Freshwater Aquarium Keeping 101

Have you ever thought about getting a fish tank but decided against it because it looks like so much work? Or maybe you have had one but ended up with what looked like green seventies shag carpeting. It really isn't that difficult if you know a few tips and freshwater aquarium keeping can be so rewarding.

I started out like most people and jumped in head first. I bought an aquarium kit from a local mart, some gravel, and about 10 fish and threw it all together that night. Then, after most of them died over the first month I decided I better do some reading on the subject. A good reference book to get is Freshwater Aquariums for Dummies by Maddy Hargrove & Mic Hargrove. This is especially handy if one of your fish gets sick. Use this book to know what to do.

Starting out Right

There are some basic things you need to know before you get started. If you start out right your fish will live longer healthier lives. This is the toughest part but once you get your tank set up you're good to go.

Find a good Local Fish Dealer

Take some time to look at some fish and decide what type you would like before you buy anything. Check around at different fish stores and look to see if the tanks look clean and the fish look healthy and well cared for. Dead fish hanging out with the décor is a bad sign and you might want to find another store. Find a place with knowledgeable staff who don't mind answering your questions and showing you helpful tools. Keep in mind that this is their job and don't feel bad about asking a lot of questions.

Most stores have tags on the tanks that tell you some important information about the fish. It is like their report card. If you don't see that information then ask a staff member that is knowledgeable on the subject. Do they get along well with others? Some fish are community fish which mix well with others and some like to snack on fins. Some are just plain mean! You need to make sure all the fish you buy can co-exist together. What temperature range do they need the water to be? Some fish like goldfish live in cold water so you wont need a heater. Do you need 2, 3 or more of a type of fish to keep them happy? Decide what type of fish you want and how many but don't buy any until you have your tank set up and running for at least 24 hours. Also, it is best to only add a few fish at first until your tank is established (also called conditioning). I'll go into that more a bit later.

What to buy

The aquarium kit I bought was excellent. It came with just about everything I needed: a lighted hood, a filter, a small heater and a pump all in one box. It even came with samples of fish food and de-chlorinator. You really don't need to spend a lot of money on a fancy tank to get started. These aquarium kits come in a variety of sizes and for $20 to $40 you can get a great set up. Make sure you have a heater if your fish need one, an air pump with enough tubing and an air stone and filter cartridges. You will also need fish food for your fish, some decorations and a net for catching your fish.

Getting set up

So now that you know what type of fish you want and have the right equipment you are ready to get it all set up. You do need to rinse the tank and everything that goes inside with water. Do not use any detergent which can harm the fish. Use a clean soft cloth to help remove any dust or packing residue. Rinse the gravel and add it to your tank carefully until you have about 2 inches. Fill the tank half way with room temperature water. This allows you some room to arrange your gravel and add some decorations without splashing water everywhere. You don't want the water too cold either because your hands will be in that water for a while. Set up your filter, heater, and air pump, following the directions that come with them. Save all paper inserts that come with them for later reference. Don't plug anything in until the tank is completely set up and full of water.

After you have your tank the way you like it carefully finish filling it up with water and plug in your electrical cords. Make sure you have enough slack in your electrical cords. The cords should droop down and then lead up to the outlet to prevent water from following the cord to the electrical supply. If there is sufficient slack any water will drip at the lowest level of the cord.

Add some de-chlorinator following the directions on the label to know how much you need for your tank. Let your tank sit with the filter running over night. It is best to wait for at least 24 hours before adding fish. Check the temperature of the water to make sure it's within the proper range for your fish. Some fish also need the water to have a certain ph level. You can purchase simple test strips to determine if your water is okay for them. If necessary you can adjust the ph with chemicals from you local Fish store.

Conditioning your tank

After your tank is ready you can add a few fish. This will start the conditioning process for your tank. After fish are added to the tank you need to check the level of ammonia in the tank. Purchase easy test strips or an ammonia monitor that sticks to the inside of your tank to test the ammonia levels. Uneaten food and fecal matter from your fish will cause the ammonia level in the tank to rise. If the ammonia level gets too high it will harm or kill the fish. This is why it is best to only add a few fish at first. Eventually "good" bacteria that break down the ammonia will build up and the ammonia level will go down. Make sure to only add as much food as your fish can eat in a couple minutes. Also changing part of the water helps to keep the ammonia level down. After the ammonia level stabilizes you can add a few more fish at a time. Keep an eye on the ammonia level as adding fish will cause it to rise again.

Easy Maintenace

Once you have your tank up and running you need to have a basic system for maintaining your tank. Once a week you should change out about 15% of the water. I purchased a 5 gallon bucket in the paint supply area of a local store and a simple gravel vacuum at the fish store. The gravel vacuum is a simple gadget that works like a siphon. Holding it submerged with the end of the tubing in the bucket, give it a few shakes to start siphoning. Once the water starts moving into the bucket you gently probe the gravel to let any debris follow the water to the bucket. Stop after you have removed about 15% of water. You will also need some kind of scrubbing pad, which you can also find at the fish store, to rub any algae from the tank walls or décor. I have one with a long handle so I can quickly clean my tank without getting too wet. Some fish actually help to keep your tank clean. A plecostomus has a suction cup type mouth that it uses to clean the algae from the walls off the tank and it's contents. Also, corydoras, a type of catfish, will help clean the bottom of your tank. With a few of these fish cleanup can be minimal. Also, corydoras, a type of catfish, will help clean the bottom of your tank. With a few of these fish cleanup can be minimal. Additionally, you need to change your filter cartridges once a month. Use a calendar to keep track of when you need to do this. If you use an online calendar like google or yahoo you can set it to send you an email to remind you.

After you are finished add some new water to your tank making sure it is in the proper temperature range and treated with de-chlorinator. This process is really quite simple if you have the things you need. I use a cheap half gallon pitcher to add fresh water to my tank to avoid unintentionally rearranging my tank décor and uprooting my plants.

Fish are fun to watch and soon you will discover some neat characteristics about certain fish that you'll love. You might even end up naming a few.