SETTING UP YOUR AQUARIUM
Ready to set up your aquarium? Here are the essentials you will need. The basic equipment will include a tank and cover, as well as some electrical items: heater, filter, and lighting unit. These days, you can buy an aquarium kit that includes all these items. You will also need gravel and rocks, plus a few miscellaneous bits and pieces. You can purchase these items from your local aquatic retailer or pet shop; the shop staff can help you with your selection. It’s easy and fun to set up an aquarium!
TANK
There are various types of tanks to explore, including plastic, acrylic and glass tanks. They are available in different sizes and shapes to suit your taste and your budget.
AQUATIC PLANTS
Whether they are artificial or real, aquatic plants will enhance the overall beauty of an aquarium and provide extra shelter for some fishes. It is best to choose real (living) plants as they not only add a natural essence to your tank but also help keep your aquarium water cleaner. Many aquatic plant species are easy to grow and allow you to develop your underwater-gardening skills!
AQUARIUM THERMOMETER
To check the temperature of the water, you will need an aquarium thermometer. The ideal temperature range is 17-24°C (62-75°F) for aquarium goldfish and 24-26°C (75-79°F) for most tropical fish.
GRAVEL
Use only aquarium gravel sold in a pet or aquatic retail store which contains stones that won’t alter the water chemistry or release harmful substances into the water. Rinse the new gravel in a clean (soap-free) bucket or colander under the cold tap water to remove any trapped dirt or dust before adding it to your aquarium. Some bottom dwelling fish, such as corydoras catfish prefer a fine substrate such as sand, so please consider the suitability for your fish, and ask for advice if unsure.
FILTER
A filter helps keep your aquarium water clean, and that means healthy, happy fish. It works by removing the fish’s solid and liquid wastes that would otherwise accumulate in the aquarium and pollute the water. The most popular type of filter is the electrically driven canister filter – some models are internal (i.e. submersed within the tank), others are external (they are positioned outside the tank – and must never be immersed). Air-driven sponge filters are sometimes used in very small tanks, and these require an electric air pump to operate them.
HEATER
One difference between keeping goldfish and tropical fish is that tropical fish must be kept in warm water. Thermostatically controlled aquarium heaters are available for maintaining a constant water temperature. For most tropical fish, the temperature should be 24-26°C (75-79°F). Aquarium heaters come in different wattage ratings to suit the size of the aquarium. For example, a 45 litre aquarium requires a 75-100 watt heater, whereas a 68 litre aquarium requires a 100-150 watt heater. If the aquarium is to be sited in a very cool (unheated) room, then increase the wattage requirement by 50%. Consult your aquatic shop staff for further advice about heating your tank.
You will need a few additional things to help you keep your aquarium in good condition and your fish healthy and happy.
AQUARIAN® TAP WATER SAFE
Tap water contains harmful chemicals like chlorine and chloramines, which make it safe for us to drink but which are harmful to fish. AQUARIAN® Tap Water Safe instantly removes chlorine and chloramines and must therefore be added to tap water, not only when you fill your aquarium but also whenever you do a partial water change.
AQUARIAN® FISH FOOD
To stay healthy, active and colourful, fish need a diet which is complete and balanced meeting all of their nutritional requirements. Fish food must containing the right balance of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, omega fatty acids and also colour enhancing pigments.
ADDITIONAL TIPS
It is also important that the food is highly digestible and also palatable to your fish, so they readily eat it when fed. If they don’t, then much of the food you feed them will remain uneaten leading to pollution in your aquarium water.
PLASTIC BUCKET
A plastic bucket is ideal for water changing: to take the old water when you siphon it out, and to refill the aquarium with fresh tap water (always add a water conditioner). Ideally, choose a “measuring bucket” that has litre (or gallon) lines marked on the inside.
A LENGTH OF PLASTIC TUBING AND SIPHON GRAVEL CLEANER
This will allow you to siphon out water when you are doing water changes. A siphon gravel cleaner is simply a wide plastic tube that attaches to flexible tubing that carries dirty water and detritus once the siphon has been started. Agitating the gravel with the wide tube and using the action of the water siphon to carry waste material that collects in the gravel to the plastic bucket will help you maintain a healthy environment for your fish.
AQUARIUM NET
The net will help you remove uneaten food and catch your fish.
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STEP 1
Choose the best location for your aquarium
It is best to avoid window positions or anywhere that receives direct sunlight, as this may encourage algae growth. You’ll need to have a mains electric socket nearby for plugging in the heater, lights and filter. Bear in mind that an aquarium filled with water may be very heavy, so ensure it is placed on a strong, level base.
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STEP 2
Clean your aquarium
Wipe down the inside glass panels of the aquarium using an aquarium-safe pad wetted with clean, warm water. Never use soaps or detergents, or boiling water. Then place your unfilled aquarium in your chosen location.
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STEP 3
Wash the gravel & lay washed gravel in aquarium
To wash aquarium gravel, put it in a colander over a plastic pan or bucket and add clean, non-soapy, cold tap water. Stir the gravel, then drain and repeat until the water stays clear and is free of debris. When laying the gravel, lay about 2.5 cm (1 inch), or about 5 cm (2 inches) deep if you intend to grow live plants.
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STEP 4
Add rocks, plants, and ornaments
This is where your artistic talents can be unleashed. Experiment with the rocks and ornaments in various positions until you achieve a pleasing effect. We recommend placing tall plants near the sides and back of the tank, and shorter ones in the centre so you’ll get a better fish-viewing experience.
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STEP 5
Heater and filter
Install the filter and heater before you add the water to the aquarium but keep them turned off until the tank is filled. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when setting up any electrical equipment.
NOTE: Air pumps must never be immersed in water.
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STEP 6
Add the water
Because tap water contains chlorine and chloramines, which are harmful to fish, you’ll need to treat it with AQUARIAN® Tap Water Safe. It instantly removes chlorine and chloramines. You can buy a bottle of AQUARIAN® Tap Water Safe from an aquatic retailer. Simply add the tap water to fill your aquarium, then add the appropriate quantity of tap water conditioner (two full caps per 20 litres of aquarium water). To avoid disturbing the gravel, slowly pour the water onto one of the rocks or on a small plate on the gravel bed. If the gravel gets churned up, it may cloud the water (the water should clear in a day or so).
NOTE: Use AQUARIAN® Tap Water Safe for all water changes, or whenever adding water for evaporation.
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STEP 7
Wait at least 24 hours (preferably longer) before buying fish.
The water needs time to heat up and stabilise. Check that all the equipment is working properly and check the water temperature using a thermometer. A product such as API QUICK START® which contains nitrifying bacteria can be used to speed up the natural aquarium cycle with beneficial bacteria in your aquarium. Ideally you should cycle the beneficial bacteria population in your aquarium by fishless cycling, this method matures a new biological filter using chemical means rather than adding fish.
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STEP 8
Choose and buy new fish
It is important to start out with strong, healthy fish. Go to an aquatic or pet retailer with a good display of fish and ask for advice. There are hundreds of species to choose from, but not all are suitable for your aquarium. Refer to our recommended fish list. Even if your aquarium is very large, it is important to buy just a few fish initially (two or three small ones). You can gradually build up the fish numbers over time.
NOTE: Once you have selected your fish, transport them home as soon as possible.
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STEP 9
Add your Fish
Float the bag of fish in the tank for 10 minutes to equalise the temperature (switch off the aquarium light during this period to avoid stressing the fish). Open the bag and tilt it so the fish can swim into the tank. After an hour, feed your fish AQUARIAN® fish food. This will help them settle into their new home.
FEED AQUARIAN PRODUCTS
Once your fish have been assimilated, you’ll want to provide them a wee amount of food to get them fully settled and comfortable in their new home.
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