- Your shopping cart is empty!
7 Simple Steps to Setting Up Your New Fish Aquarium
Setting up a fish tank isn’t difficult, but there are a few things to keep in mind. If this is your first aquarium, consider getting a 20-gallon tank or larger. Don’t start small with the idea of upgrading later. It’s actually easier to maintain a larger tank. Here are the most essential steps to consider when setting up a saltwater or freshwater aquarium.
1. Consider the Placement
There are considerations beyond aesthetics when choosing the site for your aquarium. The surface you set it on should be:
- Sturdy
- Level
- Out of direct sunlight
- Away from external heat sources and air conditioning
- Near an electric outlet, preferably a GFI (Note: there are ground-fault-interrupters that plug into regular outlets)
2. Prep the Tank
Thoroughly rinse and wipe out the aquarium. Wash all items you intend to place in it, such as gravel (unless using live sand), ornaments, or rocks, in warm water. Don’t use any soap or detergent, which can be fatal to fish. A colander or sieve works well for rinsing gravel.
3. Fill with Water
Cover the tank bottom with two inches of gravel (1-2 lbs. per gallon). Set a small bowl or plate on the gravel and pour the water on it. Fill the tank a third of the way with room temperature water. Most municipal water is chlorinated. If your city uses chlorine or chloramines, you must use a dechlorinator. The package will list the amount to use. We recommend Prime:
https://www.aquaticwarehouse.com/seachem-prime-water-conditioner-250-ml?search=prim&category_id=0
4. Set Up the Air Pump (or Not)
Air (CO2 & O2) is very important to keep fish and beneficial bacteria alive and well, but the new innovative filtration on the market today like the Aqua Clear Filters (https://www.aquaticwarehouse.com/filtration/tank-mount-filters/aquaclear-110-filter)
add air for you automatically. For saltwater, we recommend the mandatory protein skimmer to add air for you. An air pump is one of the most important fish tank supplies if you’re not using canister filters or there’s not a way to implement a skimmer. See the instructions that came with your air pump for installation. Rinse air stones or decorations and attach tubing before placing in the tank. If the air pump is positioned below the tank, make sure to install a check valve to prevent water siphoning out in the event of a power failure. Then do your “aquascaping”—add artificial or live plants and decorations.
5. Install the Filter and Heater
When filling the tank with room temperature, dechlorinated water, leave a little air space between the water and cover. Rinse filter and filter materials and install according to instructions. Secure your submersible heater close to the water flow, and attach a thermometer as far as possible from the heater. Tropical fish need a constant 76° to 80° F water temperature.
6. Start the Cycle
Plug in the equipment and prime the filter. It’s important to run everything for at least 24 hours before introducing fish. Make sure you add bacteria like Night-Out:
Check the pH and the hardness of your water. Make sure everything is working properly and the temperature is correct and steady.
7. Add the Fish
Acclimate a few small, hardy fish and introduce them to the tank. Add more fish when nitrite and ammonia levels have returned to zero. Generally, the “inches of fish” shouldn’t exceed 0.8 times the number of gallons of water.
If you have any questions about setting up your aquarium, the experts at Aquatic Warehouse are here to help. Just give us a call at 858-467-9297, or stop by our store in Kearny Mesa. We carry everything you need to get your aquarium started, and we also carry a wide array of koi pond filters and other supplies for outdoor ponds. We hope to hear from you soon.