The best way to start your aquarium journey is to find the best aquarium store around you and to find out what tank fits what you want. In terms of tanks, I would go with the Fluval Flex 9 gallon. I have multiple of these tanks and they come with a filter (foam and bio media) to put in the back compartment and a pump. In terms of getting all the other supplies, you can look up "best aquarium stores near me", then call a store that you think looks good and ask if they have aquarium grade gravel/sand (up to you), rocks/wood (up to you), and aquatic epiphytes (plants that don't need to be planted into the ground and can be tied on decor), and string (fishing line works great). Choose between gravel vs. sand, wood vs. rock, and what epiphytes (plants) you want. I would highly recommend getting gravel, rocks, and anubias or java fern (plants). Once you obtain these iteams,  rinse the gravel and rocks in a bucket. If you don’t feel like finding a fish store in your area, there are links below to where you can buy the highest quality products for fair prices online (you might get better deals in your local shop, but it depends). 

 

Disclaimer: I have purchased these exact products from these websites and they do not sponsor me 

You can choose between rock vs. wood and gravel vs. sand, ALL OTHER PRODUCTS ARE NECESSARY 

Aquarium quick start and tap water conditioner are on of the most important things to have when keeping fish tanks

Products that you can buy online (can get these products from aquarium store too): 

•Fluval Flex 9 Gallon Tank  Tank

•Aquarium Gravel Carib Sea Gravel

•Aquarium Sand Carib Sea Sand

•Aquarium Rock Aquarium Rock  

•Aquarium Wood Aquarium Wood

•Aquarium Quick start  Aquarium Quick Start

•Aquarium Tap Water Conditiner Tap Water Conditioner 

In my years of experience, the problem I see too many people make is not to cycle their aquarium. You must cycle your aquarium because it is crucial to establish beneficial bacteria that breaks down toxic ammonia and nitrites from fish waste into less harmful nitrates, creating a stable and healthy environment. Without proper cycling, fish can suffer from stress, poisoning, and even death due to poor water quality. Once you set up your aquarium (after you put in decor, substrate, plants, and water), put in a cap full of the Aquarium Quick Start (in a 9-10 gallon tank) and leave the tank alone for 2 weeks before adding fish. I know it seems unnecessary, but in reality I have made this mistake and it ruins your tank with algae and kills your fish, so wait the 2 weeks then slowly introduce fish (I would start with a snail). 

Tap water conditioner is NOT OPTIONAL, unless you don’t have a full house water filtration system that is saltless. Water conditioners remove toxic chemicals (chlorine and chloramine), heavy metals (lead, mercury, zinc), organic compounds/organic gasses, and debris that otherwise would be very harmful to fish. Also, it increases water clarity because it removes debris. Overall, unless you do not possess a full house water filtration system, it is vital to purchase tap water conditioner. 

This article is by Aquarium Co-op

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