Setting Up Your Aquarium for the First Time

Practical Advice For Your First Aquarium

Wash your hands, making sure to rinse all the soap off.

Rinse out the tank and wash the gravel, plants and any decorative items you purchased to put in the tank. Use clear warm water only. If the tank is too heavy to lift and move around in a sink, pour clean water into the tank, rinsing the sides and then scoop the water back out again. If you bought a glass tank, be careful not to hit it against the side of the sink, particularly porcelain, the glass can crack. The easiest way to clean gravel is to put it into a large colander or sieve and run cool water through it until it runs clean. You are trying to remove any dust and unnecessary debris.

Set the tank where you have already decided to place it, make sure it fits safely in the space you chose. If you have to move it, either go back and get another tank or find a sturdy spot to put it in, keeping in mind the original suggestions to place it in a sturdy place, water proof, away from sunlight and air conditioning vents with an electrical outlet.

Slowly and gently pour the clean gravel/rocks into the tank until it is 1-2 inches deep. It should be deep enough to keep the plants and decorative items in place and from falling over.

Set up your filter and pump; read and follow manufacturer’s set-up instructions that are included with your purchase of this equipment. Really!, don’t try and set it up without reading them first, it will be a pain not to mention expensive if you set it up wrong and have to replace it and the fish in your tank.

Place all the clean decorative materials such as stones, wood and aquarium ornaments in the gravel. Give up after re-arranging 3 times, you’ll never get the fish in the tank if you don’t stop! Leave the plants for later.

Fill the tank half-way with cool water, not cold; remember the tank will need to be between 76 to 79 degrees for the fish. Be careful not to disturb the gravel. The easiest way to get the water into the tank is to use a pitcher or even a very clean plastic milk jug and pour the water close to the side of the glass, pour slowly or the gravel and your careful decorating will go everywhere. If it does just push it back into place, after washing your hands again, but it is better to go slowly and avoid having to put your hands in the water more than necessary.

It wouldn’t hurt to wash your hands again before putting them into the water

Add the plants by placing the taller plants at the back of the tank. Plant the live plants just like you do in a garden. Dig small holes in the gravel and place the roots of the plants in, then, push the gravel back around the plant. Plastic or synthetic plants usually have a base around the bottom that has room to put gravel on top to hold it down. If they aren’t weighted down they will float to the top so make sure you get enough rocks and gravel around them.

Fill up the rest of the tank with water. Leave a couple of inches from the top, so that if you have to put your arm in, the water doesn’t go everywhere.

Add the water conditioner. There will be directions on the bottle that will indicate the amount of conditioner for the size of your tank and how long before you can place fish into the tank (see below).

Place the hood/cover and light on the tank. Turn on the filter, pump. Leave the filter and pump running all the time. Wait at least 24 hours before adding any fish to your tank.

Time to sit back and wait - admire your new aquarium. What ever you do, don't get anxious and jump-the-gun, as they say and add fish before the 24 hours is up, you will regret it. While you wait check out the other Tame That Wild Thing! articles on tropical fish.