1. You should always purchase the correct lighting setup for your aquarium. Doing this will make the habitat much better for the fish and plants in your aquarium.
2. Make sure that the bottom of your aquarium is fully supported by your aquarium stand. If you have any gaps in the structural integrity of your aquarium, it is much more prone to breaks and leaks.
3. It is not a good idea to wash your filter media with regular tap water. The tap water can kill the beneficial bacteria that is built up in the filter. Use distilled water to clean out your filter and its components.