There is much to be done when setting up an aquarium for the first time, especially before any fish are added. It is helpful to know beforehand what types of fish will populate the tank so that the proper equipment can be obtained ahead of time.
Aquarium Size and Placement
Depending on how many and what size fish are desired, a large aquarium may be required. Do the research: find out what size your fish will be, both in juvenile and adult stages. Make sure that whatever aquarium is purchased can properly house the fish in its adult form. Remember, regardless of size or number, the fish should never be crowded.
Aquariums should be placed in stable low-noise, low-traffic environments. Fish can be easily stressed by excessive noise or movement. For stability, aquariums should be placed in corners or along main walls on sturdy, well-balanced stands. Larger, heavier aquariums should be placed on the ground floor, provided it has a suitable foundation for support.
Preparing the Substrate for the Aquarium
The choice of substrate or gravel will largely be a personal, aesthetic choice. If a planted aquarium is desired, then specialized substrates containing supplemental nutrients and minerals should be considered.
Some substrates come prepackaged with beneficial bacteria and certain additives. These substrates do not need to be rinsed. Be sure to carefully read the packaging. All other substrates need to be thoroughly rinsed to prevent the introduction of outside contaminants and to reduce the initial cloudiness of the water. If the gravel or substrate isn’t rinsed, the excess dust can cloud the water for several days after the tank is filled.
If river sand or other natural substrate is chosen, it should be boiled before it is added to the aquarium. Boiling the water should kill off any foreign bacteria or parasites that may be present.
Properly Cycle the Aquarium Before Adding Fish
Before fish can be added to the aquarium and expected to survive, the proper beneficial bacteria colonies need to be present in the aquarium water. They also need to be present in sufficient numbers. What this means is that the nitrogen cycle needs to be established. When fish create waste, that waste emits ammonia that is toxic to fish. In order for the fish to survive, beneficial bacteria need to be present to break down the ammonia into nitrites and then nitrates. These substances are less toxic to the fish and can be managed with proper filtration and water changes.
Cycling of the freshwater aquarium usually takes between four to six weeks. In order for cycling to begin, decaying organic matter needs to be introduced to the water to encourage the buildup of the beneficial nitrifying bacteria. The best way to accomplish this is to add feeder fish or starter fish. Small goldfish or white clouds sold as feeder fish are good choices. These fish tend to tolerate high levels of ammonia and nitrates better than other fish and they are inexpensive. Don’t add too many starter fish, otherwise they will poison themselves with high ammonia levels. Perform only minimal water changes during this period.
After four weeks or more, test the water for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. Ammonia and Nitrites should read 0 ppm (parts per million), and nitrates should read as low as possible (between 0-20 ppm) before any fish are added.
Once the water has been properly cycled in the aquarium, fish can be added. Add fish slowly. This will help reduce stress, allow the fish to adapt to the environment and their tankmates, and allow nitrifying bacteria to build up slowly to account for the increase in bio-load.
Taking the time to set up an aquarium properly will reduce headaches by ensuring that fish are happy and secure in a low stress environment that can meet their biological needs. The key to successful fish keeping is a combination of research and preparation.
Aaron Guzman - Aaron Guzman currently lives in Eureka, California and works as a freelance writer. He spends his spare time writing fiction, playing ...
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