Setting Up a New Aquarium

When setting up a new Fish Aquariums it is important to understand the nitrogen cycle.  Many new aquarists jump into the hobby of fish keeping too quickly without learning the basics.  Before buying your fish, the aquarium needs to be cycled.  This can take between twenty four hours to four weeks.  In an established tank there are certain bacteria that aid the breakdown of ammonia to nitrates, but they will not be present in a new tank because they are generated from existing fish. If there are no existing fish, there will be no good bacteria.

The basic process of the nitrogen cycle goes like this:  Fish consume and produce waste.  The waste along with uneaten food and plant debris produce ammonia in the aquarium. Ammonia is toxic to fish and needs to be broken down.  This is where the nitrifying bacteria are important.  These bacteria convert the ammonia into nitrites which are more harmful to fish than ammonia.  Then other nitrifying bacteria will turn the nitrites into nitrates, which are even less toxic to the fish and other aquarium life.  The nitrates are collected and greatly reduced by filters. However they will eventually accumulate in the tank and regular water changes are required to remove the nitrates from the aquarium. 

It is very important to set up and run the tank before any fish are introduced into the environment.  Thoroughly wash the aquarium and any decorations and substrate with water only. Do not use any soap.  Fill the aquarium with de-chlorinated water and connect filters and lighting.  Allow the aquarium to cycle until the water is no longer cloudy and sufficient pH and water temperatures have been established. 

Now you can add your fish!  Purchase hardy fish such as barb, danios, gouramis, and live bearers.  They should be able to tolerate the relatively high nitrite levels and ammonia in your new aquarium.  Introduce about four fish to start. Float the fish in their bag in the tank for about fifteen minutes before adding them to the water.  This will help the fish  acclimate to the water temperature of their new environment.  When adding the fish, be careful not to allow the bag water into the aquarium.  It could be contaminated, or might at the very least, alter the temperature and pH.  Allow the fish about two hours for acclimating before feeding.

Only add enough food that can be consumed in two to five minutes.  Over feeding is a common cause of aquarium problems.  Excess food will become debris increasing the ammonia levels.  This is especially critical in new tanks that are low in nitrifying bacteria.  Test the water pH every day during the first month. Watch the tank for any cloudiness. If the aquarium becomes cloudy, you may need to add a clarifier.  Monitor the fish for any signs of stress or illness.  A healthy fish will be swimming most of the time.  Lethargic fish may hover near the surface of the water.  After about a week you should change approximately ten percent of the water and begin a regular maintenance schedule.

Recommended Reading

For a complete compendium of information on all the problems that tropical fish are subject to, take a look at:

Katy’s Tropical Fish - A Complete Guide

You’ll learn how to keep your fish happy, healthy, and beautiful, how to keep your aquarium to professional standards, how to troubleshoot health problems as soon as they occur, and learn valuable insider tips and tricks for keeping your aquarium looking spectacular.