How to Set Up a New Aquarium

Setting up a new aquarium involves a number of steps to create a successful environment for your fish. Before any fish can swim in their new home, you'll need to create the optimum home for your fish to thrive for many years. This begins by choosing a well-made aquarium and stand but also by having the necessary items on hand to properly care for your fish. This article describes setting up a tank based on the assumption that you've already purchased an aquarium with a stable tank stand. Let's take a look at how to set up a new aquarium.

Things You'll Need

  • Fish tank gravel
  • Power filter
  • Filter cartridges
  • Heater
  • Thermometer
  • Bubbling and tubing
  • Tank hood cover (with lighting fixture)
  • Water conditioner
  • Water sample from the fish store
  • Net
  • Plants and decorations for the tank
  • Gravel vacuum (suction siphon)
  • Bucket
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Instructions

  1. How to Set Up a New Aquarium

    • 1

      Rinse the entire tank out completely with fresh water to remove any dust in the tank. This is important because any debris in the tank will end up in your water as soon as you start filling the tank.

    • 2

      Rinse your plants, decorations and gravel to remove any residue. The gravel should be dumped in a bucket and rinsed until the water runs completely clear.

    • 3

      Place the gravel inside the tank, smoothing it across the bottom to a level two inches thick. If you're using an under gravel filter, put the filter in place before pouring the gravel into the tank. Gravel will hold plants in place and hides fish waste products and food debris. Add your plants and decorations. Try to choose tank ornaments that provide places for your fish to hide in addition to those that add visual appeal. Tropical fish stores can help you choose ornaments that are safe for use in your fish tank.

    • 4

      Set up your filter system. Whether you choose an under gravel filter or a cartridge filter that attaches to the back of the tank, purchase a filter with mechanical and biological filtering capabilities. Mechanical filters cycle the water through the filter to remove fish waste. Biological filters create good bacteria to fight the buildup of harmful chemicals in the water resulting from fish waste. Choose a filter that will cycle your tank frequently and buy the very best that you can afford. Tank filters are labeled on the box at the store to identify the appropriate size for each tank.

    • 5

      Install your thermometer and heater. Don't plug the heater in yet since it can break easily when it's not immersed in water. Once your tank is established, always unplug the heater 15 minutes before water changes to allow it to cool. Purchase a heater that is three to five watts per gallon of water. Set up your bubbler to boost the oxygen supply in the water by running the tubing through clips to hide it from side. Don't plug the bubbler in until the tank is filled with water.

    • 6

      Add the water slowly until the tank is almost full. Make sure to add appropriate water conditioner according to the instructions on the bottle. Water conditioner removes chorlamine and chlorine in tap water, both of which are harmful to fish. After adding the water, you may need to smooth gravel and straighten ornaments.

    • 7

      Turn on your filter after priming (filling it) with water. Most filters have an adjustable flow dial for you to set the amount of "waterfall" you prefer. Add the water sample from your fish store to begin establishing the nitrogen cycle in your tank. Fish produce ammonia in waste products that can build up in your tank over time. Healthy tanks combat this ammonia buildup with bacteria called nitrites that eat the ammonia. To continue this cycle, nitrates need to be present to prevent an abundance of harmful nitrites in the tank. Adding the water sample creates the basis for the set up of your biological filter system.

    • 8

      Fill the tank to about one half-inch from the tank rim. Turn on your heater and make sure to set it at about 75 degrees. Plug in your bubbler and make any adjustments necessary to ornaments, gravel and plants.

    • 9

      Allow your tank to cycle three to seven days to allow time for your tank's biological filtering system to develop. Then add your new fish a few at a time to allow them time to adjust to their new home.