Step Three: Setting Up Your Tank

These pages should provide you with helpful information about how to set up your first tank after you get back from the petstore!

How To Set Up Your Tank...

Just follow these steps!

1. Position your aquarium stand where you want it.
2. Clean the aquarium glass by using paper towels and plain water to clean the glass inside and out. You may use Windex on the outside of the glass only, but it shouldn't be needed. Do not use soap or bleach. It kills fish.
3. Attach your aquarium background, if you have bought one, using cellophane or plastic electrician's tape.
4. Place the filter in the tank. Don't plug it in yet.
5. In a seperate container, rinse the gravel. A household colander works well. Do not use soap or bleach of any kind. Agitate the gravel by moving it around while it is submerged. Four or five rinses should be enough. Unrinsed gravel can lead to cloudy water and unhealthy water for your fish! Add the gravel to your tank. Usually you'll want to add enough gravel for a layer that is 1.5 to two inches deep.
6. Add decorations. Be sure to leave room for your plants which will be added shortly.
7. Install the thermometer.
8. Fill the aquarium with water. Use tap water at a temperature of about 75* to 78*F (24* to 26* C). You can lay a saucer on the gravel and water onto it without disturbing the gravel. The bucket used to transport water from the faucet to the tank should be free of soap or any other element that would dirty the water. Once the tank is full, remove the saucer.
9. Install the aquarium heater according to the user's manual. Do not turn anything on.
10. Add your plants! Try not to make the display look symmetrical. Large plants look best toward the back of the tank.
11. Install the lighting system.
12. Plug it all in and turn everything on after you have set it up and hooked up all the hoses. Make sure the heater is properly adjusted and that the filter is working.
13. Use your dechlorinator to remove chlorine from your tap water. Follow the dosage on the bottle.
14. Wait at least twenty four hours before putting fish in your new tank. Now is the time to watch everything to make sure the heater and filters are working properly, and that there are no unexpected leaks that pop up out of nowhere. Also take this time to research and seriously think about what species of fish you might want to add.
15. After 24-48 hours, you can now add the fish!!!!

You are now ready to add fish to your aquarium. Click "next" to go to Step Four.

Step Four: Adding New Fish