Welcome to the forum. Just thought I'd mention that often the guides (and books) are either outdated/plain incorrect.
Incase you haven't already heard about it, fish tanks need to 'cycle' to be safe for fish.
Cycling is the process of growing bacteria in the filter that undertake the nitrogen cycle.
Fish/Shrimp/Snails etc make ammonia as a by product of living, this is toxic to them. There are a type of bacteria that turn it into Nitrite, which is also toxic. There are a second type of bacteria that turn that nitrite into nitrate, which is safe until it reaches really high levels. There isn't a bacteria that grows to remoe nitrates from the tank so because they build up (and to replace other things like minerals) we do weekly water changes.
The bacteria we need to 'cycle' our tanks are present in the tap water, but they're present at such low levels that simply filling your tank wont make the tank safe for fish. The colonies have to grow to be able to safely convert the waste products... this takes 6-8 weeks normally.
Please see my signature for links to a thread about cycling, one about fishless cycling and one about fish-in cycling.
Fishless cycling is where you use bottled ammonia/rotting food to cycle your tank. The bacteria don't care where the ammonia comes from, they just need some to be able to increase in numbers. Personally I would recommend this as it's easier for you and the fish than a fish-in cycle.
A fish-in cycle is what most shops will suggest, although often they don't tell you what is happening or how to keep the fish alive. They'll normally just say 'If it's a new tank put one or two fish in ever 2 weeks'.
Then as there is no where near enough bacteria in the filter/tank to convert the waste (and cause people often aren't told) ammonia builds up, burns the fishes gills and then they die.
Often when you go back you'll be told 'Oh yeah that's quite normal' or 'Here buy some medicine' or 'Oh you can buy this bottled bacteria product'.
Don't let them fob you off! If you read the cycling threads you'll know what I'm talking about.
Anyhoo, just to sum up, welcome again to TFF. Don't let my long post scare you into thinking fish keeping is complicated. It isn't, but there are some fundamental things you need to know (that books and shops tend to be missing), to allow you to set yourself up for success rather than fish deaths!
And just to add, please don't buy any fish unless you've read the cycling topics. They really will help you out!
