This post is sponsored by MARS Fishcare and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about API® Perfect Start™ but Horseshoes-N-HandGrenades only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. MARS Fishcare is not responsible for the content of this article.
Aquariums have been a source of contention in my household as long as I can remember. Okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic, but hubby and I definitely did not see eye to eye on the subject. Basically he wanted an aquarium and I thought they were too much work to maintain and when the new wore off guess would be taking care of these little fishies? Me of course! Because that’s what moms do…we take care of everything that the rest of the family gets bored of because we don’t want to see any animal, reptile, feathered friend, or fish suffer. Basically I won that battle for years…until recently that is.
The tables have now turned because we discovered API® Perfect Start™ products for easy fish care at our local PetSmart. I’m going to be honest here, I didn’t realize how easy and low maintenance a freshwater aquarium could actually be. Once I learned that, I wasn’t nearly as apprehensive about having one in our home and don’t tell hubby this, but I’m actually kind of enjoying it. Seriously, he can never find out.
Anyway, back to getting this freshwater aquarium set up. Believe it or not all it took was:
- API Aquarium kit (includes: tank, filter, light, Perfect Start Kit and of course some fish food)
- Various rock, plants and aquarium decor of your choosing
- 3-4 Freshwater Fish (We went with a mickey mouse molly, dalmation molly (because Disney obviously), an angel fish, and a rubberlip to help keep things clean.)
That’s truly all we purchased to get our freshwater aquarium party started and just look how fabulous it turned out!
It’s been about 3 weeks since we set this up and by following the instructions in the API Perfect Start kit, we’re still going strong! I’m really quite impressed at how easy it was, and I wouldn’t have believed it had we not done it ourselves, but hubby and I didn’t even get into an argument about who was doing it right throughout the entire process because the instructions in the kit made it very clear what was to be done and how.
For anyone that has ever considered a freshwater aquarium, but weren’t sure how to get one started, fear no more, API has you covered! To learn more be sure to check out API’s Facebook page.
Do you have fish? Have you ever wanted them? What’s the biggest thing keeping you from taking the leap to aquarium owner? Let me know in the comments below and thanks for reading!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
November 6, 2015 at 2:57 pmThanks for sharing this. We’ve been thinking about getting an aquarium for the kids, but we weren’t sure exactly how to start.
Carol Bryant says
November 6, 2015 at 3:24 pmI like the looks of this aquarium!
Liz Mays says
November 6, 2015 at 5:40 pmOh cool! I’ve never had my own aquarium like this. I thought it would take an expert to set one up but it’s good to know it’s easy to do!
Digna says
November 6, 2015 at 6:55 pmI have always thought about getting an aquarium but just seemed like too much work. Very confusing to me.
Savannah Miller says
November 6, 2015 at 7:34 pmMy kiddos have been begging me to get them a fish tank and fish. I maybe have to look into this and maybe set one up for Christmas :). I will most likely end up taking care of them though
Alison says
November 6, 2015 at 7:59 pmThat’s the beauty of it – with the API kits, so far we’ve had it about a month and the care has consisted of changing a filter and of course feeding the fish every day. Easy peasy!
rika says
November 6, 2015 at 7:39 pmI love Aquarium kit. I used to have one and it was fun! My kids love fish, maybe i should get another aquarium.
lisa says
November 6, 2015 at 8:19 pmMany years ago (like 14) I had both fresh and salt water fish. The fresh water are so much easier to maintain. But now with our cats, we can’t have fish in our house!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
November 7, 2015 at 4:30 amMy kids love fish, but I am afraid that we travel too often to ever get any. I don’t want them to go for days without food.
Ourfamilyworld says
November 7, 2015 at 5:41 amWe used to have one when my kids were small. I think I should set up one again. The twins will love this.
Michelle says
November 7, 2015 at 9:47 amMy son asked for fish last year, and I regrettably told him it was too much work. You make the entire first timers process sound easier than I imagined. Maybe I need to surprise him during the winter break.
Brandi @ penguinsinpink says
November 7, 2015 at 12:41 pmWe have been considering getting a fish tank for my girls. They are fish obsessed. I will have to look into API’s tanks.
Rebecca Swenor says
November 7, 2015 at 1:44 pmThis is awesome information for those people looking to start a freshwater aquarium. Yours looks just gorgeous. I have heard of the angel fish but not the molly fish. Thanks for sharing your experience with API Aquarium Kit.
Ann Bacciaglia says
November 7, 2015 at 3:13 pmI would love to have an aquarium again. I had a huge tank for a few years and it was so nice to watch. I will have to look at getting one setup.
Roch says
November 7, 2015 at 6:18 pmThis is a great gift for someone who would like to starting petting fish but don’t want to because of the “scary maintenance.” Having a starter kit makes it easier to handle a freshwater aquarium.
Dawn says
November 7, 2015 at 8:11 pmMy daughter and I have been thinking about starting a freshwater aquarium. I would love to get some fish for the living room.
Rosey says
November 8, 2015 at 3:24 amWe’ve had fresh and we’ve had salt. Fresh is definitely easier to maintain.
Chubskulit Rose says
November 8, 2015 at 6:07 amI have no luck with fish. We tried before but fauled. Great tips though.
Jeanine says
November 8, 2015 at 6:09 amWe have a 55gal Fresh Water aquarium it’s one of my most favorite things in my house. We started with a 20gal but it was too small – you have to have a specific size if you want more than a few fish so we went with 55gal…. It was a pain to get started but it’s been going strong since, and we just love it!
Chrystal | Nevermore Lane says
November 8, 2015 at 12:16 pmWe have had a freshwater aquarium for years. I grew up with a fishtank in the home as well. I find them peaceful and just relaxing to watch. It’s my husbands chore to clean the fishtank. I think its a fair trade since i take care of the other animals.
Kelly Hutchinson says
November 8, 2015 at 5:48 pmI had an aquarium several years ago and I really enjoyed it. The ids have been asking for one, so I may just do it!
ricci says
November 8, 2015 at 7:40 pmI love fish and aquariums and I would love to have a fresh water aquarium one day. Great post!
HilLesha says
November 8, 2015 at 9:59 pmIt has been ages since I’ve had fish, but I wouldn’t mind having some again sometime. A freshwater aquarium sounds like a wonderful idea.
April G says
November 9, 2015 at 5:08 amMy father had a freshwater aquarium growing up and the fish were beautiful.
Erin says
November 9, 2015 at 7:01 amMy husband has a beautiful fresh water tank! I, on the other hand, have a goldfish in a tank. I need these tips!
CourtneyLynne says
November 9, 2015 at 1:22 pmMy daughter wants us to get an aquarium so bad! I’m scared that we will kill the fish though lol…. You made it hit sound that hard!
CourtneyLynne says
November 9, 2015 at 1:23 pmMy daughter wants us to get an aquarium so bad!! I’m scared we would end up killing the fish though lol… You made it sound not that hard though!
JanetGoingCrazy says
November 10, 2015 at 3:34 pmMy husband has been bugging me about getting a fish tank, but I think he wants salt water. I think this sounds like less work!
Jenn says
November 17, 2015 at 3:49 pmI have always wanted one of those really big 30 or 50 gallon aquariums. I love whenever I go to a doctors office and they have tropical fish swimming around. It would be a ton of work though, so I’m a bit intimidated to make that investment!