First Tank Guide Site Map and Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started - Figuring Out and Setting Up Your Fish Tank

• Some Things to Think About and Have in Mind BEFORE You Buy Your Tank
• Keeping Healthy Fish
• Selecting a Good Pet Store
• How to Set-Up Your New Aquarium
  • Different Sources of Water for Your Fish Tank
• Tips for Cycling Your New Aquarium
  • Some Reasons Not to Use Goldfish to Cycle Your Tank
  • Water Changes in the Cycling Aquarium
  • Bacteria Boosters and the Damage They Cause to a Healthy Aquarium
  • Signs of Ammonia Stress
  • New Tank Syndrome
  • Fishless Cycle
• Introducing Fish to Your Aquarium
• Information on the Fish Population of Common Home and Office Aquaria
  • How to Determine the Safe Population of Your Fish Tank
  • Fish Growth and Size in a Home or Office Aquarium
  • So, How Much Space Does My Fish Need?
• Upgrading to a Larger Aquarium
• Moving with Your Fish
• Getting a Used Fish Tank Ready for Use
  • Leak Testing an Aquarium

Routine Maintenance - Care of an Aquarium

• Routine Aquarium Maintenance
• Cleaning Your Aquarium: Performing Your Weekly 10-15% Water Change
  • Algae Control in your Freshwater Aquarium
  • Maintaining a Clear and Attractive Aquarium
  • Preventing and Controlling Odors from Your Fish Tank
  • Vacuuming Your Aquarium Gravel
    • Starting a Siphon
  • Why Small and Frequent Water Changes
  • Pest Snails and Controlling Snail Populations
  • Bubbles on the Aquarium Surface
• Feeding Your Fish
  • Feeder Fish
• Diseases in Tropical Fish: Aquarium Illness Facts and Aquarium Care
  • Medicating Your Fish
  • Seeking Expert Advice on Fish Health
  • Fur Coat Syndrome and Betta Care
• Small Fish Tank Maintenance
• Questions of Chemistry
  • Aquarium pH
    • Troubleshooting pH Changes
  • Ammonia Removers
  • Dechlorinating Your Aquarium Water

Other Pages in and Related to the First Tank Guide

• The First Tank Guide Home
• My Qualifications for Answering Questions About Aquariums and Fish
  • Books and Magazines on Aquarium and Pet Care
  • Testimonials from Site Visitors
• Cool Fish and Aquarium Pages
• Ask the Expert
• Fish Tank Volume Calculator
• Why Doesn't Everyone Give the Same Answer?
  • Why Do People Give Different Answers?
  • How Can I Know Who to Believe?
• Popular Fish Keeping Myths
• Giving an Aquarium as a Gift

Aquarium Equipment and Terms

• Aquarium Equipment: List of Items
• Aquarium Equipment: Definitions
  • A Fish Tank
    • Tank Types: Glass vs. Acrylic
    • Fish Bowls and Small Aquariums
  • Filtering Your Aquarium Water
    • Under Gravel Filters
      • The Under Gravel Filter Controversy: Truth About the Reliability and Safety of Under Gravel Filters
    • Power or Hanging Filters
    • Corner or Box Filters
    • Sponge or Breeder Filters
    • Canister Filters
    • Fluidized Bed Filters
    • Trickle or Wet/Dry Filters
    • Ultraviolet Sterilizers
    • Protein Skimmers
    • Rotating Drum Filters
    • Using Multiple Filters
  • Aquarium Heaters
    • Setting your Aquarium Heater
    • Thermostats for Aquariums
  • Aquarium Lighting
  • Gravel Vacuum
  • Aquarium Air Pumps
    • Quieting an Air Pump
    • Air Stones
  • Aquarium Decorations and Decorating Your Aquarium
    • Collected Items as Aquarium Decorations

Fish for Your Fish Tank

• Getting Fish
• Why Responsible Pet Stores Don't Have Painted Fish
• Some Interesting Fish
  • Betta Care Basics
    • How to Set Up a Betta Vase: An Inappropriate Home for a Betta
  • Goldfish Care Basics
  • Oscar Care Basics
  • Piranha Care Basics
  • Pacu Care Basics
  • Care of Ornamental Snails
  • Dragonfish Care Basics
• Picking Fish
  • Choosing Compatible Fish