How to Safely Setup A New Aquarium

I am going to explain to you the best and safest way to start (cycle) a freshwater (and tropical) aquarium.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Water conditioner
• 1 Lb gravel per Gallon
• Airstone
• A Heater if you choose Tropical fish
• Live Plants (optional, but always a good choice!)
• Power Filter or related Filter
• Some freshwater aquarium salt (OK for all species)
• Ammonia Alert
• Water test kit for: nitrate, nitrite, and PH.
• A few decorations (optional)
• PATIENCE!
• PATIENCE!
• PATIENCE!

1. After you have your tank, supplies, etc. ready, go ahead and begin setting up your tank. DO NOT PURCHASE FISH YET!! You should wait at least 1 week to do this.
   Rinse off your gravel (to remove dust) and then place it carefully on the bottom of the tank. Place a plate or dish on top of the gravel to keep the water you pour in from disrupting it.

2. Pour your water in to about 1" from the top of the tank. Add water conditioner as recommended on the bottle and set up your filter - get it running.

3. Put in your bubble or airstone to be sure there is enough aeration in the tank. Be sure to use an air pump that is about 1.5 or 2X the capacity of your tank if you will be using a bubbly wand since these require more pressure. Go ahead and add any live plants NOW, to start the cycle and sprinkle a TINY bit of fish food into the tank.

4. Place your Seachem Ammonia Alert Device in an area that is EASY TO SEE, yet not in the way. By now, you should add the appropriate amount of freshwater aquarium salt to your tank, also - normally 1 TBSP. per 5 gallons. This will help with stressed fish as well.

5. If you are doing tropical fish, add your heater now. Turn it on after you have it submerged and set in place.

6. LET YOUR TANK REST LIKE THIS FOR ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE ADDING FISH. You can test water on the day before you purchase your fish if you are worried. Also, you can add Am-Quel, or Prime to adjust Ammonia problems.

7. FINALLY! Time to add fish! Do not add more than 1-3 at a time. Nor should you add any more fish for about a month. This allows the biofilter or gravel to start it's nitrogen cycle and start taking care of the water slowly without deadly "Crashes".

8. Monitor your fish for stress, bacteria, reddening of gills and other signs of problems.

Tips & Warnings

• MOVE SLOW! The biggest mistake people make when starting a tank is rushing to add fish.
• No more than 1" of fish (OR LESS) per gallon of water. This is measured using the fishes Aprox. ADULT size, not the size they were purchased at.
• Test water WEEKLY for the first few months. First you will get an AMMONIA spike and then when it is over, the Nitrite will spike. BOTH ARE LEATHEL!
• Use common sense - if a fish grows to 24" and the pet store people say it can go into 10 gallon tank- THINK AGAIN. This is common sense! The fish may not grow to 24" in your 10 gal, but this will also cut it's lifespan VERY short due to stress/overcrowding and stunting.
• You don't have to wait to add fish you really want into your tank. I suggest doing it early on so you won't have unwanted fish in your aquarium. If you are a beginner, do not spend too much right away if you're worried JUST IN CASE something goes wrong. Otherwise, purchase some smaller fish you want so if they make it through the cycle, you'll be happy with them.