If you're looking to start up a new home aquarium, there are several fish aquarium supplies you'll need, especially as you get started with your first fish tank. For beginners, here is a basic general guide of fish aquarium supplies you should be prepared to purchase.
First of all, it goes without saying, but you'll need to buy a tank. It's recommended 
that beginners begin with at least a mid-sized tank. This is because with mid-sized and larger tanks (10 gallons and above), there is a larger margin for error if problems occur in terms of adding and replacing chemicals, checking water levels, and other sensitive fish tank maintenance tasks. This is opposed to smaller tanks or fish bowls, in which a few too many drops of one particular additive or another can make a major-and sometimes fatal-difference in your water quality and the health and well-being of your fish.
Once you have a tank picked out, you'll need to make sure that you buy plenty of water testing kits, so that you can stay on top of the pH and chemical levels. Depending on the size of your tank, whether you have chosen to design a freshwater or saltwater home aquarium, and what types of fish, plants, and other aquatic wildlife you decide to have in your tank, the recommended optimum levels will differ. But the manufacturer's instructions that come with the water testing kits should be able to give you not only instruction on how to use their kits, but also what types of optimum levels to be shooting for.
Additional fish aquarium supplies you'll need include a filtration system, some sort of lighting system, an aquarium cover, tank stand, water pump, aeration and/or oxygenation feature, and a water protein skimmer (in some cases, these last two item are optional). The size and brand you'll need to purchase will depend on what size of tank you're setting up.
Lastly, you'll want to purchase some everyday fish aquarium supplies, such as food and water additives. And, if you like, you may also want to purchase some decorative plants, fish furniture, and other ornamentation for your aquarium, so that your fish will have plenty of items to swim around and hide behind. This is the fun part-when you can choose decorations that
suit not only your personality, but also the style of aquarium you're wanting to design.
Buying fish aquarium supplies shouldn't be a daunting task. Instead, it is usually an experience that new fish owners sincerely enjoy. Take your time to browse through the wide assortment of supplies and equipment and choose the types and sizes that are right for you and the style of aquarium you're trying to achieve. And enjoy the process of choosing your aquarium's decor, as well as carefully selecting fish, wildlife, and plants to inhabit the tank. But most of all, while buying your fish aquarium supplies, be sure to have fun.
