Aquarium accessories
Aquarium accessories cover everything that keeps a tank running once the fish are in it — heating, filtration, decor and the cleaning kit needed to keep water quality in check, rather than the fish or food themselves. Get the essentials right first, since a tank running well on the basics forgives far more than one dressed up with decor and nothing else.
The essentials before decor
A reliable heater, such as the Marina Submersible Pre-Set Heater 300w, and a working filter are the two things a tropical tank cannot do without, and they matter more to fish health than any ornament in the tank.
Once those are sorted, an algae magnet makes routine cleaning far easier than scraping glass by hand, and it is worth having one from day one rather than only once algae becomes a visible problem.
Decor and gravel
Pieces like the Classic Fluorescent Bridge add cover and visual interest for fish that like somewhere to retreat to, and coloured gravel such as Roman Gravel Sonic Blue changes the look of a tank without affecting water chemistry when it is aquarium-safe gravel.
Rinse any new decor or gravel thoroughly before adding it to an established tank, and introduce new items gradually rather than rearranging everything at once, which can unsettle fish that are used to their surroundings.
Testing the water, not just looking at it
A tank can look perfectly clear and still be building up ammonia or nitrite to a level that stresses fish, so a basic water test kit is worth having alongside the physical kit rather than relying on how the water looks.
Test more often when a tank is newly set up and still establishing its filter bacteria, then settle into a routine check every week or two once things have stabilised and readings are consistently steady.
In this section
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Large Aquarium Maintenance Set
A 48-inch condensation tray, a 22-inch glass scraper, a digital thermometer and 250ml of AquaSafe for a big tank.
£32.49
Supa Aquarium Net
Supa aquarium nets in coarse and fine meshes for fish catching and tank maintenance
From£1.65
Marina Digital Aquarium Thermometer
A digital aquarium thermometer that mounts on the outside of the glass and reads easily
£3.49
Marina Deluxe Aquarium Scraper
A four-in-one aquarium tool: two pad faces, a scraper blade and a planter fork
£8.79
Marina Floating Aquarium Thermometer
A floating aquarium thermometer with a safe-zone marker for tropical fish
£3.49
Supa Condensation Tray
A 48-inch aquarium condensation tray, shielding the hood's electrics from tank water
£11.49
Aquatic Roman Gravel Jet Black
2kg jet black aquarium gravel, inert and colourfast for coldwater, tropical or marine tanks
£3.99
Pettex Aquatic Roman Gravel Natural Lakeland
Natural Lakeland-tone aquarium gravel for coldwater, tropical or saltwater tanks
From£3.99
Pettex Aquatic Roman Gravel Blend Mix
Natural blended-colour aquarium gravel for coldwater, tropical and saltwater tanks
From£3.99
Roman Gravel Jet Black
8kg of natural jet black aquarium gravel for coldwater, tropical and saltwater set-ups
£12.49
Rosewood Pet Keeper Plastic Tank Medium
7.2L ventilated plastic holding tank for small pets and fish, 30 x 30 x 20cm
£13.49
Common questions
- Do all tanks need a heater?
- Only if you are keeping tropical fish that need a stable, warmer temperature than a room naturally holds. Coldwater fish such as goldfish generally do not need one, but check what your specific species requires before deciding either way.
- How often should I clean an algae magnet or scrape the glass?
- As soon as you notice algae building up on the glass, rather than on a fixed schedule, since algae growth depends on light and water conditions in your specific tank. A quick weekly check makes it easy to catch before it gets established.
- Is coloured gravel safe for fish?
- Gravel sold specifically for aquarium use is safe and inert, meaning it will not affect water chemistry. Avoid substituting gravel from outside an aquarium range, since it may not be inert and could affect your water quality.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.