How To Set Up An Aquarium The Right And Easy Way

Having an aquarium in your home can give a lot of positive vibes and other benefits. However, if you don’t know how to set up an aquarium, you may find this task very labor-intensive. If you do not mind getting tired and caught up with the fuss with regards to setting up an aquarium, we’ll have you covered. 

Setting up an aquarium in your own home need a lot of preparation and things to consider, from the size of the tank, the location, and the fish or decoration to buy. Lucky for you, I always got your back. To further achieve the aquarium of your dreams, in this article, you will get to know detailed instructions to follow on setting up an aquarium.  

Step 1: Plan and Buy Your Tank 

What we mean by a plan is planning everything! It is essential to know what type of aquatic environment you want your fishes to live. So, it is best to look for the type of fish you want to buy and work from there. The fish you want determines the other fish you can keep, and most importantly, the size of your tank!

We highly recommend buying a large tank, not too small or big. If it is too big, it may consume space in your house, which might prove inconvenient. Buying a small tank might be tricky if you want to put many decoration or fish.

tep 2: Buy Everything You Need for Your Tank

Once you successfully planned everything, it is about time to buy everything. Also, this will vary from the type of fish you want to have. More importantly, you should do your research about the fish too. After that, buy every tank needs, from the substrate, air pump, filter, lights, aquarium heater, and all sorts. Don’t forget the tank too!

Step 3: Clean Your Newly Purchased Aquarium 

This step applies to people buying old tanks. If you bought a used tank, it is important to clean the tank thoroughly with warm water and vinegar. Avoid using harsh chemicals, for they tend to stay longer in your tank. If you’ve bought a new tank, you only need to wipe the glass with a damp cloth and run it through the entire tank.

Step 4: Clean Your Aquarium Decorations 

Before setting them up in your tank, it is important to clean them first. This will eliminate any unwanted impurities. The best way to clean the substrate is by placing them in a strainer or colander and let the water run through them. You can almost do the same with other decorations and ornaments.

Step 5: Incorporate the Substrate

Before placing the substrate at the bottom, it is important to position the tank properly. In case you don’t know, the more you put the substrate, the more it gets heavy as water comes in. When the aquarium is already positioned, slowly place your substrate and spread them evenly.

Most people choose to have one to three inches of substrate. However, this varies from the fish you are going to have. Be sure that your substrate is good for your fish because there are varieties of substrates sold. The larger your tank is, the more you can put substrate in it.

Step 6: You Can Now Add Water 

Once every substrate is in place, it is now time to add water. Remember the track the amount of water you added, so you know how much de-chlorinator to add once you are done. If you don’t want to ruin your substrate, you can place a saucer/bucket and slowly fill it up with water.

Step 8: Cycle the Tank

This is the step where everyone skips the most. It is important to cycle in the tank to know whether you are getting good bacteria. It is important to establish good bacteria for your fish to grow healthy. Establishing good bacteria means it will convert the tank's first ammonia to lesser harmful compounds.

 Step 9: Finishing Touches 

It's about time to add in the fishes. While you may think that putting all the fishes at once is a good idea, we highly advise not to. Putting fish in your tank should be in intervals to avoid injury. Over the next few weeks, you may add fishes to your collection. 

Other Things to Consider on Setting Up an Aquarium 

Choose Your Fish Tank Wisely 

Choose the proper tank for the type of fish you want to have. They should be large enough for you to have options for adding new ones. Different types of fish need different amounts of space, so it is ideal to have a big tank.

Decide Where to Put Your Aquarium

Choosing the right spot for your aquarium will be a great help to your fish. We recommend placing your tank in a place where there is a stable temperature. Avoid placing them in places where sunlight exposure is too big of a deal, as it will cause excessive algae growth, and nobody likes that. 

Provide a Good Quality Stand 

Avoid putting your tanks in desks, tables, TV stands, and all sorts. Always provide good quality steel-made tanks. This helps with the overall foundation of your setup. Most people don't emphasize on providing tank stand in their set up. This should be noted because stands provide stability, and you don't want your fishes to lay on the ground once an earthquake hits, right?

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