10 Tips for setting up your aquarium:

Aquarium setup is simple if you know what you are doing. Fish can be great pets, and their bright colors illuminated in a well-lit tank can provide a marvelous sight in any home. However, there are a lot of considerations when you plan to put up an aquarium setup. Aside from the many things that you have to know before setting up, you have to be ready and serious in giving time and care in maintaining your aquarium. A lot of activities are performed to ensure you have a healthy environment that would include feeding, monitoring of aggression or illnesses, regular water changes, cycling, and so forth.

Once you decide to push through with your aquarium setup, here are some steps that may help you become successful:

1. Know the kind of fish you want to have.

This is the first important decision you have to make when you start your aquarium setup as different types of fish will need specific care, conditions, equipment, and space requirements. If you buy equipment first before deciding on the kind of fish you would like to keep, then you might end up wasting your money on some equipment that may not be needed by your fish.

2. Find out the appropriate care and compatibility of the selected type of fish.

This is a vital step in your aquarium setup and it is recommended that you look at several references to learn about the kind of fish you wish to have. You have to know the equipment, the needed conditions, and how your tank will be set up. You have to do research on your fish and find out how big they can grow so you can identify the size of the tank they will require to make them healthy and happy. For large fish, you would need 3 gallons of water per 1” of fish, and for small fish, you have to provide 1 gallon per 1” of fish. Fish compatibility is also important to know as some types of fish are not advised to be joined together as they have different temperaments.

3. Identify the needed space.

Once you get to know your fish a little more, you can now determine the tank size and the space you will allocate in your home for your aquarium setup. In finalizing the possible location of your tank, you have to consider the space between the wall and the tank for tubing, cords, filters, and the likes.

4. Finalize your budget.

Determine how much are you willing to spend for your aquarium setup and if this is a hobby that you want to have long term. Cost can vary depending on the size of the aquarium, type of fish, and equipment that would be needed. Consider also the maintenance costs – not just the cost you will incur during your aquarium setup.

5. Choose and purchase the right equipment.

As you decide on the type of fish and the precise equipment you need, you have to canvass the price in different pet stores. Check if your budget is within the expected range of expenses for your aquarium setup. Know what is available and if there are alternatives for your required equipment.

6. Ensure you properly setup equipment.

Once you’re done with the selection and purchasing phase, clean everything before proceeding with your aquarium setup. Once cleaned and all the equipment is set up, fill up your tank with water and let it stand for a few days to ensure that there is no leak and that everything is functioning perfectly.

7. Pick the starting fish.

From your list of fish, choose a few fish to start with. These types of fish should be inexpensive, quite smaller than most kinds, hearty, and the sort of fish you may want to keep for a long time. Bear in mind that your fish will not have significant growth in the next 4 to 8 weeks when your tank will need to be cycled.

8. Select the appropriate decors.

Decors are not just intended for aesthetic reasons, but must be carefully selected to make your fish live more comfortably. Fish use these decors in your aquarium setup for their cover and it is helpful in alleviating their stress. Providing the right decors that will make them feel not exposed and vulnerable and can enhance a more natural behavior, better coloration, and improve the fish well-being. Different types of fish have numerous preferences. Those coming from shallow lakes, ponds, or slow moving rivers may like softer covers like plants while those from the deep and faster moving waters may favor hard covers such as logs, rocks, and other objects that are solid. In choosing decors for your aquarium setup, be careful not to purchase those with toxic components. Some toxins from potentially harmful decors may be released in the water and may affect the oxygen content of the water. Some stones may be too soft and may have the tendency to be chewed by the fish which can lead to its death. Remember that soluble lead may be contained in ceramic items with bright red, yellow, and blue glazes. Items with non-colorfast dyes or inks can also be detrimental to your fish when dissolved in water. Lastly, do not use rubber or plastic items not designed specifically for aquarium setup as they may have dangerous preservatives and chemicals solvents.

9. Perform tank cycling.

You have to be very patient in the next 4 to 8 weeks and must be diligent in maintaining your aquarium setup. Observe your fish carefully, do not over feed them, change the water if necessary, but do not put additional fish in the tank. Up until the time you’re done with tank cycling, you have to stick only with the fish that you first started with.

10. Make sure you maintain your tank.

It is necessary that you feed your fish everyday and try to check their behavior as well to maintain a healthy aquarium. Your filters must be inspected twice a week. Do a 10 to 15% change in water per week while scrubbing for algae. Once a month, check all cords, fittings, clamps, hoses, lights, and other equipment of your aquarium setup. You have to allocate some time to do the inspections to prevent major problems. It will take about 30 minutes to change the water including equipment checkup and algae scrubbing.

When thinking of your aquarium setup, you may also consider including shrimps. Freshwater aquarium shrimps have been known to perfectly match the beauty of several types freshwater aquarium fish. Choosing the right type of shrimp would entail steps like how you choose the right fish for your aquarium setup. Different types of shrimps will have different living condition requirements and it is important that you know about them first before including them in your aquarium setup...