Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This review is for those who have never kept fish before and are considering this tank. 1. This is a VERY SMALL tank, and can only house 1 betta fish OR 2-3 guppies. The rule of thumb is one small fish per gallon. So don't be mislead by the image on the box with five guppies. It can take time for the nitrogen cycle of a tank to become established, and small tanks can be fickle - so be prepared to lose a fish or two along the way. 2. The tank is lit with colored LED lights - my son thinks they are awesome, and loves them as a nightlight. If the disco look is not your taste, a different tank would better suit you. 3. The kit is not complete. You should also purchase: - 5lbs gravel; - a check valve for the air pump (this is a safety issue, and should be included with the kit in my opinion); - a small heater (look for one rated for a 3 gallon tank. This is especially important if you opt to keep tropical fish rather than a betta.); - replacement filters (you should plan on new ones every 2 weeks); - any plastic plants or decor or betta toys (mirrors, hammock); - water conditioner (you cannot pour water from your tap into a fish tank; it needs to have any harmful chemicals removed first; API Stress Coat is great and Tetra also has good products); - a small siphon for weekly water changes; - a cleaning sponge on a stick (do not use the scratchy abrasive sponges you would on a glass tank, since the acrylic scratches easily. Just loading gravel scratched the front of mine.) - a 2-3 gallon plastic bucket dedicated to your tank (you should NOT use one that has had cleaning chemicals in it -- these will kill your fish!); - optional: a timer so that you can have the lights turn off at night (you can only turn them on and off by plugging / unplugging which is a hassle). - optional: a backdrop to adhere to the exterior rear of the tank (this screens the electrical cords (filter; bubbler; and heater) as well as airtubing from view as well as provides a nice aesthetic). Hope this list helps those who are new to keeping fish -- they are a great first pet!