How to set up an Aquarium

Overview
Learning how to set up a fish tank is not all that difficult, but there are some basic steps you should follow. First, you must realize a few things about an aquarium setup. If starting out for the first time I would either start with a freshwater aquarium or a Tropical Freshwater Aquarium, I would not dive straight in the deep end and have a salt water Tank.

Maintaining an aquarium is no different than looking after any pet. Once a week, or at most once every two weeks, you will need to perform some kind of maintenance on the tank. Most of the time you will be performing part-water changes. You will also have to feed your fish at least once a day. Setting up and running a fish tank does cost money. There are recurring expenses such as replacing filter media, buying food, etc

Choosing The Right Tank
In today’s market there is no end to the list of size and shape you can purchase. Personally if this is your first tank I would look at a tank size of 10-20 gallons. Of course this does depend largely on what sort of fish you want to keep and how big they can potentially grow to. As a ‘very’ rough rule of thumb, you should allow 1 fish per 1 Gallon of water.

Other Equipment
Once you have chosen your tank you will also need to think about the filter system, heating (if required), lighting and pump. Many start-up aquariums you purchase will come with all this as a package, but not all. Also many of today’s internal pumps have the filter system within them, but you may want to look at under gravel filter systems. This decision is yours. It is hard to say which is the best system. You can ask one person and they will say under gravel filters and someone else will go with filters within the pumps. Personally speaking I like pumps with the filter system built in, only because it is very easy to change the filter media within them. However if your tank is on the large size you may want to go for under gravel systems.

Heating will only be required if you are going to keep Tropical fish. For Tropical fish the ideal temperature is 75 degrees Fahrenheit, although 1 or 2 degrees either way will be OK.

When lighting your tank, you will find many different types of lighting available on today’s market, Reds, Greens, White, UV, the list is endless. I like to choose the bulbs to enhance the fishes colours. Most lights fit neatly under the hood of the tank, but today you can purchase submersible lighting. The lighting will also appear different depending on the background decor.

Aquarium Position
This is very important. Get it right and it will greatly aid the reduction in green algae and the survival of your fish. Get it wrong and you will be forever cleaning the glass or worst replacing your fish. An aquarium ideally should be positioned where no external light or heat will affect the water temperature of the tank. If you position your tank directly opposite a south facing window, not only will the water temperature change but green algae could very quickly take hold. Also remember that a full tank of water can weigh a lot!!! So choose a stand that will easily take the weight of the tank full of water. Another rule of thumb is 1 gallon of water weighs approximately 10lbs

Setting Up
Ok you have bought all the equipment, chosen the position and ready to add the water. Before you pour the water in clean your tank with plain water first, NO soaps or detergents. Also rinse the gravel too and clean all decor.

Once you have done this place the under gravel filter system in (if you have one), add the gravel and decor that you may of also bought. To add the water I have found that pouring the water on to an upside down saucer in the bottom of the tank reduces the gravel being pushed all over the place as the water is added. Fill to approximately 25 cm below the finished water height. Fix the heater (again, if required) to the side and pump system. Before switching anything on I would let the water stand for 15 minutes allowing the thermostat in the heater to adjust. Once this is done and you have switched everything on leave the lid off. This will allow the chlorine to escape. You can add chemicals to the water such as ‘Tap Safe’ if you want. Once this is done, place on the lid and switch on the lights. Have a look and adjust any decors that you want to.

Buying the Fish
Now you are ready to add the fish. Please don’t rush out and buy loads of fish, start with a few. Buy your fish from a reputable source. Speak to them and discuss what sort of fish you want. If the fish don’t get along they will attack each other.

Once you have bought your fish, place the fish, still in the bag in your aquarium and leave them floating on the top to allow the water they are in to adjust to the aquarium temperature. Leave them there for approximately 15 minutes. Then open up the bag and let the fish gently swim out. Tipping them out will cause stress. Stress can kill a fish!!!

Feed your fish approximately once a day (depending on the number of fish) and enjoy, Don’t over feed them as they won’t eat it and it just floats to the bottom of the tank and rots.

Conclusion
Thats all there is to it really!!!, Of course this is only my own thoughts and how I would do it. If anyone wishes to add their own thoughts and ideas to help, please do.