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Aquarium Set Up
How big should my fish tank be?
This is where fish keeping comes into its own. You can choose the size of aquarium that fits your room, and the colour and style to suit your decor. The only thing you have to remember is that the size will influence the number and size of fish it will be able to support. The table below gives some indication of the numbers of fish to size of aquarium.
This is where fish keeping comes into its own. You can choose the size of aquarium that fits your room, and the colour and style to suit your decor. The only thing you have to remember is that the size will influence the number and size of fish it will be able to support. The table below gives some indication of the numbers of fish to size of aquarium.
| Aquarium Surface Size | Fish up to 5 cm (2 in) | Fish 5 - 7.5 cm (2 - 3 in) | Fish 7.5 - 10 cm (3 -4 in) |
| 45 x 25 cm (18 x 10in) | 14 |
10 | 0 |
| 60 x 30 cm (24 x 12 in) | 22 | 16 | 14 |
| 90 x 30 cm (36 x 12 in) | 33 | 24 | 21 |
| 120 x 30 cm (46 x 12 in) | 44 | 32 | 29 |
| 150 x 45 cm (60 x 18 in) | 83 | 60 | 54 |
Please note thei table is only a guide - the number of fish a tank can support can be influenced by many things including water quality, cleanliness and health of the fish who live in it. The length of fish is from nose to tail.
What equipment do I need?
You will need a heater to maintain the aquarium's temparature at approximately 72 - 78 degrees fahrenheit (23 - 26 centigrade). You need a flourescent light of the right size and power to light your tank (remember you are trying to mimic a natural environment where sunlight will filter through to the fish) and if you want to grow plants you will need more powerful light of different spectrums.
The lights should be on during daylight hours, and switched off during the night - an automatic timer makes life much easier.
You will need equipment to filter and to aerate your aquarium - there are a number of different methods available, and it may be best to ask the pet shop when you buy your aquarium which they recommend, or indeed many starter kits come complete with filtration system and pump.
It is also useful to have some water monitoring equipment, although most, except for the most basic, will probably be built up over time. These include thermonitors to test the temperature of the water, water test kits to analyse the make up of the water, and hydrometers if you have a brackish or marine set up.
You will need a heater to maintain the aquarium's temparature at approximately 72 - 78 degrees fahrenheit (23 - 26 centigrade). You need a flourescent light of the right size and power to light your tank (remember you are trying to mimic a natural environment where sunlight will filter through to the fish) and if you want to grow plants you will need more powerful light of different spectrums.
The lights should be on during daylight hours, and switched off during the night - an automatic timer makes life much easier.
You will need equipment to filter and to aerate your aquarium - there are a number of different methods available, and it may be best to ask the pet shop when you buy your aquarium which they recommend, or indeed many starter kits come complete with filtration system and pump.
It is also useful to have some water monitoring equipment, although most, except for the most basic, will probably be built up over time. These include thermonitors to test the temperature of the water, water test kits to analyse the make up of the water, and hydrometers if you have a brackish or marine set up.
Setting up the aquarium
Now you have your tank and basic equipment, you also need to have rock, gravel, plants (plastic or real) and any other ornaments which suit the mood of your room or who the tank is for. Sunken ships, ruined castles can make an aquarium attractive to look at, and more importantly give the fish an interesting environment and places to hide.
Select a place for your aquarium well away from direct sunlight or radiator - check that the floor will take the weight of the tank filled with water. Make sure the tank is sitting on polystyrene rather than directly on the top of the stand or cabinet.
Add well washed gravel to the empty aquarium, and then add the rocks. Follow instructions for the installation of your chosen filtration system.
Place the heater, air lines and filters in position, but do not switch anything on.
Now you have your tank and basic equipment, you also need to have rock, gravel, plants (plastic or real) and any other ornaments which suit the mood of your room or who the tank is for. Sunken ships, ruined castles can make an aquarium attractive to look at, and more importantly give the fish an interesting environment and places to hide.
Select a place for your aquarium well away from direct sunlight or radiator - check that the floor will take the weight of the tank filled with water. Make sure the tank is sitting on polystyrene rather than directly on the top of the stand or cabinet.
Add well washed gravel to the empty aquarium, and then add the rocks. Follow instructions for the installation of your chosen filtration system.
Place the heater, air lines and filters in position, but do not switch anything on.
Start to fill the aquarium with water. If you place an upturned bowl on the floor of the aquarium and pour the water onto this it will disperse the flow and will not cause too much disruption to the gravel and ornaments you have put in.
Fill the aquarium to about half way, and then add some warm water to raise the temparature. IMPORTANT Do not use warm water from a tap as it is likely to contain copper which is poisonous to fish- always use cooled boiled water.
Fill the aquarium to about half way, and then add some warm water to raise the temparature. IMPORTANT Do not use warm water from a tap as it is likely to contain copper which is poisonous to fish- always use cooled boiled water.
You can now add living plants.
Adding water conditioners will get rid of those chemicals put into the water that make it safe for humans to drink (but harmful to fish), and should be added at this stage. Then continue filling the aquarium.
Once the tank is full switch on the heater, the filter and the lights.
Do not add fish!
Your tank will be very cloudy. However much you rinsed the gravel it will still muddy the water, and you will need to let the filter start to do its work to clear it.
You should now leave the aquarium to settle for about a week. Check the temparature regularly and adjust the thermostat - plants are able to withstand more fluctuations than fish! Make sure the filter is working, and that you understand how it works. Use a water test kit to become familiar with how to use it, and how to read the results.
After a week your tank will have cleared. You can now begin to think about adding fish.
Adding water conditioners will get rid of those chemicals put into the water that make it safe for humans to drink (but harmful to fish), and should be added at this stage. Then continue filling the aquarium.
Once the tank is full switch on the heater, the filter and the lights.
Do not add fish!
Your tank will be very cloudy. However much you rinsed the gravel it will still muddy the water, and you will need to let the filter start to do its work to clear it.
You should now leave the aquarium to settle for about a week. Check the temparature regularly and adjust the thermostat - plants are able to withstand more fluctuations than fish! Make sure the filter is working, and that you understand how it works. Use a water test kit to become familiar with how to use it, and how to read the results.
After a week your tank will have cleared. You can now begin to think about adding fish.
Aquariums are mini eco-systems, and need to be in balance. The natural waste from fish and behaviour of the filtration system takes a while to get into balance. You should never stock a new tank to more than 50% capacity.
There are so many types of fish to choose from that this can be bewildering to a beginner. If the tank is for a child the best fish to start off with are those that are good in a community. Most of these, such as neons, cardinals and other tetras are brightly coloured.
There are so many types of fish to choose from that this can be bewildering to a beginner. If the tank is for a child the best fish to start off with are those that are good in a community. Most of these, such as neons, cardinals and other tetras are brightly coloured.
If you choose smaller fish you can keep more off them - but do remember that fish grow, so ask the stockist about the fish you are interested in, and make sure they will not grow too big for your aquarium. Your stockist will also be able to tell you which fish get on well together. Some fish, such as guppies or platties are brightly coloured, easy to keep and will breed, adding much interest for a child.
Fish keeping is a rewarding hobby, and there are magazines and books which will be of immense help to you and your family as you develop more interest and knowledge.
Fish keeping is a rewarding hobby, and there are magazines and books which will be of immense help to you and your family as you develop more interest and knowledge.
Lemon Tetra
Swordtail
Blue Black Widow
Kuhli Loach
Plecostomus
A tank of fish in a pet shop