How to Start a Freshwater Aquarium

So you have decided to start a freshwater aquarium. Now what? You will want to decide what size aquarium to buy. Choose a tank that will fit well in the space. If the home is a rental, take into account that the aquarium setup will need to be easy to move. A tank that is too large can be overwhelming for the first time owner. A tank that is too small can actually require extra work to maintain the ecosystem on such a small level. A good size first aquarium is between 20 and 40 gallons. The larger the aquarium is, the more stable the environment. Aquariums can be purchased used from various sources, but they have the potential for leaks. Invest in a new tank setup and it will last you for a very long time.

Aquariums can be purchased at most pet stores and some of those stores will have knowledgeable employees. However, for a specialized purchase like an aquarium, a freshwater aquarium shop will provide much better service. When you purchase the aquarium, take a sample of your tap water to the store. Most stores will test the water for free and provide information on the pH, ammonia, and nitrates. Depending on the test results, the store can advise what products to buy to properly condition your water. Aquarium decorations like stone and driftwood can affect the pH levels, so always ask for help when choosing the decorative accessories.

The initial aquarium setup will require quite a few components and accessories. You will need a tank, stand, underwater heater, thermometer, filtration system, hood with lights, gravel, and water conditioning chemicals. You will not buy fish on your first trip.

The fully established aquarium will be heavy, so choose its location carefully. Set up the aquarium in a spot that gets minimal direct sunlight. This will help limit algae growth. Place the tank on the stand and add water until it fills the tank to a depth of a couple of inches. The gravel will be dusty and will need to be rinsed well before adding it to the tank. Rinse the gravel outside using a bucket and a colander or sieve. When the water runs clear through the gravel, it can be added to the tank. When there is 1.5 to 2 inches of gravel in the tank, continue adding water until it reaches half way up the side of the tank. Now is the time to add any decorations that you might have purchased. Once those are placed, finish filling the tank with water. To finish the aquarium set up, add the heater, thermometer, and filter.

The next step is to prepare for the fish. No, don't go out and buy any fish yet. First, all of the equipment needs to be running. Turn the filter and heater on. Add the water conditioning chemicals. Let the water stabilize and run for a minimum of 48 hours, but preferably for a week. Now, you can go buy fish - only a few though. For the first fish purchase, you will want a hardy and smallish variety of fish. To prevent territorial issues, purchase the fish in odd numbers such as 3 or 5. Don't forget to purchase a net. Bring the fish home in the plastic bag and float the bag in the aquarium for 30 minutes. Next, open the bag and use a measuring cup to scoop some of the water out of the bag (place the water in a bucket to dispose of later) and take one scoop of aquarium water and add it to the plastic bag. Let everything sit for 15 minutes and then use your fish net to catch the fish and place them into the aquarium. For the health of your aquarium, it is wise to limit the amount of "foreign" water that is brought into the ecosystem. The goal is to acclimate the fish to the temperature of your aquarium first and then to introduce them to the ecology of your tank water.

The first batch of fish is introduced to the tank in order to establish the ecosystem. As the fish are fed and they excrete waste products into the water, bacteria will be produced. The bacteria will live in the gravel and breakdown the waste products produced by the fish. The tank will have to adjust from having very little or no bacteria to having enough bacteria to keep the ammonia and nitrate levels in check. This process usually takes 4 to 6 weeks. During this time, it is typical to see a bacteria bloom in which the water becomes a very cloudy white. Don't worry as this is a natural part of the process and when the water clears it is usually a signal that the tank is now ready.

As a final note, keep in mind that you are working with a scaled-down ecosystem. Making changes rapidly will have a negative impact on that ecosystem and will reduce the chance that your ecosystem can respond according. Slowly continue populating the aquarium only adding a few fish at a time. As a general rule, an aquarium can hold 1 inch of fish per each gallon of water. Ask your local aquarium specialist for help in choosing fish that will fit in well with the type of aquarium you want to maintain. Now, sit back and enjoy your beautiful creation.