| Choosing an Aquarium, and How to Display It. | | | | also conceal tubes, pumps, etc. from being visible. |
| Choosing the Right Aquarium - Aquariums come in | | | | Place your undergravel filter in the bottom of the |
| various shapes and sizes, ranging from simple | | | | tank. |
| 1-gallon fish bowls, up to huge tanks, holding 100 | | | | Clean the gravel thoroughly in a bucket with |
| gallons, or more. When choosing an aquarium, | | | | drinking-quality water. Do this right, or you'll have a |
| keep in mind that, as a general rule, you can have | | | | cloudy fish tank right from the start! Colored |
| one fish per gallon of water. Larger fish, like | | | | gravel is fine for child aquariums, but if you are |
| Oscars, will require significantly more space. If | | | | going to have a large aquarium on display in your |
| your aquarium will be displayed in your childs | | | | living room, you'll be much happier with natural |
| room, a simple fish bowl and anything up to a 20 | | | | gravel. Natural gravel will look better, and is also |
| gallon tank will be fine. If your tank is going to be | | | | less expensive than colored gravel. You want one |
| displayed in your living room, I would recommend | | | | to two inches of gravel. You get get creative hills |
| a larger tank. 30 gallon tanks are great for this. | | | | by making small hills and valleys, but do not make |
| Tropical fish tanks also have two major designs. | | | | the hills too large, as it will hamper filtration. |
| Horizontal (wide) tanks are good for schooling fish, | | | | Add water of drinking quality up to a couple |
| while Vertical (tall) tanks better display for angel | | | | inches from the top. You still need to place some |
| fish, gouramis, etc. I personally like a "29-Show" | | | | items, so you do not want it to overflow when |
| tank, which is a 29 gallon, slightly tall tank. | | | | you put your arm in. |
| Aquarium Stand - Do not overlook the | | | | Install Heater - Do not plug it in though, unless it is |
| importance of the stand before setting up your | | | | completely submerged in water. Water |
| aquarium! This is the main area of problems that | | | | temperatures should be 70-80 degrees for |
| arise after the fish tank is set up. The most | | | | tropical fish. |
| common problems are that the owner "does not | | | | Install Pump and Airstones |
| like" the stand used, and wants it changed after | | | | Place thermometer on front corner or side of |
| the aquarium is set up, or the stand used cannot | | | | aquarium. |
| properly support the aquarium once it is filled with | | | | Place decorative rocks and cave-like items on the |
| water. I highly recommend using a high-quality | | | | bottom. |
| wooden stand, specifically designed for aquariums, | | | | Place plants where desired. My experience is to |
| which has storage for your fish food, supplies, | | | | put taller plants in the back, especially in the back |
| books, etc. | | | | corners to provide hiding places for top-dwelling |
| Lighting - Lighting can be either fluorescent or | | | | fish. Putting different colored plants in little groups |
| incandescent. Fluorescent lighting is preferred as it | | | | looks best. |
| looks more "filtered," and does not put out heat | | | | Finish filling the tank, then install cover and lighting. |
| like an incandescent light. | | | | Add chlorine remover |
| Place the stand where you want it to be. | | | | Let the aquarium run for a minimum of three |
| Remember, you'll need easy access to electrical | | | | days before adding fish. I would recommend |
| plugs, and do not place your aquarium where it will | | | | starting out with a of couple small, inexpensive |
| get direct sunlight, as that will create an | | | | tropical fish while your tank develops a healthy |
| environment that will easily create algae. There is | | | | habitat. Personally, I use neon tetras while the |
| nothing worse than a green fish tank! | | | | tanks settles in. They are pretty enough to keep |
| Now that you have your fish tank, and a proper | | | | if they survive, but no big deal if they don't |
| means to display it... | | | | survive. If your first fish perish, try letting the |
| How to Set Up An Aquarium | | | | aquarium run without fish for a couple more days, |
| Make sure the aquarium is clean and dry. | | | | then take a small sample of water to your local |
| Apply Background - Most backgrounds simply | | | | fish store, and have them test the water for |
| apply to the outside back of the aquarium. | | | | you, then follow their recommendations. |
| Backgrounds give your fish a place to hide, and | | | | |