1. You should always thoroughly research the type of aquarium you are going to be setting up before you purchase it. Make sure you have the proper gallon capacity and shape that will fit in your home.
2. It is never a good idea to add shells from the beach into your aquarium. Introducing shells raw from the beach can add harmful bacteria and potentially new creatures to the aquarium.
3. You should keep plenty of water testing kits for your aquarium. Testing kits can measure the levels of harmful and beneficial chemicals in the aquarium. You will need these testing kits for the frequent water changes for your aquarium.