Invest in a liquid test kit to monitor pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.
Add your substrate, then fill the tank with water. Use a water conditioner (dechlorinator) to remove harmful chlorine from tap water. Freshwater Aquariums Basic Aquarium Setup and M...
For beginners, a 20-gallon tank is often recommended. Larger volumes are actually easier to maintain because water chemistry stays more stable. Invest in a liquid test kit to monitor