How to Set Up an Aquarium
To set up an aquarium, first figure out if you need a freshwater or saltwater aquarium depending on the type of fish you want to get. If you decide on a freshwater aquarium, get a tank that can hold at least 5 gallons of water. Once you have your tank, put in aquarium gravel and any decorations like plants, rocks, and ornaments. You should also have a filter for your tank that will oxygenate and clean the water, helping your fish breathe better and live longer. When you're ready to add water to your aquarium, make sure the water has been treated to remove any chlorine and chloramine. Then, put a plate on the gravel and pour the water onto the plate so the pressure doesn't mess up the placement of your gravel or decorations. Once all the water is in, you can remove the plate.
Decide if you want a freshwater aquarium or saltwater aquarium. There are many differences between having a freshwater aquarium versus having a saltwater aquarium. These differences include how you initially set up the aquarium and all ongoing care, maintenance, everyday chores, and costs requirements. There are several key issues you will need to consider while you choose: Saltwater aquariums cost more. Saltwater aquariums have specific water requirements that need extra tools and equipment to maintain it, as opposed to maintaining a freshwater aquarium. For example, most saltwater aquariums need protein skimmers or a foam fractionator in addition to the regular filter system that all aquariums need. Unlike a regular aquarium filter, protein skimmers completely remove dissolved organics from the water which is vitally important for saltwater aquariums where a buildup of nitrates can be deadly. Water changes are easier for freshwater tanks. All aquariums need weekly or bi-weekly partial water changes. For freshwater aquariums, simply doing a 10% to 20% water change with an aquarium vacuum and refilling the tank with dechlorinated tap or filtered water is enough. However, saltwater aquariums will require you to mix new saltwater days before your scheduled partial water change. There are more saltwater invertebrates and fish to choose from. In terms of aesthetic and choice, there are more options available if you are choosing to have a saltwater aquarium. You can find stunning saltwater fish like angelfish, clownfish, and lionfish and a vast array of invertebrates available like starfish, shrimps, worms, and corals. Saltwater fish may need special diets. In most cases, getting freshwater fish to eat flakes is not a problem. However, if you choose saltwater fish, especially those that need to be caught from the wild, they may need special diets or be weaned into eating conventional fish flakes and food. Giving fish an inadequate diet can lower their immune systems and cause diseases, which can eventually lead to death. Think about the size of tank you’d like. A small fish tank set up is generally more economical than a large fish tank. There are several issues you should consider when choosing the size of your tank: Where will you put your aquarium? The best place to put a fish tank is away from direct sunlight and heater vents. Fluctuations in temperature and sunlight can cause green algae to form and dirty the water quality of your tank. In some cases, the best location for an aquarium can restrict the size of your tank. Your aquarium stand should be able to withhold the weight of the tank. For each gallon (4 litres) of water, there is approximately 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) of weight. Obviously, smaller tank would hold less weight than a larger one. It's harder to maintain the quality of water in a small fish tank. This means you will need to do more partial water changes than if you had a large fish tank. The size of your tank will determine what type of fish you can have. Most fish require at least 5 gallons (20 litres) of water with the exception of betta fish that don't need as much water. However, being able to survive in a certain condition doesn't necessarily mean the fish is thriving or living a happy life. Choose what type of saltwater aquarium you’d like to set up. There are three main saltwater aquarium types: Fish Only, Fish Only with Live Rock (FOWLR), and the Reef Tank. Fish Only Tanks: As the name suggests, this tank only houses saltwater fish. It is the least expensive way to set up a saltwater aquarium. However, it does have its disadvantages. Fish Only tanks take longer to set up, require more frequent tank maintenance and testing, and have a shorter shelf life than the other types of saltwater aquariums. Fish Only with Live Rock: FOWLR tanks are set up like Fish Only tanks but with the addition of live rock and better aquarium lighting. The live rock acts as a natural biological filter for saltwater and keeps your tank healthier than a Fish Only tank. A live rock has hundreds of tiny creatures and biological organisms living inside and on the surface of the rock. Reef Tank: If you choose this type of saltwater aquarium, you are most likely looking towards having invertebrates, corals, or anemones as the main focus of your aquarium and fish are just an afterthought. Reef tanks require daily water quality checks, high lighting levels, extra water supplements, heavy duty filtration systems and are generally the most expensive to maintain. Reef Tanks are recommended for more experienced aquarium hobbyists. Determine what the correct lighting and heating for your fish is. The kind of lighting and the temperature of your aquarium depend on what kind of aquarium you have and who your tank inhabitants are. The type of light you choose also affects the overall temperature of your tank. Aquariums that are Fish Only: This means your freshwater tank will not have real or live plants in it. In this case, you will most likely be using fluorescent lights that are between 18 and 40 watts. Freshwater aquariums with plants: The type of lighting you'll need will depend on the depth of your tank, the plant species you have, and the desired growth rate of the plant. Usually, you should provide 2 to 5 watts of light per gallon in a planted freshwater aquarium. Always research and consult with your aquarium expert when you plan to have plants in your tank. Saltwater Reef Tanks: These tanks need high levels of light that are characteristic of high output fluorescent and metal halide lamps. Some corals may even need more intense levels of light that can be achieved with T5-HO, Very High Output (VHO), and metal halide lights. Choose the appropriate type of filter or filters for your tank. All filters have three functions to them, which include mechanically filtering the water by trapping or removing free floating particles, biologically filtering the water by growing good bacteria, and chemically filtering the water by dissolving wastes. There are various types of filter: Mechanical Filter: The most popular type of filter is the corner filter that recycles water through the three-filtration stages. It usually sits at the top of the aquarium in the middle or in the corner and sucks up water through a tube and spits it out again. Undergravel Filter: This filter provides good mechanical filtration since it is located underneath the gravel in plates, which forces the water to filter through the rocks, trapping and taking any fallen particles in the water. Canister Filter: This high end filtration system operates by having multiple trays that mechanically, biologically, and chemically filter the water. It filters the water by pushing water from the bottom of the canister to the top. Protein Skimmer: This filter is necessary if you have a saltwater aquarium. Protein skimmers remove dissolved organic materials from the water as opposed to other filtration systems that only trap it until you change the filter. Gather all the equipment needed for your aquarium. Before buying your fish, you need to prepare the aquarium. A typical freshwater aquarium needs: A tank. Your tank's size should match the type and number of fish you plan to have. Generally, you should have an aquarium that can hold at least 5 gallons (20 litres) of water. A filter. Keeping fish without a filter drastically shortens your fish's life. Filters help oxygenate and clean the water, allowing your fish to breathe better in a clean environment. Water treatments. Any water you add to your tank should be treated or dechlorinated. This protects your fish's delicate mucus lining from harsh minerals and chemicals found in our drinking water and keeps it healthy. Aquarium gravel. Gravel not only helps to keep decorations or live plants in place, but gravel also affects the water quality of your tank. Heater and thermometer. Most freshwater fish need to live in temperatures ranging from 75 to 80 °F (24 to 27 °C). Some fish, such as tropical fish, will need to be placed in a tank with a higher temperature. Always research or consult with your local aquarium expert about what the correct temperature for your fish tank is. Lights. The type of lighter you choose depends on what kind of fish or invertebrates you plan to have and whether or not you want to have live plants. Decorations. These include fake or real plants, as well as rocks, caves, and other picturesque aquarium ornaments. Airstones or air pumps. All tanks need to be well oxygenated. Airstones or air pumps add oxygen to the water by aggravating it. Aquarium vacuum. There are several types of aquarium vacuums to choose from: ones that connect to faucets, ones that only suck up water, and ones that you need to pump. Fish net. You'll need to remove your fish from its tank for various reasons. Be sure to choose a net big enough to hold your fish. Aquarium glass scrubber or sponge. Some glass scrubbers act as magnets that stick to the tank's glass for easy clean up, while some are special sponges that are safe to use in your tank. A large bucket. You'll need a bucket or several buckets that can hold a large amount of water for when you need to do water changes. Aquarium test kits. To maintain your tank's water quality, you will need to test your tank's pH, ammonia, and nitrogen levels regularly. Fish food. Be sure to provide your fish with the correct diet. Not all fish can just eat fish flakes or pellets everyday. Clean your tank, gravel, decorations, and filters. Never use soap or detergents to clean your tank. Using soaps or detergents can seriously injure and damage your tank inhabitants. Simply wash your tank and equipment with hot water. Use a sponge or clean washcloth and scrub the inside of your tank. Then hose it down to rid your tank of any impurities. Wash and soak your aquarium gravel or sand in a bucket. Use a pasta strainer to separate the dirtied water from the gravel. Wash and massage your filter's cartridges under the tap or in a bucket. This is very important, especially if you're using a carbon filter. Massaging or rubbing the filter activates the carbon inside the cartridge. Wash all decorations in clean water. Set up your aquarium. This means putting your tank on its stand, filling the tank with gravel, arranging your decorations and airstones, and setting up the lighting and heating for your aquarium. If you are using an undergravel filter, place the bottom plates into your tank and attach all necessary tubes, airline, gang valves, and air pumps before adding your gravel. Don't plug in your filter. Set it up and place it in the correct position but don't turn it on until you have water in the tank. Having it on without water can damage your filter. Add water to your freshwater aquarium. It's vital you treat your water with conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramine. You can find water conditioners at your local pet store with instructions on how much to add depending on how big of a tank you have. Don't fill the tank with water until you are sure of your aquarium's layout. It can get quite messy if you stick your hand in a full tank to move things around. Place a plate over your gravel to avoid messing up your tank layout. Pour water directly onto the plate so the pressure of a stream of water won't make a hole in your gravel or move your decorations around. Remove the place once your tank is full. Turn on your aquarium’s filter, lights, and heater. This will begin your tank's nitrogen cycle. Ensure your tank is safe electrically before turning or plugging everything in. A power cord in the wrong place can cause serious injury to you. Wait a few days before adding fish to your tank. The nitrogen cycle takes a few days for it to completely stabilize. You might notice your tank becoming cloudy which means the cycle is kicking in. You can add some hardy fish like feeder goldfish to your tank to speed up the nitrogen cycle. However, don't expect the fish to survive, as the harsh conditions of a new aquarium can be quite stressful and inhospitable. Use a nitrate testing kit to ensure your aquarium is at its best quality before adding your fish. Gather all the equipment needed for your aquarium. Before buying your fish, you need to prepare the aquarium. A typical saltwater aquarium needs: A tank. Your tank's size should match the type and number of fish you plan to have. Generally, you should have an aquarium that can hold at least 5 gallons (20 litres) of water. Live Rock. You will need at least one pound (500 grams) of live rock per gallon (4 litres) of water in your aquarium, unless you are setting up a Fish Only tank. Saltwater mix. Protein Skimmer. Doing research can help you choose the best brand of protein skimmer for your tank. Aquarium sand or substrate. Saltwater aquariums typically use sand rather than gravel as beds. Heater and thermometer. Most saltwater fish need to live in temperatures ranging from 75 to 82 °F (24 to 28 °C). Always research or consult with your local aquarium expert about what the correct temperature for your fish tank is. Lights. The type of lighter you choose depends on what kind of fish or invertebrates you plan to have and is especially important if you are setting up a reef tank. Decorations. These include fake or real plants, as well as rocks, caves, and other picturesque aquarium ornaments. Airstones, powerheads, or air pumps. All tanks need to be well oxygenated. Aquarium vacuum. There are several types of aquarium vacuums to choose from: ones that connect to faucets, ones that only suck up water, and ones that you need to pump. Fish net. You'll need to remove your fish from its tank for various reasons. Be sure to choose a net big enough to hold your fish. Aquarium glass scrubber or sponge. Some glass scrubbers act as magnets that stick to the tank's glass for easy clean up, while some are special sponges that are safe to use in your tank. A large bucket. You'll need a bucket or several buckets that can hold a large amount of water for when you need to do water changes. Aquarium test kits and a refractometer. To maintain your tank's water quality, you will need to test your tank's pH, ammonia, and nitrogen levels regularly. As well as the level of salt in your tank. Fish food. Be sure to provide your fish with the correct diet. Not all fish can just eat fish flakes or pellets everyday. Clean your tank, decorations, and filters. Never use soap or detergents to clean your tank. Using soaps or detergents can seriously injure and damage your tank inhabitants. Simply wash your tank and equipment with hot water. Use a sponge or clean washcloth and scrub the inside of your tank. Then hose it down to rid your tank of any impurities. Wash and massage your filter's cartridges under the tap or in a bucket. This is very important, especially if you're using a carbon filter. Massaging or rubbing the filter activates the carbon inside the cartridge. Wash all decorations in clean water. Your substrate will be cleaned after your aquarium is set up. Set up your aquarium. This means putting your tank on its stand, arranging your power heads, and setting up the lighting and heating for your aquarium. If you are adding a live rock, do not add substrate or decorations to your tank. You must cure your live rock before you can do this. Don't plug in your filter. Set it up and place it in the correct position but don't turn it on until you have water in the tank. Having it on without water can damage your filter. Add saltwater to your aquarium. The saltwater mix you purchased should have detailed instructions on how to prepare your saltwater. Generally, you will be mixing room temperature water with the salt mix in a bucket or several buckets. If you don't have enough buckets, you will need to prepare your water in parts or mix the salt right in the tank. Check your salt levels with your refractometer. Typically, the specific gravity reading should be between 1.021 and 1.024 depending on the temperature of your water. Measuring the specific gravity of your saltwater means measuring the density of your water since adding salt to water increases the density of water. Cure your live rock. If you have FOWLR tank, you will need to start the process of curing your live rock, which could take up to 2 months to complete. To begin the process: Turn on your aquarium. This means turning on the lighting, the heating, the filters, and the power heads. Place your live rock in the tank. You may need to drain some water from the tank to accommodate your live rock. You should also place it in a position where it is in the middle of the tank and several or all power heads are aimed at it. The power heads will help blow off the debris from the rock. Prepare saltwater to do a partial water change. A few days before, mix a new bucket of saltwater and wait for it to reach the same specific gravity reading of your tank. Do a partial water change and scrub your live rock every few days. Turn off the power and take a brush like a toothbrush, and scrub your rock to remove any dead or dying organisms. You can do this directly in the tank. Then, vacuum the debris from the tank and change the water. Use a test kit to determine your tank has 0 ammonia and 0 nitrates. Before your live rock is completely cured, your tank should look and smell pretty bad. You'll know when the process is over when your tank begins to smell like the ocean. Prepare your substrate before adding it to your tank. Before adding any substrate to your tank, you will need to prepare a bucket of saltwater to help clean it. Add your substrate into the bucket and stir. This allows the dust and dirt from your substrate to rise for you to siphon out with your aquarium vacuum. Use a cup or ladle to add your clean substrate to the tank. You will need to drain more water out of your aquarium to accommodate the addition of your substrate and any decorations. Wait a few days before adding fish to your aquarium. Thoroughly check your aquarium's water salinity, pH, ammonia, nitrate, and hardness levels using your test kits before adding any fish. The ideal readings for a saltwater aquarium with a live rock are: Temperature: 75°F - 82°F (24°C - 28°C) Specific gravity: 1.020 - 1.024 pH: 8.0 - 8.4 Ammonia: 0 Nitrite: 0 Nitrate: 30 ppm or less (especially for invertebrates) Alkalinity or carbonate hardness: 8 - 12 dKH 
Decide if you want a freshwater aquarium or saltwater aquarium. Think about the size of tank you’d like. Choose what type of saltwater aquarium you’d like to set up. Determine what the correct lighting and heating for your fish is. Choose the appropriate type of filter or filters for your tank. Gather all the equipment needed for your aquarium. Clean your tank, gravel, decorations, and filters. Set up your aquarium. Add water to your freshwater aquarium. Turn on your aquarium’s filter, lights, and heater. Wait a few days before adding fish to your tank. Gather all the equipment needed for your aquarium. Clean your tank, decorations, and filters. Set up your aquarium. Add saltwater to your aquarium. Cure your live rock. Prepare your substrate before adding it to your tank. Wait a few days before adding fish to your aquarium. 