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The Lighting
Lighting is also an important aspect in the growth of guppies. Many breeders keep the lights on anywhere between 12-17 hours. Strong bright lights are not necessary, but guppies that live in a dim tank will often form deformities of the spine and somtimes the fins. Lights should not be kept on around the clock so that the fish can rest and relax for at least 7 or 8 hours. - fish can not close there eyes :)

Over crowding
Over crowding = dirty water, the more fish you have the more often you have to change the water, if you are a beginner Suggest you start of with a trio (1 male and 2 females), guppies breed lots and females can have babies every 4-6 weeks.

Plants
Guppies are hardy little fish but prefer they're tanks with a few plants in (either false plants or real ones), female guppies need plants to hide from the males so they do not get pestered to much - fry may need plants to hide from bigger guppies and to avoided being eaten (see the fry page for more info).

The Gravel 
It is quite likely that you will want to add gravel to the bottom of your aquarium as a substrate.
If gravel is to be used at all, you must ensure that it is hardness-free no calciferous materials such as limestone, coral, chalk, etc., and not too large or too small, about 4 to 5mm.
When gravel is used in the aquarium it will need regular cleaning, this task is made a lot easier with a gravel cleaner. This consists of a length of plastic hose, attached to one end is a plastic cylinder, this is placed in the gravel, whereby gravel is swirled around in the cylinder and the dirty water is drawn through the tube by gravity, and into a bucket for removal, leaving behind the cleaned gravel. Low voltage gravel vacuums are available, but these are usually more expensive.

Acceptable Conditions 
PH: 7.0 to 8.0
Temperature: 66 to 82 Fahrenheit (18-28 °C)
Min tank Size: 5 gallons (22 l)
Food: Flake food, small live foods including brine shrimp