Things You'll Need:
- Vase (should be able to hold close to a gallon of water)
- Penn Plax Small World Pump & Filter Kit
- Bamboo, Scindapsus or Philodendron (plants)
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Step 1
Secure a medium to large vase. In addition to being able to hold enough water, it also needs to have a wide enough mouth that you can move your fish in and out of the vase without too much trouble. You will also have to clean the vase fully 1 to 3 times/year.
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Step 2
Dress the vase. Pebbles or marbles can be placed at the bottom to give it some color, but be sure to sufficiently rinse them. Once these are in place, insert the filter and pump according to the directions.
It is recommended that you suction these to the side of vase, although this is not required. Finally, insert the plants into the vase, making sure that they do not fully block the surface of the water. -
Step 3
Add water. Use filtered water unless you are completely sure your tap water is free of magnesium, fluoride, and other additives. You can also add a water conditioner at this time. The water should be slightly above room temperature, and you should only fill the vase about 5/8ths initially, as you don't want it to overflow when you add the fish.
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Step 4
Let the water sit for a day. This allows the filter to do its work and purify the water.
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Step 5
If you haven't already done so, buy the fish. A pet store employee can help you do this, but your fish should look healthy, with moving fins and no mold or discolorations.
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Step 6
Introduce the fish to its new environment by either mixing some of the water that has been sitting in the vase with the fish's, or by having the fish sit in its bag in the water, allowing both pools of water to mix. You can then maneuver the fish into the vase.
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Step 7
Feed your fish 2 to 3 pellets of food a day. Keep a second container available nearby in case you knock over the vase and it breaks.
