| Having an aquarium in your home or office can be a | | | | growth) |
| delight or a nightmare, if you do not do research | | | | 1. Add the gravel to your tank. You need 1 pound of |
| before you start. It is very important to know what | | | | gravel for every gallon of tank you have(If you have |
| you are expecting out of your fish tank before you | | | | a 20 gallon tank buy 20 pounds of gravel). It is |
| begin with this task. Aquariums are a great addition | | | | important that you rinse the gravel thoroughly before |
| to any room and often bring a sense of relaxation to | | | | adding it. If you have an air pump add that in before |
| all that view it. Before you begin on this amazing | | | | you put the gravel in, so it is covered up and not |
| quest to have the perfect aquarium in your home or | | | | seen. |
| office there are a few things you should know. | | | | 2. Your gravel needs to be slanted so that there is |
| WHICH TYPE OF AQUARIUM IS RIGHT FOR YOU? | | | | less in the front than there is in the back. |
| When choosing between a saltwater and a | | | | 3. Now you need to add the water. Place a bowl in |
| freshwater tank you need to think about how much | | | | the tank and pour your water over the bowl so that |
| space you are willing to dedicate to your new | | | | you do not mess up the gravel you just added. |
| aquarium. Generally, saltwater tanks take up more | | | | 4. Treat your water with a product that will de |
| space then freshwater tanks. If your space is limited | | | | chlorinate the water. You will need to let the tank run |
| freshwater would be a better route for you to | | | | for 3-5 days before you can add fish. |
| pursue, because saltwater tanks have many more | | | | 5. Add your plants and rocks to the tank and have |
| pumps and filter systems that will require the extra | | | | them setup any way you like. |
| room. Is money an issue? If so then once again, you | | | | 6. Add your filter to the tank and plug it in. Now you |
| are better off sticking to a freshwater tank. | | | | just wait and let your tank cycle the water and |
| GLASS OR ACRYLIC? | | | | particles for a few days. |
| There are 2 main mediums fish tanks are made from. | | | | 7. After a few days add some starter fish (goldfish) |
| Glass and acrylic. Glass tanks are much heavier and | | | | and allow them to help the tanks nitrogen cycle get |
| bulkier. They are harder to scratch when cleaning and | | | | rolling. After a couple weeks of the starter fish you |
| cost less. Acrylic on the other hand are sealed more | | | | can then add fish of your choice. |
| tightly and look nicer. If you are looking for a specific | | | | MAINTAINING A HEALTHY TANK: |
| shape to your tank acrylic is the way to go. | | | | Once you have fish in your tank, keeping up with the |
| SETTING UP YOUR NEW TANK | | | | maintenance of the tank is important to ensure the |
| Now comes the fun part. You have selected your | | | | health of your fish. |
| tank, you know where you want to put it, and now | | | | 1.You want to make sure that you feed your fish |
| you get to fill your tank with all kinds of interesting | | | | daily. Once or twice a day (As much food as they |
| fish, plants, rocks, and accessories. When starting a | | | | can eat in 3-5 minutes) |
| new tank it is important that you have also | | | | 2. Check the temperature of the water daily to |
| purchased to following items: | | | | make sure it is suitable for the species you have |
| 1. A hood with a lighting system | | | | chosen. If you have a heater this temperature will |
| 2. Light bulbs (If not included in your hood) | | | | remain fairly constant |
| 3. Filtration system | | | | 3. Check the pH weekly. |
| 4. Gravel for the bottom of your tank | | | | 4. Remove dead leaves from your plants as |
| 5. Plants, fake or live (I prefer live they help to make | | | | necessary, and check for proper water filtration. |
| it more realistic) | | | | 5. Once a month do a partial water change 20-30% |
| 6. Rocks for your fish to hide behind | | | | 6. Clean the algae from the tank sides and rocks |
| 7. Air pump (This is optional I like it because it helps | | | | monthly |
| to add oxygen to the water) | | | | 7. Clean your filter monthly, if you have 2 filters it is a |
| 8. Any accessories you want to add to make your | | | | good idea to change them one at a time so that the |
| tank more pleasing to the eye | | | | bacteria levels remain constant and do not plummet. |
| 9. Airline tubing | | | | Once you have your tank up and running if setup |
| 10. Water conditioner | | | | properly it will pretty much run itself. With consistent |
| 11. Fishnet | | | | cleaning and the right types of fish, debris and algae |
| 12. Fish food | | | | will be minimal. Make sure that you have bottom |
| 13. Heater | | | | feeders and algae eaters to help you out in the |
| 14. Thermometer | | | | cleaning process. Good luck to you and your new |
| Tank Setup: (It is a good idea not to set up your | | | | aquarium! |
| tank in direct sunlight, as it can cause excess algae | | | | |