Setting up your first tropical fish tank
Excerpt : When you have decided what type of fish and plants you wish to keep, found a suitable tank and purchased all the necessary equipment, the next step is to actually set up your aquarium. Many people
When you have decided what type of fish and plants you wish to
keep, found a suitable tank and purchased all the necessary
equipment, the next step is to actually set up your aquarium.
Many people quite randomly add stuff to their aquarium without
much consideration, which usually mean that they will encounter
a lot more problems that the prepared aquarists. By sticking to
a plan when you arrange your first aquarium you can save
yourself a lot of time and trouble.
The first thing you should do is to thoroughly clean your tank.
If you skip this stage simply because your new aquarium looks
clean and shiny, your fish might die due to left over
contaminants that become dissolved in the water. A previously
used aquarium also needs a good scrub to remove unwanted
parasites and diseases. Many microorganisms are remarkably
resilient and can stay dormant even in an empty aquarium.
Normally, it is unadvisable to use detergents when cleaning
aquarium equipment, but during this first wash you can use a
small amount of dish washing liquid in warm water. It is of
imperative importance that you rinse away all traces of washing
liquid as soon as possible. Use warm water to thoroughly rinse
the aquarium several times. Fish can die from even tiny amounts
of dish washing
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
liquid.
When you have cleaned your tank, you should clean all the items
that will go into the aquarium, such as equipment and aquarium
décor. If you use a bucket when cleaning your equipment, you
should use a bucket that has not previously been contaminated
with any form of detergents. Gravel should be washed under warm
running water while being stirred. Continue to stir until the
water is clear. If you plan to include bogwood in your set up,
you might have to keep it in a bucket for a few weeks before you
can place it in the aquarium. Bogwood can not sink until it has
been water drenched. If you are lucky, your bogwood has been
properly drenched before entering the store shelves.
You should be very careful with items from the wild, since they
might affect the water chemistry in the aquarium. If you still
want to use aquarium decoration from the wild, you must make
sure that the items free from undesired microorganisms. Place
them in a bucket filled with water and chlorine bleach. All
traces of chlorine bleach must naturally be removed afterwards
by repeated rinsing and soaking in fresh water.
Before you begin to fill your aquarium with water you should
check that the spot that you have chosen is suitable. The floor
must be flat and the
Buy this Pre-Matted Print at AllPosters.com
room should ideally not be subjected to
shakings. A special type of aquarium matting can be used to
decrease unevenness between the aquarium and the thing that is
stands on top of. A special aquarium stand is recommended,
especially for larger aquariums since they can become too heavy
for ordinary furniture.
If your tap water contains chlorine, you need a purchase a water
conditioner from the fish store to remove the chlorine. In many
countries, chlorine is added to the tap water to reduce the
growth or bacteria and other micro organisms. In an aquarium,
chlorine is naturally unwanted.
Now it is time to test your aquarium for leaks. Mending leaks is
much easier now, then when you have filled your aquarium with
gravel, equipment, fish etcetera. Fill your aquarium with water
and let it stay like that for at least half a day. If there are
no signs of leaks, you can remove the water and begin to
decorate your aquarium. The first thing that you should add to
your aquarium is the gravel. If you want to use an under gravel
filter, the necessary plates must be inserted prior to the
gravel. It is popular among aquarists to add more gravel to the
back of the aquarium that to the front, in order to create a
sloping bottom that gives you a better view of the
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
aquarium.
Adding 1-3 inches of substrate is common, but some aquarists
prefer a deep sand bed while others go for much less gravel. If
you are going to use under gravel filtration, you should follow
the instructions for the filter system.
The next step involves filling the aquarium half way up with
water. If you fill the aquarium all the way up, it will be more
difficult to add equipment and decorations. One of the most
convenient ways of filling your aquarium with water is to place
a place on top of the gravel and pour dechlorinated water onto
that plate. With this method, you will disturb the gravel as
little as possible. Try to direct the flow to the sides of the
tank. By using a plate and adding water at a slow pace, you can
have your water pretty clear from the start. It is normal for
the water to look a little cloudy after being poured into the
aquarium; it will settle after a day or two.
Attach the equipment to their proper places in the aquarium. For
most beginner aquarists, this means the heater, the thermometer
and the filter. A heater should be placed somewhere in the
aquarium where the circulation will be potent, since this will
spread the heat evenly in the tank. The thermometer should be
placed where it is easy to read. Do not connect
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
Also see :
Reef Aquarium
When choosing the route that you want to follow when it comes to
aquariums a reef set up is probably one of the more complex set
ups that you can...read more
Tropical Fish Aquarium
The following paragraphs summarize the work of tropical fish aquarium experts who are completely familiar with all the aspects of tropical fish...read more
|
the equipment to
the electrical outlet yet.
Place aquarium decoration at their desired places. Try to create
plenty of good hiding spots for your fish, since this will make
them feel more at home in the aquarium. A fish that is relaxed
is less prone to diseases. Aquarium decoration is also a good
way of hiding ugly cable cords, tubes etcetera. Make sure that
the decorations are safely a secured. Caves should not be able
to collapse, stones should not topple, and artificial plants
should be anchored in the substrate or attached to aquarium
decoration.
Live plants are a nice addition to the aquarium and sturdy plant
species can be successfully kept even by beginner aquarists. If
you want to keep live plants, you can add them now. If you are
in no hurry, you can instead wait a few days and allow the water
to stabilize since this is more beneficial for the plants. It is
advisable to read more about aquatic plants before you choose
plants. This way, you will find out which plants that are ideal
for you and how to care for them. Some plants should be planted
in the substrate; others attached to aquarium decoration, and a
third type is simply left floating at the surface.
When you have gotten this far, you should turn on the equipment
and make
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
sure that they work. Always read the manuals that come
with aquarium equipment before you begin to use the items. Fill
the aquarium full with dechlorinated water and wait 30 minutes
before you turn on the heater. Install the air supplying
equipment, e.g. air stones or the air pump. Also turn on the
mechanical filter, if you are using this type of filtration.
Always follow the manufacturers instructions, since different
equipment have different requirements. The temperature in the
aquarium should be closely monitored for a day or two to make
sure that everything works properly before you add any fish. The
filter should run for at least one day.
Now you are ready to begin the so called 'cycling' of the
aquarium. This is an important step that should never be
skipped. I suggest that you read about aquarium cycling before
you add any fish, since this can save you a lot of trouble and
prevent fish death.
About the author:
When you have setup your aquarium you can read more about how to
manage it AC Tropical
Fish. AC tropical fish also offer all visitors a free
comprehensive aquarium ebook and support many smaller aquarium
sites such as this one about
clownfish
More Aquarium Articles
Aquarium Tank Basics
Any new aquarium tank should first be given a thorough test to ensure that it is watertight. If after 12 hours there are no leaks, it may be emptied...
Lemon Tetra - A Perfect addition for your Community Aquarium
Lemon Tetra Glassily transparent, the lemon tetra (hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) could appear to be just a sunbeam flashing through your...
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
Aquarium Tips
|
sitemap
Partners :
Bad Credit Loans | Homeowner Loans | Breast Enlargement | Compare Cruises | Compare Cruises
copyright www.aquariumtips.net 2006
Warning: include() [function.include]: URL file-access is disabled in the server configuration in /home/aquarium/public_html/php/footer.php on line 30
Warning: include(http://www.ultrasonicspabath.com/adsenselogger.inc) [function.include]: failed to open stream: no suitable wrapper could be found in /home/aquarium/public_html/php/footer.php on line 30
Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'http://www.ultrasonicspabath.com/adsenselogger.inc' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php:../:../../:../../../:../../../../') in /home/aquarium/public_html/php/footer.php on line 30
|
Recently Added Aquarium Articles
How To Discover And Prevent Aquarium Fish Illness
Aquarium fish fall ill just like any other pet. The illnesses are as a result of disease. The common diseases that affect aquarium fish are mostly...read more
Tropical Fish Aquarium
Tropical fish are beautiful and are brilliant for keeping at
home provided that they have the right habitat. When thinking of
keeping tropical fish...read more
Aquarium Filter
There are two different kinds of filters; there are external
filtration systems and internal filters. Internal filters are
used in salt water and...read more
Tips on Setting Up Your First Fish Tank
Let's take a splash into the world of fish. Studies show there
is a calming effect on watching fish. Having a fish tank relives
stress, overall...read more
Choosing Koi For Your Aquarium
While you may purchase young, small koi, like other species of creatures, they will adapt their growth and size somewhat, to the restrictions of...read more
Is Your Aquarium Balanced?
The world as we know it is in balance. Animals breathe in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. Plant absorbs carbon dioxide and give off oxygen as...read more
Tropical Aquarium
Tropical Aquariums are for keeping tropical fish, but you can
have two different types of fish, saltwater or freshwater.
Saltwater fish obviously...read more
Aquarium Shop
Aquarium shops are becoming more popular, there is now at least
two in each mid sized town. Fish collecting has had a great
boost from out of...read more
How to Build the Perfect Aquarium
Choosing a New Home for Your Tropical Fish, Saltwater Fish,
Coral and Invertebrate
All it takes is one glance and the carefree motion of...read more
Aquarium Tank Basics
Any new aquarium tank should first be given a thorough test to ensure that it is watertight. If after 12 hours there are no leaks, it may be...read more
Some News About Aquarium
- Aquarium grooves to mass dance
Some of those strolling around the Tennessee Aquarium on Sunday got a little surprise: about 140 dancers moving to the rhythm of a newer version of the 1941 hit, “Chattanooga Choo-Choo.”
- Aquarium for city's I-4, C-2 property?
Ward 1 City Councilor Paul McGeary sees the property as home to a prestigious waterfront marine aquarium and research center creating jobs, tourist dollars and vitality on Gloucester's downtown working waterfront.
- Aquarium in competition to fund coral reef exhibit
NIAGARA FALLS—The Aquarium of Niagara is seeking votes to help it establish a$ 50,000 coral reef exhibit at its site at 701 Whirlpool St. The Aquarium, in competition with other agencies throughout the country, has filed a grant request with the national Pepsi Refresh Project for a$50,000 grant.
- Mass Dance Breaks Out at Tennessee Aquarium
Folks outside the Tennessee Aquarium were just minding their business, when all of a sudden music starts playing and people start dancing. read more
- Aquarium Launches Conservation Center
Baltimore's National Aquarium marked its 30th anniversary by launching a conservation center dedicated to preserving aquatic ecosystems worldwide.
- Audubon Aquarium, Southern Decadence and more in New Orleans
Events taking place in and around New Orleans.
- Aquarium unveils new Conservation Center
Expanding conservation, research role The National Aquarium is set Thursday to unveil its new Conservation Center, established to focus the institution's work in marine conservation and research, and to expand its scope to a national and global stage.
- National Aquarium Unveils Future with Launch of the National Aquarium Conservation Center
The National Aquarium was joined today by honored guests, esteemed partners, elected officials and supporters from the community to officially unveil the National Aquarium Conservation Center and kick off its celebration of the Baltimore venue’s 30th anniversary year. The Conservation Center enables the National Aquarium to become a global leader in conservation, research and education, and to ...
- Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is recruiting Sea Rangers
The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium's Sea Ranger Naturalists program equips volunteers from fifth-grade students through adult with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide interpretation, conservation and environmental monitoring at Cabrillo Beach, Point Fermin State Marine Park, the Cabrillo fishing pier and the Salinas de San Pedro Salt Marsh.
- Aquarium celebrates 30-year legacy
A major milestone ahead for what's become a Baltimore landmark. Soon the National Aquarium will celebrate its 30-year legacy. Â
|
