Photo: iFranky / Flickr

Keeping fish can be a rewarding and relaxing hobby, but there are a few things you know need to know about aquarium fishkeeping before you get started. Read on to find out about choosing your fish and fishtank, and setting up your own aquarium.

The tank

You’ll need to choose a fish tank based on the budget you have available, the space where you plan to keep the tank, and what kind of fish you want to keep.

The fish for you

When you start your aquarium, you’ll probably want to choose the toughest fish you can find. You’ll also want to choose fish based on the size of the tank you’ve chosen, and how compatible the fish are with each other. Small fish are generally best, but think in the long term when choosing them – make sure that they’ll get along with the larger fish you’re planning to add.

Getting started

To begin with, you’ll need to pay close attention to the care of your aquarium. Set up the tank, fill it with water, and leave it to settle for a few days. After this you can add your starter fish, then let the tank go through a six to eight week cycle during which time the water should be changed but you can’t add any more fish.

The next steps

Continue to maintain your tank, changing about 10 per cent of the water and scrubbing algae. As you progress with your aquarium, you’ll want to learn more about what can become a great hobby. You can extend your collection of fish, buy more interesting decorations for your tank, and even breed with your fish. Enjoy taking care of your fish, and enjoy helping your aquarium to grow and develop over time.

Tags: aquarium, fish, fish tank