Many people enjoy having fish tanks in their home. They can be a beautiful addition to any room. However, getting started may seem like a daunting task. This article will give you some basic information about how to set up your first tank and some tips on tropical fish care.

So you have decided that you want a fish tank. Now what. You must decide on the size of the tank that you want and what to put in it. There are many choices of decoration and supplies available, but there are a few absolute necessities. They are the following: gravel, a filtration device, a heat source, and a light.Gravel comes in many sizes and colors and the one you choose is based entirely on your taste. Remember that the gravel you choose will be the first thing that people will notice about your tank. Make sure that it fits with the look you are trying to achieve.There are two major types of filters: those that are placed under the gravel and those that hang on the outside of the tank. Many feel that the undergravel filter is more attractive because they cannot be seen. This may be true, but the outboard filters are much easier to maintain. In larger tanks or tanks with many fish in them, it may be necessary to use both types to keep the water clean and the fish healthy.A heater is usually necessary to keep the water at the ideal temperature. A temperature of 72 to 76 degrees is what is required to keep most tropical fish healthy. If the temperature drops too far below this, your fish will slow down and may stop eating. A temperature that goes above this will encourage the growth of bacteria that may kill your fish. A warm tank will also grow algae faster and although this will not harm the fish, it does make the tank unpleasant to look at.Lights can either be purchased as part of a hood that covers the entire top of the tank or as a single unit. Either way you will want to get a fluorescent light. Incandescent lights will add heat to your tank and tend to put off a harsher light.Once you have acquired all of these things and set up the tank, you will need to fill it with water and let it sit empty for several days. This will not only give you time to ensure that everything is working properly but will also allow the chlorine and other chemicals to be filtered out of the water.Now you are ready for the fish. It is best to start with just a few fish initially. Place the bags the fish were brought home in directly into the tank and let them float there, unopened, for at least 15 minutes. This will give the fish a chance to gradually adjust to the temperature change. Now you can open the bags, release the fish, and look forward to hours of watching them swim gracefully around the tank.