Setting up your new fish tank
Author: kate Date Posted:1 August 2023
A recent study shows aquarium therapy (sitting and admiring a fish tank) was found to reduce your heart rate by as much as 3% in just 10 minutes
– helping people feel calm and relaxed - do you need a better reason to invite some fish into your life?
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WHERE?
When you are looking to set up a new aquarium there are several factors to consider when deciding WHERE to put it in your home-
- Keep it out of direct sunlight (excess sun on the tank will cause temperature fluctuations which will stress your fish and sunlight can cause algae outbreaks)
- Put it in a quiet, low traffic area (to encourage shy fish to feel safe)
- Do not place the tank too near heating or air conditioning units (to prevent temperature fluctuations stressing your fish)
- Ensure your tank is positioned perfectly flat on a stable stand (to prevent the tank cracking)
- Make sure the tank is close enough for power point access for all accessories
ESSENTIAL ITEMS FOR SET UP
Aside from the actual tank there are several ESSENTIAL ITEMS for the set up for new fish-
- Filter – there are several options including Internal filters and Sponge filters
- Heater – most freshwater aquarium fish are tropical and require heating to maintain a liveable water temperature (23.3 degrees Celsius to 26.6 degrees Celsius) Select a fish tank heater with approximately 5 watts (W) of heat per approx. 3.5 litres of water. (note goldfish prefer colder water 20 degrees celsius to 23.8 degrees Celsius)
- Air pump and line with air stone – to ensure adequate oxygenation for your fish. Make sure there is a Check Valve in the air line to prevent flooding if the power fails.
- Thermometer – to ensure temperature is set correctly and heater is functioning properly.
- Substrate, decorations & backgrounds - Common substrate options include aquarium gravel and sand. Ensure all substrate and decorations are thoroughly rinsed in warm water (do not use detergents as these may be toxic to your fish) prior to adding to your tank as they are often dirty and cause cloudy water. (Aquarium backgrounds are great to use because they hide all the tangled wires and tubing from view and prevent the fish from seeing any scary shadows on the wall behind them).
- Food - appropriate for the species of fish you are keeping
- Water treatment - to remove chlorine and other toxic chemicals from the water you are adding to the tank (tip for adding water to your tank – lay a saucer down on the substrate in the tank and then pour water in onto the plate to avoid disrupting the substrate)
- Water testing products to ensure water parameters stay optimal and your fish stay healthy.
- Cleaning supplies – such as a gravel vac, algae scrubber, fish nets etc to enable water changes and tank maintenance.
Once you have you tank set up there is another very important step to complete prior to adding all the fish you intend to keep – CYCLING YOUR TANK.
