Information on Setting Up 20 Gallon Fresh Water Aquarium

Select a Location

• Choose a permanent location for your aquarium. Twenty gallons of water weigh a lot, and moving an aquarium full of water is difficult at best. Examine the location to ensure that it will not be overexposed to temperatures that may exceed needs of the aquarium, such as windows or heating or air conditioning vents. Also make sure that the stand you put the aquarium on will support the weight of the aquarium. An electrical outlet to drive the pump will also be required.

Clean the Aquarium

• One the tank location is determined, make sure the tanks is clean. If the tank is new, this will simply require rinsing the tank with warm water. If the tank is used. A mild solution of chlorine and water will help to disinfect the aquarium and any equipment, including filtration equipment, gravel and ornaments that will be in the tank. Rinse with clean water afterward.

Connect the Filtration System

• If the filtration system is an under gravel type, place the filters on the bottom of the aquarium. Connect the air pump to the air stones within the filter with plastic hoses. If the filtration system is a side mount device, ensure that clean filter material, usually in the form of a slide-in cartridge or packet, is inserted into the filter. Hang the filter on the back of the aquarium with the intake pipe hanging inside the aquarium.

Provide Lighting

• Most 20-gallon aquariums will require a cover of some kind to prevent fish from jumping out. This cover will usually have a built-in fluorescent lamp to provide light for the aquarium. Plug the lamp in and turn it on.

Fill the Aquarium

• Add the gravel to the aquarium. Now, carefully fill the aquarium with water. Tap water often has chlorine and other chemicals that can injure fish. Let the water rest for 24 hours to allow these chemicals to dissipate. Also, the temperature of the water in the aquarium needs to be adjusted to accommodate the type of fish. Goldfish can do well at room temperature, while tropical fish may require a higher temperature. If necessary, add a heater to your aquarium. A strip or stick-on thermometer is useful to help track the temperature of the water. Plug the heater in and adjust the temperature accordingly.

Turn the Filtration On

• For under gravel filters, plug the pump in and observe the air bubbles flowing from the filter to ensure the system is working. For a side mount filter, plug the filter in and ensure that the intake pipe is drawing water from the aquarium and the water is then flowing from the filter back into the aquarium. Allow the filter to run for several hours.

Select Your Fish

• Select fish that are compatible with each other. Many fish have aggressive tendencies or are territorial, so check before you buy. Also, remember the general rule about aquariums: 1 inch of fish for every gallon of water in the aquarium. That means a 20-gallon aquarium can comfortably accommodate 20 1-inch fishes or 10 2-inch fish.

Add Your Fish

• Once you have made your selections, bring your fish home quickly. The fish will likely be in plastic bags. It is important to get your fish out of the bags as soon as is safely possible. To prevent thermal shock from hurting your fish, float the bags in the aquarium water for about 20 minutes. This allows the water temperature in the bags to adjust to that of the aquarium. Once complete, open the bags and carefully pour the fish into the aquarium.

Feed Your Fish

• Select a food that is designed for the type of fish you are keeping. Do not be surprised if the fish do not initially feed immediately after being introduced to the aquarium. They may still be in shock from the move and should begin feeding within 24 hours.