How a $20 Betta Fish Taught Me Everything About Aquarium Setup

I still remember standing in the pet store aisle seven years ago, staring at a tiny betta fish in a plastic cup. "Easy to care for," the label said. "Just add water."

Three weeks later, that beautiful blue betta was dead, and I was heartbroken.

I had done everything the cup told me to do. I bought the tiny bowl. I added tap water. I fed him daily. But nobody told me about nitrogen cycles, water parameters, or why a heater actually matters. I felt like a failure, and honestly, I almost gave up on fish keeping entirely.

But something kept nagging at me. How could something labeled "easy" go so wrong? I started digging into forums, watching YouTube videos at 2 AM, and pestering every aquarium hobbyist I could find. What I discovered shocked me: the basics of aquarium setup and fish keeping were either buried in technical jargon or oversimplified to the point of being dangerous.

That frustration became my obsession. I set up my first properly cycled 20-gallon tank within a month. Then a planted tank. Then I tried my hand at breeding guppies in my spare bedroom (my partner was thrilled, as you can imagine). Each setup taught me something new about water chemistry, filtration, and what fish actually need to thrive.

Over the past seven years, I've maintained everything from nano shrimp tanks to a 75-gallon community setup. I've killed plants, battled algae blooms at 3 AM, and celebrated the tiny victory of seeing my first corydoras eggs. I've tested over 150 different products, wasted money on gimmicks, and learned which "budget" solutions actually work better than expensive ones.

This website exists because I wish someone had given me the straight truth back when I was holding that betta cup.

Real Experience, No Fluff

I'm not a marine biologist, and I don't have fancy certifications to wave around. What I do have is seven years of hands-on experience with aquarium setup and fish keeping, countless hours spent researching, and a collection of tanks that have taught me more than any textbook could.

I've personally tested more than 150 aquarium products—from filters and heaters to plant fertilizers and water conditioners. I know which ones are worth your money and which ones are just clever marketing.

I've learned from dozens of experienced hobbyists in local clubs and online communities. I've made every beginner mistake in the book (and invented a few new ones), which means I know exactly where things go wrong and how to prevent it.

My specialty is helping beginners navigate the confusing world of aquarium setup without the overwhelm. I focus on freshwater community tanks, planted aquariums, and beginner-friendly fish species because that's where most people start—and where most people need the clearest guidance.

Why Aquarium-Setup Exists

This website is for everyone who's ever felt overwhelmed walking into a fish store.

Too much aquarium advice online is either overly technical (leaving beginners confused) or dangerously oversimplified (leading to dead fish and frustration). I created Aquarium-Setup to bridge that gap with honest, practical guidance on aquarium setup and fish keeping that actually works in real homes.

You shouldn't need a chemistry degree to keep fish happy. But you do need accurate information presented in a way that makes sense.

My mission is simple: help you set up a thriving aquarium without the expensive mistakes, confusing jargon, or heartbreak I went through. Whether you're setting up your first 10-gallon tank or upgrading to something bigger, I want you to feel confident and excited about fish keeping—not anxious and overwhelmed.

What You'll Find Here

Every article on this site comes from real experience, thorough research, or both. I don't write about products I haven't tested or methods I haven't tried. When I recommend something, it's because it worked in my tanks or comes from trusted hobbyists I've learned from over the years.

You'll find detailed setup guides for beginners, honest product reviews, troubleshooting advice for common problems, and species profiles for beginner-friendly fish. I focus on practical, actionable advice you can implement today—not theory you'll never use.

I publish new content weekly, covering everything from basic aquarium setup for complete beginners to more advanced topics like planted tank maintenance and breeding projects.

This is a judgment-free zone. We've all killed fish. We've all made mistakes. The goal here is to learn, improve, and enjoy this incredible hobby.

Start with the beginner's guide if you're new, or dive into specific topics that interest you. And if you have questions or want to share your own aquarium journey, I'd love to hear from you. We're all learning together.

Welcome to the community. Let's build some beautiful aquariums.