Here are some tips for getting started in the one of the fastest growing hobbys in the world, fish keeping. These 10 steps can help you to avoid many common mistakes and get you into a freshwater aquarium that you can live with and be proud of.

1. Determine what kind of fish you want to keep.
Many decisions you make from now on is linked to what kind of fish you want to keep. Different kinds of fish will require different care, different conditions, different space, and different aquarium equipment. If you get your equipment before you decide what kind of fish you are getting, you may find yourself with inappropriate or unusable equipment or insufficient space.
2. Research care and compatibility of those fish.
Easyly found nowadays with the introduction of the internet or a book will be enough. Its important learn about the fish you like to keep and this will let you know what conditions they will require, what equipment you will want, and how to set up your tank to suit them. Remember look at how big the fish will get as this is a major factor when buying yor aquarium. Research if the various fish you have selected are compatible with each other. If different fish's care requirements, size, or temperament are too different, they will not be compatible and should not be kept together.
3. Determine space.
Now that you know a little more about the fish you wish to keep, you will know what aquarium size you will need. Look at the best location within your house and remember to look at electrical and water locations too.
4. Determine budget.
How much can you afford to spend on your aquarium? If this is your first tank, how much can you afford to spend on a new hobby that you are not sure you will be pursuing long term?
5. Select equipment.
Visit your local fish shop and determine what equipment is available and how much it will cost. If you do not see something that you will need for your system, ask about placing a special order.
6. Purchase equipment.
Once you have reevaluated your fish selections, space limitations, and budget, it is time to purchase equipment.
7. Setup equipment.
Now that everything is home, clean it all off and get ready to go. Expect to spend a couple of hours or the whole day setting everything up if this is your first tank. Fill your tank with water once all of your equipment is set up, and let it settle for a couple of days so you can make sure that everything is working properly and that nothing leaks.
8. Select starting fish.
During the first couple of days, while the tank is running without fish, you can go back to your list of fish and select a few starter fish. These fish should be hearty, inexpensive, relatively small, and something you want to keep in your tank in the long run.
9. Cycle your tank.
Over the next one to two months, you must be patient. Be very diligent with tank maintenance, be absolutely sure not to over feed, watch your fish's behavior closely, do extra water changes as necessary, and DON'T ADD ANY MORE FISH. Until your tank has finished cycling, you should only stick with your few select starter fish.
10. Maintain your tank.
Feed and observe your fish daily. Check your filters at least twice a week. Perform a 10-15% water change every week, and scrub for algae at the same time. Every month, check all hoses, fittings, clamps, cords, lights and other miscellaneous equipment. This may sound like a lot, but a couple of minutes a day could tell you months in advance of a disaster. Water changes usually take under 30 minutes for a tank, including checking all equipment and scrubbing for algae! Most people find their aquariums to take under 2 minutes a day to keep everything in good order.

We will cover in more detail all these areas in upcoming articles, so go and start your research and hope you enjoy your new hobby of freshwater fish keeping.