10 Gallon Fish Tank Assembly Directions

Choose a location to assemble your tank near a power source, away from any drafts and out of direct sunlight. Place the aquarium stand in the location selected because the filled 10-gallon tank will weigh over 80 pounds.

Rinse the tank and all other items used inside thoroughly with water. This includes the gravel, decorations, thermometer and heater. Put the gravel in a large bucket and rinse it until the water is clear.

Place at least 1 inch of gravel or sand (or 1 to 2 pounds for each gallon of water) on the bottom of the tank. If you are using an underground filter system, put it in place before adding the gravel.

Add 3 gallons of water to the fish tank. Place a plate on top of the gravel to keep the water from moving the gravel as you add it. Add the proper amount of a water treatment (dechlorinator) every time you add water.

Put decorations, plants and the thermometer in place. Hook up any needed air-line tubing for air stones, underground filters or decorations. Place the air pump above the level of the tank, unless you add a special check-valve to keep the water from reaching a pump placed below the tank.

Add more water until it reaches the bottom rim of the tank. Add additional dechlorinator to the water.

Install a filtration system designed for 10-gallon tanks, if an underground system is not used. Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer or instructions included in an aquarium setup kit.

Position the heater (for tropical tanks) in a location inside the aquarium close to the filter's outflow to allow the heated water to circulate.

Place the hood on top of the fish tank. Plug all of the tank's equipment into a power source to activate them.

Allow the filter and heater to run for one or two days to ensure they are working properly. Adjust the heater's setting to the best temperature for the fish you will add to the tank.

Take some of the water with you to the pet store for testing, which most will do for free. You can also purchase a test kit when you buy your first two or three fish. The fish tank needs to grow a colony of beneficial bacteria through a cycling process that can take from four to six weeks, so only purchase one-third of the total amount of fish at first. You will need to change part of the water if the water's pH, nitrate, nitrite or ammonia is elevated.

Place the bag with the fish you bought inside the tank for 15 minutes. Use a net to take the fish from the bag and place it in the tank.

Wait at least two hours and up to 24 hours to feed the fish for the first time. Do not overfeed them; two or three flakes per fish is enough.

Test the water or have it tested every other day for the first month. Keep an eye on the temperature and make sure the filtration system is working.

Change 10 percent or 1 gallon of water six days after you set up the tank.

Add the next third of your fish during week two or three, and the final third during week four or five, if the water tests within a normal range.

Do a partial water change (10 percent) any time the water test is off and do not add any new fish until the water test is within a normal range. The test kit will explain how to read the test results or if you take your water to the pet store for testing, the clerk will explain it.