How to Set Up Your First Freshwater Aquarium
From choosing the right tank size to the nitrogen cycle — a structured walkthrough for complete beginners.
Read guideFreshwater Aquarium Keeping
Your reference for freshwater aquarium keeping
Detailed, practical information on tank setup, water parameters, fish compatibility, and plant care — assembled for aquarium hobbyists at every level.
Core Topics
What you will find here
Three areas form the foundation of successful freshwater aquarium keeping. Each one is covered in depth.
Tank Setup & Equipment
Filter selection, lighting schedules, substrate types, and the cycling process explained step by step.
Water Chemistry
pH, general hardness, carbonate hardness, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate — what each parameter means and how to control it.
Fish Species & Compatibility
Community tank planning, species profiles, stocking density, and peaceful species combinations for beginners and experienced keepers.
Aquatic Plants
Low-tech and high-tech planted tanks, CO₂ injection, fertilisation, and selecting plants by water parameter ranges.
Disease & Prevention
Identifying common freshwater diseases, quarantine procedures, and preventive husbandry practices.
Maintenance Schedules
Weekly, monthly, and seasonal maintenance routines that keep water quality stable over the long term.
Articles
Recent guides
Each guide focuses on one specific area of freshwater aquarium keeping with concrete, actionable detail.
Water Chemistry Basics: pH, Hardness and the Nitrogen Cycle
Understanding the invisible parameters that determine whether your fish thrive or merely survive.
Read guide
Compatible Freshwater Fish Species for Community Tanks
Which fish share water conditions, temperament, and territory requirements — and which combinations to avoid.
Read guideFish Highlights
Popular species for community tanks
A quick reference to four species frequently kept in freshwater aquariums at beginner and intermediate level.
Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)
One of the most recognised aquarium fish worldwide. Prefers soft, slightly acidic water at 22–26 °C, and does best in schools of at least eight. A staple of community tanks.
Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)
A tall-bodied cichlid that needs a tank at least 60 cm deep. Tolerates a wide pH range (6.0–7.5) and coexists with mid- and bottom-dwelling species that are too large to eat.
Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius)
A labyrinth fish that breathes atmospheric air. Peaceful and colourful, well-suited to planted community tanks. Keep males separately or with larger schools of dither fish.
Bronze Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus)
A robust bottom-dweller that sifts substrate for leftover food. Schooling species — keep at least six. Prefers smooth substrate to protect its barbels. Hardy and long-lived.
Contact us
Questions about water parameters, species selection, or tank troubleshooting? Send a message and we will respond within two business days.