Fish Tank Set Up

Video Transcript

"CHRISTIE OWNES: Hi. My name is Christie and I'm with Expert Village and I'm teaching you proper care of fish today and a little bit about the different types of fish. Today I'm going to show you a setup on fish tanks, the proper way to set them up. The first thing you're going to need is a fish tank which we have here. You're also going to need a top on the fish tank as well because if we don't have a top, then the fish like to jump out. The top also helps hold the moisture in the tank so you don't have a lot of water evaporation. The next thing you're going to need is a filter which is going to help keep the tank clean and help keep oxygen in the water which is what we have installed on the back of the tank right here. You're also going to need a heater as well that goes down inside the tank, which I have right here on the tank, because a lot of the fish need a water temperature ranging anywhere between 75 to 78 degrees. On the inside of the tank, you're going to need to put a substrate on the bottom which in this tank I have sand in the bottom. You can use sand or gravel, but in a freshwater tank, do not use sand for a saltwater tank because it raises the ph too high. They do have sand geared towards freshwater tanks. Not only do you need a substrate on the bottom of the tank but the fish like to have plants which you can use live plants or fake plants. In this tank I have live plants because it's more natural for the fish and they're more happier. You can also put pieces of driftwood which is what this big piece is here. It's more natural for the fish. It helps soften the water and lower the ph in the water so the fish is a little happier. I've also got some rocks in here as well; one being here and one being on the other side to help offer for hiding places for the fish, as well as we have shells on the bottom right here and a few other places across the tank for the ones that like to live inside the shells. That's for the kind of--their little home away from home. And it gives them a little chance to get away from other fish that so they're not getting picked at."