The aquarium you decide on will depend on what species of fish you are considering keeping and how many fish you plan on getting. As a rule, the bigger the aquarium the happier your fish will be. Coldwater fish like goldfish typically need larger aquariums compared to tropical fish like Neon Tetras. Having an aquarium that is too small, can make maintaining the water quality more difficult than larger aquariums, and need more frequent maintenance. 

Once you’ve selected the perfect aquarium, the next step is to fill it up. You should add some underwater plants, ideally live, when possible, substrate for the bottom of the aquarium, and ornaments.  

Water should be sourced from the tap and then treated with specialised water conditioners that help to remove chemicals which make the water safe for us to drink, but which can upset the balance of an aquarium and affect fish too. Water should be allowed to reach the correct temperature, so it doesn’t shock the fish when they are introduced. 

Substrate and plants in your aquarium can help to mimic most species natural environment and provides them with a place to search for food and hide. Plants may help to reduce the algae growth as they compete with algae for the nutrients required for growth. substrate should be washed prior to being added to the aquarium.Rinse plants in a container of water taken from the aquarium before adding to an established aquarium. 

Ornaments like rocks and bridges are not only great fun for your fish but also fun for you to look at too. They’ll help keep your fish occupied and provide them with places to explore and hide. Our Fish Tank Gravel & Sand collection offers a variety of options to suit different tank setups.

You will also need a suitable filter for your aquarium to maintain water quality. If you have chosen temperate or tropical fish, a heater will be required. A light may also be necessary. If you have chosen to set up a marine aquarium you will also require more specialist equipment such as protein skimmers. 

Our Fish Treatment & Medication range offers a variety of solutions to address common fish ailments. 

Want to give your fish a stylish new home? Our Fish Tank Ornaments range has everything from natural looking caves to fun, themed pieces that add character to your tank.

Before you fill your aquarium you should already have planned where you want to keep it so you can move it there before it’s full of water. When an aquarium is filled with water, it’s extremely heavy and should not be lifted.  

You’ll want to keep the following factors in mind when considering where you want your aquarium to be located: 

Noise – Fish can be sensitive to certain sound frequencies - especially low frequencies, so it may be best to keep their aquarium away from TVs, radios, or other sources of low frequency sound. 

Heat – Keeping your aquarium at a constant temperature is crucial for keeping your fish happy and healthy. That’s why it’s best to avoid placing it near a radiator, window or other source of heat. 

Light – Placing your aquarium too close to a window or direct light source can alter the quality of the water, affect algae growth. 

Surface – If you’ve chosen a table or shelf for your aquarium, make sure it’s secure and level before you place it there. This will avoid any accidents with your aquarium slipping off or breaking. It must also be robust enough to support the weight of the aquarium once it has been filled. Many aquariums need to be placed on specific stands, or may recommend placing on thin sponge or polystyrene tiles. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for which surface to use and how heavy it will be. 

Correctly setting up your aquarium is one of the most important parts of fishkeeping.  

It is essential that you follow the following steps to ensure your chosen fish stay happy and healthy: 

• Choose the right aquarium. Make sure it’s big enough for your chosen fish. 
• Wash the aquarium, avoiding detergents as fish are sensitive to chemicals. Check for cracks or damage and place it where it will stay when full. 
• Wash the gravel/substrate in cool, clean water.  
• Cover the bottom of the aquarium with the clean substrate. This should slope from 5cm at the rear of the aquarium to 3cm at the front. This will help you remove waste when cleaning later. 
• Fit any heating, lighting, aeration and filtration equipment. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. 
• Add water (treated with a dechlorinator). Half fill the aquarium with cold water. Fill the aquarium slowly so that you do not disturb the gravel. 
• Wash any plants and decorations thoroughly in clean water and then place them in the tank.  
• Next fill the aquarium to 2-3cm from the top and add water conditioner/bacterial supplements.  
• Plug in and switch on the equipment. If you’re using a heater, wait 20-30 minutes before switching that on. 

Once you have set your aquarium up and filled it with water and décor, the next stage will be to consider adding your fish. There are two main methods for adding fish to the aquarium and starting the aquarium cycle - the breaking down of fish wastes. You need to research and understand the processes involved in both in order to establish which you feel may be the best for you to do. Whichever method you choose, it will take several weeks before the tank is cycled. 

• Fish-in cycling involves starting with a small number of hardy fish to produce waste to start the cycling process. You will need to monitor the water quality very carefully through testing and be ready to do frequent water changes and use bacterial supplements to ensure levels of ammonia and nitrite do not become too high. 
• Fishless cycling involves adding a source of ammonia to an aquarium with no fish and allowing the bacteria to grow and break this down, then adding some more ammonia to increase the bacterial population. This will need to be repeated several times to build the bacteria to a level where fish can then be added. 

With both methods you must initially add only a few fish and make sure that the filter is breaking down their wastes before adding anymore.  

When additional fish are added, a smaller-scale version of the cycle will need to take place as the bacteria grow to deal with the increase in waste products, however, in a mature aquarium this does not take as long as when first starting.  Whenever you add fish, use a filter boost product to help establish the good bacteria your filter needs to process fish waste.  

Your new fish will leave our store in a bag full of water. Fish are easily stressed by bright light, vibrations/movements, and noise. Avoid these where possible during your journey home. Once home you should switch off the lights in your aquarium and float the bag in the top of the aquarium for around 30 minutes. This allows the temperature of the water in the bag to match that of the aquarium. Next cut open the bag and slowly add water from your aquarium to it. This allows your new fish to acclimate to any changes between the shop water and your own. Add more water slowly over the next 30 minutes. After this time slowly release the fish into the aquarium, minimising the amount of water from the bag going into the aquarium. Discard the water from the bag once your new fish are in the aquarium. 

In short, yes. All aquariums should have a filter. Filters clean the water of debris, removes buildup of toxic components like ammonia and nitrites. There are many types of filters. The type of filter you use will vary depending on the setup of your aquarium, but a filter is always essential.  

Waste products such as ammonia are toxic to fish. However, in time your filter will grow beneficial bacteria to break these waste products down. ‘Maturing’ a filter is the process of growing these bacteria. 

When cleaning your filter, do not rinse filter media under a tap as the chlorine in tap water may kill the beneficial bacteria in the filter media Instead, use some of the wastewater from a routine water change to clean your filter media.  

The purpose of an aquarium filter is to help remove solid waste and to provide a large surface area for the beneficial bacteria which break down nitrogenous waste to grow. 

Mechanical filter media is where the aquarium water passes through filter media catching solid waste. This media should be cleaned regularly to prevent the waste from blocking the filter itself.  

Biological filter media should not be over cleaned, however you should gently rinse your mechanical and chemical filter media once a week with water from your tank to prevent blockages, never clean your filter media with tap water as this will kill beneficial bacteria. At Pets at Home, we stock a wide range of fish tank filters to suit aquariums of every size, so you can find the perfect fit for your setup.

Chemical filter media contains various materials which remove impurities through chemical processes. These are bound and trapped within the filter media and thus prevented from cycling back into your aquarium.  

Most modern filters contain all three types of media and are therefore very good at helping to maintain water quality. You should regularly test your water to ensure that the contents are within safe limits. It is recommended to test the water in your aquarium at least once a week.  

You should conduct weekly maintenance and water testing of your aquarium. While it’s not necessary to clean out your aquarium every day, you should check the temperature and cleanliness of it to make sure your fish friends are living in the best environment possible. 

Usually, a partial water change should be done weekly. You should remove between 10-25% of water and replenish it with new water. Remember, whenever you add new tap water to your aquarium, you’ll need to treat it beforehand with a water treatment to make sure it’s safe for your fish. 

Whenever you add new tap water to your aquarium, you’ll need to treat it beforehand with a water treatment to make sure it’s safe for your fish. 

All aquariums are subject to a bit of wear and tear and may eventually need replacing. However, a good quality aquarium will usually last for years and only need replacing if it becomes damaged. 

When sourcing water for your new goldfish, you should not use untreated tap water. Ensure the water has been treated with a water conditioner ahead of adding your fish.  

Water test kits are essential when keeping any fish, but especially goldfish as they can produce copious amounts of waste. Water quality should be checked on a weekly basis. 

Live plants help to contribute to a healthier and more natural aquatic environment for your fish. They are beneficial for your aquarium as they provide water filtration and support oxygen production.

Ensure that your aquarium it is positioned out of the reach of young children. For yours and your pet's safety, examine the aquarium from time to time for damage. The filter must be replaced immediately if signs of damage are noted. Never release aquarium fish or plants into the wild as this can cause harm to the countryside, wildlife and your pet. If you can no longer care for your fish, please speak to your local store about ways we can help them to find a new home.