How to Pour a Custom Aquarium

A custom aquarium can be a living and graceful way to enhance the decor of any room. Once you have purchased the equipment for your custom aquarium, there are just a few simple steps you need to take in order to fill, or pour, the aquarium and prepare it for the introduction of fish and plants.

Things You'll Need

  • Bucket
  • Plate or saucer
  • Gravel
  • Rocks and ornaments
  • Plants
  • Under-gravel filter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wash rocks, gravel and ornaments thoroughly. Soap and detergents are toxic to fish, so never use them when cleaning aquarium equipment. Put gravel in a colander and place it over a bucket. Use your hand to stir the gravel as you pour clean water through it. Dump out the bucket and repeat. Continue this process until the water in the bucket is clear and debris-free.

    • 2

      Place under-gravel filter on the bottom of the aquarium and cover with 2 to 3 inches of gravel. Avoid getting gravel into the filter stems.

    • 3

      Place a plate or saucer in the center of the tank, on top of the gravel. Fill the aquarium about one-third full with room-temperature water, pouring the water slowly onto the plate to avoid disturbing the gravel.

    • 4

      Connect the air lines from the air pump to the under-gravel filters, ornaments or air stones.

    • 5

      Arrange live or plastic plants, rocks and other ornaments. Be sure that the water is warm enough before adding live plants.

    • 6

      Add warm water to finish filling the tank, pouring slowly to avoid disturbing plants and gravel. Leave a couple inches between the surface of the water and the tank lid for air space.