Any body know anything about setting up an aquarium please help?

Question

Just setting up a tropical fish aquarium. Put water in tank but gravel has thrown up loads of dust in water - maybe should have washed this first? will I have to empty all this and start again or will the filters clean this given time?

thanks guys you are all better than any resource book - loads of help.

Answer 1

. Get the largest tank you can afford and have space for. The larger the tank, the better for the fish. A 30 gallon aquarium is not any more difficult to maintain than a 10 gallon aquarium.

I would tend to stay away from high tanks, as they have a greater tendency to get pressure cracks, and can be more difficult to clean. My personal favorite is a 29 gallon tank. It’s large enough to look beautiful and has plenty of room for fish to move and grow.

Whatever size you get, be sure to rinse it thoroughly before setting it up. Use a clean sponge to wipe down all sides and the bottom and rinse again.


2. Use one pound of gravel for every gallon of water the tank holds. Ten pounds for a 10 gallon tank, 20 for a 20, and so on. Be sure to rinse the gravel thoroughly before putting it in the tank. A colander works well for this. Just rinse a little at a time. If you are using an undergravel filter, be sure to put it in place before adding the gravel.


3. There are several types of filters available. If you are going with a 10 or 15 gallon tank, an undergravel filter alone will suffice. Just be certain you get a strong enough air pump to get a good air flow through both sides of the filter.

My personal favorite is the Whisper brand of air pumps and power filters. If you are going with a 20 gallon or larger tank, I recommend using both an undergravel filter and an outside power filter. When the tank is new, just the undergravel filter alone will be enough for the first few months, but to be able to go for about 6 months without have to clean your aquarium, having both filters is necessary. All you will have to do is change the filter cartridge on the power filter every couple of months, and add water to the tank as it evaporates.


4. Most tropical fish need warm water. This means they need a heater to not only keep the water warm, but to keep the temperature consistent as well. A change in water temperature can make fish sick.

There are many heaters available, and they come in a variety of sizes to match the size of your tank. You also need a thermometer. I like the kind that float around in the water. I find them to be the most accurate. You may have to stick you hand in the water to turn it around to read it sometimes, but that’s really not too difficult.


5. There are many water conditioners available so that you can set your tank up and add your fish on the same day. I would recommend waiting 24 hours before adding fish. This will give the water time to become the right temperature with the use of a heater. I would still go ahead and condition the water and also get some ick medicine to have on hand as well. If you don't know what ick is now, you will.


6. When buying fish, you need to be certain to get the ones that are compatible with each other. There are non-aggressive fish, semi-aggressive fish, and aggressive fish. Aggressive fish (such as oscars) will eat non-aggressive fish (such as guppies). I would recommend buying fish at a reputable pet store where someone can help you get fish that are compatible.

If you are getting tropical fish, I would avoid putting goldfish with them. Goldfish like cold water, and they have a body slime which can be harmful to tropical fish. goldfish are also dirty. I would not recommend getting an algae eater right away, but bottom feeders (such as catfish or sharks) are good.


7. I enjoy live plants in my aquariums, but the fish eat them so eventually they start looking shabby and need replacing. A mixture of real and artificial plants can be nice. Be creative when decorating the tank. Use large rocks, or get a little extra gravel to form hills. It looks nice to slope the gravel, making it low in the front and higher in the back. Just experiment and have fun with it!


8. My last tip would be to NOT put your aquarium near a window. This causes algae to grow at a much faster rate. A fluorescent light is much better than an incandescent for the same reason, and it’s best not to leave it on for long periods at a time (like all day). Have fun and enjoy!

Answer 2

Don't know about the gravel, but I do know you need to get starter fish before you put your expensive ones in. These are a variety of gold fish and they season the tank by loading it with the proper bacteria. If you don't get the tank seasoned, you'll be replacing a lot of fish.

A good fish store owner can point you to the right fish. It takes about two weeks to season the tank. The water will cloud up after a few days and you leave it that way. It'll clear up on its own. It'll get cloudy again about a week later. When it clears up again, you are ready to add those expensive fish.

Answer 3

It will settle, just give it time. Leave it a couple of days before adding any fish and above all add the fish gradually, i.e. only a few at a time, so as not to cause a nitrite spike. Keep testing the water. Best to buy a good tropical fish book or do some research on the net before you go any further. Good luck.

Answer 4

Too late now so there is no need to empty it. Just keep running hot water through it and mix it with your hands until it is clear, the filter will keep it clear. Wait 2 days for the water to settle, put your heater in also before you put in your decorations you must clean them with HOT water. Remember 1 or 2 tropical fish per 5 gallons of water.

Answer 5

I congratulate you for turning towards this hobby. viewing through acquarium is like listening to melodious music.
Instead of gravel you can opt from many types of natural or artificial stones- opaque or translucent.
Fish thrive on dissolved oxygen. so arrange air pump and filters.
Generally they do not die for lack of food rather than excess food. so give the feed moderately.
They are very delicate. they tend to die out of shock. so as far as possible do not disturb them.
Do not put your hands into the acquarium. instead use a net if need be.
Properly cover the tub to protect from insects falling into the tub
Keep some decoratives which also are useful for small fish to hide and protect from big ones.
Try to maintain :
temp- 25 to32 degrees C.
disssolved oxygen-6 to 8 ppm
ph-7 to 8.5
Poure plenty of blue medicine to avoid fungus growth.
Finally illuminate the acquarium with an acquarium tubelight which will enhance the colours of the fish, stones and all other interiors.
Youwill receive a pat from all enthusiasts.
Note: initially some fish may die but as you gain experience the death rate will come down.
Best of luck.

Answer 6

Filters should clear it out in time. Be sure to allow the tank to settle and "cycle" for several days before adding any fish to it. Talk to your local pet store for details.

BTW, try and get copies of "Aquariums for Dummies" or "Idiot's Guide to Freshwater Aquariums"--both are fantastic general reference books for rookies.

Have fun with your tank!

Answer 7

buy a good pump system