| Picking the Right Location | | | | substrate across the top of the under gravel filter. |
| OK, you've bought all of the right equipment and | | | | You can attach the pump head to the riser tube now |
| brought it home. Now what? The first step is to pick | | | | or you can wait until the tank has been filled. I usually |
| a suitable location for your new aquarium. There are | | | | wait until the tank has been filled nearly full before |
| a few general guidelines to follow here. The aquarium | | | | adding the remaining equipment (mechanical filter, |
| should be in a room with a stable year round room | | | | heater, etc.) since they only get in the way. |
| temperature. Don't place it near heater vents or | | | | Water Preparation |
| radiators or an air conditioning unit; you want to keep | | | | Water preparation for you salt water aquarium is |
| the aquarium temperature as consistent as possible. | | | | simply mixing the needed amount of de-chlorinated |
| Don't place it in direct sunlight or it will quickly grow | | | | tap water with the appropriate amount of synthetic |
| huge amounts of algae which, although not harmful | | | | salt mix from your local pet shop. Follow the |
| to the fish (some fish and crustaceans enjoy dining | | | | manufacturer's directions for whichever salt you |
| on algae) it can be unsightly and difficult to control. | | | | chose. The specific gravity of your mixture should be |
| You'll want to place it in a room that has frequent | | | | between 1.0220 and 1.0275. Use a hydrometer to get |
| human traffic, not only so you can show it off but | | | | an accurate measurement. Now, begin filling the tank |
| so that the fish will become used to people. If the | | | | with your prepared salt water solution. You can place |
| aquarium is tucked away in your bedroom or study | | | | a plastic bowl in the bottom of the aquarium and |
| where you only visit infrequently, the fish will become | | | | pour the salt water into it to avoid excessive |
| sensitive to movement and will hide whenever | | | | splashing and disruption of your gravel. Fill the tank |
| anyone enters the room, and what good is that? | | | | until it is about 3 inches from the top. Now is the |
| Lastly, make sure the floor can support the weight. | | | | time to add your remaining equipment including the |
| If you're not sure on this one, check the structure | | | | mechanical filter, heater, pump head (unless you've |
| under the floor to make sure. If you don't check, | | | | already attached it,) and any other accessories and |
| don't say I didn't tell you so. | | | | decorations you plan to add to your tank. |
| Basic Assembly | | | | Finishing Your Setup |
| One of the first things you'll want to do is a visual | | | | Assemble the mechanical filter according to the |
| inspection of the tank. Inspect all of the seams to | | | | instructions that should be included with it. Attach it |
| make sure there are no breaks or imperfections in | | | | to the back of the tank in an appropriate location. |
| the sealant that joins the glass panels of your tank. If | | | | You will normally need to fill the filter reservoir with |
| there are, they are easier to fix now then after | | | | water before it will function. Install the tank heater |
| you've filled the tank with water. Tanks are checked | | | | per the manufacturer's instructions. Ideal temperature |
| for leakage by the manufacturer, but it's never a bad | | | | for a marine aquarium is between 70-73 degrees |
| idea to do your own test and fill the tank with tap | | | | Fahrenheit. Install any remaining equipment or |
| water and let it sit for an hour or so before your | | | | accessories that you have for your tank. Plug in the |
| final setup. Of course, you'll have to empty it before | | | | pump head and mechanical filters and ensure that |
| you install the filters, gravel, etc. | | | | they are functioning properly. Plug in the heater and |
| Now, with your tank empty, place the under gravel | | | | adjust to the appropriate temperature. Fill the tank to |
| filter in the bottom of the tank and attach the riser | | | | the desired level, usually about 1 1/2 inches from the |
| tube. The riser tube should reach nearly the top of | | | | top. Install the tank hood or cover and lighting. You |
| your tank but needs to allow enough room for the | | | | will now want to let the tank run for at least 24 |
| pump head so that it doesn't protrude above the top | | | | hours to ensure all equipment is functioning and there |
| of the tank. This tube is easily shortened with a | | | | are no leaks. During this time you will want to verify |
| sharp knife or razor. Obviously use caution when | | | | the specific gravity (salt content) of the water and |
| cutting the riser tube to the proper length. Once this | | | | adjust as needed, as well as adjusting the heater to |
| is done, thoroughly rinse the substrate material | | | | achieve the desired temperature. Remember, water |
| (crushed coral or dolomite) with fresh water to | | | | temp changes very slowly, so wait at least several |
| remove any residual dust. The easiest way to do this | | | | hours before each adjustment. |
| is to pour the substrate into a clean bucket (one that | | | | That's it! Once the salinity and temperature have |
| has never been used with cleaning materials) and to | | | | stabilized to the desired levels you're ready to |
| run water into the bucket, stirring the substrate | | | | consider adding some animals to the tank to begin |
| vigorously until the water overflowing from the | | | | the conditioning process. |
| bucket runs clear. Then, evenly distribute the | | | | |