Fresh Water Fish Tank Set Up |
Setting up a fish tank will require some time on your part, but the work is absolutely worth the effort. A proper aquarium set up and a regular maintenance routine will ensure a thriving fish tank environment. While the maintenance phase is similar, fresh water fish tanks are easier to set up than salt water tanks. Follow the steps below and the whole process should be seamless and fun.
Besides a tank, fresh water fish require a hood, filtration, heater, lighting, and substrate(the soil). To begin with, it is recommended that you get the biggest fresh water fish tank that fits your available space and budget. This is because, a larger tank will hold more water which would lessen the likelihood of a drastic change in the tank's environment prior to you noticing it. To prepare the aquarium, use water in a bucket to wash the soil and items such as rocks that will be on top of it. Curing the live rock is highly recommended, and is done by brushing the rock with a bristled brush every day until the water doesn't have an odor and a test kit indicates it is within the correct parameters.
Next, position the tank in its designated area, on a stand if necessary, while verifying it can be reached by electric wires. Extra wire is needed so that it is distanced sufficiently from the tank in case of a water leak, wetting the floor without touching the electric outlet in the wall.
The hood has to fit well in order to prevent water from evaporating, therefore, keep this in mind if you are cutting it to make it fit. Place all of the equipment in the tank and connect everything inside, but still do not plug into the wall. Add regular water to the tank, for up to about an inch from the rim, and use a water conditioner, purchased from the pet store. When the tank is filled with water, you can plug in the electricity, and power the lights, filter, and heater.
The next step is called cycling the tank and it allows for the formation of a bacterial layer. This important layer acts to remove the ammonia generated by remaining food and fish debris that would cause the aquarium to be inhospitable. The ammonia will be taken in by the bacteria in the substrate and filters, producing nitrite which is also not fish friendly. Another type of bacteria will then consume the nitrite converting it into a related, but non-harmful, compound known as nitrate.
The cycling process commences by introducing the aquarium with just one or two rugged and inexpensive fish in order to naturally add ammonia to the tank. A test kit can be used to measure the nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia levels. When nitrite and ammonia levels are equivalent to zero, the cycling process is complete and a gradual addition of more fish can be done. It is crucial to add more rugged to less rugged fish, in this order, since the tank is less hospitable at first to certain sensitive fish. It is also important to be informed when purchasing the fish, so that you select ones that are compatible, not combative, with each other.
It is important to examine your fish tank from up close for the first few days after the set up to make sure it is functioning well. The high quality of the water is easily maintained in the aquarium especially due to bacteria, therefore it is important not to get rid of a large amount of the substrate or replace the filter too frequently. You will do your fish justice if you clean the algae every week and change a quarter of the water in the tank every month as well as change the cartridge for the filter at that point.
Besides a tank, fresh water fish require a hood, filtration, heater, lighting, and substrate(the soil). To begin with, it is recommended that you get the biggest fresh water fish tank that fits your available space and budget. This is because, a larger tank will hold more water which would lessen the likelihood of a drastic change in the tank's environment prior to you noticing it. To prepare the aquarium, use water in a bucket to wash the soil and items such as rocks that will be on top of it. Curing the live rock is highly recommended, and is done by brushing the rock with a bristled brush every day until the water doesn't have an odor and a test kit indicates it is within the correct parameters.
Next, position the tank in its designated area, on a stand if necessary, while verifying it can be reached by electric wires. Extra wire is needed so that it is distanced sufficiently from the tank in case of a water leak, wetting the floor without touching the electric outlet in the wall.
The hood has to fit well in order to prevent water from evaporating, therefore, keep this in mind if you are cutting it to make it fit. Place all of the equipment in the tank and connect everything inside, but still do not plug into the wall. Add regular water to the tank, for up to about an inch from the rim, and use a water conditioner, purchased from the pet store. When the tank is filled with water, you can plug in the electricity, and power the lights, filter, and heater.
The next step is called cycling the tank and it allows for the formation of a bacterial layer. This important layer acts to remove the ammonia generated by remaining food and fish debris that would cause the aquarium to be inhospitable. The ammonia will be taken in by the bacteria in the substrate and filters, producing nitrite which is also not fish friendly. Another type of bacteria will then consume the nitrite converting it into a related, but non-harmful, compound known as nitrate.
The cycling process commences by introducing the aquarium with just one or two rugged and inexpensive fish in order to naturally add ammonia to the tank. A test kit can be used to measure the nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia levels. When nitrite and ammonia levels are equivalent to zero, the cycling process is complete and a gradual addition of more fish can be done. It is crucial to add more rugged to less rugged fish, in this order, since the tank is less hospitable at first to certain sensitive fish. It is also important to be informed when purchasing the fish, so that you select ones that are compatible, not combative, with each other.
It is important to examine your fish tank from up close for the first few days after the set up to make sure it is functioning well. The high quality of the water is easily maintained in the aquarium especially due to bacteria, therefore it is important not to get rid of a large amount of the substrate or replace the filter too frequently. You will do your fish justice if you clean the algae every week and change a quarter of the water in the tank every month as well as change the cartridge for the filter at that point.
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