Top Fin Essentials Aquarium Starter Kit

I’ve always loved fish and dreamed of having my own aquarium at home. As a total beginner, I wanted something easy to set up and maintain. After doing some research, I decided to go with the Top Fin Essentials Aquarium Starter Kit. This kit is designed for beginners and contains everything you need to get started with a new freshwater aquarium.

In this blog post, I’ll share my experience setting up the Top Fin Essentials Aquarium Starter Kit. I’ll provide tips on assembly, cycling the tank, adding fish, maintenance, and more. Whether you’re thinking about purchasing this kit or just starting out with your first aquarium, this beginner’s guide will help you get your new fish tank up and running in no time!

Selecting the Right Tank Size

The Top Fin Essentials Aquarium Starter Kit comes in 5, 10, and 20 gallon sizes. The kit I selected was the 10 gallon model. This is a great size for beginners since it’s large enough for a nice variety of fish, but not so big that it’s daunting to take care of.

The 10 gallon tank has a rectangular footprint measuring 20x10x12 inches. Make sure you have a sturdy, level stand that can support the weight of a filled aquarium. I used a basic metal tank stand and this worked perfectly.

Always put aquariums on stands – never directly on furniture like dressers. A filled 10 gallon tank can weigh over 100 pounds! You want a stand that can handle the load without buckling or tipping over.

What’s Included in the Kit

One of the best things about aquarium starter kits is that they come with all the basic equipment you need. The Top Fin 10 gallon Essentials Kit includes:

• 10 gallon glass aquarium
• Incandescent florescent light hood
• Power filter with adjustable flow
• Glass thermometer
• Fish net
• Water conditioner sample
• Fish food samples

This starter kit has everything a beginner needs to get up and running. The only thing not included is decorations and live plants, but you can pick those out yourself based on the type of aquascape you want to create.

The kit also doesn’t come with a heater. I recommend purchasing a 50 watt submersible aquarium heater for a 10 gallon tank. Having a heater allows you to keep tropical fish that require a temperature around 78 degrees.

Setting Up the Aquarium and Stand

Once I had all the equipment, it was time to set up the tank! I started by thoroughly cleaning the inside of the aquarium with water only – no soap. Residue left from manufacturing can harm your fish.

I placed the metal stand in the location I wanted the tank to sit. Make sure your stand is level and sturdy. Use a spirit level tool to check for levelness.

Next, I placed the aquarium on the stand and made any needed adjustments to the leveling feet. I filled the tank about 1/4 full with tap water and checked for level again. You want the water surface to be perfectly level – this ensures proper filtration and lighting coverage.

The hood setup was quick and easy. The hood contains the light fixture and the power filter simply hangs off the back. I was happy to see that the starter kit filter has an adjustable flow bar. This allows you to control the filter output which is perfect for a small tank with delicate fish.

Decorating the Aquarium

Now for the fun part – decorating and aquascaping! While the kit doesn’t include decor, you do want to put some in prior to filling up the tank. This helps create depth and gives a natural look.

I went with a basic setup using natural gravel substrate, a few live plants, rocks, and driftwood. Live plants help maintain water quality naturally. I made sure to thoroughly rinse everything off before adding it to the tank.

Aquascaping is an art form and there are endless possibilities. You can create rock caves, forests, open sand beds, or anything you can imagine! I kept it simple for my first tank but had a great time arranging the plants and decor.

Preparing for Fish

Before introducing any fish, your new tank needs to go through the nitrogen cycle to build up beneficial bacteria. This process usually takes 3-6 weeks. Here are the steps I took to properly cycle my Top Fin starter kit aquarium:

1. Filled the tank with tap water treated with the included water conditioner. This removes chlorine and metals from tap water.
2. Added a bacterial supplement and the included thermometer. Maintained water temp between 75-80°F.
3. Tested water parameters daily using test kits. Looked for rising ammonia and nitrites.
4. Did partial water changed whenever ammonia or nitrites got too high.
5. Waited until the tank showed 0 ppm ammonia, 0 ppm nitrites, and some nitrates. This indicated the nitrogen cycle was complete!
6. Did a 50% water change before adding any fish.

Cycling a tank properly is crucial for the health of your fish. It was a bit tedious testing the water every day, but so worth it knowing I was providing a safe environment.

Selecting Fish for a 10 Gallon Aquarium

The fun part finally came – picking out fish! A cycled 10 gallon tank provides a great variety of options for tropical freshwater species. Here are some of my favorites:

• Tetras: Neon, cardinal, rummynose, ember tetras. Get 6-8 tetras in a school.
• Rasboras: Harlequin, lambchop, glowlight rasboras do well in groups of 6+.
• Guppies: Males are brightly colored while females are more subdued. Get 3-4 females per male.
• Platies: Varieties like mickey mouse and sunburst come in stunning colors. Get 2-4 females per male.
• Dwarf gouramis: Powder blue or neon blue dwarf gouramis add interest. Get just one male – they fight with each other.
• Cory catfish: Get 6+ pygmy or panda corys to scavenge the bottom. They are adorable!
• Betta fish: A single male betta with striking fins can be the showpiece.

When stocking a 10 gallon tank, I recommend sticking to just one school of 6-8 small fish plus a centerpiece fish or bottom feeders. This prevents overcrowding and allows each fish to thrive.

Aquarium Maintenance Tips

Caring for my first tank has been quite easy thanks to the Top Fin starter kit. Here are some tips I’ve learned for successful aquarium maintenance:

• Feed fish once or twice daily just enough food for them to consume within a few minutes. Remove any uneaten food to prevent fouling the water.
• Test water parameters weekly. Use liquid test kits to track ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and pH. Adjust as needed with water changes and additives.
• Change out filter cartridges monthly. Rinse sponges in tank water only when gunked up. Never rinse in tap water as it kills beneficial bacteria.
• Clean the tank walls with an algae scraper to remove any buildup. Wipe away salt deposits on the glass tops.
• Trim plants as needed to maintain your aquascape. Fast growing plants like hornwort may need weekly trimming.
• Do partial water changes of 25-30% weekly using a gravel vacuum to remove waste from the substrate. More frequent changes may be needed on smaller tanks.
• Check equipment periodically – clean intake strainers, inspect filter flows, check heater operation. Replace any defective parts.

Following this routine maintenance has kept my tank sparkling clear and my fish active and healthy! The Top Fin starter kit makes the process very straightforward for beginners.

Heater Recommendations

While the Top Fin Essentials kit doesn’t include a heater, I highly recommend purchasing one, especially if you want to keep tropical fish.

For a 10 gallon freshwater tank, choose a 50 watt submersible aquarium heater. Having 50 watts of heating power will allow the heater to maintain a stable temperature between 76-82°F.

Look for a heater that has automatic shutoff and temperature settings. Choosing an adjustable heater gives you more control. Place the heater horizontally near the filter outlet to promote good water circulation.

Maintaining the ideal water temperature will keep your fish healthy and allow them to exhibit natural behaviors. The small added cost of a heater is well worth it compared to replacing sick fish!

Troubleshooting Common Aquarium Problems

Despite the best laid plans, aquarium issues sometimes crop up. Thankfully, most are easily resolved. Here are some common problems and solutions:

Cloudy water – Usually caused by bacterial bloom during cycling or particulate matter. Improve filtration, wait for bacteria to establish, water changes.

Algae growth – Excess nutrients and light fuel algae. Manually remove, reduce lighting duration to 6-8 hours daily, add fast-growing plants, supplement Excel to control growth.

Fish gasping at surface – Low oxygen levels from overstocking, high temps, poor surface agitation. Improve surface movement via filter outlet position, airstone or airpump.

Equipment malfunctions – Issues like leaky seals, worn impellers, filter stopping. Follow manufacturer instructions for repairs, replace any defective parts.

Aggressive fish – Nipped fins, hiding fish points to aggression. Rehome bully fish, add sight breaks, increase school sizes, reduce tank crowding.

Disease outbreak – Use quarantine for new fish, maintain pristine water quality, treat symptoms with appropriate medications.

With attentive care and early intervention, most aquarium problems can be easily solved. Don’t hesitate to seek advice from experts at your local fish store for diagnosis and treatment. A healthy tank brings years of fishkeeping enjoyment!

Where to Purchase the Top Fin Starter Kit

The Top Fin Essentials Aquarium Starter Kit is sold exclusively at PetSmart stores and online. Prices range from $45-90 depending on tank size.

I purchased my 10 gallon kit at my local PetSmart. Be sure to price match with the website or sales flyer for the best deal! PetSmart has frequent sales on aquarium kits and equipment.

You can also order the Top Fin kit online and have it shipped to your home or local store. This is convenient if your nearest PetSmart doesn’t have the size in stock that you want.

Check the PetSmart website for current availability and pricing. Kits often go on sale leading up to major holidays. Sign up for their promotional emails to receive special discount offers.

Cycling Your New Aquarium

One of the most important processes for any new tank setup is nitrogen cycling. This builds up beneficial bacteria that convert ammonia and nitrites into less harmful nitrates.

Cycling a tank takes patience, but is absolutely vital for the health of your fish. Here are some tips for successfully cycling a new Top Fin aquarium:

• Research the aquarium nitrogen cycle so you understand the biological processes involved.
• Plan for 3-6 weeks of cycling time before adding any fish. Heavily planted tanks may cycle faster.
• Add a bacteria supplement like Tetra SafeStart Plus to jumpstart the nitrogen cycle.
• Test ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates daily using a liquid test kit.
• Maintain ammonia at 2-3 ppm by adding pure ammonia or fish food. This feeds the beneficial bacteria.
• Perform partial water changes if ammonia or nitrites exceed 5 ppm.
• Add hardy fish like danios after 2-4 weeks to produce waste. Only add a few at first.
• Wait until tests show 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and some level of nitrates before fully stocking the tank.
• Change 50% of the water prior to adding delicate fish.

Be patient and let the tank cycle fully to avoid losing fish to toxic ammonia and nitrite spikes. The effort is well worth it for a healthy, established aquarium!

Aquarium Starter Kit Reviews

With so many aquarium kits on the market, I found reviews extremely helpful when deciding on the Top Fin Essentials kit. Here’s a summary of what buyers had to say:

The Good:

• Great price point for a beginner kit
• Size options are great for first tanks
• Includes all basic equipment needed
• Adjustable filter flow is ideal for small tanks
• Lighting allows for low to medium light plants
• Simple setup – can get tank running quickly
• Kit makes aquarium startup straightforward

The Bad:

• Included filter is basic and may need upgrading later
• Some complaints about scratched tanks
• Limited selection of decor – need to buy separately
• Light hood only accommodates incandescent bulbs
• No heater included, must be purchased separately

Overall, reviews indicate the Top Fin Essentials Kit is an affordable starter option that makes getting started with your first tank very easy. With a few supplemental purchases like a heater and decor, you can have a thriving freshwater aquarium up and running quickly!

Aquarium Lighting Options

The starter kit comes with a basic incandescent florescent light hood. While this allows you to keep low to medium light plants, you may eventually want to upgrade the lighting.

For increased brightness and a wider color spectrum for plant growth, consider switching to an LED aquarium light. A 20” LED bar light designed for 10 gallon tanks can be purchased for $40-60.

Choose an LED light with white and blue LEDs. The white light allows you to view fish and plants normally. The blue LEDs provide actinic wavelengths that promote plant photosynthesis.

Look for a light with adjustable brightness levels. This allows you to customize the lighting period and intensity. Start with 8-10 hours per day for easy plants.

Use a timer to control the LED light cycle for consistent conditions. Getting a light with moonlight LEDs allows you to create a cool nighttime shimmer effect!

Setting Up and Priming the Filter

The Top Fin Essentials kit includes a Power Filter with adjustable flow rate. Follow these steps to properly set up and prime the filter:

1. Assemble the filter by attaching the intake tube, motor unit, and output nozzle in order according to the instructions.
2. Hang the filter on the back of the tank using the integrated hooks.
3. Insert the disposable filter cartridge in the filter chamber.
4. Fill the filter slowly with tank water to avoid trapping air bubbles.
5. Plug in the filter and let it run for a minute to allow the cartridge to saturate.
6. Adjust the outflow nozzle to the lowest setting to avoid too much surface agitation.
7. Let the filter run continuously to maintain consistent tank filtration.
8. Check the flow rate and make adjustments as needed based on surface movement and debris removal.

Following this process ensures your filter starts up properly and provides efficient mechanical and biological filtration from day one!

Using the Top Fin Kit for Saltwater Aquariums

While designed for freshwater, the Top Fin Essentials Aquarium Kit can be used as a basic saltwater fish setup with some modifications:

• Purchase an additional hang-on-back protein skimmer for saltwater filtration. The included filter alone is not enough.
• Supplement with strong water circulation. Add powerheads and wavemakers to prevent dead spots.
• Upgrade the lighting to support photosynthetic coral growth. Consider LEDs or metal halides.
• Use RO/DI water or purchase pre-mixed saltwater to create proper water conditions.
• Select beginner saltwater fish like damsels, clownfish, gobies, blennies. Avoid delicate reef species.
• Maintain stable salinity, calcium, alkalinity, and other parameters. Test levels frequently.
• Optional to add live rock and sand for a mini reef tank. Stock only 2-3 small corals.

While saltwater is more challenging, the Top Fin kit can work as a nano reef for those willing to make some modifications. Take things slow and research proper setup.

Aquarium Dimensions

Understanding the tank dimensions is helpful when planning your aquarium setup and choosing equipment. Here are the key measurements for the Top Fin Essentials 10 gallon starter kit:

• Tank Width: 20 inches
• Tank Depth: 10 inches
• Tank Height: 12 inches
• Water Volume: 10 gallons
• Glass Thickness: Not specified, likely 1/8 to 1/4 inch

The 10 gallon kit uses a standard 20 x 10 inch rectangular footprint. This shape allows for flexible aquascaping and swimming room. Measure your aquarium stand to ensure the tank will fit before purchasing.

Knowing the height is useful for selecting the right size heater and filter. The capacity gives you guidance on stocking levels and equipment ratings. Check that any hoods or lights you buy match the width precisely.

Manufacturer Warranty

The Top Fin Essentials Aquarium Starter Kit comes with a limited 1-year manufacturer warranty. This warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for 1 year from the date of original purchase.

According to PetSmart, the warranty does not cover equipment damaged by accident, misuse, or normal wear and tear. The glass tanks themselves seem to only have a standard 60 day coverage.

Defective components eligible for warranty replacement include the hood, tank, filter, airline tubing, and net. Beauty items like decorations and plants are not covered.

To take advantage of the warranty, you must return the defective item with original receipt to your local PetSmart store. You can also contact customer service by phone or email.

Make sure to inspect your tank and equipment right away. Look for any cracks, broken parts, or missing pieces. Familiarize yourself with the return policy and warranty terms when purchasing.

Adding Plants to Enhance Your Tank

Live aquarium plants bring huge benefits. They enhance tank aesthetics, improve water quality, and provide security for fish. Here are some tips for adding plants to the Top Fin starter kit:

• Choose beginner, low light plants like anubias, java fern, moss, hornwort, amazon sword, crypts, anacharis, wisteria.
• Plant in tank sections with the most light from hood. Place low light plants in shaded areas.
• Insert plant roots into gravel and attach to decor using fishing line or gel. Don’t bury rhizomes of anubias or java fern.
• Add a complete fertilizer like Flourish and root tabs for substrate rooted plants.
• Start with a shorter 6-8 hour photoperiod and low fish load until plants adapt and grow.
• Supplement carbon dioxide if growth stalls after acclimation. Excel daily dosing can help.
• Upgrade to a stronger LED light to support additional medium-high light plants long term.

Take it slow when first adding plants to prevent shock. Once established, you’ll have a thriving underwater garden to complement your fish!

Troubleshooting Common Top Fin Kit Issues

While the Top Fin Essentials Aquarium Starter Kit aims to make aquarium setup easy, issues can still crop up. Here are some common problems and fixes:

Filter leaking – Ensure all tubing is securely attached. Replace tubing or impeller if worn. Check O-ring and re-grease if needed.

Water flow too strong – Adjust output nozzle down, raise water level, point nozzle upward to disperse flow. Add spray bar.

Light not working – Ensure proper bulb is installed. Replace defective bulbs. Check for loose wire connections.

Water cloudy – Change filter media, use clarifier polish pad, gravel vacuum substrate, add flocculant to clump particles.

Glass scratched – Use extremely fine sandpaper and polish to reduce visibility. Consider replacing badly scratched panes.

Stand tipping – Ensure tank is centered and leveling feet fully extended. Use wider stand or brace back against wall.

Noisy equipment – Open filter to add lubricant to impeller shaft. Check for debris obstruction. Replace worn parts.

Upgrading Your Starter Kit Over Time

A great thing about the Top Fin Essentials kit is that it allows for easy component upgrades as your experience grows. Here are some common add-ons to consider:

• More powerful canister filter for larger tanks
• Protein skimmer, stronger circulation pump for saltwater
• High-quality LED full spectrum aquarium light
• Glass canopy to reduce evaporation
• Inline aquarium CO2 system and reactor
• Advanced heating and temperature control
• Automatic fish feeder for vacation feeding
• Larger higher-grade air pump for decorative bubblers

Think about your aquarium goals. For a heavily planted tank, focus on lighting and CO2 upgrades. For larger fish, upgrade filtration capacity. Take things slowly and upgrade one piece at a time.

Creating an Aquarium You’ll Enjoy for Years

As a complete beginner, I found the Top Fin Essentials Aquarium Starter Kit to be an amazing value. It provided everything I needed to get up and running quickly with my first freshwater tank.

With some effort cycling the tank, selecting fish, and staying on top of maintenance, I’ve been able to create a beautiful, thriving aquarium I can enjoy every day. I love watching the fish dart around the plants and decor. It’s relaxing and fun planning upgrades and expansions.

I hope this guide gives you the confidence to setup your first tank. Use it as a reference during planning, assembly, cycling, stocking, and routine care. Spend time sitting in front of the tank to fully appreciate the underwater world you’ve created! With the right start, you’ll have a wonderful aquarium that brings years of joy.