Aquarium setup supplies, how to set up an aquarium, aquarium setup pictures and videos

A Few Tips for New Hobbyists

Whether you are setting up your first aquarium or you have been in hobby for years, following these simple tips will help you create a healthy, beautiful aquarium.

1. Start Small and Build Up

Even if you have set up many tanks in the past, it’s good practice to plan out your idea and start with the basics. If you are just setting up a new tank, start small. Don’t blow a bunch of money on components and accessories that you do not understand or need. Start with a basic layout and components and build up a nice setup as you go. There is no rush to create a beautiful aquarium.

2. Use a Starter Kit

Any pet store will stock an all-in-one aquarium kit with everything you need, or at least most of what you need, to start a nice little fish tank. If you are new to the hobby this might be a good idea to get the best bang for the buck.

3. Perform Regular Water Changes

Some advise to change 10%-20% every week. Others will say 30%-50% every few weeks. It’s a good idea to do partial water changes to rotate in fresh water to the aquarium. The toxins and waste that build up in the water will not build up as quickly and your fish will live healthier lives.

4. Change Filters Often

Changing your water filters is essential to a healthy aquarium. Check on it every few days and look for signs of buildup and clogging. A clogged filter will cause strain on your water pump, possibly shortening its lifespan. With regular water changes, changing your filter will allow your fish to live healthy and your water will stay clear.

Freshwater Aquarium Cycling

What is Cycling?

The most important part of a new aquarium is cycling. Cycling is a process where bacteria grow in a new tank. This bacteria is good for your fish because it gets rid of fish waste products. If these good bacteria are not present it can sicken or even kill the fish in your aquarium.

How Does Cycling Work?

During the cycling process in a freshwater tank bacteria slowly grows on the plants, rocks, and other objects in the aquarium. This bacteria feeds on waste from fish. These bacteria are essential to a healthy aquarium. The process is done in three common ways. One is fishless; the other two methods use starter fish. The difference between the methods is how the bacteria is introduced into the tank and how long the process lasts.

Traditional Cycling

The standard method for cycling involves adding starter fish to a new tank. Usually 2-4 cheap, disposable fish are used since they may die in the unhealthy conditions of a new aquarium. These fish produce waste that allows bacteria to grow in the tank. Slowly enough bacteria grow to handle the waste from the starter fish. After a period you can add in more fish to the aquarium. You do not want to add too many at a time because that would create a spike in waste which could poison the water. After several weeks you should have all your fish added to the tank and ammonia levels should be stabilized.

Fishless Cycling

Fishless cycling is different from traditional cycling in that the ammonia is used as food for bacteria instead of live fish. Usually bacteria are sourced from other aquariums or fish stores. Gravel from a healthy aquarium is added to the new tank so that bacteria can start to grow and feed on the added ammonia. This method requires testing for ammonia and nitrites often. After several weeks fish can be added all at once since the aquarium is cycled already. There is less risk to the fish in this method.

Cycling Using Commercial Products

The final way to cycle an aquarium is to use commercial products that claim to add in the bacteria and provide a healthy aquarium basically overnight. The chemicals add the bacteria to your tank so you can skip the process of slowly growing bacteria.

Tips for Cycling

- Keep the temperature high at low to mid 80′s during cycling

- Keep the lid light on 24/7

- Keep the filter and air system running 24/7

Now that you know the basics of cycling your new aquarium setup, read some tips for new aquarium owners.

1 comment - What do you think?
Posted by cbaber - May 25, 2012 at 7:04 pm

Categories: Aquarium Setup Tags: aquarium, cycling, freshwater

How to Set Up an Aquarium

Having an aquarium is a great hobby. If you are interested in setting up an aquarium you have come to the right place. If you have already bought aquarium equipment, read on. If you are not familiar with aquariums, please read Components of an Aquarium Setup before you continue. You can build a simple setup or the tank of your dreams. It all depends on your budget, experience, and knowledge. For the beginner I recommend starting out with a smaller tank with a few fish. A fifteen or twenty gallon tank should be about right for a nice looking aquarium that won’t break the bank. One important thing to consider when purchasing a tank is the amount of maintenance required. In general, smaller tanks and fish bowls require much more maintenance than larger tanks. This is because the bigger the tank the more stable the environment is.

Install the Tank onto the Tank Stand

You will need to find a great location for your aquarium. This is a critical step in the aquarium setup. You want to find a location that meets these criteria:

Out of direct sunlight
Looks good with surrounding decor
Is easy to view
Reaching tank accessories is easy
Is a permanent location, as moving the tank is very difficult

Once you have your tank stand build, secure the tank onto the stand. Make sure the stand is level and is does not have a warped surface. The tank should make good contact with the stand to avoid stressing the glass unevenly. You should have a tank cover as well to install. This is usually glass or plastic with a light bulb. Make sure it fits, install the bulb, but then you can remove it until you are done with the aquarium setup. If you have the tank in position and are happy with the location, proceed to the next section.

Install Under Gravel Filter (if applicable)

If you plan on installing an under gravel filter system in your aquarium now is the time to set it up. If you do not have an under gravel filter, please skip this section. Follow the specific instructions that come with your model of filter. Usually you need to place the filter trays at the bottom of the tank. Connect the tubing to the power heads or air pump. Be sure to wash off all items that are going into the tank with water before installing. Make sure you have the filter in correctly before moving on to the next section.

Add Gravel

Gravel serves a couple important roles. It helps collect debris that float in the water, and it makes the aquarium look nice. Before pouring the gravel into your tank, give it a nice rinse with water. Add an even layer of gravel over the entire bottom of the tank. You want to avoid dips and humps, as this will be harder to clean. A tip is to slope or create a dip in the gravel at the front of the tank. Debris will collect at the low spots in the tank, and it’s easier to see and clean if that spot is at the front of the tank.

Add Filter System

If you are using a side mounted filter system now is the time to install it according to the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer. Usually you want to hang the filter unit over the back panel of glass. Adjust the intake tube so that it cannot suck in air. Make sure when you plan the arrangement of your aquarium that the intake tube is not blocked by any accessories and is easily reachable for cleaning and inspection.

Install Air Pump System

Next you can install your air pump system. This includes the pump, tubing, and bubble accessories. Route your tubing under the gravel and up the back corner of the tank to minimize visibility of the tube. Follow the specific instructions of your model of air pump.

Install Water Heater

The final major component to install is the water heater. Since there are many kinds of heaters you will need to follow the specific installation instructions provided by your model. Usually you should install heaters low down in the tank because warmer water will move upward. This should be the last electrical component of your aquarium setup. Make sure to route all electrical cords in a neat manner. Do not plug in any of the accessories yet.

Add Accessories and Decorations

The last step before filling the tank is to add accessories and decorations to your tank as you see fit. Add in some fake plants, rocks, bubbling accessories, caves, etc. to give your aquarium a personal feel. Make sure you rinse all accessories before putting them into the tank. Roughly plan out your design and make changes as needed. You want to get this step right because you will be filling the tank with water next and it will be harder and messier to make changes to your accessories after this point.

Fill Tank with Water

Now you want to add water to the tank. Try to get the tap water near room temperature. A tip is to pour the water in over a rock to avoid messing up the gravel. Fill the tank with the proper amount of water and the readjust or change the location of accessories if necessary. Since you do not have any fish or live plants in your aquarium yet, you do not need to pH balance the water at this point. Turn on the filter, air pump, and heater. Make sure you fill the filter with water if your model calls for you to do so before turning on. Make sure everything is operating properly and that your heater is working especially. You should give the tank a few hours for the temperature to stabilize.

At this point its time to cycle the tank to make it safe for fish. To learn how to cycle an aquarium, please read about cycling a freshwater aquarium.

Enjoy Your New Aquarium

That’s it! You have set up an aquarium that is looking great and running smooth. Hopefully if you followed all the tips in this article your fish will live long and healthy lives. Be sure to check out other articles related to aquarium setup.

1 comment - What do you think?
Posted by cbaber - May 24, 2012 at 8:14 pm

Categories: Aquarium Setup Tags: aquarium, how, set, setup, to, up

Components of an Aquarium Setup

An aquarium can range from simple to extremely realistic and complex. The fun part about building your aquarium is that you can design it the way you want. Before you begin to set up your aquarium, read about the common components that make up the typical freshwater and saltwater aquariums.

Tank

The most obvious part of an aquarium is the tank. The typical aquarium tank is made from glass. Seams of silicone bond the five sides of glass together to form a strong waterproof container that you can see into from all sides. Tanks come in many different sizes and shapes. The size of the tank depends on many variables like the kind of fish living in the tank, size of the room, and how much money you are willing to spend to maintain the aquarium. Tanks are sold according to how many gallons of water they can hold.

Tank Stand

The tank will often come with a stand that is used to support the tank off the ground and house aquarium accessories and supplies. Tank stands are commonly constructed of wood and should be durable and strong enough to support your tank. While not required in your aquarium setup, tank stands are a great way to organize accessories, feeding supplies, cleaning supplies, and other items.

Water Filter System

An essential part of every aquarium is the water filter system. Filters circulate the water in the tank and trap debris and dirt in a filter. The filter system is critical to keeping your water clear and healthy for fish. Common water filter types include under gravel filters and side mounted filters. With the under gravel filter, a plastic screen is laid under the gravel in the tank. Electric pump(s) then draw water from under the gravel, up a tube, and through a filter at the top or outside the tank. The water is then discharged back into the tank. Side mounted filters rest on one side of the tank with an intake tube inserted into the water. An electric pump draws water through the intake tube through a filter. The water is then discharged back into the tank. The filters contain carbon which removes dirt and harmful substances from the tank water.

Water Heater

A water heater is designed to control the temperature of the water in an aquarium. When you set up your aquarium you should know the needs of the fish that will be living there. You set the water heater to come on at a certain temperature. The temperature of the water in a tank is determined by room temperature. It is a good idea to have a water heater even if the fish you have might not need it at first. During seasonal changes or if the climate control in your house fails it is nice to know the temperature of the water can be maintained when room temperature fluctuates.

Air Pump/Air Supply System

Fish need oxygen to live and they get it by extracting it from the water with gills. An air pump supplies the water with oxygen by pumping air from outside the tank, through tubing and bubbling accessories, into the water. It makes bubbles that will float from the bottom to the top of the tank. Many different accessories are available to deliver the bubbles to the water. The air supply system is fun to build because it creates a visual effect and you can create nice displays with bubbling accessories.

Accessories/Decorations

The last part of an aquarium is the accessories and decorations you add to make the aquarium look like the ocean, a lake, or anything you want it to be. There are too many kinds of accessories to name. Gravel, art, statues, plants, and buildings are just a few. The best part of an aquarium setup is adding in accessories because you can create a unique and entertaining space for your fish to live and for you and guests to enjoy.

Now that you know all about the parts that make up a great aquarium, read about How to Set Up an Aquarium.

1 comment - What do you think?
Posted by cbaber - May 24, 2012 at 7:04 pm

Categories: Aquarium Components Tags: accessories, air, aquarium, components, filter, pump, tank, tank stand