How To Set Up A Freshwater Aquarium

Learning how to set up a freshwater aquarium can seem difficult but it doesn't have to be. A freshwater aquarium is a nice touch to any home or office and once it's set up is easy to maintain. Here is what you need to do in order to set up a freshwater aquarium. 

You will need: 

• A tank
• Stand
• Gravel
• Filter
• Fish food
• net
• decorations
• test kit
• Heater
• Scrubber

1. Depending on how many fish you plan on getting depends on the size of the tank you purchase. If you plan of having large fish or many fish then a larger tank is important to have. Fish need room to swim so make sure they have a large enough home.
2. Find a place to put your tank. Clean the space and make sure the aquarium is sitting on a steady stand. Make sure the supplies are tucked away safely so children or other pets do not ingest them.
3. Purchase supplies at any pet shop. When you return home clean all decorations, gravel and the tank, use water only to clean. Do not use soap or anything else. You will need about a pound of gravel and once the tank is cleaned you can lay down the gravel and decorations any way you wish to have it.
4. Next fill up your tank. Use warm water (not too warm) and do not over fill. You can purchase a cleaner from the pet store to clean out any chemicals from the water and purify it.
5. Now is the time to set up the lights, filter and heater. Follow the instructions for the setup. Once everything is set up you can filter the water and turn on the heater.
6. Wait to put fish in your tank. It’s a rule of thumb to wait 24-48 hours and even then you can wait another day or two. You want to wait until everything cycles, settles and the fish can be placed in there and be happy.
7. Add your fish. The reward to setting up a freshwater aquarium is adding the fish. Keep a close eye on them and make sure they are doing well. If you followed the instructions on setting up the freshwater aquarium then your fish should be fine.