How to Start a New Fish Aquarium

Watching fish is very relaxing, and setting up a home aquarium can be a wonderful hobby. Fish are fascinating to watch, and setting up your own tank will teach you a lot about fish and their behavior. Even so, it is important to set up the tank properly. Setting up a new tank the right way will reduce your hassles and let you start enjoying your new aquarium right away.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • Aquarium stand
  • Filter
  • Pump
  • Shallow bowl
  • Bucket
  • Fish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a suitable spot for your new aquarium. Make sure you have a sturdy stand for your tank. The weight of the water means that a sturdy and well-built stand is essential--water weighs 10 lb. per gallon, so even a small 10-gallon tank will have a weight of 100 lb. before you add any gravel or decorations.

    • 2

      Place a good filter in your tank. An undergravel filter is a good choice for a new tank, since it requires little in the way of maintenance. When setting up a new tank, however, it is a good idea to supplement that undergravel filter with a sponge filter or power filter. It will take awhile for the biological filtration in the undergravel filter to become established, so the supplemental filtration is important.

    • 3

      Place a piece of aquarium tubing on the sponge filter and run it up over the top of the tank. Make sure there is plenty of tubing and that it is not kinked or twisted, then attach the end of the tubing to an aquarium pump. When choosing a pump for your aquarium, it is best to choose one designed for a larger tank than the one you actually have.

    • 4

      Place the power filter over the side of the tank so that the intake tube hangs inside the aquarium. Do not plug the power filter in until the aquarium, and the back of the filter, have been filled with water.

    • 5

      Fill the bottom of the tank with gravel. The gravel should be at least 1 to 2 inches thick to provide a good substrate for the tank. Set your plants and other decorations in the gravel and make sure they are securely anchored.

    • 6

      Place a shallow bowl in the middle of the aquarium and use a bucket to pour water into the tank. This will prevent your plants and decorations from being dislodged as the tank is being filled. Continue to fill the tank, then plug in your power filter and aquarium pump. Be sure to fill the back of the power filter with water before powering it on.

    • 7

      Choose hardy species of fish for your new aquarium. Danios, white clouds and gouramis are all good choices for the new aquarium. It will take some time for the biological cycle to get going in a new aquarium, so the fish you choose need to be able to withstand sudden changes in water quality. Choosing fish that are suitable for beginners will increase your chances of success.