Basic Equipment for healthy tank and description of such

That all depends? Freshwater, Saltwater, Species chose to keep, Planted or non planted, lighting requirements for what you want to keep.

The most important thing is clean, dechlorinated water! Weekly water changes!!!!

If you change your water enough (daily) you could do with the cheapest, weakest filter if any at all.... and your fish will still be healthy (pending enough oxygen is in the tank)

 

Fresh could be just as hard, if not sometimes harder than Saltwater.... Each type of water has their lions of the tank!

Again though even with Freshwater alone there are hundreds of ways to get going, and depending on what you want for the result will gauge what is good equipment and what is not. Much also depends on how much work you want to do each week and how much money you want to spend up front. (More money spent up front will make it easier to take care of the tank over the span of the tank)

I guess my point is, more than anything you buy, the MOST important thing is RESEARCH!!!! Research the livestock you want, what is needed to make them happy and then try to reproduce it on your tank! Also make sure your tank is correct for what you want (size, height, local water conditions, etc)

That is the basic advice: RESEARCH!!!

 

no problem!

 

Dependant on tank size:

[*]Quality water with the baddies removed using something such as Prime everytime you add water

[*]Heater that keeps the water stable and from fluctuating (use a digital probe to monitor)

Regular Partial Water Changes (I do 25% every week...you can do more or a touch less depend. on what you all have in there) using a siphon at or near the bottom of your tank since thats where you excess food and waste will build.

[*]Filtration as high as you can get the gph without having your fish sucked to the intake (You can avoid this risk by using a sponge pre-filter over the intake)...typically your striving for about 5x your current gallons per hour.

-> Your filtration choices would be canister (I rank them top), Hang on Back (I rank them next), sponge filters...corner box filters...undergravel filters (all come in last imo).

[*]Filtration media: imo the most important media is to have a good filter floss that will trap the particles or impurities. Beyond that if you don't have plants a premium carbon is good for optimum water clarity...is good for removing tannins if your using driftwood...and also will pull out any water odors.

[*]Water Testing using a liquid test kit such as api freshwater master-(I do mine monthly on average) some test daily, some monthly, some not at all unless a problem presents itself. When a issue arises it's always helpful to have the readings since most times they will tell you where your issues lie.

[*] And if the circulation isn't good enough with the filter alone Power heads such as the koralia line are helpful for "dead spots" and even airpumps with tubing running an airstone is helpful (and also can provide oxygenation of the water).Always put a check valve on your airpumps!

[*]Cosmetic for freshwater unless you have live plants: Lighting, Lunar lighting, backgrounds, substrates, and decor.

Although fish feel more "comfortable" in a natural setting with a dark substrate and "cave like" places to retreat to (plants and driftwood also help create the natural "feel" of home).

And last but not least, a good quality of food given in moderation with VARIETY. (Ie..frozen food, flake food, etc)

STABILITY IS KEY

 

Better to be thorough than vague and have someone come back and say..but you didn't tell me..Lol!

Glad to be of help, What are we..I mean you..haha...setting up?
Size? Stocking plans?

 

oh, okay..thought you had something in mind. have to keep us posted!

 

These may also prove useful in your quest for additional knowledge on Healthy setups:

Basic Guide to a Successful Freshwater Aquarium

Setting up a Tank / Aquarium - For Dummies

Routine Aquarium Tasks Checklist