Smart fishkeeping guides, planning tools, and step-by-step checklists to set up, stock, and care for your aquarium.
Smart stocking made simple — plan a thriving community with confidence.
Plan My Stocking ListThe gear you need, matched to your tank and goals.
Browse the Gear GuideMaster the nitrogen cycle with step-by-step guidance.
Start the Cycling CoachWatch • Read • Explore — videos and blogs for every aquarist.
Explore the Media HubLearn who we are, how we approach guides and tools, and what's coming next.
About The Tank GuideQuestions, ideas, or spotted an issue? Reach out with feedback, recommend fish or gear to review, or share your insights.
Contact & FeedbackWelcome to The Tank Guide, where we make the science of aquariums simple, beautiful, and accessible for everyone. We know that starting your first fish tank can feel like a deep dive into a world of complex chemistry and conflicting advice. Our mission is to be the clear, calm voice that guides you from confusion to confidence.
At the heart of every stable aquarium is one crucial process: the nitrogen cycle. It's the invisible engine that turns fish waste into safer nitrates, creating a healthy environment for your aquatic life. Instead of just telling you about it, we've built the Cycling Coach—an interactive tool that lets you track your tank's progress and understand each stage. This isn't just data; it's the foundation of responsible fishkeeping, and we're here to walk you through every step.
Once your tank is cycled and ready, the real fun begins: choosing your fish. But how many can you add? Will they get along? A healthy tank is a balanced ecosystem, not just a collection of pretty fish. That's why we developed the Stocking Advisor. It goes beyond simple 'one inch of fish per gallon' rules, using logic based on bioload, behavior, and filtration capacity. Born from real-world research and testing, it helps you build a peaceful, thriving underwater community without the guesswork. Use it to test your ideas in real time and plan a tank that's both beautiful and sustainable.
Everything we teach is backed by real-world experience. Our guides and articles draw from ongoing research and testing, where we document everything from fertilizer dosing to fish behavior. Follow along on the Media Hub, where we share logs, videos, and insights. This is science in action, not just in theory.
We believe that a successful aquarium is one of the most rewarding experiences a family can share. It's a living piece of art and a constant lesson in biology. With the right knowledge and the right tools, you can create a stunning underwater world that lasts for years to come. Your journey starts here.
The Tank Guide is a free educational resource from FishKeepingLifeCo. We provide easy-to-understand guides, a fish tank stocking calculator, a nitrogen cycle tracker, and gear recommendations to help beginners successfully set up a freshwater aquarium.
It depends on each species' adult size, behavior, waste production (bioload), and your filtration capacity. Use our free Stocking Advisor to plan a safe, balanced community for your tank.
The nitrogen cycle is a natural 4–8 week process where beneficial bacteria convert toxic ammonia into safer nitrate. Always complete cycling before adding fish—our Cycling Coach guides you step-by-step.
The Tank Guide simplifies aquarium setup and fishkeeping confidence. Plan, cycle, stock, and maintain your thriving planted aquarium or community tank. (FKLCo)