Setting Up a New Fresh Water Aquarium

Here are some step-by-step tips for getting started in the fastest growing hobby in the world. These 10 steps can help you to avoid many common mistakes and get you into a fish tank that you can live with and be proud of.

• 1. Preparing Your Water
  • Water is the single most important element of an aquarium. It is important to prepare your water before adding any fishes, as most tap water contains chemicals like chlorine and chloramine, which are harmful to fishes. So be sure to get a bottle of water conditioner from your favorite pet store that neutralizes both chlorine and chloramine.
• 2. Setting Up Your Filter
  • Check to see what kind of filter you have, if you have an Under Gravel Filter (UGF), you will need to place that next. The UGF goes on the bottom of the tank. Place the lift tubes in their sockets. For most smaller tanks one lift tube will be plenty if you are using a power head to run the filter. If you are using an air pump to run the filter, you will probably need two. Setup your filter according to your filter's manual. Make sure that it is working properly as intended, as the filter is a very important part of an aquarium. After this is checked, Now you can add the heater and water pumps.
• 3. Setting Up Heater and Water Pumps
  • Check to see what heater you have. If you have a hanging heater, hang it off the back, someplace where you can still see it. You want to be able to see it so you can tell when it is on. If you have a submersible heater, place it near the bottom of the tank (heat rises), and approximately horizontal. Next find a location for your air pump. Setup your pump according to your pump's manual.
• 4. What Is Cycling?
  • "Cycling" is the process where bacterias break down ammonia(NH3) into nitrite(NO2), and from nitrite to nitrate(NO3). Ammonia and nitrite are both very toxic to fishes, and nitrate being the least toxic of the three. Therefore this process is the most important for any aquarium.
  • When nitrite in the water has reached a certain level, the Nitrobacter species of bacteria starts forming. Slowly, they will breakdown the nitrite into nitrate. And finally, nitrate in the water can be removed via the most common and cost-effective method, water changes.
• 5. The Wait
  • So you've introduced ammonia, turned on your filter, and is waiting for your fish tank to cycle. During the first couple of days, while the tank is running without fish, you can go back to your list of fish and select a few starter fish. Wait longer, if the fishes you plan to keep are sensitive. These fish should be hearty, inexpensive, relatively small, and something you want to keep in your tank in the long run.
• 6. Acclimating Procedure
  • Finally, it's time for you to add the fishes you been researching. The most important step to success in keeping a saltwater aquarium is the acclimation of your new livestock. FreshMarine highly recommends you follow our acclimation procedure. With the proper acclimation procedure you will not stress your aquatic livestock.
• 7. Observing Your Fishes
  • Feed and observe your fish daily. If your fish tank has decorative objects, most likely your new fishes will go into hiding. This is normal, and will last up to a few days. When they do show themselves, observe them. Take note of how their bodies look like, and how they behave, so you will know when something odd happens.
  • Feed very sparingly during this beginning stage. As the filtration and bacteria system is still new, do not want to pollute the water too much. I suggest feeding small amounts once a day starting from the second or third day. If your fishes refuse to eat, do not put in more food. Try feeding again the next day. This is normal and you do not need to worry, as the fishes most likely already eaten, and they can survive for as long as a week without food.
• 8. Maintain Your Tank
  • Check your filters at least twice a week. Perform a 10-15% water change every week, and scrub for algae at the same time. Every month, check all hoses, fittings, clamps, cords, lights and other miscellaneous equipment. This may sound like a lot, but a couple of minutes a day could tell you months in advance of a disaster.
  • Water changes usually take under 30 minutes for a tank, including checking all equipment and scrubbing for algae! Most people find their aquariums to take under 2 minutes a day to keep everything in good order.
• 9. Your Fish Tank
  • Soon, your fishes will get used to their environment. They will start becoming more active. Their vibrant colors will start showing. And they may even recognize you whenever you come close to feed them.
• 10. Congratulations
  • FreshMarine.com congratulates you for setting up your new aquarium. But of course, you have to be a responsible owner. We want you and your family to enjoy the new additions to your living aquarium for as long as possible.