My One-Year Fishkeeping Journey: Tips for a Simple, Clean, and Therapeutic Small Aquarium

I started keeping fish in August of last year, and while I don’t consider myself an expert, I’ve learned a lot over the past year about creating and maintaining small aquariums and "air tanks." My focus has always been on keeping things simple, clean, and peaceful. To my delight, my little tank has become a source of fascination for visitors and a therapeutic retreat for me. In this post, I’ll share my experience and a guide for those looking to create their own small, healing aquarium space.

Equipment for an Air Tank:

1. Tank: Ultra-clear glass tank, dimensions: 500270300mm.
2. Fish: Tropical varieties such as guppies, zebra danios, kissing gouramis, and swordtails.
3. Substrate: 0.3-0.5mm white sand.
4. Decorative stones: Brighten the tank under lighting, adding depth to the landscape.
5. Plants: Banana plants.
6. Hideouts: Ceramic hideaways for fish to play and breed.
7. Optional tools: Isolation box, fish net, and a large straw for water changes.

Supporting Environment:

1. Filter: Sized according to tank volume, I use a 200*150mm filter box.
2. Filter materials: Nano biological quartz balls + wool filter pad.
3. Oxygen pump: 3W dual-port energy-saving oxygen pump.
4. Tank light: 15-inch bright white light.
5. Nitrifying bacteria: Active biological nitrifying bacteria.
6. Heater: 100W.

Cleaning Equipment:

• Brush, water changer, and white vinegar (great for cleaning tank scales).

Tips from My Experience:

1. Tank setup takes time: Spend at least a couple of weeks setting up your tank properly. Disinfect the equipment, add filter materials, fill with water, create your landscape, start the oxygen pump, and run the filtration system. Once stable, introduce a couple of fish and nitrifying bacteria before adding the rest.

2. Old water is valuable: During water changes, keep at least one-third of the old water and mix it with fresh water. Avoid fully replacing the water. After cleaning the filter, replenish some nitrifying bacteria to maintain balance.

3. Avoid overloading the tank: Too many fish or overfeeding can overload the ecosystem, leading to debris buildup. Also, avoid direct sunlight or excessive lighting to prevent algae growth.

4. Feeding: Feed only what your fish can eat within 3-5 minutes. It’s better to underfeed than overfeed.

5. Thorough cleaning every three months: Clean the tank, sift through the sand, dismantle the filter, and scrub pipes.

6. Relax: Your fish will thrive in a peaceful environment if you stay relaxed.

I hope these insights help you create a beautiful air tank that brings joy and relaxation into your life. Happy fishkeeping!