How To Set Up The Right Aquarium For Your Guppies

Q. I have just bought some guppies and a tank. Please advise me how to set up my new aquarium and care for the guppies? What other fish can exist alongside them? What do water pH and water hardness mean?

Guppies are a species relatively easy to maintain. They are the most fuss free aquarium fish for any budding fish hobbyists.

Setting Up A New Aquarium For Guppies

There is no need for a heavy-duty power filter. An inside box filter powered by an air pump for biological and mechanical filtration and aeration (for a five- to ten gallon tank) will do. Charcoal is not necessary either. There is no need to add plants or gravel to the tank. Simply paint the outside bottom of the tank with dark paint (black is a good choice). A clear and smooth glass bottom is more comfortable than gravel for the guppies to rest upon at night, and also makes it easier to maintain a clean tank.

Fish That Can Co-exist With Guppies

As guppies prefer water that is rather hard, do not mix tetras or other soft water species with them. If you add salt to your tank water, choose other fish that will tolerate this as well. Live bearers such as mollies mix well with guppies, but not aggressive fish such as bettas.

Water Change

If you are raising high-quality fancy guppies, generally, you should change no less than 25 per cent of your water in the aquarium at least once a week. It is better to change a smaller amount of the water more frequently than significantly higher amount less often.

Water pH

The acidity or alkalinity of water is measured in terms of pH of 0. If it is 100% acidic, it has a pH of 14. A pH of 7 has no measurable amount of alkaline or acid, that is, it is neutral. The best pH for guppies is 6.6 to 6.8. Most guppy keepers, however, do not pay much attention to their pH levels.

Water Hardness

The degree of water hardness (DH) depends on the amount of dissolved salts. Rainwater and distilled water have very low levels of dissolved salts. Hard water (also referred to as lime water) could be dangerous to certain species. If you use gravel in your tank, remember that it will gradually dissolve in the water over time, and build up the DH level. If a white scum line starts to build up at the water line, this is usually due to distillates, which are a product of dissolved salts. You should try to determine the cause of the sudden rise in the DH level and change the water immediately.

Once you get everything in order, you might want to learn more about helping your guppies to stay healthy much longer.

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