Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Tips and Ides on how to set up An Aquarium Fish Tank

An aquarium tank can bring the beauty and splendor of tropical or freshwater fish into your home or office, and if you follow sound fishkeeping principles by setting up your tank will provide years of enjoyment.
Planning your aquarium
A visit to your local pet store or a specialist fish breeder will help you decide what type of fish you'd like in your new aquarium tank. The staff at the store will also help in choosing the right size tank for the space and equipped with all necessary equipment and accessories you will be required.
However, do not buy any fish, but still! You'll set up your tank before you introduce fish.
The first step is to clean the tank. Do not skip this important step, just because the glass of the aquarium clean look. Use a mild detergent in warm water to scrub out the tank. Rinse the tank thoroughly to completely remove all traces of dirt and detergent. Flush cleaned tank several times with clean water to ensure that no traces of detergent left.
The cleaning of all equipment to be used in your new aquarium tank and rinse thoroughly. Even a small amount of residual detergent can kill your fish, so do not skimp on the rinsing process. Gravel should be rinsed under running water until water runs clear. Plants can be kept in a clean bucket of water, keeping your aquarium.
Even a small aquarium tank is heavy - one liter of water weighs about 10 pounds - so your new tank will need a sturdy tripod. Special aquarium stands available that a solid foundation, but a small tank can sit on half piece of furniture. Use a layer of polystyrene tiles between the tank and stand to smooth out bumps.
When setting up your aquarium try to avoid it in direct sunlight, causing algae to grow in the tank. Remember that it should be an outlet for so many items of tank equipment requires a power source.
Now fill your tank and check for leaks. Let the water for several hours and confirm that the tank is not leaking, and let the tank.
The use of an under-gravel filter in the tank after the instructions, adding gravel, piling is slightly higher at the back of the tank to the impression of distance in the tank to give.
Half fill the tank with water. Try to use dechlorinated water, or add chlorine remover in the recommended dose. Place a bowl in the tank on top of gravel and pour water on the plateau. This will cause minimal disturbance to the gravel.
Then install the filter and heater if you want to use. For an indoor freshwater aquarium tank with a heater is rarely needed. Tropical saltwater fish will usually require a heater to maintain the desired temperature. If you have a radiator, you will also install a thermometer in a location easy to read.
Now your aquarium decorations. This can be a base image, stone or other jewelry on the bottom of the tank. Make lots of hiding places with rocks and other decorations. Your fish will appreciate a place to hide from time to time. You can also install plants to be buried in the gravel at this time. Floating plants can be added when the tank is full.
Replace the filter and heater and ensure that they work for filling the tank to the top with dechlorinated water. This starts the process of tank cycling is the process to remove excess ammonia from the tank.
Ammonia can be a problem in establishing a new tank as the bacteria break down ammonia is not present. For a few months good bacteria (Nitrosomonas) will develop in the tank. The bacteria break down toxic ammonia into nitrite. Because of the time it takes for the beneficial bacteria to develop in the tank, it is advisable that you do not fish to be at least two weeks after setting up your tank.
When you're ready to add fish to your new tank try adding just a few at a time. You'll be home from the store in a plastic bag filled with water. Float this bag, still closed at the top of the tank until the temperature of the water in the bag at the temperature of the water in the tank. This may take several hours. Not rushed. When water temperatures are the same carefully undo the bag. Let the fish swim out of the bag even before the bag.
Watch your fish for several days or even several weeks to ensure they are healthy before adding more fish. Take your time to determine fish population biology and you will tank time to adjust to the new fish and the waste they produce it.
Always buy your fish from a reputable dealer to the risk of introducing diseased fish to a tank. Never add plants or fish from wild birds to an aquarium - the micro-organisms and bacteria associated with fish from the wild can kill fish in an aquarium!
Creating and maintaining an aquarium tank is a commitment of both time and money but will reward the dedicated aquarist with years of enjoyment.

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