When anyone starts a new hobby they want it to be successful right? Of course they do, what's the point otherwise? It's amazing how many folks start a hobby expecting success but do zero research for that hobby before actually starting.
Starting a freshwater fish aquarium is no exception.
Why doesn't a person do some research beforehand? It's not because the poor old chap hasn't got any brains, it's usually because excitement has taken over him or he thinks it's obvious what he has to do and so assumes everything - and with disastrous results.
Put away excitement for the moment and let's look at this properly.
Listen up folks, when you build a house, plans for that house are mandatory aren't they? When you buy a car don't you first check out the prices, the specifications and any deals that may be around? What about just a weekly food shopping spree? Don't you, even mentally, think about what's needed for the house? Before you buy a new pair of trousers don't you shop around before purchasing anything? You see, all that is research.
It may not be sitting at a desk for days on end with a pair of glasses on the end of your nose in furious study but nevertheless it is research.
Before you buy one single item for when you start a tropical freshwater fish aquarium successfully, you must first research successfully so that you know exactly what you have to do in order for your new hobby to be one which lasts a lifetime and doesn't become another short lived fad.
So go on, start your new aquarium fish hobby but only after you've done enough research to have a hobby for life.
The research may only take a few hours, so get in there now.
You won't be disappointed.