How to Care for Your Aquarium
Keeping your fish healthy takes a lot of care. Get the expert advice you need to keep your aquarium perfect for your pets.
![Goldfish (Carassius auratus) swimming in large rectangular fish tank.](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/cKo_FlNn3zp6OGM87P9yfBS7b90=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/goldfish--carassius-auratus--swimming-in-large-rectangular-fish-tank--73506453-5c43a338c9e77c0001fb757a.jpg)
Basic Types of Aquarium Filtration Systems
![Aquarium with blue, orange and blue-striped fish swimming in front of underwater leaves](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/HRoACa1NlDipOYyeCe5ZDZVcgP8=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/amount-of-fish-and-aquarium-size-1378335-hero-820fe510d8e747c987d964375e938b70.jpg)
Guidelines for Stocking Your Aquarium
![fish swimming in an aquarium tank](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/lLkFgLA54_wPDK4n6qBF0UVl1GQ=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1145793968-cf2751a7d3564073997fc37bcf4c6250.jpg)
Aquarium Heater Size Guide
![fishes in a marine aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/P-K3yINtI82mHwgSGmrYGnfK3po=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/a0073-000122-56a81efd5f9b58b7d0f0dab3-5b43cb8946e0fb0037a4c4c0.jpg)
The 11 Most Common Mistakes Made by Saltwater Aquarium Keepers
![fish swimming in an aquarium with algae in the background](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/L2Q5V-1rTzOto9vhGfDwY2BUBUI=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1047787284-cca5584931d84d74ba5272bc06d3754f.jpg)
How to Control and Prevent Algae in Your Fish Tank
![Japanese Rice Fish](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/v3yfcHQu-0PkG0aKkLxEQURtNZQ=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/japanese-rice-fish-557048729-5a90a7d36edd65003664ada6.jpg)
Purpose and Types of Aquarium Substrate
![Dirty Aquarium Water](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/1RY_gU7v6Hk4ifnsnm8S-O1HKQ0=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Dirty_Water_Luiz_Maron-56a330113df78cf7727c4cdb.jpg)
Causes and Fixes for Yellow or Brown Aquarium Water
![A child looking at a fish tank](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/bwe1Xk1AuLMQzU5xWb5hraJI9x0=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-152442914-588147525f9b58bdb3151c7d.jpg)
What to Know Before Buying an Aquarium
![Goldfish Swimming In Aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/OK9p4M7AKX6zc7uGqbEHBdfVCCM=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/fish-swimming-in-aquarium-991607682-5c525a0046e0fb0001a8ef36.jpg)
How and Why You Should Seed a New Aquarium
![small aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/rZ20GopAcxEXHLeh6OqAZ4z2nXU=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/39205804_b4650c1bac_o-56a81f055f9b58b7d0f0db06-653ece16827f4bb597735cba1b1b7b1d.jpg)
Designing a Glass Aquarium
![Fish Swimming In Aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/UnGgLUhJXXqehSskxBGWtv-zVBg=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/fish-swimming-in-aquarium-977206714-5c414edbc9e77c000183d626.jpg)
How Much Aquarium Supplies Do I Need?
![Saltwater reef aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/PBWpNF6awCsb2X-vMcTWeN8MUYg=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4551529183_53c033619f_o-588ebc803df78caebc808d25.jpg)
Instructions for Setting Up a Saltwater Aquarium
![Goldfish in an aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/EL100gB1EzZAzZY9NzEUFyMOFRk=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-116563952-5adc355b0e23d90036bd122e.jpg)
Routine Aquarium Maintenance
![Causes of Low Oxygen in Aquariums](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/dOCsErEWnMaPvPgoQtOJ9kWePxY=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/low-oxygen-in-aquarium-water-1381215_sourcefile-8b8a80e64aef4b48868b53e1d55936aa.jpg)
6 Ways to Fix Low Oxygen in a Fish Tank
![Cichlid tank decorated with live and fake plants](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/3m9mvXgSRQ2JSGrbwOfQcVvkLTE=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1165067013-0c1602f7597e4ea184a530c87edfb577.jpg)
How to Manually Generate Heat in Your Aquarium If the Power Goes Out
![Close-Up Of Siamese Fighting Fish In Tank](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/peP6inY8qqBg1C93VyfWf-6_2nw=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-660549599-584063ed3df78c02301d1ba8.jpg)
When to Use Sponge Filters for Aquariums
![man maintaining saltwater aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/lcoS6gcYKpFHLv49_tDRuZTH2Y8=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/saltwater-aquarium-residue-1-d28cc33f0e35431b895d51bc6274418f.jpg)
How to Remove & Prevent White Residue on Aquarium Glass
![Nutrafin Aquarium Water Test Kit](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/_0KsH5kiVd0PI_DVF5qlhzN0ezI=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/water-test-kit-resized-56a330723df78cf7727c4e21.jpg)
How to Test the Water in Your Fish Tank
![Close-Up Of Fish In Dirty Tank](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/3Dvb0F2GB8lZlas7VhjTvsF-ucg=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/close-up-of-fish-in-dirty-tank-617929349-5ada39d5642dca0036bca394.jpg)
What Is Old Tank Syndrome?
![Lovely little girl admiring fish in aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/ByZlhEZIpjnsg7ab_XFvjqqKeJI=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-682721287-584068f45f9b5851e58a4aaf.jpg)
Buying an Aquarium for a Child or Teen
![Aquascape aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/vvPNdcgdD032z0wLj1hNGmvJLcw=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-467226301-12d32a2e3f3f4890991253947d0726cd.jpg)
What Is Aquascaping?
![Girl using a chemical test kit to measure the quality of water in a home aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/u8MP8MgBMCDkCMsH1V_2ZUQUWK4=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/girl-using-a-chemical-test-kit-to-measure-the-quality-of-water-in-a-home-aquarium-993654204-5c3abb2d46e0fb000122bad6.jpg)
Aquarium Water Parameters to Control for Healthy Fish
![About 20 different fish swimming in an aquarium.](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/JdJnj60UNnkughcgx7cJ1h4IZ50=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/close-up-of-fish-swimming-in-aquarium-at-home-742356665-59878511aad52b0010d22ed0.jpg)
Pros and Cons of Double Tank Stands
![Close-Up Of Fish Swimming In Aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/uaPX5raAzN33TAahP6DQCe9rO-4=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/close-up-of-fish-swimming-in-aquarium-941981654-5c283ecac9e77c0001897732.jpg)
Make Your Own Aquarium Canopy
![Goldfish in a fish tank with green gravel](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/9wvgqGNwBWkJ-EsBmGoFuEPM7SQ=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Goldfish-with-green-gravel-57fec2cc3df78cbc2886971e.jpg)
Why Do I Need Aquarium Gravel or Substrate?
![Aquarium with plants and clean water and fish swimming](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/oAE2kbR5LLwkOAu3L8aSIUB9aJ0=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cleaning-aquarium-plants-1381082-hero-023647932fb74728b52b036d8d3b52e5.jpg)
How to Clean Algae From Aquarium Plants
![Koi in koi pond](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/J1NlJR-1cJfZVjJWRI0MKVnFBLk=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1148621267-fbe7fcc9e0eb41078b0ee63bc3edc2b3.jpg)
A Comprehensive Guide to Koi Ponds
![Black and White Striped Fish in Fish Tank](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/aHyE3hFoqGUsmI7XcivJ-yjcGew=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/black-and-white-striped-fish-in-fish-tank-588278996-5aa87591a9d4f90036d2f36f.jpg)
How to Quickly Reduce Nitrate in a Fish Tank
![Tropical fresh water aquarium front view with lush foliage plants and some fishes yellow Pterophyllum Scalare and Cardinalis neon](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/Ia3ngFueyQiyc-5GOjVvUliZsx4=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tropical-fresh-water-aquarium-front-view-with-lush-foliage-plants-and-some-fishes-yellow-pterophyllum-scalare-and-cardinalis-neon-672436474-5aefd177642dca003727b54b.jpg)
How to Cycle A Fish Tank
![aquarium with fish and coral](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/_72i5S8nWG2yZ6mdw0W8ke-9t3g=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/CAS_Steinhart_Aquarium_small_coral_tank-1089f33ab7d6429f8b50c5b104f4bca9.jpg)
How to Build Your Own Aquarium Chiller
![Aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/WWlLbBWi8tJRRfrZAV9Foard33g=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/aquarium-134434149-5c47961ec9e77c0001365689.jpg)
How to Pack the Media in Your Canister Filter
![Fish tank with mollies and guppies](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/7wVMH4kORs2NT5XyBATHNaDIMtk=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-952010456-8ca9fcd95be64fdaababfc515ba25483.jpg)
What Causes High pH in an Aquarium?
![saltwater aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/klL04-NUZVZErXuIZwQzdQc_il8=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-136629622-a2a4e03c86dc4c37950f3314cd45ef0f.jpg)
What to Do After Your Aquarium Has Finished Cycling
![Pebbles on a river bed. Reflections and ripples on the surface.](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/_FnyHqlzAPDId0ZDWM3m4PdcVo8=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Pebbles-riverbed-57feae115f9b5805c27ef401.jpg)
Can I Use Outdoor Gravel or Rocks in an Aquarium?
![Using Activated Carbon in Aquarium Filters](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/cLPA0LZF7QhaMdCV1J39CB7tTng=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/activated_Carbon-56a3300e5f9b58b7d0d0e00d.jpg)
Using Activated Carbon in Aquarium Filters
![low-maintenance aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/fDfAW-PDfNvREpJPltQ_4hCQhfQ=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/41464477721_864521a102_k-d7656cd80fc144f19a26232093b9527f.jpg)
How to Create and Maintain a Minimal-Maintenance Aquarium
![Wall mounted aquarium with tropical fish](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/19R0b_3E-1IaF7z36yVp-RFKqqE=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/wall-mounted-aquarium-with-tropical-fish-1139741866-9022b74583e644c1ac4fc58296b1f93f.jpg)
How to Prepare Gravel and Substrate for a New Aquarium
![Colorful Fish From The Spieces Symphysodon Discus In Aquarium. Closeup, Selective Focus.](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/slgIesmgiNLfleVGUUF1IltIUSk=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/colorful-fish-from-the-spieces-symphysodon-discus-in-aquarium--closeup--selective-focus--1249598581-a679a6ab87e04d28815c10c644f7ba34.jpg)
Equipment for Aquarium Water Movement
![A healthy freshwater aquarium with a variety of fish and decor](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/sxiIiYo5p-tUCXskFk6YHA2oBGI=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/fischaquarium-952010456-5c12a0ba46e0fb0001e1a017.jpg)
Limestone Rocks in Aquariums and Water pH
![Kissing Gold Fish near aquarium gravel](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/NRMk0wzUDGSjq37h_o5CBe4yNKM=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/kissing-gold-fish-465531854-5ad90c3818ba010037fce881.jpg)
How to Replace Aquarium Substrate
![low-maintenance aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/fDfAW-PDfNvREpJPltQ_4hCQhfQ=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/41464477721_864521a102_k-d7656cd80fc144f19a26232093b9527f.jpg)
What You Should Know About Aquarium Lighting
![angelfish in an aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/oH4fMZo5JKAL5EEyxzEwGyCjx50=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/fishtank-5a8f02e23418c60037a77281.jpg)
Acriflavine for Aquarium Fish
![Saltwater aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/BAmN4HRoC-g3wEZEYq07CnZcCdY=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SaltwaterAquarium-GettyImages-136629622-5a26e72a482c52003748a20b.jpg)
Getting Salt Creep off Your Glass Aquarium
![Aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/JX32cvSV8BJaPY6a6PRMJUYd0Vs=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/aquarium-171574325-5c243967c9e77c0001c1ea6d.jpg)
Using Bleach to Clean Your Aquarium
![Mother and son looking at aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/k1ob30SMQQ540HiRvShpb5jT8Aw=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Motherandsonlookingataquarium-GettyImages-723524433-5a0b1013beba3300375aa38a.jpg)
Is Grounding an Aquarium Necessary?
![Aquarium with Goldfish](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/Lil2HbzMtLcYNeBpsJbtDZUNODs=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/aquarium-fish-on-display-810392252-59877e23d963ac0011c821f8.jpg)
How to Lower High Water Temperature in Aquariums
![Glass Algae](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/SQpL2oN-dbGgHHaYCngG6KDp4G0=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Glass_Algae_Neil_R-56a32f9f3df78cf7727c4ba3.jpg)
Spot Algae Causes and Cures for Your Aquarium
![Parrot cichlid swimming under venturi air outflow](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/6vv92BdGkfM4zDFC4WXMofNlNxs=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-177527139-72a37a6898664f54a40ba3e0382ce76d.jpg)
Aquarium Air Pump Accessories
How to Build a Simple DIY Aquarium Stand
![Fish Tank](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/BvdD2ZYf6Fhv5S3xCgybgtHb78M=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/fish-tank-1062562934-5c3b730ec9e77c0001c922f0.jpg)
How to Repair Leaks in Glass Aquariums
![Tropical fish swimming in aquarium outside kitchen](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/A9kKtwUNdGsopNCNJB2ZODQF1VA=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tropical-fish-swimming-in-aquarium-outside-kitchen-568518895-59a5d0c5af5d3a001150490e.jpg)
Treating Aquarium Water
![A diagram of how to clean stinky aquarium water](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/jejcaNeinoFFCw3zHN-Ku7kKqBg=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/stinky-aquarium-water-1381889-FINAL-5b9fbf4e46e0fb005080f2b0.png)
Identify & Treat the Causes of Smelly Aquarium Water
![Foam on Aquarium Water](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/J7g2qFxqhqrlrGUFyRdx1-ZIL8Y=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/foam-on-aquarium-water-1381213-PSD-GIF-V3-55398aa7240b4d8391d2d607ee8bf3b5.jpg)
Why Are There Foamy Bubbles in My Fish Tank?
![air bubbles in aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/d8fT8pjbGeAAPkWsjG8TMunhpTk=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/411456407_0aae23d333_o-58a4bbac5f9b58a3c923fc2e.jpg)
How to Manually Generate Oxygen in Aquariums
![Nitrogen cycle in the aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/OEWm5Dqm0VatrnhZyWsX7ezjSvI=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/NitrogenCycle-5667357c3df78ce161d649cf.jpg)
The Nitrogen Cycle in Aquariums
![Fishbowl and an aquarium on a sideboard](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/bJMKu7FG3A0cOlSzj4jlLUL3maY=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/fishbowl-and-an-aquarium-on-a-sideboard-126171743-5a2fec5bbeba3300377106f7.jpg)
What Is an Aquarium Drip Loop?
![Young girl looking in fish tank](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/pK_6ob4BctvwcnIojTpBGtS7pvQ=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Girl-looking-in-fish-tank-GettyImages-686722835-586bffb25f9b586e0256fac5.jpg)
How To Add Water to an Aquarium
![Power Filter](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/2YY4w83d0fv3VfVccQP-Sx0b3BY=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/power_filter-58aefb005f9b58a3c9284c7f.jpg)
Cleaning a Hang On Back (HOB) Aquarium Filter
![Three- Lined Catfish, Resting on Lava Rock in Aquarium](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/POf5us2SVmV-aMTytPP6I_20TOM=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/three--lined-catfish--resting-on-lava-rock-in-aquarium-475022314-5c660f7346e0fb00015e7880.jpg)
DIY Aquarium Filter Bags and Media
![Aquarium Substrate](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/ND9YT8ES5rGLN5JFZdMxlCu_WvA=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Substrate_Haley_Hughes-58a4b26c5f9b58819cf7e230.jpg)
Substrate Setup for Live Plants