Tips for Setting Up Your First Aquarium

There is nothing like a tank full of beautiful tropical fish to relax away the stress and cares of the day. Setting up a home aquarium can be a great family project, and a wonderful way to teach the kids about the wonders of nature. It is important, however, to get that fish tank off to a great start, and to ensure a healthy environment for your new finned friends.

One of the most crucial factors in setting up a new fish tank is to give the tank time to become established before adding fish. New aquarium owners are understandably anxious to enjoy watching beautiful tropical fish, but it is important to let the new tank sit for at least a week before adding the first fish. This allows any impurities time to dissipate from the water, and it allows the new tank owner to ensure everything is working properly.

It is important for new aquarium owners to invest in a high quality filtration system, since this filtration system is critical to establishing the biological system that will keep the tank functioning trouble free. There are many different kinds of filters to choose from, but it is vital to choose a filter that is sized for the tank. When in doubt, always buy a filter rated for a larger size tank than the one you have. Be sure to read the instructions carefully, and to change the filters at the specified intervals. A good filter will perform biological, physical and chemical filtration, so be sure to look for those specifications.

Unless you will be keeping only goldfish or other coldwater fish, a heater will be needed. It is important to also purchase a thermometer to ensure that the tank is kept at the proper temperature. The optimum temperature will depend on the type of fish, but most tropical fish will be comfortable in a range between 76 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to let the heater work for a couple of days to ensure that it is keeping the proper temperature.

Before adding those first fish, it is a good idea to take a sample of aquarium water to the local pet store for analysis. Many pet stores perform this type of analysis free of charge, and the staff will be able to assist you in making any necessary changes. In some cases chlorine and other contaminants will need to be removed from the water, and doing an analysis up front can save you a lot of time and hassle.

The staff at your local pet store should also be able to help you choose a good assortment of fish for the new tank, based on such factors as the size of the tank and your level of experience. Not all fish get along, and not all fish will be happy at the same water temperature, so it is important to choose compatible fish. When choosing fish, it is best to place only a few hardy fish in the tank at first, and to add fish slowly. The rule of thumb is to keep only one inch of fish per gallon of water, so a twenty gallon tank could be home to 10 two inch fish, 5 four inch fish, or some similar combination. Keeping to this ratio can help to eliminate many problems seen by first time aquarium owners.

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