The beginner's guide to setting up a thriving fish tank

Setting up your first tank is exciting, and a little planning makes all the difference. Start with the nitrogen cycle: run your filter with water conditioner for two to three weeks before any fish move in. This invisible foundation converts toxic ammonia into safer nitrates — skipping it is the number one beginner mistake.

Stock lightly, plant heavily

Choose hardy beginner species such as white cloud minnows, cherry barbs or a single betta, and stock well below the shop's maximum. Live plants like anubias and java fern stabilise water chemistry, absorb nitrates and give shy fish somewhere to hide. Test water weekly for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate with liquid test kits.

A weekly routine that works

• Feed small amounts twice a day — only what disappears in two minutes.
• Change 20 percent of the water every week with temperature-matched, conditioned water.
• Never rinse filter media under the tap; swish it in old tank water instead.
• Wipe algae from the front glass and trim fast-growing plants monthly.

Follow these basics and your tank will thrive for years — and if you need food, conditioners or test kits, you'll find them in our aquarium collection.