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Moving Your Aquarium
Always support the bottom of the aquarium when moving to prevent
cracks and leaks. Never lift an aquarium with sand or water
still inside.
Aquarium Set-up
Proper set-up
ensures a healthy tank
environment for years to come.
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Advice & Education
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Choosing a tank location
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Cleaning the aquarium
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Adding gravel & decorations
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Adding water
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Adding Filters
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Adding Heater
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Adding Lights
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Adding Fish
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Water testing
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Feeding your fish
1. Advice & Education
It is important
as you setup, maintain and enjoy your aquarium that you have a
source for information on this hobby. Ask Adam's to supply you
with the information and products needed to keep your aquarium at its
best. Make sure that you ask questions and use us learn how to best
care for your fish. It will also benefit you to
purchase a reference book about fish keeping. We have a large
selection of books in stock to help you research your new hobby.
2. Choosing a tank location
Consider
location carefully, once your tank is full it can't be moved. The
aquarium should be placed on an appropriate size aquarium stand or a
sturdy surface that can easily support the weight of the full
aquarium (example, a 20 gallon aquarium full weighs about 200
pounds).
Do not place the aquarium in direct sunlight. Direct and
indirect sunlight will result in excess algae growth making your
aquarium unsightly and unhealthy.
Drafty areas should be avoided because you need to maintain a
consistent temperature to keep fish/coral/critters healthy.
3. Cleaning the aquarium
Clean your new aquarium
before starting your setup. Wipe the inside
and outside with a water-dampened paper towel. Make sure that no
cleaners, detergents or chemicals of any type are used. Never use
glass cleaning products because they contain ammonia which is bad
for fish/corals. Glass
cleaners with ammonia will also discolor acrylic
aquariums.
4. Adding gravel & decorations
Gravel is necessary to anchor live or artificial
decorations and plants in your aquarium. It also helps to create a
natural environment for your tank inhabitants. We stock many types
of gravels for fresh and saltwater systems.
Add approximately .5 - 1
pound of gravel per gallon of water or about .5 -2 inches of gravel
in depth to your aquarium. Most gravel contains a little dust or
particles that can cloud the water in your new aquarium. We
recommend that you rinse your gravel thoroughly prior to use. This
can be accomplished by using a colander or spare clean bucket.
After your
gravel is in place it is time to add rock, driftwood, plants, and
other decorations to your aquarium. You may
also want to add artificial plants to the aquarium at this time.
It is important to clean items with fresh water prior to use. If
you intend to use live plants it is recommended that you wait
roughly one month after your aquarium is running and stocked to
allow nutrients and organic
matter to collect that plants need.
If you are
setting up a marine aquarium you may want to add the crushed
coral/live sand after filling the aquarium with salt water as it is
easier to determine if your salt is dissolved in a bare bottom
aquarium
5.
Adding water
After adding
decorations and gravel, then add water. Room temperature
water should be used otherwise condensation may form on the outside
of your tank. Place a large bowl near the bottom of the
aquarium to pour into which will minimize splashing.
Once the aquarium is
filled, the water should be treated to remove chlorine and/or
chloramines. If you are setting up a marine aquarium purified water
is a better choice as it has lower nitrates which will slow the
growth of algae.
6. Adding filters
We have many
filter options available. These options include basic filters such
as gravel and sponge filters to power filters and sump filtration
units.
Each of these filters was designed for certain applications
and/or environmental considerations. We will be able to recommend
the type of filter that will best meet your needs.
7. Adding heater
Add a heater and
thermometer next. The majority of tropical fish
live well in a temperature range between 78 and 82 degrees
Fahrenheit. Ask us for the specific temperature requirements for the
fish you select. We can also recommend a brand and size
heater for your aquarium.
A good rule of thumb would be to purchase
a heater that has about 2-5 watts per every gallon of aquarium
water. To help regulate the temperature you should purchase a
thermometer. It should be placed opposite the heater.
8. Adding lights
A full hood or
glass top with a fluorescent light is recommended to provide the
necessary light for your fish and plants. It will also help reduce
evaporation and will keep your fish from jumping out of the
aquarium. Knockout or cutaway areas in the back of these hoods allow
room for a filter, heater, and air accessories.
Fluorescent light
provides a natural, full-spectrum environment. Fluorescent lighting
is also more energy efficient than incandescent hoods and the bulbs
tend to last longer. An automatic timer is recommended to turn the
lights on and off. Too much light may cause unwanted algae growth. If you are
setting up a "reef" aquarium with live corals and anemones power
compact or metal halide lighting is recommended.
9. Adding fish
Once your
aquarium has been running for 24 hours it is time to add fish.
Double check your water temperature, and salt level (if applicable)
and make sure your filter is running correctly.
Ask Adam's to make
recommendations on the type and size of fish to add.
Smaller aquariums may not
be suitable for certain fish that may eventually outgrow their
surroundings.
When you return home with your fish make sure to
acclimate them slowly. Begin by floating the closed fish bag in the
aquarium for 30 to 45 minutes allowing the temperature in the bag to
match the temperature in the aquarium. Open the bag and roll down
the top of the bag three to four times. This will create air pockets
or a float ring that will allow the bag to freely float in the
aquarium. Add a small amount of aquarium water to the open bag every
5-10 minutes and allow the bag to continue to float. This will
allow your fish to acclimate to the Ph and over-all water chemistry
in your aquarium.
We recommend adding Turbo Start (a liver bacteria
starter) to new aquariums to help cycle your aquarium after setup.
10. Water testing
It is important
to test your aquarium water to monitor ammonia, nitrite and Ph
levels. Ask us about water testing kits. Test water for
ammonia and nitrate during the first 1-2 months. Do not add
more fish until the aquarium has completely cycled. A cycled
aquarium will have no ammonia or nitrite. Always test your
water before adding new fish to make sure your ammonia and nitrite
are zero. We test water for free so do not hesitate to bring
in a water sample...learn more
11. Feeding your fish
Adam's can help
you find the right type of fish food for the species of fish that you
buy. Feed your fish a small amount of food once a day and watch them
eat.
Excess food in
the aquarium water will lead to poor water quality, which can cause
health issues for the inhabitants.
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