this a quick little guide to starting a new fish tank for the beginner hobbies.

1. start small, a 10 gallon tank is perfect for the beginner. don't think you  can buy a glass bowl, some stones, plants and a goldfish and your set. NO NO NO!!!

Even a gold fish needs air / moving water. if you do get a glass bowl  get an air stone, tube and pump too.  Pump plugs in wall, tube connects to pump & stone, stone goes in tank / bowl and gives off bubbles. you can get them on ebay. they will keep the water moving so it doesn't go STAGNANT and your little fishy doesn't  die.

you can also get a STARTER KIT which comes in 10, 20, 29 & 55 gallon sets. they have almost everything you need to start your tank, hood light,net, filter, filter cartridge, some sample food flakes, sample aqua safe / stress coat, heater and a guide book.  Doesn't come with gravel, plants, decorations and fish.

after you have all necessities for your tank, first thing is first, wash out tank, NO SOAP.. a good rinse is fine. wipe down the hood, do not touch bulbs. rinse your plastic / silk plants. boil your gravel / stones / rocks (lava rock, sand stone).  rinse any other decoration you want to add to your tank.

now fill tank half way with warm water add your gravel / stones/ rocks (lava rock, sand stone with holes) place your plants where you want and your other decorations if you like.

remember don't put to much in tank fish need some room to swim!!! rocks and plants are good hiding places for small fish like neon tetras and zebra danios

fill the rest of tank with water, put in your heater, stick thermometer sticker to outside of tank near bottom. put filter on back of tank, cartridge inside after you rinse it off. fill with water. plug in filter, should start water flow. plug in heater, plug in light turn on light. Add aqua safe / stress coat ( 1 teaspoon every 10 gallons)

now let fish tank run for 3 days before you add fish.

buy a starter fish first, cat fish / pleco / algae eater they clean tank gravel and glass

 NOTE: 1 fish per gallon ( gold fish  1 fish per 2 gallons)

float bag for 15 minutes, you may need to take some water out of tank.

after you introduce your first fish add aqua safe / stress coat again. this helps fish keep slimmy coat and helps them from stress or shock to new water.

check your temp, rub finger along theremometer most fish like it between 80 -82 degrees.

if hot turn down heater, to cold turn up.

hope this little guide will help.

have fun..