Freshwater Aquarium Setup – Setting Up a Giant Freshwater Aquarium
If you are setting up a giant freshwater aquarium, you may need to make special considerations than if you were using a smaller tank. Whether you simply want large fish or large schools of smaller fish, a giant aquarium can be an exciting hobby if set up correctly.
If you live or work in any area that is not the ground floor, your first consideration should be the weight of your aquarium. A fifty-five gallon aquarium filled with water can easily weigh five to six hundred pounds. In some case, it can weigh even more than that. You will want to check with your landlord to ensure the floor can properly support your aquarium.
You will also want to ensure you have an aquarium stand that will support your tank properly. Different tanks have different requirements for aquarium stands so make sure you talk to an expert.
Once you have gotten the weight and aquarium stand questions out of the way, it is time to begin setting up your aquarium. You will want to clean your aquarium with tap water and a clean sponge. Do not use soap or any type of cleaning agents. Chemicals inside the soaps or cleaning agents may be harmful to fish.
When your aquarium is properly rinsed, you should add an undergravel filter system to your tank if you purchased one. Set it up according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Now add the appropriate amount of gravel. It is important to note that there should be a slight, half an inch rise near the back of the aquarium.
If you added the gravel, then it is time to arrange your aquarium according to your fish’s needs. Put each item where you’d like it to stay and begin adding the water. To avoid displacing your décor, try placing a plate against the gravel and carefully pouring your water over the plate.
Now attach your power filter and heater. Be sure to place a thermometer where you can easily view it. Do not forget to treat your water with dechlorinator. Many water systems use chlorine to keep their water healthy for people. Unfortunately, chlorine is not so healthy for your fish. Failing to add dechlorinator to your fish’s water could easily harm or kill them.
If you have followed the above steps (double-check to make sure you did not miss one!), you can place your lighting and hood where they belong. Now flip on all of your appliances and test them. Check the water temperature and pH level as needed. Is everything in order?
If so, congratulations. You have finished setting up your freshwater aquarium. Now, you need only wait twenty-four hours before adding your new starter fish. Remember, each step list above is essential for the well-being of your new pets.