Aquarium setup guides

8 step-by-step tutorials for setting up popular aquarium types - from $150 nano shrimp colonies to $5,000 koi ponds. Each carries HowTo schema for rich-result eligibility on Google.

How to set up a 10-gallon planted nano tankComplete 10-gallon planted nano build guide - $200-400 total budget, 4-6 week timeline from purchase to fully stocked tank.Beginner · $300 How to set up a 20-gallon saltwater FOWLR tankComplete 20-gallon saltwater FOWLR build guide - $400-700 total budget, 6-8 week timeline. The friendliest entry point to marine.Intermediate · $550 How to set up a 40-gallon breeder freshwater community40-gallon breeder is the sweet spot for community freshwater - large enough for a school + centerpiece, small enough to maintain in 30 min/week. $300-600 total, 4-6 weeks to fully stocked.Beginner · $450 How to set up a 75-gallon mixed-reef tank75-gallon mixed reef is the sweet spot for serious reefers - room for SPS, LPS, soft coral, full fish stocking + sustainable parameters. $1,500-3,500 total, 3-6 month timeline to fully stocked.Advanced · $2500 How to build an Iwagumi nano aquascapeIwagumi aquascape combines 3-7 stones in odd-numbered groupings + carpet plant covering substrate. Pioneered by Takashi Amano. Best for 10-30 gallon tanks; takes 4-8 weeks for carpet to fill in.Intermediate · $500 How to set up a 90-gallon Mbuna African cichlid tankMbuna African cichlid 90-gallon build - the most colorful aggressive freshwater setup. $600-1,200 total, requires hard alkaline water (Lake Malawi parameters). 4-6 weeks to fully stocked.Intermediate · $900 How to set up a 10-gallon shrimp-only nano tankShrimp-only nano = the cheapest, easiest, most prolific aquatic hobby setup. $150-250 total, breeding starts within 60 days, sustainable colony in 6 months.Beginner · $200 How to set up a 1,500-gallon backyard koi pond1,500-gallon backyard koi pond build guide - the smallest pond size that supports proper koi (10+ inch adult fish need 250+ gal each). $3,000-7,000 total, 4-8 weeks to dig + plumb + stock.Intermediate · $5000

Aquarium-keeping fundamentals

Whatever specific topic brought you here, four fundamentals govern long-term aquarium success: water quality, parameter stability, biological filtration, and species-appropriate husbandry. Skip any one and the others struggle to compensate.

Water quality: ammonia + nitrite at zero, nitrate under 30 ppm freshwater + 10 ppm reef. Test weekly with API or Salifert kits. Use our water parameter checker to score your readings against your tank type.

Parameter stability: stable wrong parameters beat fluctuating ideal parameters. Most fish tolerate a wide pH range if it's stable. Sudden swings of 0.4+ pH or 5+°F kill fish faster than chronic suboptimal values. Use temperature controllers (Inkbird) + automated dosing for consistency.

Biological filtration: the bacterial colony on your filter media + rock + substrate is the engine. Never replace all media at once. Use our filter turnover calculator to size correctly.

Species-appropriate husbandry: research adult size, territoriality, diet, and tankmate compatibility before purchase. Use our tank stocking calculator + compatibility guides.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an aquarium take to set up? 4-6 weeks for full cycling + first stocking. Use our cycle ETA calculator + how long does cycling take.

What's the best aquarium for beginners? 20-gallon long. Big enough for parameter stability, small enough for budget + space. See beginner picks.

How often should I do water changes? 25-30% weekly. See water change frequency Q&A + water change calculator.

Why does my fish keep dying? 5 leading causes: uncycled tank, wrong species pairings, no quarantine, undersized tank, neglected water-change schedule. See full diagnosis.

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