Step-by-step instructions for starting an aquarium from scratch: location, soil, water, fish

Although creating an aquarium from scratch can be a fulfilling and soothing experience, it’s crucial to approach the process carefully to guarantee your fish have a healthy environment. Understanding how to effectively plan and carry out each step of the process can make a big difference, regardless of experience level.

The first important decision you will need to make is where to put your aquarium. This decision affects the health of the fish and plants you will be taking care of in addition to the design of your area. After you’ve located the ideal location, you should concentrate on choosing and getting the soil ready, as this is essential for preserving the quality of the water and giving plants nutrients.

Another important step that shouldn’t be missed is preparing the water. Your aquatic life can flourish in a stable environment that is created by well-balanced and treated water. The most exciting part is almost here: adding fish to your aquarium! To ensure a smooth transition for your fish, choose your fish carefully and acclimate them gradually.

Each of these steps will be thoroughly explained in this guide, along with helpful hints and recommendations to help you build a stunning and well-maintained aquarium that you can enjoy for many years to come.

Step Description
1. Choose a location Pick a spot away from direct sunlight and drafts. Ensure the surface is level and can support the tank"s weight.
2. Add the substrate Place a layer of aquarium gravel or sand on the bottom of the tank. Rinse it thoroughly before adding.
3. Fill with water Slowly pour in dechlorinated water, leaving some space at the top for the filter and decorations.
4. Install equipment Set up the filter, heater, and lighting. Make sure everything is securely in place and working correctly.
5. Cycle the tank Run the aquarium for a few weeks without fish to establish beneficial bacteria. This process helps maintain a healthy environment.
6. Add plants and decorations Arrange live plants and decorations to create hiding spots and a natural look. Make sure plants are rooted well.
7. Introduce fish gradually Start with a few hardy fish and slowly add more over time, allowing the tank to adjust to the new inhabitants.
8. Regular maintenance Perform weekly water changes, clean the filter, and monitor the water quality to keep your aquarium healthy.

Choosing a location and preparation

You already know who you want to live in your aquarium, which is the necessary volume. However, where in your home can you find a place for it?

You just need to decide where to put it; you don’t need to move it around all the time. It shouldn’t be next to a windowsill, in direct sunlight, or somewhere there might be a draft. Additionally, confirm that there are no nearby room batteries and that the area is quiet.

The chosen location’s surface needs to be level, spotless, and strong enough to withstand intense pressure. The aquarium’s edges shouldn’t be exposed. The bottom may crack if the surface is not strong enough to support the weight. You can search for rugs or soft pads to achieve more consistent unloading.

Because the equipment required to keep life inside will be connected to it, it is ideal to have an outlet close by.

Once a location has been determined, the aquarium itself needs to be ready for launch. It must be cleaned without the use of chemicals (soap or detergent); baking soda or salt can be used for this purpose. Four times, use water to wash the walls. Additionally, filling it with water is advised as a backup plan to get rid of any remaining sealant and other potentially dangerous materials. You can simultaneously see if there is any leakage. Some fill it and let it sit for a few days to allow the toxic materials to be further washed away, and then they empty the water.

Preparing the soil

The soil is crucial because it acts as a nutrient medium, prevents the formation of stagnant water, and enables the creation of an organic microclimate. Ninety percent of the good bacteria reside there. See a different article for more information about selecting soil.

Clean the earth. In the event that you have selected pebbles or gravel, you must first prepare salted water and boil the stones for one hour. If using sand, warm it up in a frying pan for half an hour while stirring continuously. Subsequently, you must pass the sand through a fine sieve in order to eliminate any remaining small impurities. The ground is prepared.

Now pour 1/3 of the water into the aquarium and place the dirt inside. This can be done uniformly throughout the bottom, or you can choose to create little mounds and hills. However, the bottom should be at least 4-5 cm filled with soil.

Coming up with the design

This is the time to let your imagination run wild if the aquarium’s initial launch involves a lot of particular actions. You can now add driftwood, rocks, houses, pots, and additional accessories. Remember to take care of them to prevent spreading an infection. You can arrange them at random and observe the results. Many people sketch out their ideal arrangement of all the accessories on paper before placing them in that location. Nobody prevents you from relocating them at your discretion, though it is obviously preferable to do so ahead of time to avoid upsetting the occupants.

Fill in water and insist it

Pour room temperature tap water in. If the parameters don’t meet the required standards, it’s best to use special indicators (available at pet stores) to check them and make sure they do. If not, the water should be left for 12 hours, which will remove the chlorine. Pour in some water.

A little useful advice. The laws of physics and a standard garden hose will do the trick. Raise the water container above your aquarium, insert one end of the hose into it, and then use the other end to suction a little water into the container before lowering it into the aquarium. This will cause the water to start flowing through the hose in accordance with the law of communicating vessels. You can either aim the hose at a plate that is placed on the bottom to prevent splashes, or you can aim the water directly at the aquarium’s glass.

2-4 days later, there is a slight cloudiness in the water. This indicates that the bacteria have started to grow. The water will clear up in a few days, maybe even turning a slight yellow color. You can purchase a specialized starter that contains healthy bacteria and bring it indoors. Asking friends who already have an aquarium with ideal conditions to give you a squeeze from the filter will go a long way toward setting up the initial setup when you are trying to start the aquarium.

We submerge an aquarium heater, compressor, and filter inside before turning them on. Aim the thermometer between 24 and 25 degrees. Don’t switch on the lights. Take 5-7 days off from the water. Many novices are attempting to make a fast launch and start fish right away after adding water, but at this point, it will be fatal for them.

We settle the plants

We can plant the plants after 5-7 days. However, it is advised to start with basic aquarium plants like hornwort, naias, vallisneria, anubias, elodea, Indian fern, riccia, hygrophila, and ambulia in order to create a healthy microclimate. Any of these plants will adapt to the bioenvironment’s establishment flawlessly.

Aim to have the lights adjusted to 0.35 watts per linear meter. Every day, leave the light on for eight hours.

Creating a healthy environment for your fish requires meticulous planning and step-by-step execution when starting an aquarium from scratch. To make sure everything is in balance and safe, you’ll need to pick the ideal spot, pick the right kind of soil, get the water ready, and add fish little by little. This tutorial will take you step-by-step through the process, assisting you in avoiding common blunders and setting up a flourishing aquarium that your fish and you will love.

Launching the fish

You can introduce fish into the aquarium for the first time after settling the plants, which should take one to two days. But for the time being, only the most modest and resilient ones. For instance, danio fish, barbs, and viviparous species. School fish are housed in clusters of five or six. Get hymenochirus frogs or ampullaria snails if that’s what you’re craving.

A brief note on settling the fish. When adding new fish, remove a portion of the water from the fish container and replace it with aquarium water. Give the fish an hour on end. To maintain the same temperature, you can put fish in bags in a shared aquarium. After a few hours of gradually changing all the water, transfer the fish to the shared aquarium.

The fish are stressed out on the first day, so it’s best not to feed them. Don’t worry, though; nothing bad will happen to them during the day, and they can endure a brief period of not eating.

Recall that if you don’t want to start the aquarium again later, just follow the instructions given instead of assuming that you can start the fish earlier.

Monitor the bioenvironment

Monitor the condition of the aquarium and the fish living in it. If everything is fine: the fish are quite cheerful, the ecosystem has established itself – then after another week you can continue to populate with new plants and breed new fish. It is advisable to clean the filter before adding them, t. k. he did a great job of cleaning. When you start breeding fish, follow the rule that 1 fish up to 5 cm in size needs 2-3 liters of water. You don"t need to overcrowd the fish, otherwise harmful substances will begin to accumulate. And also when settling a new inhabitant, make sure that it can live with other fish, if not, then it is better to refuse to breed it.

It is prudent to examine the water’s parameters. You can alter the water by 10–20 percent if you observe any of the following symptoms: the fish have sunk to the lower layers, huddle, swim in pairs or in a school, or press the upper fin.

It will take two to three weeks for the balance to fully stabilize. Remember to clean the soil, change the water on a regular basis, and clean the filter.

It can be satisfying to start an aquarium from scratch, especially when you see your aquatic ecosystem flourish. The foundation for a vibrant and healthy aquarium is laid by carefully choosing the location, preparing the soil, making sure the water conditions are ideal, and selecting appropriate fish.

Recall that patience is essential. From cycling the tank to introducing fish gradually, take your time at each stage. By taking this cautious approach, you can help your fish live in a more stable environment and lessen their chances of stress or disease.

Continue studying and taking note of the ecosystem in your aquarium as you go. Your new aquarium will become a lovely and serene feature in your room with regular care and attention, bringing happiness and relaxation for years to come.

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Elena Grishina

Ecologist and aquarist with a special interest in creating balanced ecosystems in aquariums. Main focus — ecosystems that require minimal human intervention. I support a natural approach to aquarium care, where each element plays its role, helping to maintain harmony in a closed ecosystem. I promote sustainable aquarium keeping and respect for nature.

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