When you are planning to set up your own fish tank, you will need to know how to create the ecosystem of a freshwater aquarium. This can be a long process to do it correctly, so you will want to get started as soon as possible. Get your tank set up in a location where it can be viewed but is not likely to be disturbed. Ideally have it in an area where all of the necessary supplies can be placed in a cupboard or drawer nearby for easy access.
It is important to start with the right materials first of all. Depending on the size of the tank that you want to use, you may need more or less of the various items to create the proper look. Remember you do not want your tank to appear crowded. You want to create a natural looking environment for others to view while maintaining the living environment for your fish.
The first step once you have the tank is to thoroughly clean it inside and out. Use a disinfectant if possible to ensure that you have no bacteria growing prior to even getting started. You will need a variety of gravel. Some people enjoy using the various colored stones while others prefer the natural looking stone. Create a slope by placing less stones in the front and gradually sloping up to the back of the tank. Doing this creates a very nice display as well as adds a healthy environment for the fish. Some like to hover close to the bottom while others prefer to have a free area to swim in.
Whichever you prefer, you want to create a slope from front to back. This helps to create a nice view into the tank. After you have thoroughly rinsed and arranged the stones, make sure you use a spray bottle to keep them moist while you add in more items. Some people add things such as artificial logs or things of that type that will allow the fish to hide inside of them.
You next step is to select your plant life for the tank. You want to use typical plants that would be found in a fresh water environment. Make sure they are securely attached within the gravel so that when water is added they do not float to the top. After you have arranged the plants as you want them, you can add your other items that are used for decorations in a tank.
Adding the water will be a critical step at this point. The best method to avoid disturbing the layout is to place a container within the tank and pour the water into it. After you have added enough water you can remove the container. To do this you will place the container somewhere within the tank and pour the water directly into the container, allowing it to overflow and fill the tank. This ensures that the stones and plant life that you have placed will not be disturbed by the water.
Now it is important to let the tank cycle for a week or so to ensure that there are no chemicals remaining in the tank. It is important that you do not overfill the tank and that you change some of the water through that period to help remove any pollutants. As the ecosystem of a freshwater aquarium builds, you will find that there are some debris that will float to the top of the tank. Remove these with a fish net to avoid any problems. Additionally it will be important to feed the plants during this time as well. Adding small bits of fresh fruits and vegetables will be helpful to the plants.
After a week or so you can begin adding fish to the tank. Do not add all of your fish at one time. You want to add a few like species to avoid problems. You also want to keep in mind that the fish you add to the ecosystem of a freshwater aquarium should be species that match the size of the tank. If you have a ten gallon tank you should not add fish that will grow to over five inches in length. If you buy too many fish you will find that your tank is quickly soiled and you will spend a lot of additional time cleaning it. A small tank is intended for no more than thirty very small fish such as guppies. Larger tanks are equipped to manage more fish.
