Ensure your fish tank is placed on a level surface suitable for bearing the weight of your full aquarium (a gallon of water weighs just over 8lbs, so calculate the weight of your aquarium including the weight of the tank itself).
Position the aquarium so you can get the maximum enjoyment from it however avoiding:
Once you’ve picked your chosen substrate (gravel/sand) make sure to give it a good wash to remove any dirt or dust which will cloud the water. Then pack the substrate in to the bottom of the aquarium.
Soak any rocks, wood, plastic plants or ornaments before adding them to the tank to remove anything that may color the water or affect the chemical balance of the aquarium (do not use anything other than plain water to clean these items).
Décor should always be purchased from a reputable aquatic store who can advise on the best conditions for your chosen set up. You can then position these as you like throughout the tank leaving open areas and hiding spaces for your fish to explore.
It is important to ensure décor is embedded into the substrate and stable to ensure it is not easily dug up by your livestock.
If your aquarium fish or shrimp require heated water (tropical freshwater) it is now time to install your heater following the manufacturer’s instructions.
DO NOT TURN ON YOUR HEATER YET. We advise you add an aquarium thermometer to the aquarium so you can monitor the temperature ongoing.
Install your filter following the instructions (video to our filter fitting). Bear in mind that some aquariums come with built in filters and therefore may only need media adding to it whilst others come with a separate filter which must be installed.
Note – When installing your aquarium or electricals like filters, heating or lighting make sure you create a drip loop in any cables to ensure drops of water cannot reach the mains electricity.
Once all of your hardware is installed and you are happy with the positioning of your décor you can begin to fill your aquarium. Place a plate or small bowl on to the aquarium substrate and carefully pour the water on it. This will help to prevent your substrate being disrupted and clouding.
If you want to have live plants in your aquarium now is the time to add them.
Once your aquarium is roughly half full, stop filling and start to arrange your plants and begin to embed the roots into the substrate.
It’s important to plan ahead with your plants. Aim to get a good range of plant heights, spreading from the back of the tank to the front to create a balanced and easily viewable environment.
Once all of your plants are in place, carefully fill up the rest of the aquarium.
Once your aquarium is full you can switch on your filter and heater to start preparing the tank for your aquatic friends.
You should always treat new water with a dechlorinator to remove harmful chemicals from the water and introduce aloe vera to help protect your fish’s delicate skin and gills.
Although you will probably be excited to start adding fish into your aquarium, you need to let it settle and temperature stabilise to the recommended level before adding any livestock; usually overnight.
Once your tank has settled, and the temperature correct (use an aquarium thermometer for this) you can now add fish.
Choose your fish carefully to ensure their compatibility. Make sure you’re not going to be overstocking, it’s better to introduce a few fish to start with whilst your filter is still maturing, then add more fish gradually over time.
To better understand the role of filter click here.