Setting up your first new freshwater aquarium can seem a bit daunting when you start looking into it.  What fish tank equipment are you going to need. There is so much information available especially on the internet........probably too much information!

When I started out, the internet wasn't around so it was fairly easy.  Read a book, talk to a few people and find out what aquarium equipment you needed to get started.  It probably sounds strange if you are busy researching the tropical fish subject on the internet but in this case less really is more!   These days there is so much information available that you can get yourself completely confused and never get started.  And that would be a shame as freshwater aquarium keeping is probably one of the most rewarding and satisfying hobbies around.

Keep it simple.... Before you think about what fish tank equipment you are going to need.....ask yourself a few questions

• Where am I going to keep the aquarium.  Quite a consideration really.  You're going to need an electricity supply and easy access to a water supply will prove quite useful.  Don't underestimate the impact that your first aquarium and stand will have on a room.  It will be like having a new piece of furniture...you may even have to replan the layout of a room to fit it in.....and I say the first one because what if you get the bug and want more?

• What freshwater aquarium fish do I want to keep...Not Sure?....start with the easier ones, which just happen in most cases to be the cheaper ones.  You can check out our recommendations here.  The fish that we have listed are great for anyone new to the hobby as they can cope with a wide parameter of water conditions and are good looking and fun to watch as well. 

• What size tank should you have to start with and what should it be made from.... Don't go mad at the start, there is a lot to learn.  Big tanks can lead to big expensive mistakes....and so can small ones. Check out our advice about fish tanks and save yourself frustration and money!

• What sort of aquarium lighting, where do I put it, how much light do I need? There is a wide variety of lighting on the market and not all is suited to every freshwater aquarium.  Read up on our recommendations for anyone new to the freshwater aquarium keeping hobby

• What aquarium Filter System is best.  Check out our advice on Filter Systems . Not all of them ar e ideal for planted aquariums so if that is the route that you have decided to take then you need to read up on things before you buy your freshwater aquarium filter

• Do I need plants and if so which ones.  We think that planted aquariums are best and encourage people to go this route rather than using artificial plants.  We have put together a list of plants that are easy to keep and ideal for a first aquarium.  There is information on hundreds of aquatic plants on the internet.  These Plants are the ones that are easy to start with, are hard to kill, easy to grow and do wonders for reducing nitrates in your freshwater aquarium.

So you have found the right place to get started.  We think that we have put together advice on most of the subjects that you'll want to cover,  from the fish tank equipment to which fish and plants and how to look after them  If we've missed something in our enthusiasm, then drop us a line and we will get cracking on covering it for you.

And in the meantime, if you're tired of waiting..........