What You Will Need for a New Aquarium
By Evelyn, Magicman, Ben, Tina, Patrick, Ztm
Copyright 2007

Must haves for starting a new tropical tank

• Tank itself  ---- the bigger the better

• Lid with lights already installed

• an aquarium stand ---appropriate to the tank size (a TV stand or similar things usually don't support the weight)

• heater ---- since it's for tropical fish (but get the one that is adjustable and submersible, because the preset ones don't really work)

• Filter ---- appropriate to tank size

• Thermometer ----to check the temperature

• Water conditioner ----to make the water safe for your fish

• Gravel siphon ---- to do partial water changes  -----recommended partial water change of 25% weekly

• Carbon replacement cartridges ----needs to be replaced every 4-6 weeks

• Gravel or marble ---- for the bottom

• A bucket for water change

• a net for your fish when you need to take them out

• A bacteria starter -----or water or gravel or squeezed out media from a filter, from an already established tank

• A Fishless Cycling Kit which includes an Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate test kit------ the liquid ones are recommended because they are more accurate

• LOTS OF PATIENCE
  
  
  And of course Fish food when you buy your fish
  

• a basic Aquarium book is also always helpful

Recommended additional items are

• Bubblers for additional oxygen including an air pump to operate your bubbler

• some decorations for your tank to make it look nice

• a magnet for the glass

• a timer for the lights ----- you're suppose to keep them on for 10-12 hours during the day and turn them off for 12-14 hours at night

• aquarium salt (which you can use twice a month or even weekly without harming your fish of 1 tablespoon per 10 gallon, and it also keeps some diseases at bay)

• live plants

• Co2 setup or plant fertilizer for your plants

I wish you happy fish keeping and please read about fishless cycling.