Setting up a New Aquarium

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.