How to Set up a Community Fish Tank
Set up your tank., Add your layers., Add in your decoration pieces., Slowly add water, being careful not to disturb your setting., Put in your power filter., Add a heater and a thermometer., Wait for 3 days., Introduce your fish slowly., Feed your...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Set up your tank.
Get a big tank, larger than 10 gallons (37.9 L) ideally.
But that's just a preferable size, you can choose the size of your tank according to your own personal choice.
When you do this make sure that you don't take a tank with thin glass.
Check that the tank doesn't leak when you buy it from the shop. -
Step 2: Add your layers.
The flooring can be done in different layers but it's best to stick with one single layer.
You can use gravel or substrate or sand.
The finer the flooring materials the better.
Make sure that it covers 1/20th of the tank's height. , Decorate using your imagination any way you like.
Remember that the ornaments should not take up more than 40% of the tank space.
Give some shade or hiding place for the fishes to rest when they get fatigued or want shelter. , Leave about 1/20th space at the top of the tank.
Stop pouring water at that level. , Turn it on to enable circulation and filtration of water.
It is to be turned on the entire day; do not turn it off. , These are a must as temperature control is crucial.
For community tanks the average acceptable temperature is 22-27 degrees Celsius.
Make sure that the temperature is within this range. , Keep the filter turned on for 3 days at least to enable helpful bacteria to develop as these will help keep the tank clean.
You may add fishes and other aquatic animals after this period. , Do not just pour them in; put the plastic bag they came in in the aquarium water for 20 minutes before releasing them.
If you're not sure what fish to get, some options include:
Guppies Zebra Fish Neon Tetras are also a good choice for beginners.
Zebrafish and Neons are schooling fish so they will be fun to watch. , Do it once in the morning and once at night.
Avoid overfeeding, as this will make water cloudy.
The number of pellets you give should be double the number of your total fish if you have Guppies/Zebra/Molly/Platy/Neons; for other fish, follow any species-specific suggestions. , No light in fish tanks can result in fishes getting de-colorized or worse-blind! -
Step 3: Add in your decoration pieces.
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Step 4: Slowly add water
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Step 5: being careful not to disturb your setting.
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Step 6: Put in your power filter.
-
Step 7: Add a heater and a thermometer.
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Step 8: Wait for 3 days.
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Step 9: Introduce your fish slowly.
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Step 10: Feed your fish 2 times a day.
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Step 11: Keep the lights in your tank turned on for 8 hours a day.
Detailed Guide
Get a big tank, larger than 10 gallons (37.9 L) ideally.
But that's just a preferable size, you can choose the size of your tank according to your own personal choice.
When you do this make sure that you don't take a tank with thin glass.
Check that the tank doesn't leak when you buy it from the shop.
The flooring can be done in different layers but it's best to stick with one single layer.
You can use gravel or substrate or sand.
The finer the flooring materials the better.
Make sure that it covers 1/20th of the tank's height. , Decorate using your imagination any way you like.
Remember that the ornaments should not take up more than 40% of the tank space.
Give some shade or hiding place for the fishes to rest when they get fatigued or want shelter. , Leave about 1/20th space at the top of the tank.
Stop pouring water at that level. , Turn it on to enable circulation and filtration of water.
It is to be turned on the entire day; do not turn it off. , These are a must as temperature control is crucial.
For community tanks the average acceptable temperature is 22-27 degrees Celsius.
Make sure that the temperature is within this range. , Keep the filter turned on for 3 days at least to enable helpful bacteria to develop as these will help keep the tank clean.
You may add fishes and other aquatic animals after this period. , Do not just pour them in; put the plastic bag they came in in the aquarium water for 20 minutes before releasing them.
If you're not sure what fish to get, some options include:
Guppies Zebra Fish Neon Tetras are also a good choice for beginners.
Zebrafish and Neons are schooling fish so they will be fun to watch. , Do it once in the morning and once at night.
Avoid overfeeding, as this will make water cloudy.
The number of pellets you give should be double the number of your total fish if you have Guppies/Zebra/Molly/Platy/Neons; for other fish, follow any species-specific suggestions. , No light in fish tanks can result in fishes getting de-colorized or worse-blind!
About the Author
Carolyn Lee
A passionate writer with expertise in lifestyle topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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