Freshwater Aquarium Setup Checklist: Essential Equipment and Maintenance Tips
Owning a fish tank is a commitment. It requires time, money, and patience to maintain healthy aquarium water.
Decide how big of an aquarium you want to start with and whether you want plants in it. Some species have specific temperature requirements.
Place the aquarium on a stand or table that is sturdy enough to support its full weight and hide equipment. Position it away from direct sunlight to prevent excessive algae growth and keep the water warm.
Beginner Aquarium Guide
Freshwater aquariums can be a rewarding hobby for anyone, regardless of age. They also tend to require less maintenance than a saltwater tank. They are a good first step before moving on to a larger saltwater setup. However, a beginner should always research fish and tank size requirements to avoid bringing home a fish that is too big or will not thrive in the aquarium.
Start with the largest tank you can afford to purchase. The tank size is important because it will affect the ecosystem and the fish you can keep. You should also research the fish you are considering to make sure they are compatible with your tank size and will not harm each other or the ecosystem.
Purchase a suitable filter for your aquarium and a heater capable of heating the water to the proper temperature. If using tap water you should consider purchasing a reverse osmosis filter to remove the chlorine and other toxins that are harmful to fish.
Place your tank in a secure location that is not likely to get knocked over or damaged by pets. It is also a good idea to place the aquarium on a stand that will be able to support the weight when filled with water. For example, a 55 gallon aquarium will weigh over 500 pounds when full of water so make sure the flooring can handle this.
Aquarium Equipment Checklist
If you’re thinking about getting a freshwater aquarium for your home, be sure to carefully consider your decision. Freshwater tanks are a long term commitment and should be treated like one. Just like a cat or dog, the tank will consume a lot of your time and money.
Besides the standard filter, you will also need test kits for water testing (ammonia and nitrite), a siphon for draining and filling the tank, a cleaning brush and cloth to clean the tank sides and gravel. You will need a container for water to transport the tank when performing your weekly water changes. Some other handy tools that can make your life easier are an algae scraper, a hose for recirculating the tank water and a bucket to transport the fish when you perform water changes.
You’ll also want to get a stand for your aquarium and some gravel or sand. Most all in one starter tanks come with a few pounds of gravel but it’s important to purchase more as the tank grows. You should choose a natural looking river type gravel over the bright neon colored types commonly sold at pet/fish stores.
A heater is a must to maintain a stable water temperature, if your all in one starter tank doesn’t have a heater you can either use a traditional style heater or a Smartheater. A thermometer is also necessary to monitor the water temperature.
Cycling a Freshwater Tank
If you haven’t already done so, get a freshwater be ca thuy sinh dep aquarium test kit (there is a link in the checklist above). This will help you keep your tank water quality up to par and spot problems early. Most importantly, it will let you know when your tank is cycling! Cycling is the process of growing important nitrifying bacteria that will convert harmful fish wastes (ammonia) into nitrite and then nitrate which are safe for your fish. This typically takes four to six weeks but can be accelerated with the use of certain foods and treatments.
To start your cycling tank, fill it with clean dechlorinated water and place the substrate in the aquarium, gravel or sand (gravel is best for bottom feeders such as khuli loaches). Set the filter up and hook up the heater and air pump. Vacuum the substrate often to remove fish waste and food that will contaminate your water (vacuuming has no negative effects during the cycling process). Test your tank daily for ammonia and nitrite levels to see how the bacterial colony is progressing.
Once ammonia and nitrite are undetectable or close to zero, you can add your first fish (nonfancy guppies are an excellent choice for a freshwater aquarium). If you’d like to speed up the cycle, add nonfancy tetras such as x-ray tetras, pupfish or banded gouramis.
How to Maintain an Aquarium
A freshwater aquarium is fairly easy to maintain once it’s established. Once every couple of weeks wipe down the outside glass and inside surfaces of the tank with a non-ammonia aquarium-safe cleanser, gently shake or scrape plants (live or artificial) to dislodge debris and perform a partial water change. Weekly water testing helps keep ammonia and nitrite levels in check. A lightly stocked tank will need to be cleaned and the water changed less often, but it depends on the size of the aquarium.
Avoid placing the fish tank near a window or outside door; full sunlight will encourage algae growth and cause stress for some species of freshwater fish. Likewise, it’s best not to place the aquarium near a heater or air conditioner; rapid changes in temperature will also stress fish and can even kill them.
It’s a good idea to purchase a dedicated aquarium bucket and mark it as being for use with a freshwater aquarium; this will help prevent accidental contamination with other materials. Keep a siphon hose, water conditioner and an algae scrubber handy. Also, a sponge cleaning product and a pair of small scissors for trimming live plants round out your maintenance supplies.
When performing a water change, try to be gentle when adding the new water; agitating or stirring the substrate may disrupt the beneficial bacteria that live within it. Similarly, it is recommended to rinse the new gravel in aquarium water before adding it to the tank.