Set Up A New Aquarium And Avoid New Tank Syndrome
Well-tended aquariums are beautiful and they have been shown to relieve stress. Starting a new aquarium takes more than just buying a tank, throwing in some gravel, water and fish. In this article, we will look at how to start a new aquarium properly and how to shorten new tank syndrome.
First, you need to decide what size tank you would like. You can find tanks from small desk-top sizes to tanks that hold more than 55 gallons of water. You will also need a stand to set your tank on. Be sure it is sturdy enough to hold the tank size you plan to purchase. To calculate the approximate weight of the tank when filled with water, multiply the number of gallons of water the tank holds by 10. So, for a 20 gallon tank, you would multiply 20 x 10. A 20 gallon tank weighs about 200 pounds when filled with water.
Once you have chosen your tank, you need to purchase a heater, filter, air pump, hood, gravel, water conditioner, ammonia, nitrite and pH test kits, an algae scraper, gravel siphon and aquarium decorations. You will need about 1.5 pounds of gravel per gallon of water. Do not purchase fish at the same time you purchase your tank supplies. An additional product, the EcoBio-Stone, would help to jump-start the good bacteria levels in your tank and will help shorten new tank syndrome. New tank syndrome is a condition in which fish could die shortly after being placed in a new aquarium under two months old. It is caused by inadequate levels of beneficial bacteria, which would keep nitrite and ammonia levels in check.
Once you have your supplies, if you have purchased an EcoBio-Stone, be sure to place it in chlorine-free water and let it soak overnight. While it is soaking, it is time to start putting your aquarium together. Your first step is rinsing the tank and gravel thoroughly. Do not use soap or any other kind of detergent. This will kill the fish. Next, set up the filter and the heater according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Now add the gravel, decorations and attach the air pump to any decorations that require it. Follow this with water. Make sure you add a water conditioner to remove any harmful chemicals, such as chlorine, from the water. A water conditioner will keep the pH level at 7.0, which is what most fish thrive in. Set the heater to a level that will keep the water between 76-78 degrees Fahrenheit. After soaking the stone, add it to your tank. Now it is time to cycle your aquarium.
Cycling an aquarium is the process that all new fish tanks must go through in order to have an environment conducive to fish life and a healthy tank. During cycling, the beneficial bacteria build up in high enough concentrations to handle nitrite and ammonia levels created from the fishes’ waste products. Left untouched, the average tank requires just over a month to build up enough bacteria. The process can be speeded up, however, by the use of the EcoBio-Stone. It will last two years and keep your fish tank’s water crystal clear during that time.
Now is the time to buy just two or three fish. Before releasing the fish into the aquarium, set the plastic bag you carried them home in into the tank. This allows the fish to adjust to the water temperature. Wait 10 minutes. Gently release the fish and throw the water in the bag away as it will have fish waste in it.
You should test the pH, ammonia and nitrite levels at least once a week. A healthy tank should have ammonia and nitrite levels of zero. Once a month, change 20% of the water, gravel siphon the debris in the gravel, clean off any algae with your algae scraper. You should also clean the filter monthly and add new activated carbon at this time. Knowing how to start a new aquarium and keeping your tank clean is very important for the health of your fish. A clean tank equals happy, healthy fish.
An EcoBio-Stone is a must when you prepare to start a new aquarium. It helps to provide clean and attractive equipment and healthy environment for the fish.
categories: aquarium,fish,pets,hobby,family