How to Use 50 Gallon Fish Tanks

Fish tanks are a way to add a little variety to your home. Aquariums add to your decor and can be a conversation piece for guests. A 50-gallon fish tank is a good-sized fish tank because it will allow you to have a variety of fish and decorations. Larger fish tanks are also easier for beginners because they are easier to maintain.

Things You'll Need

  • aquarium stand
  • gravel or substrate
  • decorations
  • plants
  • filter
  • heater
  • lighting and hood
  • fish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Get a stand for your fish tank. A 50-gallon aquarium full of water will weigh more than 400 pounds, so you will need to build or buy a sturdy stand.

    • 2

      Choose your substrate. Your substrate can be gravel, sand or a soil mix for growing live plants. You will need enough to cover about two inches of your aquarium. Fish feel more secure on darker substrates. Some fish, like corydoras, need smooth gravel or soft sand because they are constantly rooting around on the bottom. Rinse your substrate (unless soil) and add it to the tank.

    • 3

      Fill your tank with dechlorinated water. Be careful not to disturb your substrate too much. You can put a clean plate in the tank and pour the water onto it if you are having problems adding the water.

    • 4

      Set up your filter, heater and lighting. Make sure they are all appropriate for your tank size. Your lighting will need to be full spectrum if you have plants, but even without plants your fish will be happier with full-spectrum lighting. Set your heater to about 78 F. This can be changed later when you decide on your fish type.

    • 5

      Cycle your aquarium. This will take four to six weeks and is accomplished by setting up your aquarium with everything but the fish. Set the heater to 78 to 80 F. Add 10 teaspoons of ammonia (two teaspoons for every 10 gallons). Allow it to circulate for several hours. Use a liquid ammonia test kit to test the ammonia levels in the water. You should register high levels of ammonia in the aquarium. If you don't, add more ammonia. Test for ammonia and nitrates (should come with your liquid test kit) every day. When the ammonia levels get back to zero add more ammonia. This is replicating the ammonia excreted by fish and will help good bacteria grow. When you notice your nitrates start to spike (rise rapidly) record how long it takes for them to go down to zero. This should take three to four days. Once your ammonia and nitrate levels are at zero your tank is cycled. Do a 50 percent water change. The good bacteria lives in the substrate and in the filters.

    • 6

      Add decorations. Live plants will help maintain the ecosystem in your aquarium and will make your fish happier. These can be added at any time. Choose plants with slow or medium growth unless you plan on doing a lot of pruning. These can be added during the cycled process or at any point afterward.

    • 7

      Add fish. Choose fish that are hardy. Don't add too many fish at once or it will upset the bio-load of your aquarium. Regularly check the ammonia and nitrate levels of your aquarium. Increase the amount of water changes you do until your ammonia levels are stable.

    • 8

      Add additional fish when your aquarium is more established. You may have ammonia spikes for months after your tank is established, so choose fish that are hardy. Some fish only thrive in aquariums that have been established for a year or more.