Aquarium Accessories →
This aisle covers the equipment and décor that make up a working aquarium beyond the tank itself — heaters, filters, lighting, substrate and the ornaments that give fish somewhere to explore and hide. Getting the core equipment right matters far more for fish health than the décor does, so it is worth prioritising accordingly.
Core equipment: heating and filtration
A heater is essential for most tropical setups, since tropical fish need a stable water temperature well above typical UK room temperature, and a submersible heater with a thermostat is the standard way to maintain that. Filters do the ongoing work of keeping water clean and supporting the beneficial bacteria that break down fish waste, and choosing one rated for your tank's actual volume, rather than undersized for cost, matters for long-term water quality.
Both heaters and filters are worth checking regularly rather than assumed to be working — a failed heater or a clogged filter can affect fish health quickly, often before it is obvious just from looking at the tank.
Lighting and substrate
Aquarium lighting serves both fish and any live plants in the tank, and the right type and duration depends on what you are keeping — a heavily planted tank generally needs stronger, longer lighting than a simple fish-only setup. Gravel and substrate choices affect both the look of a tank and, for a planted setup, how well plants can root.
Changing or adding substrate is easier to plan properly before a tank is fully stocked, since disturbing gravel around established fish and plants is more disruptive than doing the groundwork early.