Fish Tank

The following procedure will give you helpful hints with the setting up of your tropical Fish Tank.

Site Selection

The proposed position for your tropical Fish Tank should be chosen with care. A window sill may seem a very suitable site, but the amount of natural light cannot be controlled which will cause algal growth problems. Choose a site for your tropical aquarium that is away from cold drafts and close to electrical power. There must be room around your tropical Fish Tank for external aquarium equipment and allowing for easy maintenance. Lastly and most importantly, ensure that your aquarium is on a firm flat level stand that can support a heavy load.

Placing Gravel, Rocks and Logs

For larger tanks it is best to do this in situ. Large rocks should be stood directly on the tank base to prevent toppling. Choosing large flat rocks is preferable to large round rocks as the latter will displace a greater volume of water needed for your freshwater aquarium fish. Floating logs can be anchored down by screwing a piece of slate to them and burying them beneath the gravel (non metallic screws should be used). Next spread pre-washed gravel, terracing upwards into your tropical Fish Tank. Use smaller rocks to hold terraces in place. This allows adequate rooting space for plants at the rear and a clear swimming space for fish in the tropical fish aquarium.

Heaters, Thermostats and Airstones

These can be concealed behind rocks, but be sure the heater is clear from any gravel; otherwise it may overheat and crack. The thermostat should be sited at the other end of your tropical Fish Tank from your heater. Do not switch on the power while the heater equipment is not covered by water.

Filters

There are two methods of filtration, mechanical filtration and biological filtration. Mechanical filtration is where water passes through a filtration medium in which suspended matter in the water is trapped. These systems can be housed either in the fish aquarium or externally.

Biological filtration is the use of bacterial action to cleanse the water. This can be done by using the gravel of the aquarium, where the water is drawn down through it where the beneficial bacteria live. Others system pump the water from the tropical Fish Tank into a biological filter unit and then back into the tropical Fish Tank.

Larger fish aquariums and tropical fish tanks with lots of fish would be better suited to biological filtration systems. An external unit is easier to install and maintain. When using an under gravel system, it would need to be installed prior to placing rocks and gravel.

Plants

Three quarters fill your tropical Fish Tank with fresh dechlorinated tap water. Plant taller plants in the rear corners and at the back behind the rocks. Smaller plants add a feature to the front without obstructing the fishes’ swimming space. A tropical fish aquarium looks its best when it mimics nature.

Allow your tropical Fish Tank to settle for several days with pumps, heaters and filters running before introducing your pet fish.