How to Put Pisces in a New Aquarius

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

When you add new fish to the aquarium it can be an exciting time, as it allows you to enrich the underwater environment with new friends. However, if you do it incorrectly, you could make animals sick or even kill. You must prepare the tank before allowing new specimens to swim in it.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Preparing the New Aquarium

Step 1. Wash the gravel, stones and decorations

When you buy the new tub and accessories, you must wash them in hot water without using any type of soap or detergent; this way you get rid of dust, bacteria and toxins.

You can wash the gravel by putting it in a sieve. Place it on top of a plastic bowl or bucket and pour the water over the gravel in the sieve. Stir the pebbles, let the water run out and repeat the procedure several times, until the water runs clear from the colander.
When all these items are clean, you can put them in the aquarium. Check that the substrate is evenly distributed across the bottom. Arrange the rocks and decorations so that there are hiding places for the fish to explore.

Step 2. Fill the tub one third of its capacity with water at room temperature

Use a bucket for this and place a plate or tray on top of the gravel to keep it from moving with the flow of water.

Once the aquarium is filled to a third, you should pour a softener or a dechlorinating product to eliminate the chlorine; this substance can be deadly to fish and / or cause health problems.
You may notice that the water becomes cloudy in the first two or three days; this phenomenon is due to the development of bacteria and should disappear on its own.

Step 3. Connect the air pump

The aquarium should be equipped with an air pump to ensure a sufficient supply of oxygen to the water. You need to connect the pump hose to the vents of the tub, for example to a porous stone.

You can also use an aquarium check valve, a small device that is located on the outside of the tank and onto which you can plug the air hose. This way, you can put the pump under the tank or aquarium. The valve allows one-way air to pass into the tank, preventing water from escaping when the pump is turned off

Step 4. Add live or plastic plants

The real ones are perfect for circulating oxygen in the water, but you can also decide to take the plastic ones to create crevices where fish can take refuge. You can also use plants to hide the aquarium equipment you want to camouflage for aesthetic reasons.

Keep real plants moist by wrapping them in wet newsprint until it's time to plant them. Bury the roots below the gravel surface leaving the crown of the stem exposed. You can also apply specific fertilizer to make sure the vegetation grows well

Step 5. Submit the water to the nitrogen cycle using a specific kit

This procedure balances the ammonia and nitrites produced by the fish and introduces bacteria that eat these dangerous chemicals. You need to wait for the cycle to continue for 4-6 weeks to make sure the water reaches a healthy chemical and biological balance. By doing this before adding the animals, you are able to guarantee them a healthy and happy existence in the new environment. You can find nitrogen cycle kits at aquarium stores and online.

When you put the aquarium on the nitrogen cycle for the first time and starting from scratch, you may notice an accumulation of ammonia between the second and third week; thereafter, a nitrite spike occurs when the ammonia ones drop to zero. Towards the sixth week of the cycle, ammonia and nitrites are zeroed and the accumulation of nitrates begins; the latter are less toxic than the first two and you can control their levels with proper and regular maintenance of the aquarium.
If you use a specific kit and find a positive reading for ammonia or nitrates, it means that the nitrogen cycle is still in progress and you have to wait a little longer before adding the fish. A "healthy" aquarium has no levels of any of these substances.

Step 6. Check the water quality

When the nitrogen cycle is complete, you should also check the water quality with kits available at pet stores or online.

The water should have zero chlorine levels and the pH should be at or as close as possible to that of the water in the pet store where you bought the fish

Part 2 of 3: Put the Fish in the New Aquarium

Step 1. Transport the fish in a plastic bag

Most pet stores place fish in a clear plastic bag filled with water. Remember to keep it in a dark place on the way home.

Try to go directly home, as the animal needs to be introduced into the aquarium immediately after being in the bag. This way, you reduce stress and help him get used to the bath water more quickly. The colors of the fish may fade a bit during transport, but don't worry as this is a normal occurrence and the animal should regain the color once it is in the aquarium

Step 2. Turn off the aquarium lights

Turn them down or turn them off completely before adding the fish, as doing so puts less stress on it. You should also make sure that the aquarium is full of stones and plants that serve as hiding places. All these details reduce the emotional pressure he is subjected to and help him acclimatize more quickly to his new home.

Step 3. Add more than one fish at a time

This allows the existing fish to get used to its new mates and prevents one fish from being attacked by others, as the existing one has many new friends to bond with. Add new animals in small groups of 2-4 to avoid overloading the aquarium.

In the pet shop, always choose healthy looking fish with no signs of disease. You should also closely monitor the newcomer for the first few weeks, looking for symptoms of illness or stress.
Some aquarium owners quarantine the new fish for two weeks to make sure it's not sick or contagious. If you have time and another aquarium available, you can follow this method. If you find that the quarantined specimen becomes ill, you can treat it without altering the chemistry of the main tank and without affecting the other animals.

Step 4. Place the closed plastic bag in the aquarium for 15-20 minutes

Let it float on the surface to allow the fish it contains to get used to the temperature of the new environment.

After 15-20 minutes, open the bag and use a clean glass to transfer an equal amount of aquarium water into it. At this point, the bag should contain twice as much water, half from the pet store and half from your aquarium. Be careful not to transfer the water from the bag into the tank, otherwise you could contaminate the aquarium.
Let the container with the fish float on the surface for another 15-20 minutes; seals the edges of the bag to prevent water from overflowing.

Step 5. Catch the fish with a net and transfer it to the aquarium

After 15-20 minutes, you can release it in the tub by taking it from the bag with a net and placing it gently in the water.

You should monitor it for symptoms of disease. If there are already other animals in the aquarium, you should also make sure that they do not harass or attack the newcomer. With time and good tank maintenance, all fish should happily coexist

Part 3 of 3: Putting the Fish into an already Active Aquarium

Step 1. Prepare a quarantine tank

By leaving the newcomer in isolation, you can make sure of his health and avoid contaminating the active aquarium with diseases and infections. The quarantine tank should contain at least 20-40 liters of water and a sponge filter that has already been used in the main aquarium. By doing this, you are sure that the filter already contains the "good" bacteria that can populate the new container; you should also have a heater, lights, and lid.

If you are a big fan of aquariums, you probably already own a quarantine tank; make sure it is clean and ready before purchasing new specimens for the main aquarium

Step 2. Leave the new fish in quarantine for two to three weeks

Once the isolation tank is set up, you can add the fish to it respecting the adaptation process.

Start by letting the closed bag float in the water for 15-20 minutes. This period allows the animal to get used to the temperature of the quarantine tank.
After 15-20 minutes, open the bag and use a clean glass to transfer an equal amount of aquarium water into it. At this point, the bag should contain twice as much water, half from the pet store and half from your aquarium. Be careful not to pour the water from the bag into the tank, otherwise you could contaminate the aquarium.
Let the bag remain in the water for another 15-20 minutes, closing the edges to prevent the contents from overflowing; afterwards, use a net to gently transfer the fish to the quarantine tank.
You should check the animal every day while in isolation to make sure it is not contagious and does not have parasitic infestations. After two to three weeks without veterinary problems appearing, the fish is ready to enter the main aquarium.

Step 3. Change 25-30% of the water

This way, the new fish can get used to the nitrate levels of the water without stressing. This is an important step, especially if you don't change the water regularly when maintaining your aquarium.

To proceed, remove 25-30% of the water contained in the tank and replace it with the new dechlorinated one. Then run the water through the filter several times to make sure the nitrate balance is correct

Step 4. Feed the fish in the main aquarium

If you have other animals that already live in the aquarium and want to add another one, you should first feed the "veterans"; this allows them to be less aggressive towards the newcomer.

Step 5. Change the arrangement of the accessories

Move the stones, plants and hiding places before releasing the new fish, to distract those already present and destabilize the territorial boundaries that have been defined in the aquarium. This "trick" helps the new animal to be on the same level as the others and not to be isolated.

Step 6. Get used to the main tank

Once the fish has passed quarantine, you should repeat the same acclimatization process in the main aquarium to help them get used to the new environment and water.