Freshwater Aquarium Setup Tips
Freshwater Aquarium Setup Tips
Freshwater Aquarium Setup Tips
Free Online Articles Directory
Why Submit Articles?
Top Authors
Top Articles
FAQ
AB Answers
0 && $.browser.msie ) {
var ie_version = parseInt($.browser.version);
if(ie_version Hello Guest
Login
Register
Hello
My Home
Sign Out
Email
Password
Remember me?
Lost Password?
Home Page > Home and Family > Pets > Freshwater Aquarium Setup Tips
Freshwater Aquarium Setup Tips
Posted: Feb 17, 2010 |Comments: 0
|
]]>
Ask a question
Ask our experts your Pets related questions here…200 Characters left
Related Questions
Why is 55-gallon freshwater aquarium a very popular choice in American offices?
Freshwater Aquarium Setup Tips
By: Kevin Elliott
About the Author
Kevin Smith has been in the freshwater aquarium hobby for over 30 years, and enjoys helping others get started in this amazing hobby. He’ll teach you too how to have a stunning and thriving freshwater aquarium, when you sign up for his FREE “The Ultimate Freshwater Aquariume-course at http://www.afreshwateraquarium.com
(ArticlesBase SC #1872540)
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Freshwater Aquarium Setup Tips
The first step in having thriving, healthy fish in your aquarium begins with your freshwater aquarium setup. There are several items you will need right away, before you purchase your fish. These include the aquarium, aquarium gravel or substrate, filter and replacement filter, fake or live plants, structures for fish to hide in, testing kits for monitoring the aquarium’s nitrogen cycle, heater, light, power strip, aquarium vacuum, food for the fish, and some handy implements, such as a fish net, glass scrubber, and a bucket that will hold around five gallons of water.
What size aquarium should you get?
Hopefully, by the time you are ready to start your freshwater aquarium setup, you have already considered the sizes and types of fish that you would like to keep. Some fish can be tiny–as little as an inch, while others can be thirteen or fourteen inches. Be realistic about the size of the tank you will need. In reality, every fish needs around three to four gallons of water per inch in size. If you want to have large fish or schools of fish you would need a 50 to 100 gallon tank.
If you are a beginner just starting out, try a 10 to 20 gallon tank with small fish. You can always upgrade to a larger tank once you decide if you like having an aquarium and if you have the money to support the hobby. The first decision in freshwater aquarium setup is deciding where to put the tank. You need to have something to place it on which will support its weight when full. Given that every gallon of water weighs five pounds, make sure your table and your floor can both support the weight. A 20-gallon aquarium will weigh 200 pounds full.
Where to place your aquarium
Placing the aquarium in the right spot is also essential. Putting an aquarium in the direct sunlight can make it too warm, and also disrupt the lighting cycle you want to create with your tank’s own lighting. Place your tank in a place where it will get just normal, filtered light from windows. Wash the tank thoroughly before placing anything inside. You can use water and salt but no soap as soap residue can kill fish.
Substrates are not all the same
Next, get your substrate (gravel), plants, and other structures, such as logs or driftwood and wash all of them thoroughly. One way to wash the substrate is to put it in a pasta/vegetable strainer and run water through it. You can choose from three sizes of substrate: small stones and pebbles, medium-sized stones and pebbles, or large rocks which can cover much of the bottom of the tank. The best choice is in the middle–medium-sized rocks and pebbles. No matter what the substrate is, everyone will refer to it as gravel. Some kinds of substrate can affect the pH of the water. Stay away from slate, shells, onyx, lava rock, geodes, quartz, dolomite, limestone, and other similar substances.
Aquarium fill-up
Put your clean substrate in the aquarium and then the heater, plants and other structures. Wash all of them off so no diseases can be transferred once the fish have been placed in the tank. Next, freshwater aquarium setup is going to mean filling the tank with water. Try to use distilled water that has been sitting at room temperature. If you have to use tap water and you have a city or town water supply, you will have to add an aquarium chlorine remover every time before you can add new water to the tank. Put the heater in the tank, let it adjust to the water temperature before turning it on (15 minutes), and then install the tank light and hood.
Patience is a virtue.
Plug everything in and turn it on. And then be very patient. The aquarium has to go through a nitrogen cycle, which can take as long as six weeks. Then you need to test the pH level, ammonia level, nitrate and nitrite levels. If all are within range (check the test kit instructions for levels), you can start adding fish to the tank two at a time.
Remember, your aquarium may well be a lifetime hobby, so waiting a little more time during the initial freshwater aquarium setup is really a good thing, because it will lead to healthy fish. You will need to continue to test your water for these various chemicals forever so that both your fish and plants thrive. Patience will bring many rewards, particularly when you consider how much enjoyment you will have watching your fish.
Retrieved from “http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/freshwater-aquarium-setup-tips-1872540.html“
(ArticlesBase SC #1872540)
Kevin Elliott -
About the Author:
Kevin Smith has been in the freshwater aquarium hobby for over 30 years, and enjoys helping others get started in this amazing hobby. He’ll teach you too how to have a stunning and thriving freshwater aquarium, when you sign up for his FREE “The Ultimate Freshwater Aquariume-course at http://www.afreshwateraquarium.com
]]>
Rate this Article
vote(s)
0 vote(s)
Feedback
RSS
Print
Email
Re-Publish
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/freshwater-aquarium-setup-tips-1872540.html
Article Tags:
freshwater aquarium setup
Latest Pets Articles
More from Kevin Elliott
Learn how to set up a nano-aquarium in this video from The Reef Aquarium series with Bob Wiatroski. (07:01)
How to Maintain an Aquarium – Fish Diseases
Learn how to maintain an aquarium and keep your fish happy – Understanding Potential Fish Diseases in Your Aquarium (02:38)
How to Maintain an Aquarium – Fish Compatibility
Learn how to maintain an aquarium and keep your fish happy – Understanding Fish Compatibility for Your Aquarium (01:34)
How to Maintain an Aquarium – Adding Fish
Learn how to maintain an aquarium and keep your fish happy – Adding Fish to Your Aquarium (04:04)
How to Maintain an Aquarium – Temperature and pH Balance
Learn how to maintain an aquarium and keep your fish happy – Maintaining the Temperature and pH Balance in Your Aquarium (03:41)
Creative Freshwater Aquarium Setup
Seeing an aquarium at once will make you realize how beautiful and creative it can be with its unique setting of creatures inside a caged container, wonderfully you can say that freshwater aquarium set up can become a hobby for everybody. There are people especially hobbyists possess more than one aquarium at home or at the office because of unexplainable happiness you can feel when you make one. Though it looks difficult to assemble but following all the necessary …
By:
Wilson Chiaml
Home and Family>
Petsl
Apr 01, 2010
Starting Freshwater Aquarium Setups: The Creative Aquarist
Saying yes to all of the questions in the second paragraph should mean that you have understood how being an aquarist works. You should have accepted that unless all of your fish have died, or unless of your passion for the hobby has died, you cannot quit, and must do maintenance work in order to keep your tank clean and the fish and other aquatic life healthy. A good amount of diligence is required for you to keep focused on fish tank maintenance, and to prevent you from performing only half-he
By:
Sandra Gaffneyl
Home and Family>
Petsl
Nov 17, 2009
Elements of a Freshwater Aquarium Setup: The Fish Tank
Being able to choose the correct fish tank is very beneficial if you want to have a lasting relationship with any of your fish. Most errors are created by the underestimation of things involved in the simplest of freshwater aquarium setups.
By:
Sandra Gaffneyl
Home and Family>
Petsl
Dec 14, 2009
Choosing Fishes For Your Freshwater Aquarium Setup
So, you’ve got your freshwater aquarium set up in your house. Or you’re accelerated to shake on perfecting your tank, further you concupiscence a whole host of swimming, happy fish to fill it, appurtenant? Well, slow isolated and decide exactly what species of fish you want in there. Maybe you want…
By:
Jason McParlandl
Home and Family>
Petsl
Dec 04, 2009
Setting Up A Freshwater Aquarium
The decision has been made and the tank has been bought and kept in its place of honour. The question now arises what exactly is it that you need to put in this tank to allow an ecosystem of sorts to flourish.
By:
Wilson Chiaml
Home and Family>
Petsl
Apr 20, 2010
Owning a Freshwater Aquarium: The Basic Ideas
Owning an aquarium works wonders with whomever it has captivated, letting hobbyists an aquarium’s inner beauty, which remains unseen by the non-enthusiasts.However, actually taking good care of the freshwater aquarium is another different thing altogether. No, it’s not maintenance, but the basic ideas that surround the hobby and can help you maintain your enthusiasm as bona fide aquarist.
By:
Sandra Gaffneyl
Home and Family>
Petsl
Dec 09, 2009
Freshwater aquarium need to be clean and tidy all the time. Just like any environment where living things thrive on it fish hates to stay in dirty surrounding. Manual cleaning is good but there are more convenient ways of cleaning the aquarium through using fresh water aquarium filters. Manufacturers automatically include filters that can be easily installed inclusive to any aquarium people would buy because they feel the need of the users.
By:
Wilson Chiaml
Home and Family>
Petsl
Apr 19, 2010
You expect to hear what goes around you. Sometimes you even want to listen to be alerted to danger. Deaf dogs have the same wants, however we count on them to adapt to life without their hearing. Some deaf dogs can, so why use listening to aids for deaf dogs in any respect?
By:
Heinz Golzl
Home and Family>
Petsl
Nov 16, 2010
Understanding the Skin Allergies in Dogs
Just like how all human beings are never exempt from any disease or sickness, the species we so fondly call man’s best friend makes no difference.
By:
SAPerillol
Home and Family>
Petsl
Nov 16, 2010
Teach Your Dog To Walk Nicely On A Dog Leash
I was walking through a pet store the other day, and out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of someone flying by, arm extended, out of control heading down one of the aisles! I suppressed a smile and went over to help! Does this scenario sound familiar?
By:
Rick Touheyl
Home and Family>
Petsl
Nov 16, 2010
Don’t buy tropical fish aquariums without checking us out first
So you have finally entered the world of fish keeping. Congratulations! You are now part of a tradition which is literally thousands of years old. There are millions of people around the world who keep fish. Unfortunately, all of them are not successful.
By:
Marcelian Piotrl
Home and Family>
Petsl
Nov 16, 2010
Different Types of Heartworm Medicine
There are quite a number of fatal conditions that have emerged along with all the advancements in science, one such condition is what we call “heartworm”.
By:
SAPerillol
Home and Family>
Petsl
Nov 16, 2010
Holiday gift ideas for your pet / Luxury pet products
As the holiday season fast approaching, on the top of everyone’s mind is shopping. Buying gifts for your family and loved ones, friends, neighbors and colleagues, and even pets. Over the years, people have nearly doubled their spending on their beloved puppies and kittens.
By:
Chris Newton and Lewis Sheatsl
Home and Family>
Petsl
Nov 16, 2010
Pets Spark Is Effective Against Dog Eye Stain
Pets Sparks is pet tear stain remover that makes it easy and effective to remove dog tear stains from your pet. Pets Spark eliminates bacteria that causes dog tear stains.
By:
Seo5 Consultingl
Home and Family>
Petsl
Nov 16, 2010
Dog Teeth Cleaning Gel: Salmon or Mint?
Learn more about how to clean a dog’s teeth both safely and effectively without risking the “scaling” process.
By:
Steve Weberl
Home and Family>
Petsl
Nov 16, 2010
Enjoy the benefits and beauty of a stunning freshwater aquarium in your home. With some basic steps and knowledge you too can setup a freshwater aquarium. Let us show you how.
By:
Kevin Elliottl
Home and Family>
Petsl
Mar 10, 2010
Freshwater Aquarium Setup Tips
Information on how to setup a freshwater aquarium.
By:
Kevin Elliottl
Home and Family>
Petsl
Feb 17, 2010
Selecting Freshwater Aquarium Fish
Information on the basics of freshwater aquarium fish selection.
By:
Kevin Elliottl
Home and Family>
Petsl
Feb 17, 2010
How To Maintain Your Freshwater Aquarium
Information on the basics of freshwater aquarium maintenance.
By:
Kevin Elliottl
Home and Family>
Petsl
Feb 17, 2010
How To Have Live Freshwater Plants In Your Aquarium
Information on how to pick freshwater aquarium plants. Included are some good beginner plants to consider.
By:
Kevin Elliottl
Home and Family>
Petsl
Feb 17, 2010
Benefits Of A Freshwater Aquarium
Information on the benefits of having a freshwater aquarium. Gives the beginner some basics to having a freshwater aquarium.
By:
Kevin Elliottl
Home and Family>
Petsl
Feb 17, 2010
Add new Comment
Your Name: *
Your Email:
Comment Body: *
Verification code:*
* Required fields
Submit
Your Articles Here
It’s Free and easy
Sign Up Today
Author Navigation
My Home
Publish Article
View/Edit Articles
View/Edit Q&A
Edit your Account
Manage Authors
Statistics Page
Personal RSS Builder
My Home
Edit your Account
Update Profile
View/Edit Q&A
Publish Article
Author Box
Kevin Elliott has 6 articles online
Articles Categories
All Categories
Advertising
Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Beauty
Business
Careers
Computers
Education
Finance
Food and Beverage
Health
Hobbies
Home and Family
Home Improvement
Internet
Law
Marketing
News and Society
Relationships
Self Improvement
Shopping
Spirituality
Sports and Fitness
Technology
Travel
Writing
Accessories
Babies
Elderly Care
Fathering
Genealogy
Holidays
Parenting
Pets
Pregnancy
Teenagers
]]>
Need Help?
Contact Us
FAQ
Submit Articles
Editorial Guidelines
Blog
Site Links
Recent Articles
Top Authors
Top Articles
Find Articles
Site Map
Webmasters
RSS Builder
RSS
Link to Us
Business Info
Advertising
Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2010 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved.
Kevin Smith has been in the freshwater aquarium hobby for over 30 years, and enjoys helping others get started in this amazing hobby. He’ll teach you too how to have a stunning and thriving freshwater aquarium, when you sign up for his FREE “The Ultimate Freshwater Aquariume-course at http://www.afreshwateraquarium.com
More Salt Water Aquarium Filters Articles
RElated Fish Information so Fish me Today
- ITIL Certification and Training | MoSo Web Hosting
- Cool “design Company” images | I-NeOn.LV
- this aggression will not stand » ||| 11.13 || The Coathangers | So So Glos |||
- Balloon Juice » Blog Archive » Blind Justice/Republican Crime Syndicate
- Passion of the Weiss » Blog Archive » Summer Jamz #5: Kevin Elliott’s 2010 Maxi Single Summer Mix
