| Any new aquarium tank should first be given a | | | | - Silicone gun or (syringe) |
| thorough test to ensure that it is watertight. If after | | | | - Dulling stove |
| 12 hours there are no leaks, it may be emptied and | | | | - Tape rule |
| placed in its final position. | | | | - Sheet of paper, ruler, pencil and eraser |
| Now all is ready to set up the aquarium, for this | | | | - napkin (x2) |
| work we shall require various items such as sand, | | | | - newspaper |
| rocks etc. These will be death with in order. For | | | | - hand glove (rubber type) |
| making a bottom soil, you need, first of all some | | | | - methylated spirit |
| sand, the most suitable is called 1/16th grade and it is | | | | - blade |
| about the size of the average pin-head: | | | | - knife |
| The gravel to be used must also be graded; that is, | | | | - toilet soap and soap case |
| the gram must be of uniform size. Sand and gravel's | | | | - masking tape |
| sold in aquarium supply stores are always graded, but | | | | - flat bench (made with plywood) |
| if you buy elsewhere they may nor be. Gravel grains | | | | - 1/4 flash |
| 2-5mm work best. | | | | - water and siphon hose |
| If you use nothing, but sand, it must be well | | | | - buckets (x2) |
| washed-in buckets, under running water until no more | | | | - polythese sheet about the size of the table |
| dirt or foam comes to the surface - and spared out | | | | Other than that, I'll give you my 12 essential aquarium |
| on the bottom of the tank in a layer running from 3- | | | | tips below is a great start on your way to having a |
| 6cm thick sloping upwards from front to back. If you | | | | beautiful aquarium full of happy and health fish that |
| decide to mix the sand with gravel to make at least | | | | you can be proud of: |
| a layer 6cm deep on top of the subgravel filter since | | | | 1. Location of the tank in a spot which is draft free |
| less than this amount reduces the filtering capacity of | | | | and has a moderate amount of light for 8 to 10 |
| the tank. | | | | hours. This will ensure the safety of the tank and the |
| Your tank is the basic element, and is of the most | | | | inhabitants. |
| important in building an aquarium. The size of the tank | | | | 2. Location of the aquarium tank where water spillage |
| depends on the number and size of fish you plan to | | | | a day will do no damage, at a height convenient for |
| have in it. That is why proper planning is quite | | | | working, and in a place where it will not have to be |
| essential when you want to set up aquarium. | | | | moved. |
| But then it is important to make it as big as you can | | | | 3. Proper sand gravel (not too large, not too fine). |
| afford. By all means avoid a globe tank as much as | | | | 4. Conditioned water - free of chlorine, dirt, excess |
| possible. Rectangle shape is always good because of | | | | hardness, excess acidity, or excess alkalinity. Hard, |
| various reasons you will discover later. | | | | acidic, dirty water is not suitable for an aquarium. It |
| Option 1: You can buy ready made glass tanks | | | | will make life uncomfortable for fish and leads to |
| already sealed professionally set up aquarium tank at | | | | constant fish death. |
| any aquarium store. | | | | 5. Availability of plants properly place is highly |
| Option 2: Buy ready-made plastic models through | | | | essential. |
| distributors or mould-extrusion manufacturers and put | | | | 6. Proper, even temperature for the fish species. |
| your aquarium tank together yourself. Below are the | | | | 7. Decoration and furnishing if you desire them. |
| tools you need and the steps you need to take to | | | | 8. Aeration to supply additional oxygen. |
| set up completely new aquarium tank: | | | | 9. Filtration to remove excesses waste products. |
| Tools: | | | | 10. Fish which will live peacefully together. |
| - Sheet of glass (4mm to 12mm) | | | | 11. Food to keep them health. |
| - Silicone sealant (clear and transparent) | | | | 12. Kits and utensils to make maintenance easy. |