How to Install Hoses, Pumps & Filters in a 135 Gallon Fish Tank

Setting up a fish tank in your home or office can be very rewarding, and setting up a large aquarium can be even more so. A large, 135-gallon aquarium instantly becomes the focal point of the room where it is placed, and establishing a large tank allows you to keep a large number of fish in a natural environment. But before you set up that 135-gallon tank, you need to have the right pumps, filters and other accessories.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • Aquarium stand
  • Power filter
  • Corner filters
  • Undergravel filter
  • Air pump
  • Aquarium tubing
  • Plants and decorations
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Instructions

    • 1

      Find a suitable spot for your 135-gallon tank. A large tank takes up a lot of room, so be sure you have plenty of space for the tank, the stand, and the accessories. Leave yourself room to work behind the tank--leaving room in the back will make it easier to service the aquarium.

    • 2

      Make sure the stand you choose is sturdy enough to hold a 135-gallon tank. Water weighs 10 pounds per gallon, so your stand will need to accommodate 1,350 pounds of water, plus several hundred pounds of gravel, driftwood, rocks, decorations, as well as the pumps, filters and hoses needed to keep the tank running properly.

    • 3

      Decide whether or not you want to use an undergravel filter. An undergravel filter is a good choice for biological filtration, but in order to keep it running smoothly you need to vacuum the tank on a regular basis.

    • 4

      Install the undergravel filter in the bare tank if you plan to use such a filter. Make sure the filter covers the entire bottom surface of the tank. Cover the filter with 2 to 3 inches of gravel.

    • 5

      Place a corner filter in both back corners of the tank. Corner filters provide excellent mechanical and chemical filtration, as well as some biological filtration. Attach a piece of air tubing to the intake port on each filter and run that tubing up and out of the tank.

    • 6

      Place a large power filter in the center of the tank, along the back wall of the aquarium. Be sure to purchase a power filter rated for at least 150 gallons. Buying a filter rated for a larger tank than the one you have will allow that filter to run more efficiently. Install the filter cartridges but do not turn the filter on yet.

    • 7

      Attach the air tubing from each power filter to a separate air pump. Make sure the pumps you purchase are rated at least for a 150-gallon tank.

    • 8

      Place plants, driftwood and other aquarium decorations in front of the pumps and filters to hide them and provide a more natural look. Use tall plants to hide the uptake tubes for the corner, power and undergravel filters.

    • 9

      Fill the aquarium with water. Pour the water in slowly to avoid dislodging the plants and decorations. It is helpful to place a large bowl inside the aquarium and pour the water into that.

    • 10

      Plug the air pumps in and watch for bubbles from the corner filters and the undergravel filter, if you are using one. Fill the reservoir of the power filter with water, then plug the filter in. You should see water begin to flow out of the filter in a waterfall effect.