A Complete Guide to Setting up Your Aquarium for the First Time
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A Complete Guide to Setting Up Your Aquarium for the First Time Written By: Katherine Barrington Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 5 Choosing the Right Tank ................................................................................................................. 8 Recommendations for Tank Size ................................................................................................ 9 Selecting the Right Tank Location ............................................................................................. 11 Picking Substrate and Décor ......................................................................................................... 14 Types of Substrate .................................................................................................................... 14 Tips for Decorating Your Tank .................................................................................................. 16 Understanding Aquarium Filtration .............................................................................................. 19 Types of Aquarium Filters ......................................................................................................... 20 Power Filter ........................................................................................................................... 20 Undergravel Filter ................................................................................................................. 21 Canister Filter ........................................................................................................................ 21 Internal Filters ....................................................................................................................... 22 Wet/Dry Filters ...................................................................................................................... 22 Recommended Filter Models .................................................................................................... 22 Power Filter ........................................................................................................................... 23 Undergravel Filter ................................................................................................................. 24 Canister Filter ........................................................................................................................ 24 Internal Filters ....................................................................................................................... 25 Wet/Dry Filters ...................................................................................................................... 26 Selecting Your Equipment ............................................................................................................. 27 Step-by-Step Tank Set-up Guide ................................................................................................... 30 The Nitrogen Cycle ........................................................................................................................ 34 Tips for Cycling Your Tank ......................................................................................................... 35 The Basics of Fish Compatibility .................................................................................................... 38 Recommended Fish for Beginners ............................................................................................ 39 Picking and Introducing New Fish ................................................................................................. 43 Tank Maintenance Requirements ................................................................................................. 45 Common Mistakes ........................................................................................................................ 48 Overstocking/Too Many Fish at Once ....................................................................................... 48 Feeding Too Much .................................................................................................................... 49 Neglecting Maintenance Duties ................................................................................................ 49 Insufficient Filtration ................................................................................................................. 50 Purchasing Without Planning ................................................................................................... 51 Being Unprepared for Disease .................................................................................................. 51 Resources ...................................................................................................................................... 52 Fish Profiles for Beginner Species ............................................................................................. 52 Tiger Barb .............................................................................................................................. 52 Leopard Danio ....................................................................................................................... 53 Zebra Danio ........................................................................................................................... 54 Black Phantom Tetra ............................................................................................................. 55 Skunk Corydoras ................................................................................................................... 56 Peppered Corydoras ............................................................................................................. 57 Bronze Corydoras .................................................................................................................. 58 Dwarf Gourami ...................................................................................................................... 59 Pearl Gourami ....................................................................................................................... 60 Fish Tank Shape Guide .............................................................................................................. 63 Aquarium Maintenance Log ..................................................................................................... 64 Introduction Perhaps you have had the pleasure of wandering through the aquarium at your local zoo, strolling up and down in front of thick sheets of glass – all that stands between you and an amazing underwater world. You observe schools of surgeonfish swimming gracefully among stands of coral and watch as colorful gobies pop in and out of their holes in the sand. A feeling of peace and tranquility comes over you as you pause to simply take in the beauty of such a wonderful sight. If you have ever had an experience like this, the home aquarium hobby should be perfect for you. Having an aquarium in your home can not only be a fun adventure and learning experience, but it can also add some aesthetic appeal to your home. Cultivating a healthy aquarium is an extremely rewarding experience and, if you do it correctly, it can become more than just a hobby – it can become a lifestyle. As is true of any hobby or lifestyle choice, cultivating a freshwater aquarium does require some effort. You cannot expect any pet you keep to thrive unless you are committed to providing for its basic needs. While aquarium fish do not require the same level of time and attention as some pets, like dogs or cats, there is still some work involved in keeping a fish tank. Before you decide to engage in this wonderful hobby you should educate yourself on some of the costs and commitments necessary for success. Many people follow the motto, “Anything worth doing is worth doing right,” and this is something you should keep in mind as you prepare to start your new life as an aquarium hobbyist. The more effort you put into maintaining your tank and caring for your fish, the greater your reward will be in the form of healthy, happy fish and a beautiful, thriving aquarium environment. One of the biggest questions aspiring aquarium hobbyists have is “how much will it cost?” This question is not easy to answer because the cost of an aquarium depends on the size as well as the quality of the equipment you select. While 10-gallon aquariums are relatively inexpensive, a twenty- or thirty-gallon tank could cost over $100. Many people who are just starting out in the hobby go the route of purchasing aquarium starter kits which include the tank itself as well as the basic equipment needed for lighting and filtration. Some kits also include an aquarium heater and various other supplies and equipment. These starter kits are a great option for beginners in the hobby because you can get the basics of what you need at an affordable price. As you gain experience you may want to move up to some higher quality equipment or a bigger tank but you probably do not want to spend a fortune on aquarium equipment until you know you are going to enjoy the hobby and plan to stick with it. Do not fall into the trap that many aspiring aquarium hobbyists fall into after learning about the costs associated with fishkeeping. Most of your costs are going to be start-up costs,