Flakes, 1 oz.

1

San Francisco Bay Brand Frozen Gumdrops Floating Fish Food Bloodworms, 120 Ct

2

San Francisco Bay Brand Frozen Gumdrops Floating Fish Food Brine Shrimp, 120 Ct

3

San Francisco Bay Brand Frozen Brine Shrimp Cube Pack, 3.5 oz.

1

Seachem Flourish

2

Seachem Flourish Iron

3

Seachem Plant Pack: Fundamentals

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

Cleaning their tank

Routine maintenance like changing water, vacuuming gravel and scrubbing algae help maintain a healthy ecosystem and water quality.

Learn More

6. SPECIES-SPECIFIC CARE SHEETS

Discover tips and essentials that help support every aspect of their health.

    Styled arrow button