Whether you’re setting a fish tank as a hobby or to follow some feng shui for good luck, these tips will help you out: 

1. Always Consider The Fish You Want To Keep In The Tank 

The first thing you need to do when you’re learning how to set up a fish tank is to decide which fish to put in the tank. This will depend mostly on whether you have a tropical fish tank or a freshwater fish tank.

For example, a large tropical fish tank will require more tank space than a small tank. Since fish are relatively large animals, they’ll also need a little extra room to swim around freely. However, this can be done by simply providing a sizeable shallow box or adding a shallow water feature, like a fountain. 

The type of fish you want to take care of will also dictate the size of the tank you're going to use. That's why you need to choose your fish first before you decide on the size of your aquarium. There are various sizes available for purchase, and you can choose the one you feel most comfortable with. 

2. You Must Prepare Necessary Items Beforehand 

Once you know which fish you’ll be keeping in your tank, you need to make sure that you have everything else in the tank arranged to look pleasing to the eye. For instance, the aquarium must have a good filtration system in place. You must take care of your fish and filter the water regularly. A dirty tank will quickly ruin the fish's look, but a clean tank will sparkle. 

It would be best if you also look into adding other essential items, like heaters, pumps, gravel, and lights. You can go to FishLab.com and other similar sites to learn more about the different things your fish tank will need.  

3. Choose The Right Location For Your Tank 

The next important thing to remember when setting up a fish tank is to set up the tank in a location where it won’t be exposed to direct sunlight. This can cause severe damage to the marine life in the tank.  

Besides that, you need to make sure that the tank is stable and fixed before adding fish and water. This is important, especially if you're planning on setting up a large tank. When a tank is filled with water, it'll be harder for you to put it in your desired location because it will significantly be heavier.  

4. Maintain Balance Before Adding New Fish In The Aquarium 

Another important thing you should remember is to make sure that the environment inside the tank is balanced. You might feel anxious or excited to continue adding new fish to the tank. However, if you want the environment in the tank to thrive, you need to go slowly.  

It's crucial to establish balance first to ensure that it's a healthy environment for your fish and aquatic plants. It would be best if you wait a week or two before you introduce a new fish to the ecosystem. 

Summary 

There are many things you should know before buying a fish tank and setting it up yourself. It would be best if you always consider the fish you want to care for as different types of fish may have additional requirements in tank size and other items, like a filter, food, and heater.  

It would be best if you also place the tank in the appropriate location, far from direct sunlight that can harm the fish. Lastly, it would be best if you establish balance in the water environment before adding new fish to the tank. This ensures that the domain will be healthy for the fish to thrive.