by Cathy Perrins

Created on: September 11, 2008   Last Updated: January 19, 2010

A clear bright aquarium with healthy fish and underwater decor is a wonderful thing to watch and can add a bright sense of aliveness to your home. The refraction of the light is very soothing as it winkles back and forth from the bubblers in the water and it is very interesting to see the interaction of the fishes as they swim about their tank and to watch them as they live and grow. Properly set up, an aquarium is a joy to watch and easy to maintain.

To reach this goal of a properly set up aquarium a bit of study is in order. There are two basic types of home aquariums, the salt water aquarium and the fresh water aquarium. Salt water aquariums are not a good choice for a starter aquarium since they are much more difficult to set up and maintain and should also be done with a larger aquarium because of the stricter requirements for salt water tanks. So, if this is your first aquarium, please choose a fresh water one so you will have a grand chance setting up a great aquarium to enjoy the hobby for a lifetime.

A slightly larger aquarium is easier to keep than a small one since there is more water volume for keeping things such as temperature and chemical balances stable. Something around twenty to thirty gallons is a good starter size. The basic equipment is the aquarium itself, a sturdy stand or stable, level place for it to sit, a hood with lights, undergravel filter plates, an air pump, some air hose, and either an outside filter or an inside the tank box filter that can have carbon added to it. Some aquarium gravel and a few decorations will complete the list of aquarium equipment. For the fish, you will need the proper food for the type of fish you would like to raise as well as a net. You will also need some anti-chlorine water treatment.

Find a spot out of direct sunlight yet with good indirect light and set up the aquarium on the stand. If you are using something other than an aquarium stand make sure it is sturdy enough and that spilled water won't damage it. Water weighs approximately eight pounds per gallon so the water in a twenty gallon tank will weigh at least one hundred and sixty pounds. Use a sturdy stand that can't tip over.

Fill the tank with water and let it sit there for ten days to two weeks. A new aquarium has not had time to age and allowing water to sit in it will drastically improve the living conditions for your fish. If you have friends with an aquarium ask if you can have several gallons of used aquarium water which will have beneficial

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