The 10-minute weekly tank routine
Starting your first aquarium is exciting — and a little daunting. The good news: with a clear plan and a bit of patience, anyone can build a healthy, beautiful tank. Here is the exact sequence we recommend to every beginner who walks into our store.
1. Choose the right tank size
Counterintuitively, a bigger tank is easier for beginners. More water means a more stable environment — temperature and water chemistry shift slowly, giving you time to react. We recommend at least 60 litres for a first freshwater setup.
“Patience is the single most important ingredient. The tank that's set up slowly is the tank that thrives.”
2. Cycle before you add fish
The nitrogen cycle builds the beneficial bacteria that keep your water safe. Run your filter for 2–4 weeks before adding livestock, and test the water until ammonia and nitrite read zero.
- Add a quality filter sized for your tank volume
- Use a dechlorinator with every water change
- Test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate weekly
- Add hardy plants early — they speed up cycling
3. Light it well
A full-spectrum LED brings out fish colour and keeps plants healthy. Aim for 8–10 hours a day on a timer — consistency beats intensity for avoiding algae.