Secrets to Setting up Your Freshwater Aquarium Successfully

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Secrets To Setting U p Your Freshwater Aquarium Successfully The First Time 3 4

Welcome to the world of aquarium keeping!

You are entering into one of the most popular hobbies in the U.S. and the world! Keeping fish is a fun and relaxing hobby when you have the right information. To save you from the most common and some costly mistakes, we have created this consumer guide. Follow this advice and you will be well on your way to a very successful and rewarding adventure. This guide, written for new fish keepers, will take you step by step from setting up your new freshwater aquarium to choosing your fish and introducing them into your aquarium. Welcome to the world of fun, no-stress fish keeping!

Laurren Schmoyer Owner of one of the largest Aquarium stores on the east coast 5 Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Setup ………………………………... 7 Equipment Checklist Step-by-Step Setup Guide

Chapter 2: Water Quality …….………………17 Water Tests Nitrogen Cycle

Chapter 3: Choosing Fish ………………... 21 Starter Fish Selection Releasing Fish At Home

All rights reserved. Seven Keys To A No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in Successful Aquarium any form or by any means, mechanical or electronic, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the pub- Glossary…………………………..……….. 36 lisher. Definitions of terms within the Published by Aquatic Experts book that are colored brown and underlined [example: term ]

Index………………………..……………... 27 7 8 CHAPTER ONE Setup

This step-by-step guide to assembling, filling, and starting your new freshwater aquarium system is com- plete with color photographs of each step in the process.

Go through the shopping list for your initial setup to make certain everything necessary for your setup is on- hand when you begin.

Test kits will be very helpful as you learn about your Here are some of the products you will need. aquarium. Check out the convenient list of testing and cleaning products that every aquarist needs. Watching fish swim is proven to lower blood pressure!

A successful freshwater aquarium. 9 10

Basic Equipment Optional Products Aquarium Products Checklist Airstone Light Timer Air Pump Aquarium Book Airline Tubing Action Ornaments Aquarium Salt

Testing Supplies

Aquarium Fish Food Aquarium Stand Driftwood Top with Light Plastic Plants Filter Decorative Ornaments Heater Background pH Test Kit Thermometer Bacteria Starter Ammonia Test Kit Net 6-outlet powerstrip Dechlorinator Decorative Rocks Nitrite Test Kit Gravel Nitrate Test Kit

Syringe or dropper 11 12 Setting Up Your New Aquarium STEP 1 Where To Place Your Aquarium

It is a good idea to keep your aquarium out of direct sunlight as excess light can lead to an algae bloom. Also, avoid drafty areas near heating and air condition- ing ducts to prevent temperature fluctuations which can lead to health issues in your fish. Be sure you have an electrical outlet near the area you have selected.

STEP 2 Leveling Your Aquarium

If you are using an existing piece of furniture on which to place Maintenance Supplies the aquarium be sure it is level, sturdy and will Gravel Vacuum handle the weight of the Algae scraper aquarium when Algae Magnet or Sponge full. Water weighs appr- Bucket Used Only For Water Changes -oximately 8.3 pounds per gallon, so a 10 gallon aquarium full of water will weigh at least 83 pounds! Add Water Conditioner that to the weight of the gravel, decorations and the glass itself and your aquarium is very heavy. Aquarium Glass Cleaner If you have purchased an aquarium stand it also must Towels be leveled before you begin filling your aquarium.

Tip: Level the stand with shims between the floor and the stand, not between the stand and the aquarium. 13 14

STEP 3 Preparing The Aquarium STEP 5 Adding The Filtration

Rinse the aquarium Hang a filter or with water to remove the hoses to a dirt and dust. RE- canister filter on MEMBER: NEVER the back of the use soap or house- aquarium. As- hold cleaning agents semble your filter in or on your aquar- following factory ium. Glass is porous, directions. ( Do and even a thorough not plug the filter rinse may not remove in at this time.) all of the chemicals left behind by cleaning products. Be sure your filter performs all three types of filtration : mechanical, chemical, and bio- STEP 4 Adding The Gravel logical.

Once the For wet-dry filtration systems please refer to the Fresh- aquarium water Fish Keeping Manual 2 . is clean STEP 6 Attaching The Heater inside and out, Follow manufacturer use tape instructions to attach to attach your heater. Do not the back- plug the heater in at ground. this point . Set the temperature between 80 M o s t and 82 degrees for the substrates first 4 to 6 weeks (until today are the biological filter is clean and established). Once your require no pre-rinsing. If the gravel you chose looks aquarium is cycled (see dusty or dirty simply rinse it in a large bucket, 10 to 15 chapter 2), set the temperature to 74 - 76 degrees. pounds at a time. Run clean tap water through it, stir and drain it to wash away dust and debris. Add enough gravel to create a 1/2” to 1” thick layer in a fish-only Tip: Any electrical wire leading to a power source aquarium, 3” to 4” in a live plant aquarium. must have a drip loop. 15 16

STEP 7 Decorating Your Aquarium water from the hose. There are Rinse plants and rocks. Smaller, shorter plants should also mainte- be placed in the front of the aquarium, and larger, taller nance kits that ones toward the back. attach to your faucet with 25 Attach your hanging thermometer to the aquarium on to 50 feet length the side opposite the heater, about three inches from of tubing to fill the top of the aquarium. your aquarium. They can also remove water from you aquarium while vacuuming the gravel.

Whatever method you use to fill your aquarium, it is important not to stir up the gravel while pouring in the water. Pour the water onto a large rock (if you used one to decorate) or onto a dinner plate that you place temporarily in the aquarium. If using a garden Recap: hose, it is best to adjust the water temperature to between 80° and 82°F by adding and stirring in some 1. Choose location 6. Hang filter 2. Level stand 7. Attach heater hot water, but only after you have partially filled the 3. Rinse aquarium, /thermometer aquarium. If the aquarium glass is cold DO NOT 4. Add background 8. Decorate ADD HOT WATER or the aquarium may crack! Fill 5. Add gravel the aquarium with water until the water level is just above the bottom of the aquariums frame.

STEP 8 Adding Water To Your Aquarium STEP 9 Start The Power Filter

For smaller aquariums (up to 20 gallons) a 5 gallon Rinse out the filter cartridge and fill the filter with wa- bucket filled at the kitchen faucet or bath tub is all you ter to prime it. Plug the filter in to an electrical outlet. The water should begin to flow through the filter and will need to fill the tank. pour back into the aquarium. Your filter should turn the For larger aquariums, carrying water back and forth water in the aquarium over between 5 to 8 times each may take too much time and energy, and you may want hour. This means a 20 gallon aquarium should have a to use a garden hose. If you use a garden hose, let filter that pumps between 100 to 160 gallons of water water run through the hose for several minutes before every hour. beginning to fill your aquarium to clear any stagnant 17 18

STEP 10 Plug in the Heater STEP 12 Add Water Conditioners Once the heater is in the water, wait ten to fifteen minutes before plugging it in to allow the temperature of Add water conditioner according to the manufacturer’s the glass tube to acclimate to the temperature of the recommendations. Some freshwater fish need aquarium water. This will prevent the glass tube from cracking salt and this is the time to add it. due to a rapid change in temperature. (Note: If you are going to keep live plants, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when adding salt.) STEP 11 Topping Your Aquarium Cut openings for the filter and heater in the plastic parts of your hood or glass tops. The openings should corre- spond with the heater and filter placement. Place the hood/glass tops on the aquarium, plug in the light and turn it on. For aquariums with live plants plant to have the light on from 10 to 12 hours each day. If you use artificial decorations run your light 6 to 8 hours each day. It is best to run lights during the day and turn them off at night. If the light re- mains on 24 hours a day the water will eventually turn At this point your aquarium is completely setup. Now an unsightly pea green or even reddish which is simply is the time to learn a little about water quality before the color of free floating algae. you run out and pick up some fish. Light fixtures and bulbs that come with most starter kits are designed to make fish look pretty not to grow live plants. Some low light plants may do well, but Tip: A light timer is useful to turn your lights most plants require at least 2 to 3 watts per gallon of on and off at the same time each day. water to thrive. If you have a standard fixture it is best to use artificial plants and decoration. Little will happen to your water until fish are introduced. 19 20 CHAPTER TWO pH scale

Water Quality 0———4————7————–10———14 (acid) (neutral) (base) Once your system has been running for twenty-four hours, you have only one step left before introducing livestock. You need to perform a water test. Lemon juice, an acid, has a pH of roughly 2.4. Pure water has a pH of 7. Laundry bleach, a base, has a pH Why test water? of 12.5 to 13.

Your aquarium is a “closed system” and unlike a stream where water is constantly removed and replen- ished your aquarium will build up waste and organic Most community fish prefer pH between 6.7 and 7.0. compounds over time. Testing the aquarium water Test your water before adding fish. If necessary, adjust helps you know what is happening in your aquarium, your pH before adding fish. Most tropical fish prefer so you have no surprises. gradual changes in pH but you can adjust an unpopulated aquarium quickly. Should a change in pH What needs to be tested? be necessary, a buffering agent can be added to your water. Once your pH is at the level for the fish you choose, you are ready to add fish. The basic tests to perform regularly on aquarium water The other test kits are used after the fish have been are pH, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. added to your aquarium and are helpful in determining A simple understanding of pH is helpful to keep your how your tank is cycling . These test kits measure com- fish healthy. The term pH refers to how acidic or basic pounds that are harmful to the fish. a substance is. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14; 7 is

neutral. A pH reading lower than 7 indicates an acid, a

reading higher than 7 indicates a base. Fish require certain pH levels depending on where they originally lived in the world. For example, tetras prefer For the first few weeks it is set up, a new a slightly acid enviroment, while guppies prefer a aquarium is a stressful environment to fish. neutral pH. Discus prefer 6.0 pH while many African Knowing this can be a key to successfully se- Cichlids want a higher pH of 7.8. This is one good rea- lecting your first fish. son not to mix certain fish in the same aquarium. 21 22 The Cycle It takes from 4 to 6 weeks for beneficial bacteria to be- come established with aquarium water at a temperature Understanding the cycle process can help you save of 80 degrees . This process may take longer if the tem- the lives of your fish. Once you add fish to your perature is lower. Because high levels of ammonia and aquarium water your tank will begin a process called nitrite are stressful to the fish, no more fish should be the nitrogen cycle , or cycle for short. The cycle will not added once the cycle begins and it is wise not to begin until there are waste products (from your fish) change the water during this time except in extreme in- present in the water. While harmful to fish, these com- stances. After the cycle finishes (when both ammonia pounds provide food to a beneficial class of bacteria. and nitrite levels are zero) a water change is recommended and more fish can then be added. The process is relatively simple. After fish are added to your aquarium, fish waste (ammonia) begins to build up. As the ammonia level increases it becomes more toxic to your fish. Nature provides a natural ammonia reducer, a bacteria called nitrosomonas , This beneficial bacteria breaks down ammonia into nitrite. Nitrite is also harmful to fish, but another bacteria called nitrospira use nitrite and give off a byproduct called nitrate. Nitrate is less toxic to fish than either ammonia or nitrite and can be utilized by plant life or removed with a simple water change.

This chart illustrates the cycle process. Your actual levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate may go higher. There are many factors that determine how high each of these levels will go such as the number and size of fish, how often and how much they are fed and how fast the beneficial bacteria get established.

Several bacteria starters are on the market today which can shorten cycling time. These products contain live cultures of beneficial bacteria and are added directly to your aquarium water, supplementing the bacteria that are already present. 23 24 CHAPTER THREE Tropical Community Aquariums

Choosing Fish Danios Giant, Gold, Leopard, Add fish when you are certain the filter is running and Pearl, and Zebra Zebra the heater is working. The temperature should be 80 - (Danios are very active top-level swim- 82 degrees, the water should be clear and there may be mers. They comprise some of the more some harmless air bubbles on the sides of the aquarium hardy species of egg-laying fish available to and decorations. (Wipe bubbles from the glass with an hobbyists. Danios prefer water with a pH aquarium sponge and shake bubbles from plants if you Giant around 7.0.

desire. They will go away on their own and there is no need for all the bubbles to be gone before adding fish.) It makes sense to wait 24 hours before adding fish just Tetras Black Neon, Black to be certain the heater and filter are working correctly. Phantom, Black or White Skirt, It is not necessary to wait a week. Remember the tank Bleeding Heart, Bloodfins, Head & will begin cycling when fish are present. Beneficial Serpae Tetra Tail light, Glo-lite, Serpae and Ras- bacteria need a food source and fish waste supplies this bora Het (not a tetra, but very hardy) food source. Most tetras are schooling fish and are im- The cycle will stress your fish, therefore you will want pressive when kept in larger groups of the same species. They generally swim at the to choose hardy fish. In the fish industry these are re- Black Skirt ferred to as starter fish . Starter fish provide waste middle level in your aquarium. Tetras prefer a pH from 6.7-7. products that feed your beneficial bacteria and are generally strong enough to withstand high ammonia as well as nitrite. Gouramis Blue, Opaline, Gold, Many new hobbyists keep tropical or warm water Moonlight, and any dwarf variety community fish. You can create a spectacular Gold freshwater aquarium using colorful schooling fish such These fish are unusual in that they do not as tetras, danios, barbs, and gouramis. breathe oxygen from the water through their gills as other fish do, but get their oxy- The list on the following page contains a few hardy gen by taking in gulps of air at the water's fish perfect for cycling your aquarium, though it is lim- Opaline surface. They typically spend their time in ited to community fish (those fish with little or no ag- the upper third of the aquarium. gressive/predatory tendencies). Goldfish also make fine starter fish if you desire a goldfish aquarium. Tip: Fish swim at different levels (Note: Goldfish are coldwater fish and should not be When choosing fish learn where they naturally swim. Different mixed with tropical fish. types of fish will swim at different levels in your aquarium 25 26 Barbs Cherry, Gold, Rosy, Tinfoil Your aquarium will not tolerate too many fish at first. and any type of Tiger Barb An aquarium is an ecosystem, and like all ecosystems, a delicate balance must be maintained. Barbs are hardy and colorful fish who need a Rosy Barb diet rich in plant matter. Tiger barbs are A good rule of thumb to begin stocking your new hardy and often nip fins on other fish. They aquarium is to put about 1/2 inch of fish per gallon prefer a pH from 6.7-7, and temperatures of aquarium water. from 75-83 degrees A fully stocked aquarium can house about 2 inches of fish per gallon of aquarium water. Tiger Barb

Catfish Albino, Juli, Paleatus, Punctatus, Panda and most Corydoras Examples of Fully-Stocked Aquariums Catfish are scavengers that spend their days looking for uneaten food that has fallen to Leopard Corydoras the bottom of the aquarium. They do not eat fish waste, they actually eat a well balanced 10 Gallon Aquarium diet like your other fish. They do best in Use 10-12 fish 1-2 Inches long schools of the same species. The catfish listed stay small and grow to a maximum size 3 Black Skirt Tetras (2”)

of 2 1/2”. Panda Corydoras 3 Serpae Tetras (1 ½”) 3 Zebra Danios (1 ½”) Tip: Algae-eating fish should not be added to new aquariums. It generally takes over four weeks before algae begins to grow. 2 Julii Cory Catfish (1 ½”) 1 Clown Plecostomus (3”) Aggressive Aquariums 20 gallon Aquarium Cichlids (South and Central American) Use 12-16 fish 1-2 ½ Inches long Convict, Firemouth, Green Terror, 3 Opaline Gouramis (3 ½”) Blue Jack Dempsey Pike, Jewel, Jack Dempsey, Texas 3 Black Phantom Tetras (3”) South/Central American Cichlids can grow 5 Neon Tetras (1 ¼”) very large and tend towards aggression. Most of these cichlids prefer a varied diet, a pH of 2 Albino Cory Catfish (2 ½”) Firemouth Meeki 6.4-7.0, and temperatures from 74-82 degrees. 2 Clown Plecostomus (3”) 27 28 29 gallon Aquarium Bringing Your New Fish Use 18-22 fish 2-3 Inches long 3 Giant Danios (4”) Home

5 Black Ruby Barbs (2”) Now that you have purchased your starter fish you will 3 Gold Gouramis (4”) want to keep them happy and healthy. 3 Black Neon Tetras (1 ½”) Turn off the aquarium light to avoid stressing the fish . The fish will be sealed in plastic bags with rubber 1 Kribensis pair (3 ½”) bands holding the top closed. Do not add water from 2 Punctatus Cory Catfish (2 ½”) the fish bags to your aquarium as this water may have different parameters than you have or desire in your 1 Plecostomus Medium (8” +) aquarium. The salesperson should have left at least half the bag filled with pure oxygen or air, enabling the bag to float 38 gallon Aquarium in your aquarium. The water temperature in the bag Use 18-25 fish 2-4 Inches long needs to change slowly to match the temperature of the 3 Moonlight Gouramis (4”) aquarium water. This process generally takes between 20 and 30 minutes. There are two methods: 2 Angel Fish Medium (5”) 5 Bleeding Heart tetras (2”) 3 Rosy Barbs (2 ½”) Method 1 3 Rasbora Hets (1 1/2”) 1. Float the bag with the fish in the top of the 4 Julii Cory Catfish (2 ½”) aquarium for 20 to 30 minutes. 2 Plecostomus Medium (8” +) 2. Using a thermometer, make sure the temperature 1 Redtail Shark (5”) of the water in the fish bag is the same as the aquarium water.

3. When the temperatures are the same, release the fish into the aquarium by either pouring most of the water into a bucket and pouring the remain- When choosing fish make sure you know how ing water and fish into the aquarium, or by pour- large they will grow. You will want them to fit ing the fish into a net so no store water enters your aquarium. into your aquarium! 29 30 Method 1 Bag is left closed and floats on top of the water. This allows the temperature in the bag to slowly equal the temperature in the Feeding your fish aquarium the right type Method 2 and amount of food 1. Float the bag with the fish on top of the aquarium is essential water for 15 minutes. 2. Open the bag and roll down the sides to create an air to keep them pocket which will allow the bag to float. 3. Slowly add some water from your aquarium to the healthy! bag (about a 1/3 of the bag volume). 4. After 10 minutes repeat adding water two more times to the bag until the temperature of the water in the fish bag is the same as the water in the aquarium. 5. Release the fish as in method 1.

Method 2 Bag is floating in the aquarium. Top of bag is rolled down and left open to add water.

Both of these methods work well. Choose the one that you like best. 31 32 2. Overfeeding - 90% of people overfeed their fish. CHAPTER FOUR Feed your fish only what they can eat in 2-3 minutes. Feed new aquariums only once a day Ensuring Your Success! until they have cycled and then twice each day. Watch the fish to ensure that all the food is eaten. At this point, your aquarium is set up and your starter Overfeeding can send the water level to critical fish have been introduced. The following are expert tips conditions and lead to fish death. to help ensure your success. The Seven Keys To A Successful Aquarium

1. Filter - Ensure that your filter has chemical, biological and mechanical filtration. It should move the water in your tank 5 to 8 times per hour (i.e. a 10 gallon tank should have a filter that will move 50 to 80 gallons per hour). A good filter is critical and is designed to grow good bacteria. Some filters have only a filter cartridge and when it comes time to change the cartridge each month any beneficial bacteria that From left to right: Tropical fish food flakes, grew that month are lost. Removing the cartridge African fish food flakes, small pellets, sinking pellets for bottom with the beneficial bacteria thus causes a shift in water quality leading to undue stress for your fish. 3. The right foods -There are literally thousands of fish foods on the market. Some fish are vegetar- ian, some are carnivores and some are both. Choose high quality foods to keep your fish healthy. Read labels to see what your specific fish require. For example, sinking foods are great for catfish; flakes are perfect for fish that eat off the surface but are not great for bottom feeders like catfish. For a treat for your fish try frozen foods. These are high in vitamins and supple- ment your fishes’ diet. Adding vitamins to freeze-dried fish foods can also benefit your fish. Simply soak the freeze-dried food in liquid vitamins until the liquid is absorbed. Then feed your Filter cartridges front and back, Sponge, Biowheel fish with the vitamin-soaked food. Your fish will love you! 33 34 4. Temperature –To ease fish stress and increase the 6. Fish –The only fish recommended in this manual speed at which your aquarium cycles, keep the are egg layers, chosen for their hardiness and lon- aquarium temperature between 80 and 82° F. Bac- gevity. Once your aquarium has cycled feel free to teria multiply more quickly at higher temperatures, add live-bearing fish ( i.e. guppies, mollies, platys). but you don’t want to boil your fish, so 82°F is Live-bearers are very colorful, have different plenty warm. Try adding beneficial bacteria to your shapes and make great additions to a community aquarium when you add the fish. These bacteria are aquarium. Just make sure they are compatible with available in bottles and packets. the fish you already have.

7. Maintenance –Regular water changes are necessary to keep waste levels in the aquarium in check. Water that evaporates is pure and leaves behind minerals and other substances. Salt, for instance, does not evaporate, nor do harmful chemicals such as ammonia or nitrite. To keep your fish healthy it is best to keep them in optimum quality water. This can be achieved by testing your water often, and siphoning the gravel while doing a 25% water change every month. Use a 5. The Cycle–You can help your fish through the ini- good quality water tial cycle process should ammonia levels get too conditioner in the high and your fish seem stressed. If you lower the water you are re- pH to 6.4 you will change toxic ammonia to a rela- placing. Also make tively non-toxic ammonium. Keep pH low only sure the temperature through the cycling process, then change it back to of the replacement levels that are optimum for the fish your have cho- water you are add- sen. Use a good buffer, but change the pH slowly ing to your aquar- over a period of a few hours or even days if there is ium is the same as a huge change. It’s good to make such changes the aquarium. This when you are maintaining your aquarium with a is a good time to al- water change. ter pH as necessary. 35 36

There are many beautiful freshwater fish available. Once your aquarium is fully cycled, and after you have performed a partial water change, you can add more fish.

You are coming to the end of this manual and you have learned a ton. Your journey has just begun…

This manual gives you the foundation to create a healthy environment for your fish. When you are ready to move to the next level join me in Secrets to Freshwater Fish Keeping Manual Two . 37 38

Nitrate (NO 3-) - End product of Nitrogen Cycle, and Glossary least harmful nitrogen compound. Used by plants as fertilizer. Action ornaments - Decorations that move when con- Nitrite (NO -) -Toxin formed from breakdown of am- nected to an air pump. 2 monia. Consumed by Nitrospira bacteria. Algae - They are plant like organisms that conduct Nitrospira - Beneficial bacteria that consume toxic ni- photosynthesis like larger plants, but lack stems, roots trite. and leaves. Nitrogen Cycle - Natural process that occurs in all liv- Ammonia - (NH 3) - Toxin formed when fish waste and ing bodies of water. Breakdown of organic matter and organic matter decompose. Consumed by nitrosomonas waste products into ammonia, then nitrite, then nitrate. bacteria. Nitrosomonas - Beneficial bacteria that consume toxic Bacteria Starter - Product containing live cultures of ammonia. beneficial bacteria. Used to shorten the cycle period. pH - Measure of how acidic or basic a solution is. De-chlorinator - Product that removes chlorine from Measured on a scale from 0-14. Numbers below seven water. May also remove ammonia and chloramines. indicate acid, seven is neutral, and numbers above See package. seven indicate base.

Filtration - Methods of cleaning/purifying aquarium Photosynthesis - Process occurring in plants, resulting water. Three major types. in the synthesis of sugar from light, water, and carbon - Mechanical: Physical trapping of suspended dioxide, with oxygen as a waste product. particles, accomplished by filter pads or foam

- Chemical: Trapping of dissolved matter, accomplished by carbon and filter media - Biological: Breakdown of harmful compounds, accomplished by beneficial bacteria

Gravel Vacuum - Siphon tube and hose, used to plunge into gravel to remove detritus.

Heater - Coil heating element, housed in glass or shat- ter-resistant composite tube. Should be placed near filter intake to distribute heat evenly. 39 40

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