Pick a tank. A good rule of thumb on tank size: “Plan for an inch of fish for every gallon of water.” Ready a location near an outlet and away from direct sunlight and vents.
Prep the habitat. Clean the tank with baking powder paste and use a water-vinegar solution to wash the gravel. Set the gravel and any decor in the tank and add tap water and dechlorinator, then let the setup sit a week to let the chemicals in the water evaporate. Test the pH, nitrite, and ammonia levels before connecting a filter and heater, and run both at least 48 hours.
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