Quick And Easy Guide for Beginners!

  • 5 min

Not Sure where to start?

We’ve prepared a quick start guide to start your very own tank!

This is a more basics only guide compared to our other beginner guide, so head on over there if you want more in-depth explanations into things!

The Must-Have Items (Don't Skip these!)

Tank (Aquarium)

  • Pick a size you can manage.
  • Bigger tanks are usually more stable (easier for beginners), but choose what fits your space.

Beginner sweet spot:

1ft tank (about 30cm) for a comfortable start

Filter (Keeps water clean)

Your filter is like the “heart” of the tank. It keeps the water safe for fish.

Beginner picks (easy + reliable):

  • Sponge filter (simple, low cost, beginner-friendly)
  • Hang-on-back filter (HOB) (easy to use, good flow)
5

Air Pump + Air Tube (If using sponge filter)

Your filter is like the “heart” of the tank. It keeps the water safe for fish.

Beginner picks (easy + reliable):

  • Sponge filter (simple, low cost, beginner-friendly)
  • Hang-on-back filter (HOB) (easy to use, good flow)
  • Needed to run a sponge filter.
  • Also helps keep oxygen levels strong.

Light (Makes the tank look nice + helps plants grow)

Tap water has chlorine/chloramine. This protects your fish.

You must use it every time you add new tap water.

Water Conditioner (Very important)

A good aquarium light does two things:

  • Makes your fish look more colourful and the tank more “alive”
  • Supports plant growth (if you keep plants)

Beneficial Bacteria Bottle (Helps your tank start safer)

This is a bottled “good bacteria” product that helps your tank build a healthy filter system faster.

Why it’s useful for beginners:

  • Helps reduce early water problems
  • Supports a smoother start while your tank is new
  • Works best when you’re running your filter properly

Substrate (Gravel / Sand / Soil)

This is the “floor” of your tank.

Beginner options:

  • Gravel (easy, clean, low maintenance)
  • Sand (nice look, but needs slightly more care)
  • Aquasoil (best for plants, but can be more “active” for beginners)

If you want easy plants without stress:

  • Gravel + root tabs (optional) is a simple combo.

A Net + Siphon (For cleaning)

  • Net: to move fish safely
  • Siphon hose: makes water change easy and fast

Basic decor (Optional, but nice)

  • Small rocks / driftwood / hiding places
    Fish feel safer when they have shelter.

Test Kit (So you don’t guess) (Optional) as at That Aquarium we conduct free water testing for your aquarium!

  • This helps you know if your water is safe.

    At minimum, test:

    • Ammonia
    • Nitrite
    • Nitrate

Beginner Plant Recommendations (Easy, hardy, low stress)

  • These plants are beginner-friendly and don’t need CO₂.

    Easiest plants to start with:

      • Anubias (slow growing, very hardy)
      • Java Fern (easy, doesn’t need soil)
      • Java Moss (good for shrimp and baby fish)
      • Cryptocoryne (Crypts) (nice leaves, beginner friendly once settled)
      • Vallisneria (fast grower, good “background” plant)
      • Hornwort (can float too)
      • Duckweed (very fast-growing — use only if you’re okay with it spreading)
    • Red Root Floater

  • Simple planting tip (important):

  • Anubias + Java Fern: don’t bury the “root base” (rhizome).
    Tie or wedge onto wood/rock instead.

Beginner Plant Recommendations (Easy, hardy, low stress)

  • These plants are beginner-friendly and don’t need CO₂.

    Easiest plants to start with:

      • Anubias (slow growing, very hardy)
      • Java Fern (easy, doesn’t need soil)
      • Java Moss (good for shrimp and baby fish)
      • Cryptocoryne (Crypts) (nice leaves, beginner friendly once settled)
      • Vallisneria (fast grower, good “background” plant)
      • Hornwort (can float too)
      • Duckweed (very fast-growing — use only if you’re okay with it spreading)
    • Red Root Floater

  • Simple planting tip (important):

  • Anubias + Java Fern: don’t bury the “root base” (rhizome).
    Tie or wedge onto wood/rock instead.

Beginner Fish Recommendations (Hardy + peaceful)

  • If you’re brand new, start with fish that are forgiving and calm.

    Best beginner community fish:

    • Endler Guppies (colourful, active)
    • Platies (hardy, peaceful)
    • Mollies (hardy, a bit bigger)
    • Neon / Cardinal Tetras (best after tank is stable)
    • Harlequin Rasboras (very stable community fish)
    • Rummy Nose Tetra
    • Colour Tetra 
    • Zebra Danios
    • Corydoras (bottom cleaner, peaceful)

    If you want just 1 fish:

    • Betta (1 male only)
      Great for smaller setups with gentle flow + hiding spots.

Beginner “Safe” Fish Combos (Easy examples)

  • Option A: Simple 2ft community tank

    • 8–12 Harlequin Rasboras
    • 6 Corydoras
    • Easy plants (Anubias, Java Fern)

    Option B: Livebearer tank (colourful + easy)

    • 6–10 Guppies or Platies
    • Some moss / Vallisneria
    • Easy plants (Anubias, Java Fern)

    Option C: Betta tank (peaceful solo tank)

    • 1 male Betta
    • Anubias + Java Fern + hiding cave(non Sharps objects)

Quick Note Before You Buy Fish

A brand new tank needs time to become safe (this is the “cycling” stage).

Don’t worry — we’ll keep it simple in Part 2.

🐡 Puffed up with knowledge? Give us a like and keep floating along!

👉 Next Up: We’ll go over some basics before adding fish!

Author: Kelvin Phua

Illustrator(s): Rong Sheng

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