Get all your equipment and maintenance supplies first. Then decide what kind of tank you want to have. Next, decide on fish in or fishless cycling. If you do fish in, you want only a couple of inches worth of fishes to begin. Then you can slowly add fish once your tank is fully cycled. You want to add fish at a rate of 25-50% the amount your tank already has every one to two weeks after cycling. Keep in mind the full grown length of each fish before you stock. Pick any theme you want. I have a simple gravel and light plastic plant theme. If you are doing tropical fish,I recommend a heater sufficient for your tank if your home does not keep the tank water at optimal temp. I just got one for mine because this winter weather makes it hard to heat the house, and with my tropical fish, the water has gotten too cold. So keep that in mind.
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