| Setting up a tropical fish tank can be fun but you | | | | plants. It also provides support for your aquatic |
| also have to take into consideration some important | | | | plants. Before you fill the tank with water, use a |
| things before you start. Make sure you did your | | | | medium saucer to avoid the gravel from whirling up. |
| research on what's healthy for your fish or not. The | | | | After filling the tank with about 1/3 water, you can |
| first thing that you have to decide on is the size of | | | | now decorate it with plants and other ornaments. If |
| your tank and how many fish you would have to put | | | | you're a beginner and you're not too comfortable |
| in it. The bigger tank you have the better. Water | | | | with live plants yet, opt for silk plants instead of |
| tends to me more stable in a bigger sized tank aside | | | | plastic plants. Silk plants are way gentler with your |
| from you're giving your fish enough room to swim at. | | | | fish's fins than plastic plants. After you're done |
| Ask some long-term hobbyists what sorts of fish can | | | | decorating, you can now fill your aquarium with |
| be placed together in one aquarium. If you fail to | | | | water. |
| read about this, you'll end up having injured or dead | | | | The next thing you have to do when setting up a |
| fish. So now you have the aquarium and you already | | | | tropical fish tank is to install the filter, heater and light. |
| decided what fish you want, it's now time to put | | | | Fluorescent lighting is the most common form of |
| your tropical fish tank to its ideal location. Place your | | | | lighting but you can also buy special fish tank bulbs |
| tank away from direct sunlight and air conditioning | | | | that can highlight the colors of your fish. They can |
| vents. Sunlight encourages the growth of algae and | | | | also provide light requirements if you have live corals. |
| air conditioning causes rapid temperature fluctuations. | | | | Add water conditioners to make your aquarium fish |
| Put your tank in a quiet room and make sure it is | | | | ready. Make sure to use a test kit before you put |
| close to a power outlet. | | | | your fish in the tank. Put two fish at a time so that |
| Wash the gravel thoroughly to get rid of dust, dirt or | | | | they can be gradually acclimated to their new home |
| any toxic materials. Some choose to leave the | | | | and environment. Read about how to properly |
| bottom bare but remember that gravel helps in | | | | acclimate your fish into the aquarium before you |
| accommodating beneficial bacteria for both fish and | | | | proceed adding all of them. |