Experience A tank or two before Change

Your tank

Pick the size first. Plants, a strong filter and frequent water changes all give the fish a little more room.

Size
Plants
Filter
Water changes

Planting

For a 10-gallon tank. Choose your tank's size and the numbers follow it.

No plants
The clean look. Plastic plants count as none.
Lightly planted
A touch of green, about 1–2 plants.
Moderately planted
A proper green backdrop, about 3–4 plants across the back and the middle.
Heavily planted
A jungle. More than 4 plants, from a carpet in front to tall ones at the back.

Filter

Most filter boxes say which tank sizes they are made for, such as “20 to 30 gallons”.

Little or none
Running light, with no filter or one made for a smaller tank.
Standard filter (the default if left blank)
The usual, one filter whose box includes your tank’s size.
Oversized or sump
Going big, with a filter made for a bigger tank, two filters, or a sump.

Water changes

How often some of the tank’s water is swapped for fresh, treated water.

Monthly or less
For the laid-back keeper.
Weekly (the default if left blank)
The classic routine, and the one most keepers settle into.
Twice a week or more
For the full-time fish keeper.

Your tank so far