Beginners Guide
Equipment You Need To Start
You’ll need an aquarium, an aquarium cover, and an aquarium stand. You can purchase the items you need separately but there are kits available for the beginner
Cool water fish prefer room temperature water and don’t need an aquarium heater.
The water temperature for your Guppies should be 75 – 82°F; pH: 5.5 – 8.5.
10 gallons or larger tank is appropriate.
A maximum of 1″ of fish per gallon of water is a good rule of thumb for beginners. By this rule, you’d keep 10 inches of fish in a 10-gallon aquarium. For example, five fish each 2″ in length, making a total of 10 inches of fish in a 10-gallon aquarium.
You’ll also need a 5-inch fish net and a bottle of Water Conditioner.
Fill the aquarium with tap water from the faucet and add the amount of Water Conditioner that is specified on the bottle of Water Conditioner.
Plug your filter into an electrical outlet, and let it run for three days without fish in your aquarium.
During the first three weeks, the water in your aquarium may get cloudy or foamy and have an odor.. These first three weeks of starting an aquarium is a risky time for fish. The cloudy and foamy water is often called the “new fish tank syndrome”.
This is normal, and usually disappears naturally after 2-3 months.
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TIP #1
White cloudy aquarium water
Green cloudy aquarium water |
In established aquariums, just as in nature, toxic ammonia from fish waste is broken down by bacteria into nitrite, which is itself broken down by a different group of bacteria into nitrate. In a newly set up aquarium, those bacteria are not present in any quantity, and it takes time – about a 4 to 6 weeks under normal circumstances – for those bacteria to multiply to the point of being able to keep up with the waste output of the fish. “New Tank Syndrome” and “The Break-In Cycle” describe the period in which ammonia and then nitrite levels rise to dangerous quantities before being converted into relatively harmless nitrate.
After three weeks if your three fish look healthy, the water is crystal clear, and smells clean, you can add another fish. Even better add some ghost shrimp. They will improve the water quality by finding and eating small bits of food.
Excellent filtration and massive daily water changes would keep a very small environment healthy almost regardless of the fish load living in it.
Be careful not to add too many fish to your aquarium. Add a couple of new fish every few weeks. A maximum of 1″ of fish per gallon of water is a good rule of thumb for beginners. By this rule, you’d keep 10 inches of fish in a 10-gallon aquarium. For example, five fish each 2″ in length, making a total of 10 inches of fish in a 10-gallon aquarium.
In addition to your aquarium, filter, and lighting, here’s a list of what you need to get started:
- Gravel: Coated or prewashed is ideal
- Decoration: Only those designated for aquarium, e.g. live or artificial plants and ornaments
- Water Conditioner: Dechlorinates tap water to make it fish-safe
- Net: For transferring fish
- Gravel Washer: For water changes and cleaning
- Fish Food: Consult you dealer for a recommendation
TIP #2
NEVER attempt to move a full or partially full aquarium
NEVER lift an aquarium with wet hands
NEVER attempt to lift and aquarium by grasping upper edges or frame
ALWAYS grasp and carry an aquarium from underneath, supporting the bottom at all times.
Using a damp cloth, clean your tank inside and out prior to setup. Never use soap, detergents, or cleaning agents.
ALWAYS place an aquarium in a location designed to support its total weight. An aquarium filled with water and gravel weighs approximately 10 – 12 pounds per gallon.
ALWAYS place an aquarium on a flat, level surface…and make sure an electrical outlet is near.
NEVER place an aquarium near a heat source or air conditioner.
NEVER place an aquarium in direct sunlight. Full or even partial sunlight can cause excessive algea growth.
Add 1.5 to 2 pounds of gravel for every gallon of water. Be sure to rinse the gravel thoroughly (water should drain clear) before adding. The gravel bed should slope gradually to the front of your aquarium.
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