How to Set Up a New 55 Gallon Fish Tank to Breed Angelfish

Healthy angelfish like to breed. Proper setup is designed with the health of the fish in mind. Using a 55-gallon tank is a good start, because a larger tank is easier to stabilize. Your water levels should be stable at a pH of 5-7.5, ammonia and nitrite levels near zero, a temperature between 81-86 degrees Fahrenheit and a water hardness of 1-20 dH. Use aquarium plants, a reverse osmosis filter and a well-varied live diet to increase the drive to breed. Fish will lay eggs on a clean piece of slate placed at a 30-degree angle.

Things You'll Need

  • 55-gallon fish tank
  • Aquarium gravel
  • Aquarium lights for aquatic plants
  • Water heater for 55 gallons
  • Aquarium thermometer
  • Aquarium filter for 55 gallons
  • Three powerheads
  • Aquarium air pump
  • Aquarium air stone
  • Aquarium decorations
  • Piece of flat slate
  • Aquarium water conditioner
  • Aquatic plants
  • Aquatic plant food
  • Freshwater aquarium water test kit
  • Fish net
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Instructions

    • 1
      Soap residue is difficult to remove and it will hurt your fish.

      Cleanse aquarium supplies with water. Do not use detergents. Rinse the gravel and put it in your tank.

    • 2

      Apply your aquarium devices to the tank, but do not turn them on until they are submerged in water. Put decorations in the tank. Place your slate in the tank, propping it on a stone or aquarium decoration to incline it at a 30-degree angle.

    • 3

      Fill the tank with tap water. Remove harmful chemicals from the water using an aquarium water conditioner. Place your plants and plant food in the tank.

    • 4

      Turn on all your tank devices. Allow the tank to run, checking the water every other day with your test kit to monitor the water condition. Buy your fish when your water tests and thermometer show the proper water condition.

    • 5
      Monitor your water a few times a week with your test kit.

      Float your fish bag in the aquarium, being careful not to allow any of the water from the fish bag to leak into your aquarium. Scoop 1 cup of aquarium water into the fish bag every 10 minutes for one hour. Use a fish net to scoop the fish out of the bag, and carefully place them into the aquarium.