Aquarium Guides & Expert Advice

Our Best Advice For Starting Up Your Aquarium!

You want an aquarium, but which one should you go with? Do you want fish or plants? Should you do a freshwater aquarium or saltwater aquarium? What aquarium equipment do you need, and how should you treat your aquarium water? Is owning an aquarium expensive? Not sure where to start? Begin here »

Start Here

New to aquariums? These will point you in the right direction.

• Choosing an Aquarium: Here is a simple guide for choosing the best aquarium for your needs! Fish only? Planted? Saltwater fish-only? Reef? Which kind of aquarist are you?
• What Aquariums Can Teach Kids: Setting up and maintaining an aquarium is a great way to bond with your children. It’s also a great way to teach your children about science. Almost everything covered in K-12 science is relevant to understanding aquariums. Everything related to creating and maintaining an aquarium is relevant to K-12 science.

Equipment Checklists

Pick your type of tank and get the complete shopping list.

• What Is Absolutely Needed For A Reef Aquarium: The 20 products you definitely need, and the 6 you probably should have! 20 must-haves + 6 recommended
• What Is Absolutely Needed For A Saltwater Fish-Only Aquarium: The 16 products you definitely need, the 3 you might need, and the decor you probably want! 16 must-haves + 3 maybes
• What Is Absolutely Needed For A Fish-Only Freshwater Aquarium: The 12 products you definitely need, and the 2 you might need! 12 must-haves + 2 maybes
• What Is Absolutely Needed For A Planted Freshwater Aquarium: The 16 products you definitely need, and the 3 you might need! 16 must-haves + 3 maybes

Tips, Upgrades & Myth-Busting

Already up and running? Make your tank easier, safer and more beautiful.

• Top Five Reef Aquarium Upgrades: These aren't absolutely necessary, but they will all contribute to a more beautiful, stress-free aquarium. Learn why Auto-top offs, Media Reactors, UV Sterilizers, & Dosing Pumps will make your aquarium more successful and easier to maintain.
• Reefing on a Budget: Reef aquariums can be very expensive. But they don’t have to be. Here is a simple guide to reefing on a budget.
• Ten Reefing Myths: Number 10 might surprise you!
• Aquarium Essentials That Will Help You Relax on Vacation: Going out of town can be stressful for aquarium owners. Common issues include feeding, water top-off, dosing, and monitoring water quality. Fortunately, several strategies will make being away from your aquarium less stressful.
• Wiring Your Aquarium: Here are some quick tips that can keep your electrical equipment safe, easy to use, and neat.
• Finding Aquarium Replacement Parts: We carry a wide variety of replacement parts for all kinds of aquarium equipment. We will guide you through finding the part you need and deciding whether your gear is worth fixing or replacing.

Why Shop With Us

• The Top 7 Reasons To Buy From MarineAndReef.com: Number 7 might surprise you!
• Why MarineAndReef.com Does Not Have Product Reviews: And why that’s not a red flag.

Watch & Learn

Where Do You Get Your Info? Discussion (Vodcast #1): David Almeter and Jaron Hudson from MarineAndReef.com discuss and offer perspective on the many ways aquarists get information and help setting up and maintaining their aquariums. ▶ Watch the video