Getting Started with a New Aquarium

When setting up an aquarium, fish are the last thing you'll want! Although that may sound strange, it is very important that you give your new tank a chance to establish a strong biological filter before you introduce fish. In this way, you will avoid killing off your new pets before you have a chance to enjoy them! So, even though you are eager to have fish, understand that you will need to wait a couple of weeks before getting them.

When setting up a new aquarium, if you are not experienced, it is usually best to start with a kit. In this way, you will have all the basics at hand. This should include the tank, the cover, the light, and the filtration system and air pump if one is required. You may also get a heater with your tank. This is not absolutely necessary, so it may not be included. If you keep your house at a comfortable temperature, you should not need a heater.

Your tank kit may also include a small bottle of dechlorinator, a net, some fish food, a thermometer and some other accessories. If not, you will need to buy these separately. Be sure to have dechlorinator when you set up your tank so that you can neutralize the chemicals in your water. This is very important as the chemicals in tap water will kill your fish. You will want to have a thermometer right from the start, too. You can wait until you get your fish to get a net and food. That way you will have the right size net and the right kind of food.

You should also get some aquarium salt when you set up your tank. Adding aquarium salt to the water helps the fish to develop a slime coat for protection. It helps them to acclimate to their new home, and it provides necessary minerals. Generally, you will use a level tablespoon per 10 gallons of tank water; however, you will want to get your local fish store to test your water to be sure the salt level is correct.

When you buy gravel, aquarium plants, and decorations, don't overdo it. You will need about an inch of gravel on the bottom to establish your biological filter (colony of friendly bacteria). More than that just takes up space where your fish could be swimming. Just get enough plants and decorations to provide nice hiding places for your fish, but be sure to leave plenty of swimming space. Don't just get decorations that serve no purpose other than for you to look at them. They should provide a place for your fish to hide and rest, too. When choosing between real plants and artificial plants, I always go with artificial. They last longer, and they are easy to clean.

Once you have gotten everything you need to set up your new tank, be sure to rinse everything clean with plain water. Don't use any detergents or soap. You will end up killing your fish. Just give everything a good rinsing to remove dust and other debris that may have accumulated.

Be sure you have a good, sturdy piece of furniture to set your aquarium on. An aquarium stand is best, but if you don't have one, be sure to choose an item of furniture that is made of solid, strong, wood or metal - not particle board or any other material that can suffer water damage. Remember that your aquarium will be very heavy. You don't want it to come crashing to the floor!

When you place your aquarium, be sure it is in an area that has good light, but not direct sunlight. Strong, direct light can overheat your water and cause your fish to die. Additionally, too much light will cause an algae buildup in your tank.

When you set up your tank, be sure to place electrical devices, like the pump, above the water level so that water will not fall on them. Start out by placing your rinsed gravel in the bottom of the tank, then add your treated water slowly. Position your plants and decorations and plug in your filter, lights and so on. Then wait. You will wait for two weeks until your biological filter has had a chance to establish itself.

Once your tank is "seasoned", do a partial water change. Remove about a quarter of the water and replace it with fresh, treated water. Take a sample to your local fish store. If they say that it tests well, you can go ahead and get your fish. If not, follow their advice to correct any problems with your water before introducing fish.

It is very important that you be patient and give your tank a chance to establish itself before you add fish. Otherwise, you are sure to lose a lot of fish. It is possible to speed up the process by putting cheap fish like feeder minnows, guppies, or goldfish in the tank, but this can be problematic. In the first place, you may just kill them off by putting them in an unseasoned tank. If you don't, then you will need to do something with them when your two weeks is up! Additionally, feeder fish may carry diseases, so you might end up infecting your new tank with something before you ever even get the kind of fish you really want.

All in all, it is better to just be patient and give your tank a chance to get established. You can use the time to figure out exactly what kind of fish you want. Search online, read books, and visit your local fish store to look at the fish. Talk with the staff at your local fish store, but take their advice with a grain of salt. They don't always know everything! Start out with just a few docile, easy-keepers until you become more experienced. Remember it is always better to under-stock your tank than over-stock it.

For more on fish and unusual pets, you may enjoy:

The Common Comet Goldfish As A Pet
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1173858/the_common_comet_goldfish_as_a_pet.html?cat=53

The Siamese Fighting Fish As A Desktop Pet
http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Siamese-Fighting-Fish-As-A-Desktop-Pet

Box Turtle Care: Proper Housing & Feeding
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/938979/box_turtle_care_proper_housing_and.html?cat=53

Snakes & Other Natives
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/939085/snakes_and_other_natives.html?cat=44