what do you need for your first fish tank

What should be kept far from a water tank?

Sources of cold or heat, such as air conditioners and radiators, should be kept far from your tank. Stands: If you’re using a stand, make sure that it is sturdy enough to handle the weight of the tank. This is especially important if you’re using a glass tank, as glass weighs significantly more than acrylic.

What to consider when investing in an aquarium?

Things to consider include pH levels, nitrates, live food vs. fish flakes, certain fish requiring vertical swimming space ...

Why is my aquarium algae growing?

It can also cause temperature fluctuations in your tank, and even discolor acrylic tanks.

Why do you need a substrate for an aquarium?

Plus, substrates can make your aquarium look nicer. There are also many functions that a substrate provides to ensure that your tank is balanced, healthy, and clean. When choosing a substrate, there are many options, including make, size, color, and shape.

Why do you need to check your aquarium?

Regular and constant checks on your tank’s status are needed to ensure that your fish are living in optimal conditions. While it is a hassle, it’s a guaranteed way to avoid mishap, be it diseases or algae. Maintaining an aquarium consists of check-ups, cleaning, and water testing.

What is the maintenance of an aquarium?

Maintaining an aquarium consists of check-ups, cleaning, and water testing. These are done on a regular basis, to ensure that your tank is functioning as it should. The frequency of check-ups, cleaning, and testing would differ from tank to tank.

What to do after acquiring all the necessary gear and equipment?

After acquiring all the necessary gear and equipment, now comes the fun part: adding fish and plants. However, you will need to take a few more steps before finally introducing them to their new home.

What to test in aquarium water?

Testing water in a newly set up aquarium is critical. You should have kits to test for ammonia, nitrite, and pH, at a minimum. Nitrate, hardness, alkalinity and chlorine tests are also available. Multi-test strips will do as long as you follow manufacturers directions and store them properly.

What kind of light do you need for an aquarium?

Light options include incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, mercury vapor, metal halide and Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs.

How heavy is an aquarium?

Aquariums are heavy, figure 10 pounds per gallon of water capacity, so plan accordingly. A particle board bookcase is usually not sturdy enough to hold anything more than a very small aquarium. Be sure to use a real aquarium stand designed to hold the weight of an aquarium. Most aquarium warranties are void if the aquarium is not placed on an appropriate aquarium stand. There are plans available for making your own stand, if you are handy with a hammer and saw.

What do live plants do to aquariums?

Live plants help remove ammonia, nitrite an nitrate from the water. They provide a hiding place for the fish, and also food for herbivorous species. Plastic plants are also available to give your aquarium a natural look, without requiring the lighting and care that live plants take. Elva Etienne / Getty Images.

What is the lid on a fish tank?

Lid or Hood. Tanks are sold with lid separate from the light, or the lid and light may be joined into one unit referred to as the " hood .". The lid portion covers the tank and serves to prevent fish from jumping out of the tank. It also reduces evaporation, and protects the light from getting wet.

How long are aquarium monitors good for?

These are placed inside the aquarium against the tank wall and continuously monitor the water chemistry. Generally, these products are only good for a month or two, so take care to replace them regularly.

Why do aquariums have glass lids?

It also reduces evaporation, and protects the light from getting wet. If the lid is combined with the light, it is often made of plastic, which is less expensive, weighs less, and is not as easy to break. Glass lids are easier to clean, provide a tighter cover, and allow more outside light to enter the aquarium.

What to test before adding freshwater fish?

As you wait for your aquarium to cycle before adding your freshwater fish, test the water for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Test strips, like the Tetra EasyStrips 6-in-1 test strips, also enable you to measure the water pH, hardness and alkalinity.

Where is the substrate in a fish tank?

In its simplest form, the substrate on the bottom of your fish tank filters offers another surface upon which good bacteria can grow. If you plan to grow plants that require covered roots, you will need the proper substrate for this as well.

Why is it important to have a water conditioner for fish?

Water conditioner for fish helps inoculate your tank with the exact kinds of bacteria required to break down and digest the ammonia excreted as waste by your aquarium inhabitants. Ammonia is toxic, and a buildup of it in the tank water can kill your freshwater fish.

What is the best substrate for freshwater aquariums?

Polished gravel is a good option for many freshwater aquariums, like the Exotic Pebbles polished mixed gravel. Bioactive substrate, like the Activ-Flora planted aquarium substrate, can also be a great way to jumpstart plant growth if you’re planning to keep live plants in your tank. 6. Lighting.

Why is it important to have an air pump in an aquarium?

Air Pump. Water flow is important because it promotes gas exchange between the air and the water. Employing an air pump, like the Fluval Air Pump for aquariums, keeps the water oxygenated, which makes it easier for your fish to breathe.

How to keep tropical fish warm?

Aquarium Heater. If you plan to keep tropical fish, they need water that consistently is warm. And if you’re thinking, “My house thermostat is set at 72 degrees Fahrenheit; that’ll keep the tank warm enough,” think again. Your fish will survive, but keeping them comfortable makes them healthier and less stressed.

How hot does it have to be for fish to survive?

Specific temperature requirements vary depending on species, but the general range for tropical fish is between 75- and 80-degrees Fahrenheit.

How long does it take for a fish tank heater to stabilize?

Adjust the heater to the proper temperature. It will take 24 hours for the temp to stabilize and you may have to adjust your setting. Wait 24 hours to ensure all equipment is working properly before adding fish. Check the conditions and temperature after a few hours.

How to clean a gravel aquarium?

Do not use soap or detergents—they are highly toxic to fish. To wash the gravel, put it in a colander over a plastic pan or bucket and add water.

How to hang on a tank filter?

Position them according to instructions. Make sure it is primed (filled) with water. …”hang on tank” filter that has a pickup tube: Extend the tube as close to the bottom of the tank without being in the gravel. If it is too long, you can cut it to length and reattach the intake cage.

What does it mean to cycle a tank?

Important: “Cycling” your tank means growing the correct, healthy bacteria on a new filtration system to remove dangerous toxins.

Why is my aquarium water cloudy?

Water in new aquariums will often turn cloudy for a day or two. This is caused by a harmless bacterial growth and should disappear naturally. Check the pH and hardness of your water using a Tetra® Test Kit and our convenient My Aquarium App. Congratulations! Your new aquarium is fish-safe, fish-ready and fully equipped.

How to keep live plants moist?

If you’re adding live plants, make sure the water is warm enough for them. Plant the roots gently below the surface of the gravel , leaving the crown (if the plant has one) exposed. Remember to keep live plants moist until they’re planted—wet newspaper works well.

Can you put chlorine in an aquarium?

Chlorine is fine for you, not your fish! Connect the airline tubing from the air pump to any air outlets inside your tank, such as air stones or decorations. By using an aquarium check valve, you can safely locate your air pump underneath your aquarium. (A check value is a small valve that is placed in the air tubing outside of your tank.

What fish should I put in my starter tank?

For your starter fish, I recommend adding a few hardy fish that can put up with various water conditions and are not very sensitive to mistakes that you may make. Platies, Mollies and Guppies are great beginner-friendly fish that get along with each other in a community tank.

How to set up a freshwater aquarium?

Here’s how to set up your freshwater aquarium in 5 easy-to-follow steps: 1. Picking the Right Tank Size. Sizing the tank correctly is important for the health and wellbeing of your fish. Larger tanks are also more stable than smaller tanks, so if in doubt, pick the larger tank.

Why do you need to do an aquarium cycle?

Because the tank has no bacteria that can neutralize the toxins that result from fish waste and decaying food matter. Now that you understand why it’s important to do an aquarium cycle, here is a quick step-by-step guide: 1. Spiking Up Ammonia Levels.

What is an aquarium filter?

The aquarium filter helps remove decaying matter, excess food, fish waste, suspended particles, etc. preventing cloudiness and the accumulation of toxins in the tank. There are various filter types that are used in aquarium, but the two most common ones are hang on back (HOB) style filters and canister filters.

Why is it better to start with a 20 gallon tank?

Because in a small tank there’s no room for error. In small tanks, a small mistake can have huge consequences and immediately throw off water parameters. The larger the tank, the smaller the chance of mistakes having a huge impact. Therefore, until you get some more experience, it’s best to begin with a 20-gallon tank.

How to keep fish healthy?

Along with water changes, this will reduce nitrate levels in the tank and keep your fish healthy. Water changes also replenish the water with nutrients and dilutes any harmful substances. Use the fish net to remove any dead plants or fish and use the algae scrub to clean the glass surfaces and other tank decorations.

Why do you need a water conditioner for fish tank?

A water conditioner is needed to dechlorinate tap water and detoxify it before adding it to the tank. Chlorinated tap water is extremely unhealthy for your fish, so removing it along with other contamination issues is the best way to ensure healthy water for your fish.

Why do we change the water in our aquarium?

Uneaten fish food. As waste breaks down, it produces chemicals that are toxic to fish. This is one of the main reasons we perform water changes – to remove these built-up chemicals from the water. These chemicals build up quicker in a small aquarium than a large one.

Can you add coffee to a pool?

But if you add the same amount of coffee to a swimming pool, there would be no noticeable change. The large amount of water dilutes the coffee to such an extent that it is unnoticeable. Well, the same is true of your aquarium – these chemicals quickly build up and become dangerous in smaller tanks.

Do you need an aquarium for a pet fish?

If you want pet fish, you need an aquarium. Because of this, it’s the first piece of equipment that you will buy. But…. There. Are. So. Many. Aquariums. If you’ve walked into your local pet store, or shopped online, you know that aquariums come in all different sizes and shapes.

Do tank B and tank B hold the same amount of fish?

Besides the height, both are the same size. Now, any newcomer is going to assume that Tank B will hold more fish. But if you look at these tanks from above, you notice that the opening and surface water area are identical…. And because of this, both tanks will hold the same amount of fish.

Can fish grow to adult size?

The majority of fish sold at your local pet store are babies. With care from you, these fish will grow until they reach adult size. The bad news is that the adult size may be larger than your aquarium can accommodate. Take a goldfish for instance.

How to keep fish from snorting?

Provide regular filter maintenance. Provide regular feedings using a variety of healthy foods. Observe your fish regularly to recognize any odd behavior. Inspect your equipment regularly to make sure everything is functioning correctly and that nothing is in need of repair or replacement.

Why do you need a filter for fish?

You will need a filter to process the fish's waste into less harmful forms between your water changes. You will also need to provide hiding places for the fish, so that the fish will feel comfortable and will not feel exposed and vulnerable.

How to care for a tropical fish?

Primarily, this is going through the cycling process to avoid "new tank syndrome.". Once you have the tank set up and cycled, you will need to care for the fish.