Here are some points to consider when setting up a new aquarium.

For marine systems, an aquarium of 76 litres or more is recommended . For freshwater systems, it is recommended to begin with a 38 litre (10 gallon) aquarium.

An undergravel filter with at least one or two airlift tubes is advisable for most systems. An outside filter unit consisting of a plastic compartment that hangs on the outside of the aquarium would be another good filter to use. It pulls water from the aquarium and runs it through both a filter fiber and activated carbon. This also does a good job of circulating the water.

Most types of gravel will work for a freshwater system. A gravel containing calcium is recommended for marine systems, although it is not recommended for fresh water systems that require a low pH. The gravel should be 2-3 inches thick on top of the undergravel filter to provide the correct filtering capacity of the aquarium.

The size of the air pump depends upon the size of the aquarium in use. An air stone at the end of the tubing will provide air and circulation to your aquarium and will also help the undergravel filter to operate normally. Powerhead pumps also help to circulate water and some are equipped with a venturi that helps to aerate.

The temperature of the water is very important. If there are differences in the temperature of the water it can lead to the end of all the animal life. A constant temperature is recommended. Tropical aquariums do well at temperatures of 23 to 28 C (73 to 82 F). There are many different types of heaters available and the correct size is determined by the number of litres of water in the aquarium. Normally the heater should be two watts to every litre of water in the aquarium.

The aquarium should be covered at all times as covers reduce evaporation and also keep the fish from jumping out of the aquarium. Most reflectors or hoods are made of plastic or stainless steel. If you have a saltwater aquarium, the hood should be noncorrosive material. The best fish tank hood to choose is a hood with a florescent lamp.

The new aquarium should be filled with water to check for leaks before setting up your filtration. The undergravel filter should be placed in the empty aquarium first. The new gravel should be rinsed before being set into place because it normally is very dusty. Assemble the air line tubing and outside filter according to the directions. The activated carbon should be rinsed before use because it is also dusty. Finally, add the water to the aquarium. The air pumps, the outside filter and the heater can be turned on once the aquarium is full of water.

Once the aquarium is in place, it should run for at least 24 hours before adding any animals. The levels of pH, salinity, temperature and ammonia should be checked to be sure they are all at acceptable levels. The addition of live aquarium plants or one small inexpensive fish may help to initiate the biological filtration. Once all levels are acceptable for your particular style of aquarium, fish can be added to the aquarium.

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The word aquarium itself is taken directly from the Latin aqua, meaning water, with the suffix -rium, meaning "place" or "building". It is possibly a combination of the words "aquatic" and "vivarium". Keeping fish in artificial environments has existed for centuries. In imperial Rome, the first fish to be brought indoors was the sea barbel, kept in small tanks made of marble under guest beds. With the introduction of glass panes around 50 AD, the Romans replaced one wall of the marble tank, improving their view of the fish. The keeping of fish in an aquarium became a popular hobby and spread quickly. In the United Kingdom, it became popular after ornate aquaria in cast iron frames were featured at the Great Exhibition of 1851. In 1853, the first large public aquarium opened in the London Zoological Gardens and came to be known as the Fish House.

With electricity great improvements were made in aquarium technology, allowing artificial lighting as well as aeration, filtration, and heating of the water. Initially, amateur aquarists kept native fish (with the exception of goldfish); the entrance of exotic species from overseas also allowed aquaria to become even more popular. Jugs made from a variety of materials were initially used to import fish from overseas, including innovations such as using a bicycle foot pump for aeration. Plastic shipping bags were introduced in the 1950s, making it easier to ship fish. The eventual availability of air freight, which allowed a much wider variety of fish to be successfully imported from distant regions of origin, consequently attracted new hobbyists. In the 1960s, a great breakthrough was reached. Metal frames made marine aquaria almost impossible due to corrosion, but the development of silicone sealant allowed the first all-glass aquaria. The frames remained, however, though purely for aesthetic reasons. Aquarium keeping is now a popular hobby around the world, with about 60 million enthusiasts worldwide.

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