What do guppies like in their tank? Some of the equipment that will make your guppies happy are a water filter, water heater, lighting, plants, and other decorations.
After setting up your aquarium with all the necessary equipment, you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the sight of your new fish friends.
What Do Guppies Like in Their Tank?
Before you place your guppies in their new home, here are the things you’ll need to set up for them first:
1. Water Filter
Because guppies can survive in almost any kind of environment, some guppy owners say that a water filter isn’t important to have. If you’re a beginner tank owner, however, then it’s best to have a filter in the aquarium so that you can be sure the water is always clean.
Since guppies are small and won’t produce much waste, any kind of filter will do. Some recommended types of filters are hang-on-back or canister filters. Both are small so they take up little space in the tank and they’re customizable.
However, canister filters are usually on the pricier side. Hang-on-back filters are more affordable and still very reliable. They are also easier to clean since the filter sits on the rim of the tank and most of the device is out of the water.
2. Water Heater
While guppies can survive in cold water, they prefer warmer temperatures that’s similar to their natural habitat (South American waters).
A water heater is especially recommended if you live in a country where the temperature varies from season to season. Heaters help keep the temperature in your tank stable.
You’ll also need to get the right heater for the size of your aquarium. If necessary, you may use two heaters. The goal is to make sure the heaters can warm up the entire tank. Keep the temperature in your tank stable and between 72 and 84℉ (or 22 and 29℃).
3. Lighting
If you’re setting up your tank in a room without adequate natural lighting, then consider placing lamps next to it or installing aquarium lights. What’s important is that the light mimics the natural day and night cycle.
Avoid placing your tank in direct sunlight as this will speed up algae growth as well as heat up your tank beyond the recommended temperature.
In case you do choose to use artificial lighting, keep them on for 8 to 12 hours during the day. You may turn them off at nighttime so that the guppies can rest.
4. Plants and Other Decorations
You can enrich the environment of your tank by adding live plants in it. This helps emulate their natural habitat and makes them feel at home. Guppies also feel safer when they have plenty of hiding places which plants and other decorations provide.
Aside from the aesthetic feel, live plants help keep the water in your tank cleaner too. They help grow soft algae which young and even adult guppies can feed on as well.
Some recommended live plants for guppy tanks are Java moss, ferns, and Water Sprite. They make for perfect hiding spots because they’re dense and grow quickly.
Some reminders for keeping live plants in your aquarium:
- They may need additional light to grow, so aquarium lights will be quite useful here.
- Familiarize yourself with how to take care of and maintain live plants.
- Make sure your plants are sterilized before placing them in the aquarium to avoid parasites that might cause disease.
Note that if you’re keeping your guppies in an aquarium with other, larger fish, hiding places are especially important. You can provide these by placing artificial caves, rocks, driftwood, and other decorations in your tank. Your guppies may rest on these surfaces at night too.
How Do I Keep My Guppies Happy?
The items above are the basic necessities for a beginner tank owner. Here are some other things to consider before introducing your guppies to their new home:
1. Tank Size
While guppies are small and don’t require much space, they should still have enough to be able to swim comfortably. The minimum ratio to follow is one guppy to one gallon of water.
For fancy guppies, it is recommended to start with a 10-gallon tank. That’s because this will provide enough space for the fish as well as the necessary decorations.
Getting a larger tank from the start will also be more convenient for you if you eventually want to breed your guppies—especially since it takes a while to set up a new tank if they outgrow their old one.
2. Substrate
Guppies won’t really mind the kind of substrate in their tank but most owners prefer using sand over gravel. Because sand is so fine in texture, it’s unlikely to get stuck in your guppies’ mouths or in the filter.
Additionally, sand goes well with live plants and provides a soft surface for when your guppies go scavenging at the bottom of their tank.
3. Water Testing Kit
Guppies prefer water with a stable pH level of 7.0 to 7.2. You can use a water testing kit to check on the status of your tank during the initial nitrogen cycles. These kits will also test for the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates levels in your tank.
Depending on the type of water you use for your tank, you may need water treatment or water additives to provide the right balance for your guppies.
4. Air Pump
While it’s not strictly required, an air pump will help oxygenate the water in your tank. Air pumps can also keep the water in your tank moving because they produce bubbles that travel to the surface.
You can tell that your tank is low on oxygen if your guppies constantly swim near the surface of the water.
Wrapping Up
So, what do guppies like in their tank? Not much as long as their basic needs are met.
All you need is a water filter to keep the tank cleanand a water heater to keep your guppies warm. In addition, provide them with lighting that has a day/night cycle, plants, as well as other decorations to enrich their environment.