Assembly Directions for a Home Aquarium Starter Kit 10

Assembling a 10-gallon home aquarium starter kit doesn't take as much time as that required to wait before introducing fish into their new habitat. Although the aquarium easily can be set up in a single afternoon, it is important to allow the tank to mature for a few days to avoid shocking fish. Aquarium starter kits do not include aquarium gravel or decorations, so it is important to purchase these items when you buy the tank.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium stand
  • Paper towels
  • Aquarium gravel
  • Decorations
  • Tap water conditioner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the aquarium from the box, being careful to avoid scratching the glass. Wet a paper towel with water and wipe the inside of the aquarium to remove any dust or packing material within. Place the aquarium on its stand, and then return to the box to separate the remaining contents.

    • 2

      The under-gravel filter is the first item to be installed in the tank. It is large and rectangular, usually white, and has numerous slots in its surface. It fits into the bottom of the tank and draws debris through the gravel base to be filtered. Place the under-gravel filter in the base of the tank with the two holes located closest to the back of the tank.

    • 3

      Install the under-gravel filter tubes into the under-gravel filter. These tubes click into place when they are twisted onto the filter. Install the bubbler into filter element by sliding it down through the tube and below the under-gravel filter.

    • 4

      Wash the gravel thoroughly by pouring it into a bucket, and then filling the bucket the remainder of the way with water. Agitate the water with your hand, and then pour off the water.

    • 5

      Position any decorations you wish to have onto the top of the under-gravel filter, and then place the gravel into the aquarium one handful at a time. Do not pour the gravel in as this could scratch the sides of the aquarium glass or damage the under-gravel filter. There should be at least 2 inches of gravel on top of the filter.

    • 6

      Fill the aquarium with tap water until the level has reached the base of the black band that encircles the aquarium. Place the aquarium hood on the aquarium, and then place the aquarium light onto the hood.

    • 7

      Plug in the air pump and plug the bubbler hose into the pump outlet to begin the under-gravel filter. Plug in the aquarium light, as well.

    • 8

      Add the chemicals to the water that were included with the aquarium kit. If no chemicals were included, you will need tap water conditioner to neutralize heavy metals, chlorine and fluoride from the water prior to adding fish. Follow package instructions, but in general, one capful of tap water conditioner is suitable for a 10-gallon aquarium.

    • 9

      Install the aquarium heater through the hole in the back of the tank hood. Set the temperature at 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and then allow the tank to mature for three to four days before adding fish. This allows time for the chemicals to take effect, as well as giving the heater plenty of time to regulate the temperature of the water.