How to Set Up a 55-Gallon Freshwater Fish Tank

Fish tanks are decorative.

Beauty, tranquility and a sense of accomplishment can be yours with a well-planned and set-up 55-gallon freshwater aquarium. Choose fish of varying sizes, behaviors and requirements to fit your needs. An aquarium provides a focal point of water, light and living fish in your home or business to add a decorative atmosphere and insight into underwater life.

Things You'll Need

• Sturdy stand
• Electrical outlet access
• GFCI unit (ground fault circuit interrupter)
• 100 to 150 lbs. aquarium gravel and rocks
• Filtration system
• Air pump or power head (optional, depending on filtration choice)
• Freshwater test kit
• Aquarium water conditioner
• Aquarium light and hood

Instructions

1. 

   Full aquariums are heavy

   Rinse the aquarium with clear water. Set the empty aquarium squarely on a sturdy, level stand capable of supporting the weight and completely supporting the outer edges of the tank. Assure access to an electrical outlet.

2. 

   Rinse the gravel

   Rinse the gravel with clear water to remove excess dust. Put undergravel filter plates and uplift tubes in place if you are using undergravel filtration. Add a thick layer of gravel, sloping higher to the back of the aquarium. This provides a filtering bed for biological filtration: good bacteria builds up underneath the plates and circulates in water constantly being drawn down through the filter plates and back up the uplift tubes. Use enough gravel for at least a 1/2-inch-deep layer toward the front and up to 2 inches deep in the back. Live plants benefit from a deeper base. Use less gravel if the system that you've chosen for biological filtration is not under gravel.

3. 

   Clean water is important

   Assemble and attach any canister, back or in-tank filter according to the manufacturer's directions. Select the filter according to your tank size. Chemical filtration is provided by a medium, such as activated charcoal, which removes unseen impurities that could possibly cause an odor or change the color of the water. Mechanical filtration is often provided through the floss bags used to hold the activated charcoal. The floss filters out bigger impurities as the water flows through. Add water almost to the top of the 55-gallon fish tank and put water in filters where needed, before plugging into an outlet. Use a bowl to diffuse water pouring and help stop displacement of gravel.

4. 

   Cichlid with live plants in background

   Add any plants, decorative rocks or other aquarium-safe items. Fill the tank with water if not yet full, adding the manufacturer's recommended amount of water conditioner for a 55-gallon fish tank.

5. 

   Safety first with water and electricity

   Place the aquarium hood and light securely on top of the aquarium. Plug in the GFCI unit in line with the filters and lights to protect yourself from electrical shock.

6. 

   Good bacteria are needed for biological filtering.

   Test the water for high or too low levels of hardness, nitrates and nitrites according to the species of fish you plan to keep, using the freshwater test kit. Add fish only after achieving proper water quality. Add fish a few at a time, over several weeks, so as not to overload your filtration system. Allow it to mature the biological filter bed, whether under-gravel or part of another filter. Building the bacteria necessary to assist in breaking down fish waste takes time.

Tips & Warnings

• Do partial water changes weekly.

• All three types of filtration are necessary for a healthy aquarium.

• Change mechanical and chemical filter medium as needed.

• Do not change or clean biological filtration, as this removes the good bacteria that has built up over time.

• Always use extreme caution with electricity near water.

• Ammonia levels are the biggest killer in aquarium water. Adequate filtering and frequent partial water changes will keep ammonia levels low.

References

• Ecology Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory: How to Set Up a Freshwater Aquarium
• Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources and Environment: Aquarium Setup
• University of Florida, IFAS Extension: Aquarium Setup and Maintenance
• Purdue, Dept. of Horticulture: Planting your Aquarium

Resources

• Winona State University: Aquarium Set-up