Fish tanks how to#

The levels of ammonia and nitrite should be zero, and nitrate levels should be no more than 20 ppm (parts per million). Keep an eye on the water temperature to make sure that your heater is working correctly, and check the water chemistry every few days. Once your tank is set up, you need to keep it clean and well-maintained. Remove the fish from the bag using a net, and carefully put them into the tank, discarding the water in the bag.4 to 0.8, continue to do that for two hours. If the difference between the two is less than 0.3, add a half cup of aquarium water to the bag every 15 minutes for one hour. Check the pH of both the tank water and that in the bag.

During that time, open the top of the bag and fold it open to allow air in so that the fish don’t suffocate.

Float the bag containing the new fish on the water surface for ten to 15 minutes so that the water temperature equalizes.

Also, fish are highly susceptible to stress.īy the time you buy new fish from a fish store, those little guys have endured the stress of transport, been kept in crowded conditions in a store display tank, and then been bagged up and taken back home with you. Acclimating New FishĪll species of fish are sensitive to sudden temperature and environmental changes, and for that reason, it’s essential that you acclimate your fish before putting them into your tank. Plants and decorations should be rinsed in tank water containing antibacterial treatment to kill off any nasties, and then added to your main aquarium. When you’re happy that the fish are healthy, you can put them into your display tank.

During that time, observe the fish for signs of ill health and treat problems accordingly. So, you should always put any new fish into a separate quarantine tank for at least two weeks before adding them to your main tank. Thank goodness I did! Those fish came in water that carried a whole bunch of snails that weren’t visible to the naked eye until they began to grow.

For example, a few years back, I bought four beautiful dwarf gouramis and put them into a quarantine tank. Introducing New Fish To Your AquariumĮven though you’re super-excited about buying your new fish, don’t just tip them straight into your tank! QuarantineĪll livestock, plants, and decorations can carry diseases, parasites, and bacteria that you absolutely don’t want in your display aquarium. You can read more about the Nitrogen Cycle in our detailed guide. The Nitrogen Cycle, as it’s called, can take up to six weeks to kick in properly, and is absolutely crucial for a safe, healthy tank. The biological part of the filter system contains certain species of beneficial bacteria that process the harmful substances that are released during the decomposition of fish waste, uneaten food, decaying plant matter, and general detritus. Your aquarium filter contains mechanical and biological elements, and some have a chemical element too. When you set up a new aquarium, it’s essential that you cycle the tank before you put fish in it. In the meantime, here are a few basic pointers so that you know what you’re taking on.

Fish tanks how to#

You can read an in-depth article at this link, which explains how to care for a freshwater aquarium. Your freshwater aquarium is an enclosed ecosystem that needs careful maintenance to ensure that the environment is healthy for the inhabitants.