how do you fill in your fish tank the first time?

Question

especially if its a big tank: 70 litres?

Answer 1

don't use a garden hose that has been used as all kinds of dirt or grit can be inside,i do it the hard way by using a gallon bucket which should only be used for future emptying and filling .follow the advice of others on here about leaving the tank a few days and treating the water. good luck and enjoy your fish, x

Answer 2

First, you put in any undergravel filters you might use, then your gravel and decorations. Then they recommend taking something like a rinsed off plate, or a board, tilting it at an angel, and then letting the water hit the board, and gently disperse without upsetting the aquascaping. (Probably after 50% or so, you can remove the board.)

If you use regular tap water, be sure to use a declorinator immediately - chlorination kills.

And of course you probably already know not to put ANY fish in a new tank - you have to allow time, weeks really, for the bacteria that will consume your fishy's poop, to grow and flourish, before you add any fish. Ammonia levels immediately become toxic and your fish will die if you skip this step. (And don't rely on "instant products" to "cycle" your tank for you! Test test test before you put your fish in.)

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Most Fish enthusiasts recommend NOT putting ANY fish - hardy or otherwise - into such a terrible environment, until you're tank is prestine condition in terms of nitrate, nitrite and ammonia testing (and pH). You can produce the same results by putting small amounts of fish flake food in, which will break down and feed the bacteria. It's called FISHLESS CYCLING. Check out more information at: tropicalresources.net

Answer 3

My husband and I always use distilled water. Sometimes we'd buy gallon jugs of it at the store (my mom swears by spring water, but we've had bad luck with it), and other times, we'd just use our Pur faucet filter to fill the tank. The point is, regular tap water has a lot of unwanted chemicals (ammonia, flouride, etc.) that take forever to balance out.

NEVER put your fish into your tank directly after filling it up. First you need to make sure there aren't any cracks in the glass, plus the tank needs to cycle (the water needs to be at optimal quality for fish). After having the tank set up overnight to ensure there aren't any leaks, add some hardy, fast fish. Some people say goldfish are best for cycling tanks because they crap so much, but my husband and I like using zebra danios because they're fast, hardy, and you can keep them without a problem after the tank's cycled.

You should allow the tank to cycle for about a week or so, testing the water daily to make sure it's balancing out. Most at home testing kits are easy to use and tell you what's normal and what's not.

If you need help on cycling, read this; http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-cycling.html

Good luck!

Answer 4

First of all put in the washed gravel and any stones and plants you want to include. Install the filter. Put a saucer in the bottom of the tank and pour the water slowly onto the saucer so that it overflows onto the gravel. Once the tank is about 1/3 full you can out in larger amounts of water directly from a container.

Once the tank is full leave it for at least 2 weeks to stabilise and to let the plants establish themselves before you add any fish.

Answer 5

Try using a hose. Remember to leave the fish tank sitting for 24 to 48 hours before you put the fish in. This allows the nitrates to settle and the temperature to even out.

Answer 6

ammonia is very hard to tackle. you may have to put in a little treatment everyday after you do a water change. its best you try to not put chemicals in too much but if the water changes dont work your fish will stress from the ammonia and die. did you just recently start this tank? if you did it is cycling and this is normal for the ammonia to rise. when enough bacteria is alive in your tank the ammonia will be changed to nitrites then nitrates which is a much less toxic form your fish can live in.

Answer 7

About 70 litres of water should do it

Answer 8

The first time (and every time there after) you fill it the same way. Use a Python No-Spill. This is a must tool for anyone in the Aquarium hobby!

Python Products...
http://pythonproducts.com/nospill.htm


P.S. Assuming this is a freshwater system! If so - make sure to use a water conditioner as well to remove Chlorine!

Answer 9

Do you mean how do you physicaly fill it, or what effect will the new stuff have on the fish??

Fill it with water, then get a water testing kit to test weather the water is too acid or alcaline, or take a sample of water to your pet store and let them test it, they can give you stuff to neutralise it.

It should be fine as long as the water is neutral, but give it a couple of days for the water to settle.

Answer 10

Intall gravel, filtration system heater (if its tropical) etc then fill with water , add a starter chemical you can get from pet stores to start the biochemistry - and leave it for aprox a week with the filter running then add the fish a few at a time.