Did you know that freshwater aquarium fish are the most popular pets in the country, with over 139.3 million of them nationwide? It’s no surprise since fish make unique pets and can be easy to care for, depending on the type. Plus, they can be relaxing to look at and provide stress relief as they float in their tanks.
Have you been thinking about getting fish? There are several things you need to do when it comes to setting up an aquarium. Check out this guide that breaks down the seven necessary steps to take first.
- Wash Your Gravel
If you were wondering how to set up an aquarium, start from the bottom up. Before putting gravel in your tank, you should wash it first. But don’t use soap, since it’s toxic to fish–just rinse it with water.
- Fill Your Tank
Once you have the gravel in, partially fill your tank about a third of the way full with clean, lukewarm tap water. Make sure it is fresh and filtered and not chlorinated since that will harm your fish.
- Condition the Water
Speaking of chlorination, you can add a water conditioner to dechlorinate it. This is an important part of the aquarium setup, so do this before you put the fish in the tank.
- Aquascape
Next comes the fun part: create a habitat for your new fishy friends! Add live or plastic plants to the tank, burying the roots under the gravel. If you use live plants, you can fertilize them with a special aquatic tank fertilizer. You can also look up feng shui tips for your design.
- Check Your Systems
Before adding fish, make sure the airline tubing, air pump, and filtration system are all working. Then test your light to make sure it works and put it on a timer so that it goes on and off on a regular schedule.
- Test the Water
Before you put your fish in the tank, set it up and let it sit for a day. Then test the water and make sure the conditions are right before you add the fish.
- Find the Right Fish When Setting Up an Aquarium
It’s important to choose the right kinds of fish when setting up an aquarium. For example, if you want to have a clown fish aquarium then you’ll need to research the different types. Certain ones work better with others, so do your homework first and choose the best aquarium fish for your school of fish.
Ready To Set Up an Aquarium?
Now that you’ve learned the steps to setting up an aquarium, you can begin this fun process. Landscape your home aquarium with plants that are suitable for the types of fish that you’ve chosen. And then clean the tank often to ensure your fish stay healthy.
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