Aquariums make a delightful addition to any setting as they create a vibrant focal point and a source of color and entertainment. Read below for the steps required to set up a tropical aquarium. You will be thrilled with both the procedure and the final result and have an "aquatic world" all to yourself.
Steps
Step 1. Before buying an aquarium, choose the place to place it
Remember that any location you choose must be suitable for supporting the weight of the aquarium.
Step 2. Always consider the temperature of the place
Step 3. Set up your aquarium
Place it securely in its new home and, if possible, check it is level. Remember that unless it is a very small tank, once it is full you should never, ever try to move it. Moving an aquarium full of water can lead to real disasters.
Step 4. Rinse the gravel / base layer
If you intend to use real plants, remember to choose the best base coat. Keep in mind that some fish need certain types of gravel / base layer. You will need approximately 250 g of gravel for each liter of the tank (depending on the arrangement). It is important to have an abundant amount of gravel as this is where colonies of bacteria form. Before placing it in the tub, you will need to rinse the gravel thoroughly to remove any dust and dirt that may have accumulated due to the movement. If you are using an under-gravel filtration system, install it now. Slowly dose the gravel in the tub so you don't damage or scratch the glass. Generally it is best to create a slight slope with the gravel: deeper in the back and shallower in the front.
Step 5. It's time for water
Place a clean saucer on the gravel bottom of the aquarium and pour the water over it to avoid moving it. If you are a novice aquarium enthusiast, it will be easier to use tap water.
Step 6. Add the dechlorinator
(A liquid that will make tap water suitable for fish life by removing chlorine. The best brands boast the ability to remove chlorine, ammonia and nitrites.) Be sure to follow the instructions on the package.
Step 7. Add the decorations
Remember to use only decorations suitable for freshwater aquariums. In fact, not all types of stones / stones are suitable for this type of aquarium; do your research or ask your trusted aquarium retailer for advice. Take into consideration the species you are going to insert; decorations for an aquarium with cichlids from African lakes will be different from those for an aquarium in which goldfish will be inserted, for example.
Step 8. Place the filter
The filters are all different so be sure to follow the instructions. Once it is properly hooked up, you can plug it into a power outlet to verify that it is working properly. If you are using a container filter, consider attaching the "spray bar" so that it agitates (creating ripples) the surface of the water. This device will be useful for dissolving oxygen for your fish. All other types of filters, on the other hand, normally stir the water.
Step 9. Place the heater in the tub
Follow the instructions carefully! Some heaters are fully submersible, others are not. Wait at least 30 minutes before plugging in the heater!
If you don't, you risk damaging the heater due to thermal shock. Set the heater to the proper temperature. This operation may require some attention depending on the heater model.
Step 10. Place the thermometer in or on the tub
Ideally, most tropical freshwater fish like a constant temperature between 24 ° C and 28 ° C. Research the species you want to include to learn more about the specific temperature requirements.
Step 11. Place the lid and lighting on the tub
Note that most lighting is functional for whatever species you decide to include, however you should do some more research regarding plants. Natural plants often require more than standard lighting. Some aquarium experts believe that connecting the light to a timer has beneficial effects.
Step 12. Make sure all cables have a drip loop
A drip circuit consists in forming a sort of U with the cable to ensure that the drops of water fall on the floor instead of entering the electrical outlet!
Step 13. Check the water
Test the pH, carbonate hardness (KH), total hardness (GH), nitrites, nitrates and ammonia. There must be no trace of ammonia, nitrites or nitrates, unless your tap water contains them. Calcium carbonate (hardness) is related to pH. If you have soft water (in this case it is the opposite of hard), the pH of your tank can become unstable. In this case, add a stabilizing salt and powdered KH to the tank, to avoid a precipitation of the pH. Most freshwater fish are able to live at pH ranging from 6.5 to 8.0. The neutral pH is equal to 7.0 and is the one preferred by most fish. Ask your trusted dealer to test the pH of your tap water. If the values obtained are higher or lower than the appropriate ones, ask the staff of the store of the specialized point of sale to which you usually go for advice.
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Remember that fish are very adaptable. They are more likely to get sick at varying pH than at stable, though not perfect, pH.
Set up a Tropical Freshwater Aquarium Step 13 - Test your pH at least once a month and never drop it below 6.0.
Step 14. Sit back and relax
Grab a book or browse the internet to decide which type of fish you prefer. You will have to wait at least 48 hours before placing your first fish. Introducing too many fish all at once is usually the worst mistake made by beginners and often leads to total failure.
Step 15. Add the fish and understand your new aquarium
Adding fish is the most exciting part of setting up an aquarium! Unfortunately, however, it is also the part where the most mistakes are made. By following these steps, you will avoid the heartbeat you may have by finding all your dead fish:
- Start your aquarium for 48 hours without anything inside. This will help stabilize the temperature and ensure that the parameters are safe by making the latest improvements to the installation.
- If you plan on using real plants, add them as well. They will favor the start of the biological process necessary for the life of the fish in the tank.
- Try to understand that your aquarium is not just a "golden" cage for your fish but represents an entire ecosystem. Fish produces a lot of ammonia when eliminating waste substances and with breathing. That's what the filter is for, are you there? Well, yes and no. The filter only works properly when it is rich in nitrifying bacteria. These are the "good" bacteria necessary for the life of fish. Without these bacteria, the ammonia produced by the fish remains in the water and poisons them. Your new aquarium, being clean and freshly assembled, does not contain these bacteria. If you put in a group of fish without bacteria proliferating in the tank, you are dooming them to death. These bacteria take 2 to 6 weeks to establish! So what to do? There are several ways to get bacteria to reproduce in an aquarium… so start the system.
- If you know someone who has had an aquarium with healthy fish for more than two months, you can borrow some used filter media. Keep the filter medium wet and add it to the tub (it'll keep those good bacteria alive!). The good bacteria will get a boost to start populating your tank. If you don't have any friends who own an aquarium, you can buy live bacteria in different forms from your local dealer.
Step 16. Add the fish slowly
If possible, add no more than 1 or 2 small fish per 40 liters. For the first week feed them in moderation (and in small doses) every day. It's not a matter of cruelty - remember that overfeeding could kill them at this stage. If you have your own water test kit, do it daily, paying particular attention to ammonia and nitrite levels. If you notice that at any time the ammonia or nitrites increase to dangerous levels, make a change of 20-30% of the water. At this stage, never remove more than 30% of the water or you risk killing your bacteria and always replace it with dechlorinated water. After a week the conditions should be suitable for adding a few more fish and repeating the process. If no problems arise, you should have a stable aquarium within 4-6 weeks. Once your tank is ready, you can feed the fish regularly and add more. Remember: adding a large amount of fish at one time can create a temporary imbalance in your aquarium, so be careful. Also remember that your tank can accommodate a limited number of fish according to its size. This number depends on the size of the fish and their feeding habits.
Advice
- Before buying fish - DO research on the species you want to include in your aquarium. Never act on impulse but always do adequate research so as to avoid buying an animal that is not suitable for you.
- When buying fish, you need to provide them with a tank that will be large enough even when they become adults.
- Do not forget to continue adding bacteria to the aquarium on a weekly basis.
- The larger the tank, the easier it will be to maintain its stability. You will realize that the chemical conditions of the water in a large tank are easier to create than in a smaller tank. Tanks with a capacity of less than 40 liters are more complicated to maintain, especially for beginners. If you are a novice, consider getting a tank of at least 20 liters, unless you intend to place a Siamese fighting fish there.
- Don't forget that you are bringing pets into your home and that it is unfair to skimp on their needs. Make sure you have the finances, and the time, to devote to an aquarium.
- Before adding ornamental elements such as gravel and wood to the aquarium, make sure you have washed them thoroughly.
- Siamese fighting fish can also live in communities but you need to research what species they can live with.
- When adding a fish such as fighting fish (betta splendens) avoid placing it in a community because other fish can bite their fins and fight with cichlids and other labyrinths.
- Classic goldfish aquariums can be considered cruel. Goldfish reach a minimum length of 20 centimeters and can live up to fifteen years. For this, they too need a filtered aquarium. Goldfish are not entirely suitable for beginners! For a goldfish it takes a tank of approximately 80 liters and you will have to add 40 liters for each additional goldfish.
