This post on how to set up a fish tank is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Mars Fish Care and the API brand.
If you are trying to figure out how to set up a fish tank, then you’ve come to the right place! Setting up a fish tank (some would say setting up an aquarium) is not as difficult as you may think it is. It’s especially easy when you have all the right products and instructions!
How to Set Up a Fish Tank
One of the most important things to know is that setting up a fish tank is not only fun when you have your new pets swimming around, it’s actually fun to set up a fish tank, too!
I’m going to include a couple of clips from Gary Jones, Manager of Industry Relations and resident (self-proclaimed) fish nerd at Mars Fishcare. He is a guru who really knows how to set up a fish tank! These short clips will guide you for setting up a fish tank and proper fishkeeping of your tank once it’s ready for fish!
Basic Steps
First, decide what size tank you are looking for. The range in size is pretty wide, so maybe you’d want to start with a 10 or 20 gallon fish tank like this one. It’s a great way to introduce yourself to the care and maintenance that is required while also saving money on the upfront costs of getting product as well as filling the tank with fish!
Second, decide what type of fish you think you’d like to have, either tropical or freshwater. They are slightly different, so deciding which types you’d like (you have to pick one or the other) will also help guide you in picking the appropriate products for the tank. Products like heaters are required for tropical fish and recommended for freshwater fish, but need to be maintained at different temperatures.
Finally, get the necessary and recorded products you need to get your water ready to have fish and what you need to feed, clean, and maintain the aquarium environment for healthy, beautiful fish to thrive in!
Fish Tank Basics
There are some essential components of any fish tank of any size. Once you choose the size of your tank, make sure you have the appropriate filter and heater. These are essential in keeping the tank clean and the water at the correct temperature. Also, be sure to have a thermometer to easily tell what the water temperature is. The filter cartridge is like any other filter and needs to be changed every time you change the water. Typically you should change the water every 2 weeks or so. Removing half of the water and replacing it with new water and the appropriate chemicals should keep the tank fresh and healthy for your fish.
The fun stuff that you need would be the rocks at the bottom of the tank (there are many options), the light that’s under the hood of the tank (required, but many different options), and the plants and other decorations for the tank. You can purchase real or imitation plants, different houses, boats, and everything else you could imagine. This is great for the fish but it also really makes the tank look great. It adds such a fun aspect to any tank. It’s a win-win for people and for fish!
These are the basics you need to set up, now let’s talk about all the products you will need to use on a regular basis to maintain the aquarium’s environment so it looks great and offers a healthy habitat for your fish to enjoy and thrive in!
Some Recommended Mars Fish Care Products
Check with your local fish store to see what they think you need and how much, but here are some great products I think any fishkeeper needs to have!
- API® STRESS COAT makes tap water safe for fish by removing chlorine, chloramines and heavy metals from tap
water. All of the junk is removed, plus it contains Aloe Vera to reduce fish stress by up to 40% and to heal damaged tissue and wounds! - API® QUICK START nitrifying bacteria immediately starts the natural aquarium cycle with beneficial bacteria. This is essential because it converts toxic ammonia into nitrite, then into harmless nitrate to help prevent fish loss in your tank.
- API® STRESS ZYME bacterial cleaner helps keep your aquarium clean by adding 300 million live bacteria per teaspoonful to the water. These bacteria consume sludge and reduce aquarium maintenance.
- API® ACCU-CLEAR water clarifier quickly clarifies cloudy water by clumping tiny floating particles together. These larger particles are easier for the filter to remove from the water.
- API® 5-IN-1 TEST STRIPS are the quick and easy way to test the levels of pH, KH, GH, nitrate, and nitrite in the water. Simply dip one test strip directly into the aquarium and compare the colors on the strip to the color card. Figure out if there are any unsafe water conditions and adjust your water accordingly.
API® AQUARIUM SALT
Salt? For a freshwater fish tank? Yep. API® AQUARIUM SALT is actually a really important item for your fish tank. It promotes gill function and adds so many essential elements and essential electrolytes to the water, your fish really need it to reach peak coloration and vitality. These electrolytes may be lost each time you perform a partial
water change and will need to be replenished.
There are many benefits of using API® AQUARIUM SALT:
Adding Fish to the Tank
So, many people think that once you have the fish tank set up, you have to wait 24-48 hours for the water to be ready for your little fishy friends to come join you. This is not the case any longer with the help of API® STRESS COAT water conditioner and API® QUICK START nitrifying bacteria!! With these wonderful products, you can head out right away and add your fish immediately! It’s pretty amazing stuff!
Feeding Your Fish
There are a lot of great fish food options out there, so talk to you local professional to see what works best for your type of fish! One really great option are API® TROPICAL FLAKES or API TROPICAL PELLETS, which are designed specifically for tropical community fish such as Angelfish, Tetras, and Barbs. Pellets or Flakes…it’s really based on your preference and the size of your fish. Larger fish may prefer pellets to flakes because of their density, compared with smaller fish that may more easily consume the light texture of flakes. Both options are equally great for your fish, though.
One thing that’s important to note, never overfeed your fish! Tell your kids!
Benefits of Setting Up A Fish Tank
There are so many great benefits to setting up a fish tank! From reducing stress and improving mental health to aiding children grow in academics like science and mathematics, it’s such an amazing experience having fish in the home! I could only imagine it’s even more beneficial in today’s uncertain times!
Mars Fish Care Products are the Best
I’ve had a few different freshwater tanks (as well as a few dogs) in my life and have tried many different products. There are some very good products out there, but one brand that seems to shine a little brighter than the rest is Mars Fish care.
Setting up a fish tank can be a very rewarding thing for you and your family. There’s such a huge variety of tank sizes fish in all different shapes and colors readily available, there is something for everyone and then some!
If you you have interest in owning and starting up an indoor aquarium, I really think it’s worth looking into. Seriously. Visit apifishcare.com right now and get your family’s pet fish journey started right now! You can also check out Facebook, Instagram, and search #apifishcare!
18 comments
I couldn’t have come across this at a better time! We’ve been talking about getting a fish tank, and this is a HUGE help!
You should read articles by actual experts. This guy is not one. Most of these products are unnecessary and a waste of money.
This is so cool and brings back lots of memories. I remember getting fish tank stuff for my birthday and setting it up with my dad. Many trips to the Pet store to look at fish, and get the water tested. I was always impatient with getting the water just right, haha.
Oh man, I have a feeling my son is going to soooo want a pet when he gets older. WHICH COULD include a fish. I am not so sure HOW I am going to respond to that LOL!
We may be getting a few fish next week. My daughter has been asking. I think we will start with a small tank and work our way up. Thank you for all the 411!
I’ve been wanting to set up a fish tank in our place. I’ll definitely save this for reference in the future.
You should read articles by actual experts then. This guy is not one. Most of these products are unnecessary and a waste of money. He’s getting paid to tell people to buy this stuff.
This is awesome, We had a fish tank couple of years back but my fishes use to keep dying, later I got to know it was because I fed them too much! after seeing this I am thinking of getting one again !
Wow! This product is so cool. The tips too is very informative.
This fish tank setup guidelines is so detailed and absolutely helpful! Saving this for when we set up our own. Thank you!
You should read articles by actual experts. This guy is not one. Most of these products are unnecessary and a waste of money. He’s getting paid to tell people to buy this stuff.
Hhhmmmm….alright then. I hope I can get what I need to set it all up!
i had a fish bowl as a child but no tank. it is interesting to hear about the heater. i guess that makes total sense though since fish in the lake or ocean have the sun’s heat.
My son loves the fish tank at the doctor’s office. I would love to get him one but thought it would be so much work to set up. You broke it down wonderfully. Totally reconsidering!
Oh this product is so great. I dont have a fish tank at home because i have lots of cats but my Aunt has so i am gonna share this to her.
We have had aquariums for many years! It is pretty easy as long as you keep up with it.
My mom loves fish. I think she can use Mars Fish Care for her fish pets. So nice! Thanks for the fish tank tips.
this is awesome. what kid doesn’t love a fish. teaches them such great things.