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Setting Up a New Tank

Setting up a new tank is not particularly difficult, but it does take time. Before you set up your new tank, you need to make sure that you have the proper materials.

A list of materials

You can’t start setting up a new tank if you don’t have the proper fish tank materials. First you need to evaluate how much space you have for your fish tank. This will determine what kind of fish you can keep as well as how many fish you can keep. If you have a lot of room in your house and can spend a lot of money, you can get a larger fish tank such as a 250 gallon tank. If you have a small area of space and don’t want to spend a lot of money, go for a 10 to 100 gallon fish tank. These tanks are the perfect size for beginners. Ask a pet store professional what kind of fish can fit in your tank comfortably before you buy the tank.

Setting up a fish tank of any measurable size (more than 10 gallons) will require gravel, an air pump, a light and some kind of filtration system. Some tanks will also require a heat source, but this depends on the type of fish in your tank. The gravel helps trap debris and waste as does a filtration system. Your filtration system can be a chemical system, a biological system or a mechanical system. However, you absolutely must choose some kind of filtration in tanks that are 10 gallons or more to prevent your fish from getting sick.

Getting started

After you get your fish and your supplies, you’ll be ready to set up the tank. Setting up a new tank requires a little time. First you need to wash off everything that’s going into the tank. This includes the gravel and the plants. Gravel can be especially dirty and will make the tank murky if it’s not washed first. You should wash all of these materials with cold running water.

The next step in setting up your tank is putting the filter, heater and water pump in the tank. Once these are securely placed in the tank, you can add water. Once you’ve added the water, you have to adjust the water’s temperature. Because different fish require different water temperatures, you’re going to need to ask a pet store clerk what temperature your fish need. You’ll also need to ask the clerk about the pH level because if it’s out of whack, your fish could die.

Setting up a new tank isn’t difficult if you’re willing to give up a few hours and follow some directions. Remember, setting up a new tank is important because if it’s done incorrectly, your fish could die.