This is a GREAT question.
Basically, beginners should start with at least 75 litres/20 gallons. Choose a filter design that's adaptable and easy to maintain (I wouldn't choose a filter design that locked me into proprietary, i.e., overpriced, filter modules or insets). A heater is only necessary if you're keeping tropicals; coldwater fish obviously don't need a heater, and subtropical fish might not if your house is kept at around 18 C during the winter.
Lighting is often included in starter kits but may not have the output necessary to grow the full variety of plants. As a rule of thumb, for serious planting, two tubes is the minimum; if there's only one, chances are you'll have to stick with shade-tolerant plants like
Anubias, Java fern, Java moss and some of the
Cryptocoryne species. Frankly, these four varieties can give you lots of scope for planting, so don't reject a good-value tank just because it's only got one tube.
For what it's worth, the Aquael units are pretty good (I've got one of their Brillux tanks, a 72-litre design I think). They are simple in design and put together quite well. The heater and filter are very much "budget" models, so expect to replace them after about 5 years of use (I've certainly had to). That's actually not unusual for all-in-one kits except perhaps those from Eheim and other high-end manufacturers. The filter used on that model appears to be a sponge with a simple powerhead, which can be an excellent design, but given the size and turnover of the pump, is probably only suitable for very small fish (Neons, Guppies, etc.) rather than anything substantially messier (like cichlids or plecs). The only real downside to the Aquael tanks is that the tanks don't have many slots for external equipment, so connecting up an external canister filter or hang-on-the-back filter is fiddly, though not impossible if you don't mind hacking away at some of the plastic!
Cheers, Neale
I currently have been keeping pond fish for just over two years but want to expand my hobby indoors too. Just looking for a bit of advice on starting out. Been looking around online and have found this which is within my budget. Any good or should I be looking for something else ? Thanks in advance.
/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquariums/aquarium-bargains/aquael-ecoline-rectangular-90-litre-aquarium-kit.html
