Setting up an aquarium can be a daunting task even for the most able bodied among us.  Do it yourself projects can, however, be very rewarding and a fish aquarium is an ideal and low maintenance facility for low maintenance pets.

The first tier of the decision making paradigm is to determine what type of fish will be housed in the aquarium.  This matters when you take into consideration the size of your fish, how many types of fish you plan on keeping and what specific requirements your fish have.  You should not buy your fish until you research and find out specifically how to care for them.  In rare cases, you may try to purchase a fish that you simply cannot care for.  As a general rule of thumb, you should have a tank that will hold at least one gallon of water per fish.  Next, you need to decide what type of aquarium will best suit your fish.  Some fish are tall and thin and should be housed in a vertical aquarium, some fish are long and flat and are better suited to a horizontal aquarium.  Your fish’s display needs are certainly not your only concern in selecting the shape of your aquarium, but they are one consideration.  Survivability is another key factor.  Your fish should be in an environment that generally mimics their natural habitat as best as possible.

Once you have your fish and aquarium selected, the rest is fairly simple.  Select a place in your home for the setup.  Once water is inside, it will be difficult to move so take your time choosing.  Hopefully you will have purchased accessories to make the aquarium more livable for your fish, and more aesthetic to the eye.  Gravel should be washed and placed at the bottom and various fixtures installed at this time.

Fill the aquarium with drinking water, a few inches below the top.  This is when you install your pump, heater, thermometer and filter; as well as anything else that your fish require.  Now you install your natural or artificial plants, whatever you decide, and mount lighting fixtures.  You should give your tank roughly 24 hours to allow the chlorine to mix and filter.  Once the temperature reaches 75 degrees, it is ready for your fish.

Setting up an aquarium properly is essential in ensuring the longevity of your fish.  Be lazy and do it right the first time.  Your fish will thank you.

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