How do you setup a home aquarium?

Answer 1

1. Place aquarium on the stand (make sure the stand is appropriate for the tank size and weight).
2. Apply an backing wanted (paint, tape on, inserted).
3. Check to make sure the aquarium is properly leveled and supported.
4. Add substrate and smooth it out as needed (if undergravel air stones/wands are to be used place them now..
5. Place large bowl in center of aquarium and dispense water into bowl allowing initial point of contact for the water to be inside the bowl and flowing out into tank to avoid stirring up the substrate and clouding up the water (some cloudiness is unavoidable). Fill tank 50% -75%.
6. Add decorations as wanted (fake and natural). Make sure all decor is properly cleaned and rinsed even if brand new.
7. If required place Heater into location Do NOT plug in yet.
8. Fill remainder of aquarium.
9. Place tank lids/lights/filter(s).
10. Get filter(s) working properly.
11. Add necessary chemicals to remove chlorine, set bacteria, PH, etc.
12. Allow tank to run for an hour and then plug in heater is applicable.
13. Let tank run for a week (at least) and then test water perimeters. If Nitrate, Nitrite and ammonia levels are not displayed, ph and other levels are maintained and tank has lost it's cloudiness quality to the water (bacteria forming), then you are ready for your first test fish.