Guide to Setting Up a Fish Tank

Setting up a fish tank is easy but can be very tricky. There are several things you have to take into consideration when setting up a fish tank. Many people aren't aware that it takes more then a tank, water, fish and fish food to set up a fish tank. If things aren't just right, your fish tank will be a failure.

When setting up a fish tank the most important thing you need to know is that your tank water has to be just right. If you water is not correctly balanced, your fish will soon die. Balancing the minerals while setting up your fish tank can take time . Fortunately, Scientist have come up with great and easy ways to balance the water when setting up a fish tank. New test strips, conditioners and tablets can balance the water easily and effectivly. You also have to ensure that the water is the right temperature. You can purchase a cheap tank thermometer for less then $2 at pet stores. You need to ensure that the water is between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature is just as important as the minerals in your water.

When setting up your fish tank, wash the tank thoroughly. Be sure to rinse away soap and any residue that may be in the tank. Once your tank is clean, you can then begin to wash your tank gravel. The easiest way to wash tank gravel is to put it in a colander or strainer. Wash the gravel with warm water, then let it drain. Once the gravel has drained you can then pour it in the fish tank. Arrange the gravel in any form that you desire. You may choose to make the gravel flat or create hills and trenches for an added affect.

Now it's time to set up your decorations. Be sure to wash all decorations thoroughly to ensure there is no toxins in your tank. When setting up your decorations, be sure not to over do it. Too many decorations can take up too much space and your fish will feel crowded.

Once you have everything arranged the way you want your tank to look, you cant now pour in the required amount of water to fill your tank. When setting up a fish tank and adding water, leave at least one inch of water from the top to insure your filter has room to filtrate. Once you have added your water, you can may need to rearrange you decorations if they have been disturbed by the water.

Once your tank is set the way you want it to look, you need to run your water test. Use a multi-water tester strip to check the levels of pH, nitrate, and other minerals. Follow the instructions on the test strip to determine what you need to add to condition your water. The multi-water tester strips are easy to use because they are color coded. You simply place the strip in the water and wait 30 seconds. Place the strip on the color chart included with the strips and determine if your water is safe.

Once your water is safe, you can then add your hood containing a light, and your air filter. These are the two easiest parts of setting up a tank. They come fully assembled and ready to attach to your tank. Once your hood and air filter are set up and your water is safe, you are almost ready for your fish.

It is suggested that you wait at least 24 hours after setting up a fish tank to add fish. You need to give the water time to warm up to room temperature, water levels to equal out and your filter, time to start properly filtrating. After waiting 24 hours you can then add you fish appropriately.

When bringing home new fish do not add them to the water immediately. Set the bag of water containing the fish directly in the water without opening. Leave the bag in the water for at least 30 minutes. This will allow your fish to get used to the new water temperature. Not allowing your fish to adjust can kill the fish immediately.

Once your fish has had time to adjust to the new water temperature, use a net to take the fish out of the bag and into your new fish tank. Do not pour the water from the bag into your tank because it can contaminate your water with Ick, toxins, and other bacteria that may have been in the tank where you purchased the fish.

Once your fish has been added to the tank, allow at least an hour before you feed them. Give them time to adjust to their new environment. It may take up to 24 hours before your fish appear to be settled. Once they have settled in, you will have beautiful fish tank to enjoy!