Guppy fish are easy to raise. Yet, guppies need a few essential things in their tank to thrive and live long healthy lives.
When raising guppy fish, you need to know how to set up the tank, what equipment to use, and what to feed them. Here are some essential equipment every guppy tank needs.
Table of Contents
The Tank Size
Guppy fish grow to an average size of 1.5 to 2 inches. Despite their small size, guppies need space to swim. They are schooling fish and like to be in groups.
A small guppy population requires at least a 10-gallon tank. Ten gallons is big enough to install the aquarium equipment needed and some live plants.
Water Filter
A water filter is essential for a clean and healthy guppy aquarium. We recommend the Marineland penguin power water filter which has multi-stage filtration and a rotating bio-wheel to keep your fish tank squeaky clean.
Water filtration keeps water conditions suitable for guppies and removes debris and dirt from the tank. It can make taking care of the guppies easier and reduces the chances of diseases and algae growth too.
Water Heater
A water heater is a necessary piece of equipment for guppy tanks. Guppies live in tropical climates and prefer warmer waters. The heater helps keep the temperature of the water ideal for guppies to grow and thrive.
When choosing an aquarium heater, aim for 5-watts per gallon of water to pick a decent sized heater. So, if you have a 10-gallon tank, a 50-watts heater is a good buy.
If you live in a tropical area where the temperature stays above 68 °F all year, then you can forgo a heater. In such climates, guppies can even live in outdoor ponds.
Aquarium Lighting
Do guppies need light? Natural light through windows is more than enough for guppies. If there isn’t adequate natural light or if the tank has plants, you need to install artificial lights. We recommend Current USA Orbit Marine LED Aquarium Light that is adjustable for different tank size, have multiple modes and colors and is easy to install.
Direct sunlight isn’t needed nor recommended. Direct sunlight encourages algae growth. Your guppies light cycle should mimic natural daytime and nighttime patterns.
Guppies also need sleep, so constant light is not suitable for them. In the dark, they rest and sleep. When guppies sleep, they become inactive and lie on the bottom of the tank or plants.
Plants and Decor
Adding live plants for guppy fish to enjoy is always a good idea. Plants speed up the nitrogen cycle, keep the water clear, and release oxygen into the water.
Live fish tank plants also provide adequate hiding spaces for guppy fry and can feed both adult and baby guppies. Decorations can allow injured fish or female pregnant fish places to hide. They also add to the beauty of the aquarium.
If you’re beginner, look for low-maintenance plants and work your way up to more complex setups. When adding live plants, be sure to sterilize them to prevent the spread of parasites and disease.
Other Things To Consider
- A water testing kit lets you measure certain water conditions (e.g., toxin levels, pH, TDS, etc.).
- An air pump promotes oxygen exchange in the water.
- A fish net helps remove debris from your fish tank, let’s move fish, etc.
- A gravel vacuum cleans the substrate. Useful for maintaining the cleanliness in your aquarium.
- Water changes need a bucket. Regular water changes dilute and get rid of toxins, debris, and leftover food.
- Dechlorinators help to remove chlorine and other chemicals from tap water, making it safe for aquarium use
- You need a breeding box or breeding tank to separate the baby fry from adults. You may need this if you want most of the fry to survive, adult guppies eat their young.
