Setting up your aquarium

Setting up your aquarium can be a fun and rewarding experience when you plan it out, and have the proper aquarium filtration, heating, decor, etc.. This page will cover Filters, heaters, decorations, and putting it all together!!

First of all you need to decide what type of filter you are going to use for the type of aquarium you have selected. I have a 20 gallon standard shape tank. I have chosen to use a power head and a back filter system. There are also filters that use air bubbles from tubing and an air pump to filter and airate the water. I will describe how to set up a few different types of filters.

Undergravel filters:
Undergravel filters help create a natural environment for the fish by creating circulation of the water down through the gravel. This helps keep your tank clean by pulling debris and un eaten food into the gravel and under the filter. This is where the "biological filtration" takes place. There are good bacteria that live in your filter system that eats up the debris and breaks it down. That is how the filter works. Most undergravel filters have two "lift" tubes, one at each end of the tank. That helps both sides of the tank stay clean and also creates a current in the tank. As the air goes up the tubes, it causes a suction that pulls the water up from under your filter and gravel. The bubbles that result airate the water, and agitate the water surface. That helps the water to stay fresh because it is constantly moving around your tank and down through your gravel taking particles of debris with it. This type of filter is best for use in a tank with artificial plants, since this is not ideal for an aquarium containing live plants. Undergravel filters are available at your local pet shop or aquarium shop. They come in various shapes and sizes to fit your tank.

I have a power head on my undergravel filter to circulate the water and operate the undergravel filter. Power heads are a bit more expensive, but pay off in the long run. A power head is a little pump that pulls the water up your lift tube and shoots it out into the tank. That also creates airation and circulation. Most smaller 10-35 gallon tanks only need one lift tube when using a power head and it takes the place of using an airpump, and is much quieter. If you only use one lift tube with a power head, make sure the panels in your undergravel filter allow the water to go through the middle if it is a two piece grid. Some larger tanks 50 gallon and over should have two power heads on lift tubes on both sides of the tank.

Backfilters:
Backfilters come in various sizes to fit your tank. They are even small enough for a 10 gallon tank. Backfilters work by having a lift tube in your tank that pulls the water up into it and cycling it through various types of filtering material. Most have a pouch of fiber with a bit of activated carbon inside. It filters through that pouch and then the clean water spills out and back into your tank. This is a great place for those good bacteria to colonize. Then when the particles get caught in the filtering media and then get eaten up by the bacteria. Some very large aquariums have more than one backfilter on opposite ends of the tank in the back. Generally they are a bit more expensive than undergravel filters, but work like magic to keep your tank clean!! These type of filters are best for use in aquariums with live plants. It is best to use the back filter by itself, without an undergravel filter, if you are planning to use a lot of live plants. I have found that the combination of a undergravel filter with a power head, and the backfilter, are an unbeatable combination for my tank, since I use artificial plants. I do however, have a few live plants that started from bulbs, and seem to be doing okay right now. I am currently using a Pulsar by Tetra backfilter size 200. I have had it for four years now without any problems. Be sure to read the information and precautions that come along with your filter. I replace the filter materials in mine every few months. It is best to rinse them out in the month between changes. Use de chlorinated water that is the same temperature as your tank so that you don't kill the good bacteria that resides in your filter.

Heaters:
Heaters are nessasary if you plan on keeping tropical fish. Most tropical fish like to be in a consistant temperature, ranging from 75 degrees farenheit, to 85 degrees farenheit. I keep mine at 79-80 degrees. There are several brands of heaters. The best to get are the ones that are submersible. These heaters can be located at various places in your tank and are easier to hide. You can place taller plants and decorations in front of your heater to help disguise it, but make sure that they do not touch the heater. That can cause it to get broken or shorted out if they overheat due to contact. Be sure to read the information and precautions that come with your new heater. The heater should have enough wattage to heat the water in your tank to the desired temperature. They come in various sizes and have different wattages. The best for a 10 to 20 gallon is atleast a 10", 100 watts. Larger aquariums may need two heaters on each end to keep the tank at a consistant temperature on both ends. You dont want to have one warm side and have the other side cold. Unless you have a very large tank, one heater should be sufficient. I am currently using a Pulsar by Tetra brand heater, and it has been a great heater, and I have had it for four years now.
Gravel,Ornaments, and Plants:
Once you have picked out the necessary filters, heater etc.. It is time to get the fun stuff. You will need one pound of gravel for every gallon of water that your tank holds. Most gravel comes in 5lb bags. So you will need 4 bags of gravel for a 20 gallon tank. Gravel comes in a variety of colors and materials. I have recently purchased a gravel material that is colored glass that has been broken up and smoothed. It is a royal blue color and is very pretty in my tank. So you can choose what best suits your taste. There is even gravel that is like natural river pebbles and gravel. Next is the decorations!! You will need some plants and ornaments for your fish to hide and frolick in. There are many different types of plastic plants that simulate real live plants, and some that are neon colors. There are lots of pretty things to put in your tank, like shipwrecks, and castles. You will also need to have a thermometer.
Putting it all together:
You will need to rinse all of the things that you will be putting into your tank. Also wash out the tank itself using water and aquarium salt. Rinse well..

Put your undergravel filter grid on the bottom of your tank, make sure the lift tube, or tubes are attached properly. Next, pour the rinsed gravel onto the grid. Spread it out fairly evenly. Attach the heater, and backfilter if you have one. Next, put your plants and ornaments into the gravel and anchor them down well with the gravel. Next you can start to fill your tank with water. Most people use a commercial preparation that will remove chlorine, and other harmful metals and chemicals from the water. Be sure to read all the label directions. Once your water has been properly treated, add it to the tank slowly as to not disturb your plants and decor. I use a cup or a jar to set on the bottom and then pour the water into it to keep the water from moving gravel, then it will overflow into the tank gently. Once your tank is full, then plug in your filters, heaters, light, etc. Make sure they are all working properly. It is a good idea to let the tank run for a few days to settle before adding fish. Once the temperature of the water is where you want it, then you can add the fish. It is best to buy some hearty fish for the first residents, and only add a few at first. It will take a week or so for the biological filtration to work and the bacteria to get started. Once you have had the tank running successfully for a few weeks, then add more fish a few at a time.

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