How to Make an Aquarium Fish Tank

Keeping fish is a fun and exciting hobby. It may not seem like fish could be very interesting pets, but they require as much attention and maintenance as any other. Making an aquarium fish tank is quick, easy and not necessarily expensive.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Aquarium
• Water
• Fish
• Thermometer
• Water heater
• Water filter
• Decorations
• Light fixture
• Bucket
• Fish net

Research, Decisions ans Shopping

1. 
    
   small fish do good in big numbers

   Research as much as you can. The more you know, the easier things are so before you decide on fish or the kind of tank you want to keep, make sure you complete your research.

2. 
    
   Fish can be plain, or they can be very colorful

   Decide on the type of tank you want. You have two basic choices: Salt water tank or fresh water tank.

3. 
    
   A well decorated tank is nice to look at

   Decide what kind of fish you want. Regardless of what kind of tank you want, there are hundreds of fish that you could keep that range in size, difficulty to keep and price. Your research comes in very handy at this point so make sure that you do a lot of research when it comes to the fish.

4. 
    
   Fish love to speed through the water

   Decide what size tank you want. The kind of tank and the kind of fish you want to keep in it can help you decide on the size of your aquarium. Remember that fish aquariums have a population limit so you have to keep this in mind when deciding what size tank you want.

5. 
    
   You can keep more than just fish in an aquarium

   Shop for all the necessary items. Your research should have turned up a lot of different accessories, decorations and extras that a fish aquarium uses. You don't need them all so make sure you choose wisely and don't clutter your tank with accessories. Note that a simple aquarium is easier to maintain than a complex system. Make sure that you don't buy the fish until you've already set up the aquarium.

Puting it Together and Cycling the Water

6. 
    
   Some fish help you keep your tank clean

   Assemble whatever needs assembly. Sometimes new water filters, heaters or thermometers need to be assembled--make sure you get this out of the way first.

7. 
    
   Big fish are fun too

   Rinse all the items including the fish tank. New things should be clean but a rinse is a good and easy precaution.

8. 
    
   Some fish can grow to be too big

   Set the fish tank in a relatively permanent location. Full aquariums are very heavy so you want to make sure that wherever you decide to put your aquarium is a good spot.

9. 
    

   Fill up the aquarium with water (if you decided on a salt water system then add salt at this time).

10. 
     
    Aquariums can be as big or as small as you wish

    Add the decorations and the accessories. Since you assembled these earlier, now you just need to put them in your tank, plug them in and make sure that they are working correctly.

11. 
     
    An Aquarium is supposed to be a mini version of the fish's natural enviornment

    Cycle the water. This is not a very difficult process, actually you have to do nothing other than run an empty fish tank, but it is crucial for the survival of your fish. A brand new aquarium does not have the bacteria that fish need to survive. if you cycle the water, bacteria has a chance to build up to the levels fish could live in. Cycle the water for five to six days.

Buying and Acclimating Fish

12. 
     
    Super sized aquariums can keep super sized fish

    Buy your fish. Some places require you to bring a sample of your aquarium water for testing before you can buy any fish. if your water passes the test, then buy the fish you want. Remember the population limit of your tank and don't exceed it. If you do not pass the water test, go home, Repeat Step 6 of the last section and try again.

13. 
     
    Fish are usually sold in plastic bags

    Acclimate the fish. Once you bought the fish you want, you can't just throw them into your aquarium. A new environment could be stressful for fish so you need to ease them into their new home. The way to do this is to place the plastic bag you bought them in on the top of your aquarium water and let them float there for 20 to 30 minutes.

14. 
     
    Some fish just look funny

    Free the fish and enjoy. Once the fish have been acclimated, you can just let them into your aquarium and watch them swim around. Don't forget to feed them regularly and to do water changes and proper maintenance. Part of the fish keeping hobby is to keep on researching and learning as much as you can about fish so learn and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• Learn as much as you can about the hobby before you even get started--the more you know, the easier things will be.
• Some fish can be dangerous to keep so make sure that you research the fish before you buy them.