how do you set up an aquarium?

Answer 1

Most important thing is to be sure the base will hold the weight. Or as we used to say in NASA, "Splashdown"!

Answer 2

First best thought would be decide what fish or critters will inhabit the tank. I enjoy Salt Water personally, and have built tanks for all manner of NON fish salt species.

The size of the fish you intially buy might be small, and certainly even in fresh water species they do grow some. Determine the adult sizes, and accomodate for how many can not only live comfortably communally, but also in the size of the environment.

20 gallon is a good size for a starter tank.

Then decide what you may want to put in the tank aside from the filtration/areation/ possible heater/ etc. I prefer using two filtration systems, one external and one under gravel. I live in Florida so water temps aren't a huge issue, but it is definitely something to consider in the species you choose. Fish,,,like reptiles have a rather narrow range of temperatures they accept, thrive, and survive in. Also the higher the temp and the more natural light the tank gets, the higher the possibility of algae.

The varieties are vast. I prefer active fish, even to mix, but those that are usually good neighbors. Zebras, Guppies, etc., non aggressive types that live well together but also remain active... Colorful exotics might best be saved until you have more experience.

I usually have bottom feeders as well, algae eaters, etc. just to help maintain a balance.

I begin with distilled water, and keep using it throughout. Even goldfish, normally Hardy, can be dead in 24 hours from some tap water or Well water. Actually that may be a great breed to begin.

I let the water sit, in the tank for at least 24 hours prior to adding fish. I set up the filtration system/systems letting them run, add a heater if need be, allowing to adjust the temp. check things like the PH of the water,,,comparing it to what they were/are in, then check the temp of their water against that in the tank. If they happen to be in a small container from a pet shop I suggest aireating that water until the transfer. The water temp in a 20 gallon tank will differ from that in what you brought them home in, primarily in the depth.

If you go with a heater, also get a floating or aluminum cased hanging thermometer, and keep checking it. COVER the tank, even if you don't have cats or children. Certainly too there are hundreds of books and WWW sites to help. One I enjoy using is "About.com"

I use natural, unbleached, un dyed gravel, or sand, well cleaned before pouring it in the tank. I actually prefer larger bottom covering such as marbles to allow an efficient bottom filtration set up.

Aireation can be a bubbler or one of those toy type things where the lid of a sunken chest lifts when the air fills it, but those too should be cleaned prior to installing. The aireation probably is best kept subtle, as it not only might stir up residue, but be distractive to the fish.

I do not add live plant life, unless I know well that it's indiginous. That might be something some fish nibble at, but it also aids in growth of algae and residue.

Give the fish an environment that isn't strictly sterile in the sense of places to explore rather than just water. Even captive bred enjoy exploring, and little niches to nibble at a scrap that landed. BETTER ALWAYS to UNDERFEED rather than load the tank with whatever food stuffs are common to the breeds. They are living creatures afterall.

One more then I'll let you go. I personally prefer salt water/natural because in many ways IT and the critters take care of themselves. I never use chemicals, and they do what they do in hunting, or accepting food stuffs. I've had salt water hermit crabs that would eat Bumble Bee Tuna from my hand, as well as Anemonies who would accept it dropped into their floating tendrils. Then Urchins, etc. might do the cleaning.

Steven Wolf

I wish you and your fish, success