5 Tips to Set Up the Best Fish Tank for Your Child(ren)
Many parents purchase fish as their child’s first pet, believing that they require little to no care. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth! Let’s break down some of the biggest myths and misconceptions regarding pet fish and look at some must-follow tips to set up the best fish tank for your child(ren)!
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Did you know that a common goldfish, when fully cared for and provided the ideal living conditions, can live, on average, 10 to 15 years?
That’s a far cry from the image most parents have, picking goldfish after goldfish as they die off after only a few months, hoping their child doesn’t notice the change.
Why the difference?
It’s simple – Most parents have been fed myths and lies about the care necessary for a goldfish.
The result? Most pet goldfish today aren’t provided with conditions necessary to live a long, healthy life.
Now, don’t the wrong impression from what I’ve just said – I’m not trying to discourage you from setting up a fish tank for your child(ren).
Quite the opposite!
Fish are a GREAT choice for children; however, you need to go into fish ownership with the same commitment that dog and cat owners do.
That means doing your research, purchasing all the necessary supplies, and educating your child(ren) on how to interact with their new pet(s) in a safe way for all involved.
Good news, if you’re here reading this, you’re already off to a good start!
In this post, I’m going to break down a few tips and tricks to help you set up the best fish tank for your child(ren) as well as some ideas on how to turn your new tank into an educational experience.
So, let’s get started!
5 Tips to Set Up the Best Fish Tank for Your Child(ren)
#1. Don’t Skimp on Fish Tank Size
This is the biggest error that I see made by those who are interested in setting up their first fish tank.
That being said, I don’t blame the prospective owners at all!
The pet industry has set up this unrealistic expectation of what is ‘okay’ for a fish by selling small novelty tanks and bowls, marketing them as ideal for your new pet.
The truth is that fish need space to swim as well as to grow.
You will often hear experienced fish keepers say that a fish will grow to the size of their habitat. This is due to the fact that small tanks will stunt growth.
For example, a healthy goldfish with enough space can grow up to 12 inches in length!
Skip the little bowls and novelty tanks. Instead, invest in a larger, higher-quality glass or acrylic aquarium (at least 10 gallons in size, if not larger).
Believe it or not, a larger tank is actually easier to maintain!
Larger tanks are more ‘stable’, meaning that they can survive a small error that may throw a small novelty tank out of balance entirely.
Before purchasing your tank, you need to take a serious look at the space that you have available.
This includes space not only for the tank itself but also (potentially) an aquarium stand that is designed to hold the heavy weight of your tank AND the water (which weighs A LOT).
If you plan on placing the tank on a flimsy bookcase or cabinet, it’s time to reconsider your options!
Glass vs Acrylic Fish Tanks
As I mentioned, there are two common materials that you will see fish tanks constructed from – glass and acrylic.
Which option is best for your child(ren)?
There is no ‘one size fits all’ answer to that question.
Acrylic tanks are generally more expensive than glass tanks, meaning that they are an investment.
However, they are more resilient in many ways as they won’t break or chip if they are struck by a child’s toy.
That being said, they do scratch easier than glass.
Consider the area that your tank will be kept, the potential risks it will need to stand up to, and the amount that you are interested in investing (including potentially replacing the tank if it is damaged).
Another factor to consider is the visual aspect of glass vs acrylic.
While both tanks obviously provide a view of the fish within, glass fish tanks do distort the view from various angles.
#2 – Invest in Necessary Gear Including Filters, Water Conditioners, etc.
The investment necessary when first setting up an aquarium will involve more than just the tank and the fish themselves.
There are many different factors to consider including aquarium filtration, heaters and thermometers, water test kits, and more.
If this is your first time setting up a fish tank, you may want to consult an expert in order to ensure that you don’t overlook anything necessary.
Note: An expert is NOT the teen working at your local pet store for minimum wage. Not that they aren’t doing a great job, however, there is no knowledge/education requirement for the job, meaning that they likely don’t have all the answers.
I’m talking about seeking out an individual that has put the time and money into really learning the ins and outs of keeping healthy, happy fish.
There are many, many options on the market today in terms of aquarium gear, which means that there is a lot to consider.
For example:
- Some filters are going to require the ongoing purchase of replacement filters. Are you prepared for this additional cost/effort?
- Not all test kits are as comprehensive, meaning they may not test for everything that you need to know.
- Different species of fish will require different water temperatures, meaning they may or may not require a stronger heater.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Any professional that is truly passionate about fish keeping will be open to help you to create the best habitat for your newest addition to the family!
#3 – Don’t Rush to Add the Fish!
When you are first getting your tank set up, it will take time.
The process isn’t quite as easy as setting up the decorations and filling it with water.
Your fish should be added gradually while monitoring the water conditions for any changes that could pose a risk to their health and well-being.
After you fill your tank, the next step is to give it a minimum of 48 hours to cycle and stabilize.
This will allow you to test the water and make any necessary adjustments, ensuring that the conditions are ideal for your fish.
When you do start adding fish, add 2-3 at a time.
After each addition, wait at least a week and then test the water once again to check that everything is in order before adding more fish to the equation.
Most importantly, don’t overcrowd your tank.
Remember, your fish are going to grow. You need to provide them with enough space for their largest size, not just the size they are at today.
#4 – Allow Your Child to Select Decorations
If you want to set up the best fish tank for your child(ren), why not get them involved in the process?
There are SO many different options to decorate your tank including colourful gravel and substrate, plants of all sizes, rocks, caves, sunken ships, mermaids, backdrops, etc.
Take your child’s interests into consideration and set up a bright, colourful space that they will want to explore.
The sky is the limit when it comes to the different fish-friendly decorations currently on the market.
#5 – Select Beginner-Friendly Fish
There are many different varieties of fish that you could choose to bring into your home.
When selecting your fish, consider the care that will be required.
If your child(ren) is going to be assisting with the care and maintenance of their fish (a great educational opportunity), you may want to choose a hardy ‘starter’ fish.
Here are some great beginner-friendly fish:
- Tetras
- Zebra Dinos
- Corydoras (Cory Catfish)
- Betta Fish
- Angelfish
- Neon Rainbowfish
- Swordtails
- Platies
- Kribensis
- Rasboras
- Common Goldfish
Note: This is NOT a complete list. There are many great beginner-friendly fish available. If you are unsure, speak with a fish keeping specialist for recommendations.
While selecting your fish, makes sure to do your research.
This includes learning about how large they will grow, their nutritional needs, whether or not they do well with other fish, etc.
Finally, when you have narrowed down your list to fish that you can care for, get your child(ren) involved in the final decision.
Educational Opportunities
A fish tank in your home is a great educational opportunity for your child(ren).
The first and most obvious lesson that they will learn is the work that is involved with caring for a pet by having them help you with the basic tank maintenance.
However, the learning doesn’t have to stop there!
Take this opportunity to teach your child about the ecosystem that they have created in their home and how it all stays in balance, the different species of fish, the predator/prey relationship, and more.
Looking for more than just the science angle?
A fish tank can be used as inspiration for your child’s art or writing activities, allow you to focus on creativity, grammar, or even research skills.
It can also be used for math ranging from counting fish to mathematical equations used to calculate the volume of water in the tank.
Do you have a fish tank in your home?
What factors were important for you in your effort to set up the best fish tank for your child(ren)?
I never realized that there was so much involved with having fish as pets, but I never really had them beyond the church when I was very young (too young to give kids a pet especially without asking their parent) give all the kids goldfish, and my dad was the one who took care of them and I remember them being around for while (bc of my dad lol) and all my twin and I did was look at the goldfishes. I remember my dad not being happy that they would give those out like that because it should have been his choice.
That definitely should have been a choice that was decided by parents. Too often goldfish are treated like they are no different than handing out a stuffed animal or an action figure. It’s no different than the fairs handing out goldfish as prizes for their games. One of my big pet peeves, quite honestly.
There is something about fish tanks that I find so mesmerizing. I could just watch them swim around all day.
I am the same way! I would love to get a fish and have been considering getting a tank for my office, however, I’m worried that I won’t be home enough to care for it properly based on discussions of upcoming travel plans. I think I need to wait until we iron out what we plan on doing in the coming years.
Great tips! I always had fish growing up and it was a great way to learn to be responsible for something!
An aquarium is such a great educational opportunity for children. However, it only works if the parents are also prepared for the responsibility involved.
I absolutely love the look of fish tanks but I didnt realise so much had to be considered so thank you for sharing!
They are so much fun to watch, aren’t they? I feel like a fish tank can really add to a room’s decor. However, it’s SO important to acknowledge the work required! It’s not like adding a new vase or a painting to the room.
It makes me so cross when I see fish being touted as beginner’s pets when they most certainly are not. The amount of equipment and care they need far outweighs, say, a cat. Fortunately, Flora had done her research before she got her tank so it wasn’t too much of a shock. She’s got platys, danios, corydoras and a swordtail (the other jumped out the tank!) as well as some shrimps. Great post, Britt, really useful tips.
They are such a GREAT learning experience for children, but the responsibility involved needs to be taken seriously. I’m glad to hear that Flora did so much research, although (from what you’ve told me of her) I’m not surprised.
I love this! We have definitely learned a lot when it comes to setting up a fish tank. When we first started out on this journey we of course were just learning, and we encountered a few ups, and downs with it. At first we didn’t understand why certain plants were not surviving, and we did lose a few fishes. We’ve come a long ways with it. Thank you for these tips!
There’s a lot to learn. Maintaining live plants is a struggle all on its own, right? That’s the main reason why I generally recommend plastic plants for first-time aquarium owners. Especially those with children! Not to say that it can’t be done learning about the plants and the fish all at once. It’s a learning curve.
Having never had pet fish at all, I really found this post extremely informative. It makes sense to go for a much larger tank for the sake of the fish and ensure children understand the responsibilities involved. This is also the first time I have heard of ‘beginner-friendly fish’ but it makes total sense. We don’t have children in the house now but this pet fish might be something we could consider when we are not away so much. I’m really pleased I have a much greater appreciation of what is involved with setting up a tank and owning fish.
I would LOVE to have a large aquarium in our house. However, as you mentioned here, I’m not home enough at this point to be able to maintain it as needed. If we stop travelling as much down the road, I think that’s one of the first things I will do!
I’m really glad I found this post. My kids are out of the house, but I’ve been interested in aquariums for a long, long time. I’ve been mulling over getting one, and this is going to help me figure out what I need.
I’m glad you came across it! Aquariums are fun for all ages, honestly. I love just watching them myself.
We so need to make room for a fish tank in our house because I really want one. I think our kids would enjoy it. Excellent tips.
Kids LOVE being part of the process and it’s a pet that you can commit to even with busier schedules – as much as there is a lot to do, it can be done on your time. Great reasons to consider fish for a first pet.
I am definitely one of those kids that got a goldfish because my mum thought it would be gone in five minutes. It didn’t have the most accomodating tank size either, probably fell foul to a few of these warnings. Much to my mum’s shock, it lasted about 3-4 years, so not to its full potential but still much longer than she thought. These are such helpful tips, I’m sure a lot of people aren’t aware of these things x
Sophie
I think nearly every kid had a goldfish at some point. Here, we would win them at our local fall fair. We always assumed that they didn’t live as long simply because they were giving out sick or old fish, but never realized that it could actually have been how we were caring for them.
Fish can be amazing pets. I speak from experience as I had one and she lived for 8 years. And you are right, they can grow big. My fish was enormous, people used to laugh when they’d see her swimming around making stupid jokes about eating it. This fish lived in my room and I really loved having her around, her peaceful swimming around. She was alone in the tank. I tried to get her a friend but she did not like any newcommenrs. They would end up dead so I gave up and let her live on her own, with only me as her company. It really annoys me when people replace fish, as you say within a few months, honestly, sometimes few weeks. They can live for years with some extra care.
I honestly believe that it’s a lack of knowledge. They don’t know better – and that’s why I wanted to put this post together. I had a betta fish that moved with me through 2 houses, nearly 6 years, and people were always shocked that he lived that long. Meanwhile, it wasn’t that surprising if they are cared for properly.
I will love to have fishes as a pet at home. Maybe when i get one later in the future. But i really this. Fish tanks are so fun as you can be as creative as you want.
Yes! I love that you can change it up to match your style – I have been creating a wishlist with the goal of having a betta fish in the near future. I’ve already scouted out aquarium decor that will match my home office.
Great tips! I’m pretty sure my parents made all the mistakes you mentioned when I was a kid and won a goldfish from the fair. Later on a got a turtle which I was super stoked about! But I don’t think my parents had any idea how tough it was to keep that aquarium clean before they got it for me.
I also really love the idea of using the fish tank as a tool for teaching the kiddos about ecosystems and science!
I know that we made many of the mistakes I listed when I was a child. Looking back, we were under the assumption that the average goldfish from a fair booth lived 6 months at most, and it was due to the condition they were in when we got them (not what we did after that point).
A lot of information that I had no idea about. Never thought of getting a fish as a pet but Its in deed a good home decore as well if you know how to take care of it that is. I think if you are not ready to take care of any pet you shouldn’t get one.
That is the most important point that I hope people take from my blog as a whole – Pets are great BUT you have to be ready to take care of them.
Thank you for the great information. I was very surprised by the life expectancy of goldfish in ideal conditions. I also was not aware of acrylic tanks. Great post!
Thank you for reading! I was introduced to acrylic tanks a couple of years ago. They are more expensive. However, with large dogs wrestling in our house, knocking things over everywhere, and throwing dog toys around, they are a worthy investment!
What an amazing article. There is so much more to consider to buying a fish tank that I would have ever thought. Great tips x
There is a lot to consider, but it’s totally worth it to have that beautiful tank and healthy, happy fish!
Great tips on setting up a proper fish tank! We had a decent-sized fish tank when we were kids. I remember how fun it was to decorate the tank.
That’s one of the best parts for kids, isn’t it? There are so many fun, bright coloured, kid-friendly decorations to pick from too! I keep seeing different cartoon characters all over.
I wanted to have a fish tank when I just started living by myself but it never happened. I want to special shop, listen to what I need and turned around: it sounds so complicated! If I listened to you I might have fish as a pet
The biggest key is to choose an easier to maintain fish. There are some that require A LOT of special care and attention – which is great for those with experience but definitely not ideal for someone new to fish keeping!
I am always amazed at how much work goes into keeping fish, and work with a capital W! I know that owning fish isn’t for me due to space and the time and care that goes into it. Just not my thing. I prefer my cat who cries at me a couple times a day and then ignores me the rest of the time. It is pretty easy to see how people with so little knowledge think owning a fish is easy though. I had no clue goldfish had such a long lifespan. Totally though like 6 months too.
I have been considering getting fish again for a number of years now, however, our lifestyle and schedule simply didn’t permit it. Some day, when things settle down a bit, I would love to own fish again. There is something so relaxing about watching them swim lol
I have always heard that it is not easy to maintain a fish tank as one really needs to put a lot of efforts and certainly not have a casual approach. In fact one of my closest friend tried once and within a few months gave up the idea and sold it off as all the fishes started dying. Hence it was so interesting to learn the inner secrets of buying and maintaining a fish tank and fishes after so many years.
There is quite a bit that goes into it however, with a little education and the right tools, it can be done!
Hello there! What type of fish tank is easiest to maintain?
There is no ‘one size fits all’ answer, but generally speaking, the easiest to maintain is a 10+ gallon tank. Equip your tank with algae eaters to help cut back on the amount of algae growth, and make sure not to overstock the tank. Sometimes, less is more.
SO EASY TO INSTALL THIS WATER FISH TANK ,,,,,,, BUT IF FOLLOW YOUR STEPS ,,,,,,
REALLY EFFORTLESS STORY OF CREATING THIS ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
AM GOING TO BUILD IT
THANK YOU