Beginning Fishkeeping
contributed by Thomas Narten
Welcome to the wonderful world of aquariums. This FAQ provides advice and guidance to help insure success in your endeavor. Though this document is designed for a first freshwater aquarium (saltwater people: make sure to read the SALTWATER BEGINNER FAQ), there is much information applicable to both freshwater and saltwater aquaria.
This FAQ is a work in progress; if there is anything you feel we've left out,
please drop a suggestion to
the author or
the FAQ Working Group, and we'll see if we can
add it in on the next release.
Copyright
The FAQs owe their existence to the contributors of the net, and as such it belongs to the readers of rec.aquaria and alt.aquaria. Articles with attributions are copyrighted by their original authors. Copies of the FAQs can be made freely, as long as it is distributed at no charge, and the disclaimers and the copyright notice are included.Table Of Contents
Before You Buy...
- Introduction
- Tank and Equipment
- Where to Get It
- What Is Essential
(Tank, Heater, Thermometer, Filter, Gravel, Light and Hood, Powerhead or Airpump, Stand, Cleaning Tools, Bucket, Nets, and Test Kits)
- How to Find a Good Aquarium Store
Setting Up Your Tank...
- Preparing Your Water
- Tap Water
(Chlorine, Chloramine, Other Chemicals) - Well Water
- Tap Water
- ``Cycling'' Your Tank
- Practical Freshwater Chemistry
- The Big Components:
(pH, Buffering Capacity, General Hardness, Salinity, Nutrients and Trace Elements) - Altering Your Tank Water's
Chemistry
(Hardening, Softening, Changing pH)
- The Big Components:
- Which Test Kits are Important
Setting Up Your Fish...
Introduction
Return to Main Map
The official home site of the FAQ is http://faq.thekrib.com maintained by Erik Olson as part of the The Krib.