Do you have a passion for fish, or sometimes wish you could bring the tropics to your living room? Everyone can imagine an impressive tank in their home to dazzle guests with, but what does it actually take to build your own aquarium? Today we will break down some easy setup tips to get you started with your very first aquarium!
Begin Your Tank!
Let’s start with the obvious: No matter how you set up your tank, the single most important factor is what kind of fish you have. That determines the conditions you want.
Beginners often start with a 10-20 gallon tank because bigger tanks are easier to maintain.
Setup
Freshwater
- Clean your aquarium and ensure it is level
- Avoid direct sunlight (causes algae)
- Make space for life support like cords and filters
- Install filter and add substrate (rinse prior, not with soap)
- Condition water
- Install air stone and pump
- Install heater and thermometer
- Install overhead light
Saltwater
- Assemble tank
- Add live sand (do not rinse)
- Build aquascape
- Add saltwater and nitrifying bacteria
- Turn on heater and pump
- Add coral
Note that the care conditions of freshwater vs. saltwater overlap, but are by no means interchangeable.
Once your tanks are ready, you’ll probably be full of excitement, but it’s very important to run the filter and heater for a few days. Begin the nitrogen cycle (you can use a starter bacteria product), and test water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. After cycling, slowly introduce fish. It is NEVER recommended to introduce fish to the tank too early, as they can develop nitrite poisoning and die. Patience is the name of the game!
While these lists are far from comprehensive, they should give you an idea of where to start, and if you have any more questions, the professionals of Sea Hare Aquatics would be happy to speak with you!
