1.The very first thing you should do is look for more information on the internet or by going to the pet store and buying a book on the type of fish you want to get. Probably the most low maintenance fish you can get is a simple goldfish. But when it come to fish that need the water heated probably the easiest is the Molly. It will give you some idea what it is like to breed fish too.
2. The next thing you want to do after you have learned what your new fish needs and what things are a no-no is to decide what size tank you need. This all depends on how many fish you want, the type of fish and how much space you have for the fish tank. My recommendation for most people starting out is to get a 5 to 10 gallon tank at first and start with Goldfish.
3. Now that you have decided what size you will get you need to go to the pet store. [B]YOU WILL NOT BE BUYING YOUR FISH TODAY! Sometimes you can find a fish tank with the filter and pump as part of the package. In a smaller tank you can use a pump that sits on the top of the fish tank edge and has a pipe that almost touches the bottom that pulls the water up and forces it though a filtered wall to catch all the bad gunk and stuff. After the water has been cleaned it is waterfalled into the tank again. This creates a current and aerates the tank. In some cases you will get a gravel filtrations system. In this case there is a part that goes on the bottom of the aquarium that a tube attaches to and the gravel will go on top of that. When the tube is attached then you also attached a filter to the tube and then some air tubing. The air tubing will then be attached to a air pump. This pump will blow air through the tubing and the charcoal in the the filter will filter out the impurities from the air. The pushing of the air will cause the water to be sucked into the gravel and forcing the gunk into the gravel and as far down as possible. The air will also put oxygen into the water.
4. After you have gotten the pump it is now time to buy a light for your aquarium. Most aquariums have light fixtures but you have to buy a light bulb for it. Somtimes the light bulb comes with it. It is always helpful though to have an extra light bulb handy when the other one burns out.
5. Now that you have the basic necessities for the working of the aquarium you can do a little fun shopping. Taking into consideration the color of your fish you should now pick out some aquarium gravel. Most gravel will tell you on the outside what size tank you can fill which each bag. It is more creative to use more than one color in your tank but it is your tank so you are free to do it one color if you like. Once you have done that then you can pick out plants and other aquarium decorations. Remember that your fish needs room to swim so don't buy too many things. Also if you are considering buying real plants remember that they need a plant light to grow and also may need a special pH to grow. You may have to wait until you get your fish before you buy your plants. If you are getting a fish that needs heat make sure you buy a heater and a thermometer.
6. Now that you have picked out your plants and your decorations you need to think about the basic necessity of all aquariums and that is water. When you fill your aquarium most likely you are going to be using tap water. Well most tap water is full of impurities. Well that means you need to add something to the water that will neutralize the impurites. I recommend STRESS COAT by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. If you can not find this brand ask your local pet store what brand they have for water conditioning. Another thing you need to consider buying for your fish tank is a bottle of bacteria. I don't remember what brand I use but it really does wonders for seasoning the tank and gives the fish a real chance at survival for that first week. The bacteria that you will add from that bottle helps keep the nitrates and the Chlorine down in your tank. You should now buy a bucket that has never been used. One to two gallon will do nicely. Keep this bucket for fish tank work only.
7. Once you have all the things above you take them home. Once again you have not purchased your fish yet. You see when you get a new fish tank you need to let it run for at least two weeks. If you have a freind who has and established healthy tank you can always get about 1/3 the water you need to fill the tank and then you only would have to run the tank for 1 week before you can buy your fish. Follow the instructions that come with all the products you have purchased on how to set up your tank. Be sure to rinse everything with hot water before you put it into the tank. This is especially important with the gravel. There tends to be lots of dust on the gravel. DO NOT USE SOAP! Soap will put chemicals into your tank that can kill the fish. Once you have rinced everything you can now put it all into the aquarium to your own personal taste.
8. Once that is done then it is time to add yoru water. Read the label from your water conditioner. It will tell you how much conditioner to add per gallon of water. Add that amount of conditioner to each bucket of water you need to fill your tank. After the tank is filled follow the instructions on the label of the bacteria and add that much to the tank. Sometimes when you are just starting the tank the instructions will advise you to add more bacteria in a few days. Then put your bottle in the fridge so that the bacteria will last longer. Now run your pumps and cycle the water for two weeks.
9. During that two weeks keep and eye on your equipment. Make sure that everything seems to be in working order. This two weeks is your chance to make sure that your equipment is good. Its better to find out now that you have a bad peice of equipment than when you have a fish in the tank.
10. Once the tank has been running for two weeks then you go back to the store and look at all the fish. You choose your fish and ask an employee to get it for you. What they will do usually is get a clear plastic bag and open it up and use a cup to fill the bag with water from the tank your fish is in. Then the employee will use a net to catch your fish. Speaking of which a net is good purchase for your aquarium too. The person will then put your fish into the bag. Then the person should add some air to the bag and close it up. Be very careful when handling the bag and try to make sure that you do not jostle it too much. After you have picked out your fish you should also pick up some food for the fish.
11. When you get your fish home set the bag in the water. DO NOT LET YOUR FISH INTO THE WATER YET! Wait 15 minutes to allow the water from the aquarium to adjust the temperature in the bag to reduce the fish's stress level when you do release it. So once the 15 minutes are up open up the bag carefully and try to turn the bag so that the water from the aquarium mixes with the water from the bag. Sometimes the fish will swim out on their own and sometimes you have to kind of gently take the bag away as they come out. Just be careful not to squish you fish in the bag. They can sufficate too. After this you can now enjoy your fish.
. The tank had only 30 liters. Good work on posting the tutorial 
