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How to Setup a Tropical Fish Tank - A Beginners Guide

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A tropical aquarium can create a focal point for any room.
This guide will show you how to put together a low maintenance aquarium in a few easy steps.
1.
Buy an aquarium and hood (lid) with a light.
Generally it is easier to maintain a bigger tank than a small one but the equipment for bigger tanks is also more expensive.
I would recommend an aquarium that is at least 24 inches long by 12 inches high by 12 inches wide.
This size is easy to maintain and will work well even in a small room.
It will also allow you enough space for a few different types of tropical fish.
Buy an electric internal submersible filter; ensuring it is the right size for your aquarium.
For this size of aquarium I would recommend the Fluval 2 plus, in my experience Fluval internal filters tend to be the best quality and are easy to maintain.
Filters usually say on the box what size aquarium they are suitable for.
You will also need a thermometer, gravel or sand, backing for the aquarium (the picture that goes at the rear to create an ocean feel), a heater, for this size of aquarium 150 watts will be fine.
2.
Wash the aquarium out with warm water and a new cloth.
Do not use detergent or bleach as it will kill the fish, no matter how well you think you have washed it out.
Wash the sand/gravel and the filter sponge/media.
It should just clip open so that you can remove it for washing.
Wash the sand/gravel in a bucket with clean warm water.
The filter sponge can be rinsed under the tap.
3.
Tape the backing to the rear of the aquarium.
You will need to mount the tank near a plug socket in order to run the filter and heater.
Make sure its not opposite a window as the light will cause algae to build up.
Also avoid putting it near a radiator or heat source.
Place the aquarium on a table or aquarium stand against a wall.
Gently pour the sand or gravel into the bottom of the aquarium and using the stick on mounts, place the heater and filter inside the aquarium.
Do not plug them in yet! 4.
Fill the tank with water and turn the heater and filter on.
Leave the tank for at least 72 hours before adding fish.
Tropical tanks should have water that is between 26-27 degrees centigrade.
The heater has a thermostat built in so it will maintain this temperature.
5.
Now you can add your fish.
I recommend, tiger barbs,guppies and neon tetras.
When adding fish, do it gradually, 2 or 3 at a time, over a period of 3 weeks.
Float the bag containing the fish inside the aquarium for around fifteen minutes.
Tear a small hole in the side of the bag and let them swim out on their own.
This will avoid any trauma for them.
Leave all lights off for around 24 hours when you add new fish.
6.
Enjoy your beautiful new aquarium.
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