The Proper Way to Set Up an Aquarium

Keeping fish can be a relaxing and rewarding pasttime, but many new hobbyists vent frustrations when they lose fish or suffer problems with faulty tanks. A proper setup of an aquarium avoids these problems and allows you to continue enjoying aquariums and the interesting entertainment they bring to a home. Before you bring home the fish, an aquarium needs to be fully prepared and ready for occupancy. Choosing a tank that is properly sized to the fish you want to keep, and sticking to freshwater fish if you are a beginner, can increase your enjoyment and your success.

Things You'll Need

  • Filter
  • Gravel
  • Plants
  • Bowl
  • Heater
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Instructions

    • 1

      Visit your local pet store and ask questions about the fish. The kind of fish you buy changes the size and type of tank. If you want a round or hexagonal tank, keep in mind that the smaller surface area means you will be able to keep fewer fish.

    • 2

      Purchase a quality power filter for the size tank you plan to buy. Use a power filter designed for a larger aquarium than the actual size of tank yo purchase, since that can help the filter perform more efficiently. Also purchase several replacement filter cartridges and keep them on hand.

    • 3

      Place the aquarium on a sturdy stand before you begin. Water weighs 10 pounds per gallon, so you need to make sure your stand is sturdy enough to hold the weight of the aquarium, plus the water it contains. A quality wooden stand made of oak or mahogany is a good choice. Metal stands also work well for aquariums, although these stands do not have additional storage capacity like wooden stands do.

    • 4

      Set the filter in place along the back wall of the tank. The intake tube should hang inside the aquarium, while the reservoir stays outside the tank. Do not plug the filter in or attempt to run it until the tank has been filled with water.

    • 5

      Place a layer of gravel on the bottom of the tank at a depth of 2 to 3 inches. Rake the gravel to make it smooth, then add any artificial plants or other decorations.

    • 6

      Attach an aquarium heater to the back of the tank, but do not plug it in. Aquarium heaters are designed to affix to the aquarium glass with suction cups. Turn the temperature gauge on the heater to the temperature recommended for the fish you plan to keep. Most tropical freshwater fish are happy in a temperature range from 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 7

      Place a large shallow bowl in the bottom of the tank, and slowly pour water into the aquarium. This allows you to fill the tank without disturbing the gravel, plants or decorations. Continue to fill the aquarium until it is nearly full. You can use spring water if you wish, but you can also use well water, or even city water as long as you add a chlorine remover.

    • 8

      Plug the heater and filter in to start warming and filtering the water. Check the water temperature before you add any fish.

    • 9

      Add a chlorine remover if you have town or city water. If you have well water you should not have to remove any chlorine, but it is a good idea to have the water tested before you buy any fish. You can take a water sample to the pet store and they can test it for you and recommend any additives you need to improve water quality.

    • 10

      Place only a few hardy fish in the tank at the beginning. All new tanks go through a cycling process, during which the water quality can change rapidly. Hardy species like white clouds and danios handle these fluctuations well, but more delicate species may not.

    • 11

      Design the tank with the needs of the fish in mind. If you plan to keep cichlids, for instance, you should include a variety of rocks and use them to create caves and hiding places.