Buying and setting up your first aquarium.

Buying Your First Aquarium in Rotorua — Wonderworld Aquarium & Pet Centre

Setting up my first fish tank? I had no clue where to start. Social media had me hooked — lush aquatic plants, stunning aquascapes, and colourful tropical fish darting through the water.

But how does it all actually work? And what do you need to get started?

The most important part of your aquarium isn’t the fish or the décor — it’s the water. Healthy water keeps your fish active, colourful, and thriving. For your fish, water is everything — home, playground, and yes… even their toilet.

So, how do you keep it safe? With a good aquarium filter. Inside the filter, beneficial bacteria grow on the media and sponges. They break down fish waste and turn it into less harmful nitrate. This process — called the nitrogen cycle — runs constantly, keeping your fish’s home clean and healthy.

At Wonderworld Aquarium & Pet Centre in Rotorua, we’ll guide you through every step of setting up your first tank — from choosing your aquarium and décor to starting the nitrogen cycle and picking the right products. Whether you’re looking for tropical fish tanks, freshwater aquariums, or aquarium supplies in Rotorua, we’re here to help.

You can start with a fishless cycle (perfect if you have patience and want to understand your tank’s biology) or a fish-in cycle using pre-filtered media from our own aquariums. Either way, we don’t recommend adding fish on the same day you buy your aquarium — giving your tank time to mature is the best way to ensure your fish stay healthy.

Visit us at Wonderworld Aquarium & Pet Centre for friendly advice, quality aquariums, and everything you need to create a thriving underwater world.

Your fishy adventure starts here! ?