New Aquariums: Tips and Advice

Fresh water aquariums can be excellent for beginners and you can choose one to fit nearly any size. Contrary to what most people believe, the larger the tank is, the easier it is to keep and maintain. This is due to the fact that the larger amount of water will allow for a more natural cycle from which the fish will survive. This natural environment of bacteria and other useful chemicals can be quite tough to replicate in a very small tank. However, the main deciding factor here is usually cost and the size available for the fish tank to sit in.

Where To Buy

Before you spend a penny on your new aquarium, visit some local fish stores and speak to people who specialise in this area. 'Pet supermarkets' are definitely not the best place to go if you are new to fish keeping. If you do pop in to such a place for a chat, don't believe what the Saturday boys tell you. It's quite often the case that staff aren't trained fully, so you're much better going to a shop that specialises in fish keeping, or speaking to an expert in the area. Most aquarium horror stories come from people who have been ill-advised, so don't make the same mistake before you've even got your tank.

How To Set Up

Aquariums full of water weigh a huge amount so it's extremely important that you place it on something that can bear the weight. If you are worried about the weight, it would probably be wise to buy a specific stand for aquariums. Also worth thinking about is that many warranties could be void if you place the tank on something not specifically designed to take the weight. If you are installing an aquarium that is over 100 gallons, it might be wise to contact an engineer to make sure your floor can cope. This may sound like an extreme measure but surely it's better than finding out half way through filling up the tank?! Filling The Tank Once you are sure you are placing the tank in a suitable place, on a suitable surface you can start to fill it up with all the bits and pieces. Before you do anything, make sure you give the tank a good clean with a damp cloth and also give the gravel/sand a good clean too. When everything's in place, add ¾ of the water and start to install your filter system and heater. This will come with instructions, follow them religiously as installing and turning things on in the wrong order can lead to breakages. Once this is done and your plants and decor are in place fill up the tank with the rest of the water.

Introducing Fish

Depending on many factors it's often advised to wait around 3-4 days before any fish are introduced. At the very least make sure you wait 24 hours, if you don't your fish are almost certain to die as the water will not have settled or become ready in any way for fish. When you bring your fish home, float them in the bag for about half an hour. Fish do suffer from shock when placed in new water, so introducing them too quickly could cause illness or death.


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For more help and advice, please visit Aquarium Group