Things You'll Need
- 10 gallon fish tank
- Submersible heater-stat
- Thermometer
- Filter
- Inert aquarium gravel or sand
- Decorations
- Bucket
- Shallow bowl
- Jug
- Water conditioner
- Bleach
- Sponge
Instructions
Cleaning the Tank
Set on a stable surface and check for any breaks or other defects. Fill the tank with fresh water.
Wipe over internal surfaces with sponge and add a half a capful of bleach. Mix well and leave for several hours.
Empty tank and refill with fresh cold water. Add double dose of water conditioner and mix well. Wipe tank down with the sponge. Empty the tank and leave to dry.
Rinse the substrate in a bucket, mixing well and replacing water as it gets cloudy. Continue until water remains clear. Drain bucket.
Setting Up
Place the tank in your intended location. Ensure the tank is out of direct sunlight and not near a heater or air conditioning unit. Avoid locations near doors or routes through the house. Ensure any stand or table you use is stable and capable of holding the weight of the tank when filled.
Construct the filter and heater according the manufacturer's instructions, adding any media or guards as necessary. Gently rinse the filter and heater in fresh water and place in tank according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Add a layer of rinsed substrate to the bottom of the tank that is 1 inch deep at the front and 2 inches deep at the back.
Fill a bucket with freshwater and add a dose of water conditioner according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Place the shallow bowl in the tank and use the jug to add the water into the aquarium, pouring it onto the bowl so that the substrate is not disturbed. Fill the tank halfway. Remove the bowl.
Add decorations and plants to the tank. Always remove the pots or lead weights from plants and remove the bottom 2 inches of leaves from stem plants. Ensure all decorations are fish-safe. Decorations with moving parts, metal parts or small holes are often unsafe for fish, despite being sold for aquariums.
Fill the tank to the top with the remaining water. Allow the tank to settle for 20 minutes, then turn the heater and filter on. Any cloudiness in the water should subside after a few days, during which time the water will settle and the tank will reach the desired temperature.