When a new aquarium is purchased, most people want to add fish to it immediately, often on the same day they buy the tank. Disappointment then occurs when most of these fish die a short time later. Taking the time to set up an aquarium properly, planning fish purchases, and introducing fish correctly into a tank will help minimize fish losses.
Set Up
A new aquarium should be left running with the filter pumping for three to seven days before adding any fish. This ensures that the water is properly aerated, and the biological reactions necessary for fish keeping begin to occur.
When water is first added to an aquarium, it often becomes very cloudy. This is called "new tank syndrome," and usually, the only thing that can be done to combat cloudy water is to wait (three to seven days) until it settles.
Make sure the water has been treated with a conditioner that neutralizes clorine, cloramine, and any metals that are present in tap water.
When setting up a new aquarium, it is beneficial to add some water from another aquarium that already contains fish, as this adds beneficial bacteria, which will be discussed later.
Buying the First Fish
The first fish added should be hardy and inexpensive, just in case it dies. Staff at the store where the fish is being purchased should be able to help with this choice. Researching suitable fish for first time aquarium set-ups before making a purchase is also wise.
The water temperature requirements and feeding preferences of fish must be known before they are bought, as well as if the fish are compatible with others. It is also wise to know how big the fish will grow, as ithey may quickly outgrow a small aquarium.
Introducing Fish to the Aquarium
A bag of newly purchased fish should float in the aquarium for twenty minutes. This acclimates the fish to the water temperature of the new environment.
The fish must be scooped out of the bag with a net, not just dumped into the aquarium. Dumping fish can cause them to go into shock and die. Also, there is usually a build up of ammonia in the bag due to transportation, which, as will be discussed next, is very harmful.
Once the fish is added to the aquarium, a bacterial supplement should be added. Fish create waste in the form of ammonia, which is toxic at high levels. A naturally occurring bacteria breaks the ammonia down, and converts it into nitrite. Nitrite is also toxic, but once again, another bacteria breaks down the nitrite into nitrate, which is expelled out of the aquarium as gas.
This process is known as "cycling the tank," and takes time to complete, as sufficient bacteria cultures must grow before the aquarium can safely house fish. A bacterial supplement introduces these beneficial aquarium bacterias into the tank and helps speed the cycle along.
Adding too many fish before the cycle is complete is the biggest reason why people lose fish in new aquariums. Too many fish added at once does not give the beneficial bacteria enough time to multiply and break down fish waste, thus poisoning the fish.
Adding a fish or two every other week gives the bacteria sufficient time to grow.
Before adding new fish, testing the ph, ammonia, and nitrite levels of the water will show if the conditions in the aquarium are right for a new fish.
Patience is the key to setting up an aquarium, and the reward is a hobby that can be both exciting and relaxing at the same time.
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