🐠Fishkeeping buying guides

Tank, filter, heater, water tests: succeed with your first aquarium without casualties.

• 60-litre aquarium kit: the full beginner budget with no nasty surprisesBedding & habitat

  How much does a 60-litre aquarium kit really cost? The full start-up budget, item by item: equipped tank, substrate, decor, water tests and consumables.

• Nano shrimp tank: the essential equipment to start off rightBedding & habitat

  What equipment does a nano shrimp tank need? Volume, gentle filtration, the right substrate and a full budget: the complete checklist for keeping Neocaridina.

• Betta tank of 20-30 litres: the ideal setup, step by stepBedding & habitat

  How do you set up a 20 to 30 litre betta tank? Low-flow filtration, heating, resting plants and a lid: the ideal setup explained in detail.

• Garden pond for goldfish: volume, equipment and budgetBedding & habitat

  How do you build a garden pond for goldfish? Minimum volume, frost-free depth, filtration and predator protection: the complete guide with budget.

• RO units and reverse osmosis water in aquariums: who actually needs it?Care & grooming

  Is reverse osmosis water essential for an aquarium? Find out who really needs an RO unit, how to remineralize and what budget to plan (unit or jerrycan).

• Water conditioner and starter bacteria: essential or just marketing?Care & grooming

  Water conditioner and starter bacteria: what do they actually do? Chlorine, heavy metals, faster cycling: what to buy and what to skip.

• Fertilizer and CO2 for aquarium plants: start simple, skip the lab setupToys & enrichment

  Do aquarium plants need fertilizer and CO2? The simple starter method: liquid fertilizer, easy plants, and when injected CO2 actually becomes worthwhile.

• Driftwood and rocks for aquariums: which ones are safe for your fish?Toys & enrichment

  Which driftwood and rocks are safe in an aquarium? Tannin-releasing woods, limestone rocks to avoid, the vinegar test and preparation: the complete guide.

• Live and frozen fish food: the guide to getting startedFood

  Bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia: live and frozen food transforms your fish’s health. Formats, prices, precautions and the ideal feeding frequency.

• Automatic fish feeder: go on holiday with peace of mindFood

  Which automatic fish feeder should you choose for the holidays? Drum or screw mechanism, anti-overfeeding settings, prices: the guide before you leave.

• Weekly aquarium maintenance checklist: the gear that changes everythingAccessories

  The 20-minute weekly aquarium maintenance checklist: gravel vacuum, algae scraper, dedicated bucket… the smart gear and the essential steps.

• Filter media: sponge, ceramic, carbon… which ones actually matter?Accessories

  Sponge, ceramic rings, activated carbon, filter floss: what each filter media does, the right order to stack them and when to replace without killing the filter.

• Aquarium UV sterilizer: the radical fix for green waterCare & grooming

  A UV sterilizer clears green aquarium water within days. How it works, wattage, prices and limitations: what to know before you buy.

• Aquarium lid: stop evaporation (and flying fish)Accessories

  An aquarium lid limits evaporation, jumping fish and heat loss. Glass, hood or net: the options, prices and how to top up the water correctly.

• Aquarium stand: the weight mistake beginners keep makingBedding & habitat

  An aquarium stand must bear 1.5 times the tank volume in kilos. Calculating the real weight, furniture to avoid, levelling: avoid the fatal mistake.

• Hospital and quarantine tank: the kit that saves your fish (and your tank)Care & grooming

  A hospital quarantine tank keeps diseases and parasites out of your main aquarium. The complete low-cost kit: tank, filter and heater.

• Fish nets and handling: the stress-free methodTravel & safety

  Choosing the right aquarium net and handling fish without stress: size, soft mesh, the two-net technique and alternatives to netting.

• Test strips or liquid test kits: which should you choose for your aquarium?Care & grooming

  Test strips or liquid test kits for your aquarium? Accuracy, cost per test, parameters covered: the honest comparison and the mixed strategy that works.

• Heater or filter failure: the emergency kit that saves the aquariumTravel & safety

  Aquarium heater or filter failure: the right moves hour by hour and the 50-80 € emergency kit that prevents a wipe-out (battery air pump, thermometer).

• Aquarium lighting duration: the one setting that stops algaeAccessories

  How many hours of light for an algae-free aquarium? 6 to 8 continuous hours, a timer, the siesta method: the precise settings that make the difference.

• New or second-hand aquarium: which should you choose to get started?Bedding & habitat

  New or second-hand aquarium? Buying used cuts the price in half or better, as long as you check the seals, scratches and equipment. The full comparison, prices included.

• All-in-one aquarium kit or separate components: which to choose as a beginner?Accessories

  All-in-one aquarium kit or buying components separately? The kit costs 20 to 30 % less, separate components last longer. Detailed comparison with prices.

• Freshwater or saltwater: where should you start in fishkeeping?Bedding & habitat

  Freshwater or saltwater for a first aquarium? Freshwater costs 4 to 5 times less and forgives mistakes. Comparison of budget, maintenance and difficulty.

• Sand or fine gravel for the aquarium: which substrate to choose?Toys & enrichment

  Sand or fine gravel for your aquarium? Sand suits bottom-sifting fish, gravel makes maintenance easier. Complete comparison with prices per litre.

• Hang-on-back or internal filter: which to choose for your aquarium?Care & grooming

  Hang-on-back or internal filter for your aquarium? The hang-on-back frees up space and is serviced without hands in the water, the internal costs less. Comparison.

• The 10 first-aquarium mistakes (and how to avoid them)Bedding & habitat

  The 10 first-aquarium mistakes: tank too small, fish bought the same day, overstocking, excessive cleaning… The complete list for a successful start.

• Buying the fish and the aquarium on the same day: why it is the fatal mistakeCare & grooming

  Buying fish and aquarium the same day exposes your fish to the ammonia spike: 3 to 4 weeks of cycling are essential. Explanations and timeline.

• Goldfish in a bowl: why it only seems like a good ideaBedding & habitat

  The goldfish bowl only seems like a good idea: a goldfish needs at least 50 litres per individual, filtration and companions. Explanations and costed alternatives.

• How many fish in an aquarium? The rule to avoid overstockingBedding & habitat

  How many fish in an aquarium? Remember 1 cm of adult fish per real litre, half that for heavy polluters. Calculation method and examples by volume.

• Should you change all the aquarium water? No, and here is whyCare & grooming

  Changing all the aquarium water destroys the bacterial balance and stresses the fish. Best practice: 10 to 25 % per week. Method and special cases.

• How much does an aquarium cost per month? Electricity, food and consumablesAccessories

  How much does an aquarium cost per month? Allow 10 to 25 € for a 100-litre tank, electricity included. Item-by-item breakdown: heating, lighting, food, water.

• 120-litre aquarium budget: the complete price, item by itemBedding & habitat

  What budget for a complete 120-litre aquarium? Allow 350 to 550 € new, 200 to 300 € with smart choices. The breakdown: tank, cabinet, tech, substrate, plants, fish.

• Second-hand aquarium equipment: what to accept, what to refuse?Accessories

  Second-hand aquarium equipment: tank, cabinet and decor are good deals, old heaters and ageing seals are to be refused. The complete checklist before buying.

• Low-tech aquarium: the method to save money without shortchanging the fishToys & enrichment

  The low-tech aquarium bets on plants rather than technology: no CO2, sometimes no heater, reduced maintenance. Budget, suitable species and setup method.

• How much does fish food cost per month? Real budget and money-saving tipsFood

  The aquarium fish food budget: 3 to 8 € per month for a 100-litre community tank. Breakdown by food type and anti-waste tips.

• Aquarium and children: safety, rules and good habits at homeTravel & safety

  An aquarium with children at home: a stable cabinet, a closed hood, secured sockets and clear rules. The complete safety guide, age by age.

• Going away for two weeks: how to manage the aquarium without stress?Food

  Going on holiday for two weeks with an aquarium: healthy adult fish fast for a week without risk; beyond that, an automatic feeder or a neighbour. The full departure plan.

• An aquarium at the office: good idea? Constraints, budget and suitable speciesBedding & habitat

  Setting up an aquarium at the office: calming and community-building, as long as you manage weekends, air conditioning and responsibilities. The full guide with budget.

• Extended power cut: how to save your aquarium?Travel & safety

  Power cut and aquarium: fish hold out 2 to 6 hours without risk, then you must oxygenate and insulate. The life-saving steps, hour by hour.

• Bringing your fish home from the pet store: transport and acclimatisation done rightTravel & safety

  Bringing fish home from the pet store properly: a short, warm journey, the bag kept dark, then 30 to 45 minutes of drip acclimatisation. The complete method.

• What Size Aquarium Should You Start With? The Real Number (and the Fishbowl Myth)Bedding & habitat

  60, 100 or 120 litres? Find out what aquarium size to choose for a stress-free start, why the fishbowl should be banned from your plans, and what budget to expect.

• Internal or External Filter: How to Choose the Right Aquarium FiltrationAccessories

  Internal filter, external canister, flow rate, filter media: our complete guide to choosing the right filtration for your aquarium's volume, with real-world prices.

• Aquarium Heaters: What Wattage and Which Thermostat Should You Choose?Accessories

  How many watts to heat your aquarium? Our heater and thermostat guide: wattage, placement, safety and prices for a stable water temperature.

• LED Aquarium Lighting: Grow Healthy Plants Without Feeding the AlgaeAccessories

  Lumens, spectrum, photoperiod: how to choose an LED aquarium light that makes your plants thrive without triggering an algae outbreak. Guide and prices.

• Feeding a Betta or a Goldfish: Flakes, Pellets or Frozen Food?Food

  Flakes, pellets, frozen food: portions, frequency and mistakes to avoid when feeding a betta or a goldfish, with realistic budgets.

• Live or Artificial Plants: What Should You Choose to Decorate Your Aquarium?Toys & enrichment

  Real or artificial plants in an aquarium? Benefits, maintenance, easy species and budget: our comparison for a tank that is beautiful, healthy and enriching.

• Water Tests and the Nitrogen Cycle: The Essential Kit Before Adding FishCare & grooming

  Understand the nitrogen cycle and choose your water tests (strips or liquid drops): the guide to starting an aquarium without losing your first fish.

• Aquarium Air Pumps: Essential or Gimmick? The Truth About OxygenationAccessories

  Does your aquarium really need an air pump? The bubbler's true role, when it genuinely helps, how to choose a model and prices: our oxygenation guide.

• Aquarium Substrate: Sand, Gravel or Aqua Soil — What Should Go on the Bottom?Bedding & habitat

  Sand, quartz gravel, nutrient-rich or active soil: which substrate to choose for your plants and fish, how deep to lay it and at what price. Complete guide.

• Transporting Your Fish and Moving an Aquarium Without Breakage or StressTravel & safety

  Bags, cool box, food-grade containers, order of operations: the complete method for transporting your fish and moving an aquarium safely, step by step.