Aquarist Help

If you are going to visit Chicago, you got to experience visiting the icon and leader in aquarium and zoo profession – Shedd Aquarium.
Shedd aquarium was made possible by John G. Shedd wherein he envisioned it to be one of the grandest aquariums in Chicago and was officially opened on May 30, 1930, which became one of Chicago’s historic landmarks.
Shedd aquarium success lies on its founder’s leadership about shaping the future and followers incorporated by collaborative, supportive, strong, inquisitive, creative, energetic and persistent outlook.
Shedd Aquarium primary goal is to give information, inspiration and entertainment to people interested about animals, their habitat and relations to humans. They are promoting animal conservation, provides teaching and learning resources and support global environmental awareness.
Shedd Aquarium’s mission is to let animals connect people into the living world giving inspiration by starting to make a difference. They educate people in a more interesting way having stewards with dedication on caring animals and people.
Shedd Aquarium is supporting global programs regarding conservations. They are also the first aquarium to have an educational department, a textbook itself exploring life and expanding horizons about the animals in their sanctuary taught by their cool teachers within classes.
Shedd Aquarium is a sanctuary with different animal species that people could explore and learn about. They provide itineraries for visitors regarding Shedd Aquarium explorations through their site maps.
You cannot tour the entire Shedd Aquarium in just a day so instead join their membership to visit it often. Some foundations offer discount days upon visiting Shedd Aquarium giving free general admissions.
Inside the vast Aquarium and Oceanarium, you will find to a close of 8,000 marine animals that represents 650 species of reptiles, fish, invertebrates, amphibians, mammals, and birds from the waters around the globe. The Aquarium contains to over 1.5 million gallons of water while the Oceanarium contains to a close of 3 million gallons of water so it’s like you’re under the ocean water.
Looking in the oceanarium, you will find all the Pacific inhabitants, from beluga whales, white-sided dolphins, Alaskan sea otters and seals, to penguins. Watching these mammals in a recreated Pacific coastal surrounding is fun. While in the Aquarium, the 90,000-gallon Caribbean-like Reef in the central part shows to a wide range of aquatic mammals that include sea turtles, sharks, and to more than 250 species of tropical Caribbean animals.
There is no problem upon visiting the Shedd Aquarium because:
- Lockers, which are coin-operated, are available for storing coats however they are not
responsible for luggage or package that does not fit into the lockers.
- Picture takings of animals are allowed by only turning off the flash for comfort and safety
purposes. Tripods are not allowed as well as taking pictures in restaurants and Oceanarium.
- Handicapped parking area are available but wheelchairs can be rented on a first come first basis only.
- Nursing area is also available. You can either eat at Dining at Shedd or simply carry a bag lunch where you can eat on the tables and chairs located in vending areas.
If you wish to visit, the Shedd Aquarium and Oceanarium is open to all from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and selected holidays. If Memorial Day and Labor Day fall on weekdays, it’s open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. only. The place charge adults for $11, $9 to children ages 3-11 and free to children under the age of 3. Access to both the Oceanarium and Aquarium on Mondays charge adults $6, $5 to children ages 3-11 and seniors and is free to ages under 3. Entrance to the Aquarium only is free on Mondays.
The best time to visit Shedd Aquarium is to arrive early or on Sunday mornings because it is least crowded. Shedd is a popular place and can easily get crowded during summer, weekends or holidays.

As you many have already figured out there are many things that you need to do when you set up your aquarium. Depending on which type of fish that you have in your aquarium will depend on the temperature of the water. One of the things that you will require for your aquariums is an aquarium heater. An aquarium heater is a small device that is placed on the inside of the aquarium that controls the temperature of the water. It is important that the temperature is set correctly so that your fish are kept comfortable.
Are Aquarium Heaters Important?
Did you know that most tropical fish are cold blooded animals? Being cold-blooded means that they cannot control their own body temperature so they cannot keep themselves warm. Different types of fish also have different body temperatures so when buying your fish select ones that have the same type of temperature requirements otherwise you will find that some will die.
How Do I Know What Type Of Heater To Buy?
It all depends on the size and type of your aquarium and the type of fish you plan on purchasing. There are three basic types of heaters available. There is the aquarium heater that simply hangs on the side of the tank. The hanging types of heaters are the most basic heating unit and are okay for use in smaller aquariums.
There is also a submersible type of aquarium heater. This is the type of aquarium heater that is dropped into the water completely to heat and warm the aquarium. These are more convenient and more reliable that a heater that hangs on the side of the tank because it provides more consistent heat for the fish.
The heating cable system is also used and is commonly used in aquariums with live plants. This is the best aquarium heater because it provides continuous, even heat throughout the aquarium. It cost more money, but is a better heater than the other two types of aquarium heaters.
Since most fish are cold blooded and will need heating to ensure that they stay alive and live comfortably, an aquarium heater then becomes an essential item in most home aquariums. If your unsure of the type of heater is required for your aquarium then your local pet shop or aquarium shop is the best place to ask. 84 degrees is the minimum requirement for most tropical fish so the type of fish, aquarium size and plants will determine the type of heater you will need.

If you are thinking of starting an aquarium, then a few basic facts are essential.  Deciding whether you want to have a saltwater or freshwater aquarium is the first step.  Because of the many different types of freshwater aquarium fish, this tends to be the most popular choice as a starting point for this wonderful hobby.There are two types of freshwater aquarium fish from which to choose, coldwater and tropical.  Because the coldwater aquarium needs less in the way of equipment, heaters for example, they are a common starting point.Some of the more popular types of freshwater aquarium fish for coldwater tanks are goldfish, koi and some of the tetra fish species.But of the types of freshwater aquarium fish, the most sought after by far are tropical fish.  These colorful and beautiful fish need a heated aquarium to survive and therefore cost a little more to maintain, but the sheer beauty of some of them make the expense worthwhile.If these are the types of freshwater aquarium fish you decide to keep, then the choices you make can make this a cheap and satisfying hobby or a very expensive one indeed!When you’re first setting up your freshwater aquarium it’s a good idea to buy young and healthy fish to start off with.  If you choose to add more mature fish as you become more established, that’s fine as long as your aquarium has had time to stabilize.Selecting the proper species of fish is essential to the success of your aquarium. The types of freshwater aquarium fish for the tropical tank should be hardy and able to withstand variations and fluctuations of ammonia and nitrite as your aquarium becomes established.Without proper guidance of an expert to guide you in which types of freshwater aquarium fish to introduce into your tank initially, your beautiful new acquisitions could very soon become ill and die.Some recommendations for the types of freshwater aquarium fish to start off your tropical tank with include Tetras, Danios, Barbs or Cichlids.When choosing tetra fish for starting up your aquarium, choose those with round; large bodies over the thin, torpedo shaped ones such as neon tetras as these tend to be hardier.Danios are an excellent type of freshwater aquarium fish. They include zebra danios, leopard danios and giant danios.Barbs are a good choice of tropical fish for the beginner although you have to be careful about the fish you put them in with as they can a bit temperamental and nip the slower moving fish.Cichlids are a very large and diverse group of tropical fish and African cichlids are an excellent choice for starting a new aquarium, but should not be kept with other fish, as they can be aggressive.As there are countless types of freshwater aquarium fish from which to choose each with their own behavior patterns, it is always a good idea to take the advice of a professional before making your choices.

When you are sure to shop for a fish aquarium, you must know the right equipments and accessories that would enhance the longevity and health of your fishes and aquarium.
These accessories include:
1. Heaters
2. Buffers
3. Filters
4. Gravel
5. Floss
6. Food, etc.
In order to ensure the hygiene of your fishes, you must also know all the tips and techniques to keep the aquarium clean and the fish healthy.
The experts always advice you to research well before purchasing the fish and the aquarium. Here are some useful tips that would help you take good care of your fishes and the aquarium:
1. Some essentials for the aquarium include the following:
1. Ornaments – Decorations to add beauty and to give playful spots to your fishes.
2. Plants – You can choose from live and synthetic plants. Though live plants need lot of care they perform several functions for the benefit of your fishes.
3. Gravel – Gravel forms the base of the aquarium. The depth of this layer is defined by several factors like the plants you place in, the number of fishes you add to the aquarium, etc.
4. Test Kits – This is helpful in testing the water of the aquarium at regular intervals.
5. Water Treatment – These systems are available in various techniques and is quite essential to maintain the purity of the water, else the ever growing bacteria and ammonia in the water would kill your fish unexpectedly.
6. Food – Like all living beings fishes need food, so you must have a good supply of food for your fishes. Make sure to read the contents of the food you purchase for the fishes and supply it to the fishes as per the instructions mentioned of the details you receive with the fishes.
7. Heater Accessories – In order o maintain the temperature of the water in the tank, you would need to plant a heater in the fish tank. This is a must buy in case you are considering to keep some tropical fishes. While purchasing the heater you must take care that the heater’s size fits in to the fish tank. It must not take a lot of space, else it would make your fish uneasy in the tank. Also check that there are various types of heaters in the market, you must know which one suits the best to your requisite.
Some points to remember about maintaining the fishes and the aquarium are as follows:
1. Gravel maintains the natural resources in the aquarium. You can also consider adding some decorative ornaments in the aquarium.
2. Adding live plants t the aquarium makes your fish lively and more playful.
3. In case you are fortunate enough the fish might lay eggs in real plants, they do not do so in the synthetic ones.
4. Make sure to offer the right amount of food to the fishes. The remaining food settles down in the gravel and generates harmful bacteria.
5. Most oft you would use tap water to fill in the tank and that contains lot of bacteria and germs, so water treatment is very essential.
6. Choose your water test kit with lot of care as it must be very effective and should give most accurate results.
Here follows the procedure of making the aquarium:
1. First of all fill a bucket of water and rinse the gravel washing of the dirt, grime and germs.
2. Then add water to your tank, once the gravel is purified.
3. Further add half of the water actually required for the tank.
4. Next add the ornaments & plants to your aquarium.
5. This makes the job of additives completed for the aquarium.
6. Now finally add the tank with the water in full quantity required.
7. Now use the manual that you have received with your tank. Follow the outlines mentioned in this manual to fill your tank properly.
8. Next move to placing the heater & filtration systems in the tank.
9. In order to fit in the heater and filters safely and properly, follow the instructions mentioned in the manual you have received with these equipments.
10. Finally you add the water treatment system to the tank. This purifies the harmful chemicals form the water like metal, copper, metal and other related elements.
11. Now before adding the fish to the tank either make use of the specialized products that enable you doing that safely, else we recommended you to wait atleast a few weeks prior to adding life to your tank.
12. A tank filled with water has some natural bacteria that produce naturally. These bacteria must be filtered out of the water so as to keep your fish healthy and safe. So once the water in aquarium is settled, use your test kit to check if the water is perfectly clean or not, it must also be checked that the water has the right temperature and all the chemicals in it are balanced.
13. Now after the final verification of the water in the tank, add your fish in small quantities.
14. It is always advisable to keep passive fish in the aquarium rather than the aggressive ones. Some common passive fishes most advisable for the starters are goldfish, otocinclus, plecostemas, etc. These not only are easy to maintain but also keep the aquarium clean.

The sights of the aquatic world are indeed fascinating and thrilling. It is undoubtedly all new world for the observers. Many of the aquatic enthusiasts often wish to bring home this beauty. But to bring home this beauty do you think that you have to built a 20 foot tropical aquarium at home or turn your living room in to a room for a live shark – well you certainly do not need to do this!
You can create impressions of the Baltimore National Aquarium’s picturesque beauty at home itself! Some creative aquascaping in your home’s salt water aquarium can do the trick that the professionals do at Baltimore!
The secret lies in selecting the right type of decorations and placing them well in your tank. Here are some easy tips on the same:
1. To decorate your aquarium you can opt among the real and the plastic plants accoutrements. Anyhow using the live plants & other organisms in the aquarium helps you bring home Mother Nature.
2. Also you must understand that your fishes would make use of the decorations you place in the aquarium. They would find shelter and playfulness in them. Hence, for the best interest of your pets and to maintain the aesthetic feel of your aquarium, it is always advised to use the genuine aquatic plants.
3. A well decorated salt water aquarium is indeed an asset for years together, so, it is all the worth to spend considerable time and energy in searching for the right décor and ornaments of the aquarium. The local vendor dealing with tropical fish can of great help as he could assist you with several varieties of decorations for your salt water fish tank.
4. Live rock is a great decoration for your saltwater aquarium. This adds an aesthetic feel to the aquarium and helps you formulate the aquarium’s ecosystem as it is a vital part of the aquatic life. A live rock is covered with several micro and macro organisms. These organisms filter all the waste products from of the water, thereby making that water safe for the aquatic inhabitants.
5. Adding glory, beauty and attraction to the salt water aquarium are driftwood and sand. Besides, these are essential elements for the saltwater fishes’ natural habitat.
6. Live plants are another beautiful addition for the saltwater aquariums. These are functional as well as they provide for a lot many facilities in the water. Live plants oxygenate the water in the tank. These provide a hide out for your fishes making them more playful.
7. In case you are fortunate enough, your fishes might lay eggs in these plants.
8. The experts always advise that prior to making purchases and decisions regarding your fish tank, you must first choose and finalize the breed and type of fish that you would purchase. This would help you make rather appropriate and correct purchases for the aquarium, for instance some fishes like some particular plants that you would be able to decide on the basis of the breed you have decided to buy.
9. Salt water plants need special care and attention and that can be done with prior and well planned decisions.
10. Like all aquariums and you must light your salt water aquarium at least in the first half of the day as your plants and fishes need a perfect cycle of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The plants need carbon dioxide to live that they can generate through photosynthesis and this can happen only with the right lighting in the aquarium. You might also consider planting an artificial carbon dioxide producing gadget in the fish tank.
11. The depth of the bottom layer of the aquarium that comprises of silt, sand, and/or gravel must be of an adequate depth so as to allow the roots of the plants to seep in well. While this depth majorly depends on the type of plant you are placing in there, approximately 8 cm is the usual depth required for most of the plants.

Nature has given us varied beautiful seasonal differentiations to enjoy that are from white snow tipped mountains to lush green lands. When it comes to the water, there is a whole new world to search. The water creatures can be phenomenally beautiful and beyond our imagination. Similarly, the water plants are all unique attractive.
The constant studies and research has proved that no two coral reefs are alike. These reefs are all one of its kind amazingly attractive and all those who see them want to get them home with themselves.
This can be done with some effort and lot of creativity but the fact remains that there is no pre-defined formula to grow these at home.
Creating that picturesque salt water aquarium you have to choose from various costly and average priced ornaments. The whole game at the end is about striking the right balance between imaginations, frugality, aesthetics, ecological balance and the financial aspects.
Here are some points you must know in order to grow one of these reefs at your home aquarium:
1. The size of the aquarium must be well planned and apt for your fishes to live healthy.
2. Fishes need lot of place to swim and play. Also if there are varied breeds of fishes living in the same aquarium, they would need some extra space to co-exist healthily.
3. While choosing your fish you must be careful to keep only the compatible breeds together in one aquarium, else it would land up in to a disaster.
4. To set up an ideal eco-system in the fish tank with all natural resources in tact, 175 gallon tank is the minimum you must consider.
5. While preparing a picture perfect reef in your home aquarium you are now lucky that you can find pre-drilled aquariums in the market. You just have to shell out some extra money that you pay as an advance for to the store form where you are purchasing the aquarium. This helps you get a very clean look rather than that traditional hang on the back overflowing tanks.
6. You have a bulk of choices to choose from when decorating your aquarium with a natural reef. The experts advise that as much as possible you should stick to organic decorations. This would ensure the health of your fishes, the plants and a surely maintained ecological balance in the aquarium.
7. Live rock is a great decoration for your saltwater aquarium. This adds an aesthetic feel to the aquarium and helps you formulate the aquarium’s ecosystem as it is a vital part of the aquatic life. A live rock is covered with several micro and macro organisms. These organisms filter all the waste products from of the water, thereby making that water safe for the aquatic inhabitants.
8. Live plants are another beautiful addition for the saltwater aquariums. These are functional as well as they provide for a lot many facilities in the water. Live plants oxygenate the water in the tank. These provide a hide out for your fishes making them more playful. They not only beautify the fish tank but also purify the water in the tank by absorbing the chemicals & providing oxygen. The water plants break down water and ammonia. Then these plants filter the ammonia & the bad or contaminated pat of the water that is the portion that contains bacteria. Plants maintain the balance between all the chemicals in the fish tank as the fishes produce lot of ammonia.
9. Corals are also great beautifiers for your perfect reef aquarium.
10. The experts always advise that prior to making purchases and decisions regarding your fish tank, you must first choose and finalize the breed and type of fish that you would purchase. This would help you make rather appropriate and correct purchases for the aquarium, for instance some fishes like some particular plants that you would be able to decide on the basis of the breed you have decided to buy.
11. The depth of the bottom layer of the aquarium that comprises of silt, sand, and/or gravel must be of an adequate depth so as to allow the roots of the plants to seep in well. While this depth majorly depends on the type of plant you are placing in there, approximately 8 cm is the usual depth required for most of the plants.
12. Like all aquariums and you must light your salt water aquarium at least in the first half of the day as your plants and fishes need a perfect cycle of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The plants need carbon dioxide to live that they can generate through photosynthesis and this can happen only with the right lighting in the aquarium. You might also consider planting an artificial carbon dioxide producing gadget in the fish tank.

Aquariums came into vogue around late 1800’s. Those days’ aquariums were crudely made, with metal
or wood. They had three sides of wood or metal and only one side made out of glass. These ancient aquariums mostly had fish which came from the same region as its owner because only local species
were available then. Only fresh water fish could be housed in these aquariums as salt water corroded the metal frame of the aquarium that held the four panes together.
With the advent of silicone adhesive in the 1960’s, there was a complete change in the way aquariums were made. Metal frames existed no more and people were able to keep salt water
invertebrates and salt water fish. The latest invention is the use of acrylic instead of glass
tank material. Acrylic is greatly flexible. This fact made the acrylic aquariums break-proof as
compared to their glass counterparts. With glass aquariums, there was the danger that some heavy
object could strike and shatter the glass tank, scattering the water and the fish alike all over,
leading to the death of the fish. The possibility of this happening is nullified owing to the
flexible nature of acrylic tanks. Even for designing the aquarium using acrylic, the possibilities
are mind boggling. You can turn your coffee table into acrylic aquarium and so also your gum ball
machine.
Like everything, acrylic aquariums also have their pros and cons. The cons consist of easy
scratch ability of the acrylic as compared to glass. You need to be very careful while cleaning
your aquarium and avoid the use of paper towels or abrasive and harsh chemicals as they would
scratch the surface of the acrylic aquarium. You must use a special cleaner labeled safe for
acrylic. Even scrubbers need to be of rubber or plastic, rather than metal which are used to clean the acrylic sides of the tank. Special care must be taken not to pick up any piece of gravel or
substrate while cleaning the tank from inside. However, even if accidentally scratches appear in
an acrylic aquarium, there is no need to despair. There’s always a way out. The aquarium can be
repaired, unlike its glass counterpart. Acrylic repair kits are available at your local store of
hardware, specialty pet stores or online.
You have a wide variety to choose from when you go to purchase your acrylic aquarium kit and the
prices will also vary. You can purchase aquarium kits from retail, or aquatic specialty pet
stores, or even online. Fish lovers can take their pick from cute little cylinder shaped aquariums
that serve as lamps for your coffee table to huge wall to wall aquariums. Although there will be
some common basic things with most kits, such as substrate or coral, a filter, even lighting, there can be a great variety in kits themselves. You may purchase your starter kit from anywhere, but do remember that it is very very important to buy the fish from a dealer who is reputed because fish
diseases are easily communicable. You need to ensure that you are buying healthy fish. Don’t go
for fish that hover at the surface or from a tank which has other dead fish. Beware of a fish
trader who refuses to take out a specific fish from the aquarium for you. After all, you have a
right to be selective when you are taking home your fish.

Aquariums add delight and freshness to the people’s homes and businesses all around the world. Aquariums are included in restaurants specially to attract kids and customers who come and dine there, fish tanks are included in many more places like malls, hotels and houses. People have a habit of having aquarium like a kind of hobby. Since, it adds beauty to the place.
The aquarium can be designed in such a way that it can be of any shapes like rectangle, square and also spherical. The aquarium can be decorated by using small color pebbles and small plastic plants to make the environment more realistic and a nicer environment for the fish.
Aquariums make perfect gifts for family and friends, the relaxing movement of the fish and water is an ideal stress reliever from our busy lives. Some fish, such as the betta fish have been kept in very small glass bottles, however without proper filtration the fish will often not survive. Filtration should be a key consideration for anyone looking at the different types of aquariums. Most smaller aquariums (under 100L (25 US Gallons) will include a small mechanical filter. Often these filters are not sufficient for a fully stocked aquariums. Ideally, an aquarium filter system should include biological, mechanical and chemical filtration.
When choosing the aquarium, the other thing to be kept in mind is the choice of fish. Decide upfront if you want to keep goldfish, tropical fish or marine fish as this will help narrow down the choice of what fish tank to buy. Alternatively look for an aquarium which allows easy upgrading from coldwater to tropical and then ultimately marine fish.
Goldfish, cloud white mountain minnows, black molly, guppies, betta fighter fish, and tetra fish are some kind of fishes which are suitable for most aquariums and will make a fascinating and colorful display. The betta fighter fish can attack other fish, especially of the same type, so if you choose this fish make sure you keep it on its own in aquarium around 15L (4 US Gallons).
The aquarium should be taken care by changing the water regularly. Some aquariums require more frequent water changes than others. For example many aquariums require weekly water changes, however some aquariums, which have advanced filtration system can dramatically reduce the amount of maintenance needed, so it is often worth spending a little extra on a better aquarium in the long run.
Choice of fish food is extremely important; always buy a high quality food in a pellet form. Brine shrimp or frozen food are often poor in nutritional value and will not benefit the fish. Flake foods can rot in the aquarium, so an aquarium pellet fish food which has the correct protein levels and won’t rot will ensure the water quality in the aquarium remains high and will help ensure healthy fish.
There are many varieties of aquariums in all shapes and sizes. However, the most important elements to consider are, low maintenance (you don’t want to have to clean it every week) and a powerful filter which offers biological, mechanical and chemical filtration to keep the water healthy for the fish.

This is an 11 step guide to setting up a freshwater aquarium in your home.

Equipment you will need:

Aquarium
Aquarium gravel
Aquarium filter
Replacement filter media
Heater
Other decorations (such as plants)
Chemical test kits
Fish food
Aquarium vacuum
Fish net
Glass Scrubber
5-gallon bucket
Pasta strainer

1: Realize the responsibility involved.
A tropical fish tank is just like having a dog or a cat when it comes to the amount of effort on your part. In order to have a successful fish tank you will have to work at it. Once a week, or at most once every two weeks, you will need to perform some kind of maintenance on the tank. Most of the time you will be performing water changes. You will also have to feed your tropical fish at least once a day. If you are up to the challenge, please proceed!

2: Decide on an aquarium size.
It’s a good idea to have in mind what kind of tropical fish you want to keep before you purchase an aquarium. Some tropical fish only grow to be an inch or two, whereas other types of tropical fish can grow 12 or 13 inches in length! Knowing what kind of tropical fish you want will help you decide the size of the tank they will need. If this is your first time with an aquarium, I would recommend going with a 10 or 20 gallon aquarium for now.

3: Decide on the aquarium’s location.
Place your aquarium in an area where the light and temperature of the tank won’t be affected by external sources such as windows and heater vents. You will want to place your aquarium on a stand that will be able to hold its total weight. A good rule of thumb for determining the total weight of a full aquarium is 10 pounds per gallon of water. For example, a 55-gallon tank will weigh approximately 550 pounds when filled with water!

4: Buy your aquarium and equipment.
Now is the time to decide on the type of filtration you will want to use. You will also need to purchase a heater capable of heating the tank size you have. Buy the gravel, plants, a power strip and other decorations. A good rule of thumb for the amount of gravel that you will need is 1 to 1.5 pounds of gravel per gallon of water.

5: Set up your aquarium and stand.
Wash out your tank with water only! Do not use soap or detergents. Soap residue left behind will be harmful for your tropical fish. If you are going to use an under gravel filter (not recommended) now would be the time to set it up as well.

6: Wash Gravel, plants and decorations.
Be sure to wash the gravel thoroughly before adding it to your tank. An easy way to do this is to put some of the rocks in a pasta strainer and wash them out in your bathtub. Then place the clean gravel in a clean 5-gallon bucket for transport to the aquarium. After adding the gravel you can place your plants and decorations.

7: Add water to the aquarium.
To avoid messing up your gravel and plants, you can place a plate or saucer in the middle of your aquarium and direct the water flow onto the plate. Use room temperature water when filling. To remove the chlorine and chloramine, use something like Tetra AquaSafe for Aquariums. Don’t completely fill up the aquarium until you are sure of the layout of your decorations. Otherwise, when you place your arm in to move stuff around water is going to spill over. Doh!

8: Set up equipment.
Install your heater but don’t plug it in until the thermostat in the heater has adjusted to the water temperature. This usually takes about 15 minutes or so. Hook up your filter and any other equipment you have, then top off the aquarium water to just under the hood lip. Place your hood and light on the aquarium and then check your power cords to be sure that they are free of water. I would also recommend using a drip loop on all of the power cords to be extra cautious. Plug all of the equipment into a power strip and then “turn on” the aquarium.

Wait, wait, wait and then wait some more.
I know, you want to add some tropical fish. But, in order to do this right you must wait until your aquarium has cycled before adding any fish. There are ways of speeding up this process. Check out the nitrogen cycle page to learn more. If you must use fish to cycle, try to get a hardier species like the zebra danio or cherry barb.

Add tropical fish.
Only add one or two fish at a time. Adding a couple tropical fish at a time gives your filtration system the time needed to take on the increased biological load that the new fish introduce. When you bring the fish home let the bag float in the tank for about 15 minutes so that the fish can become acclimated to the temperature and pH of the aquarium water. After 5 minutes of floating the bag you should add some of the aquarium water to the bag so that the fish can become acclimated to the pH level in the aquarium. This will help reduce the amount of stress imposed on the tropical fish. Stressed tropical fish often leads to dead tropical fish! Don’t feed your tropical fish on the first day. They probably wouldn’t eat any food on the first day anyway. Let them get acquainted with their new home.

Get ready for regular maintenance.
Be prepared to spend some time once every week or two to clean your tank. Performing regular water changes will reduce the nitrate levels and keep your tropical fish happy and healthy.

Please visit http://www.FishLore.com for more information on tropical fish.