My first aquarium was giving to me by my parents during Christmas and like my parents, I didn't know how to set up and run an aquarium. So for those parents and happy kids alike I have assembled a Frequently Asked Questions for beginners to get started on the right foot with their first aquarium.
1. How many fish can I put in my tank?
The general rule of thumb is an inch of fish (in cubic volume, not length!) per gallon. Generally you would want to under stock your aquarium and when calculating the total number of inches in your tank, you should take into account the size of your fish at adulthood. Many fish sold in stores are juveniles and you should research their adult size before purchasing them to avoid any crowding issues in the future. Remember: no fish grow to "fit" to the size of their aquarium - fish will grow no matter what size aquarium they're in, and too small of an aquarium will kill them!
2. When can I add the fish?
For an freshwater aquarium to completely cycle, you should not add any more than one fish for 4 to 6 weeks, but many hobbyist can speed up the process by adding beneficial bacteria. I recommend Nutrafin's Cycle or Seachem's Stability because it really helps for decreasing the cycle time down to a week and it is easy to use. An ammonia neutralizer such as Kordon's Amquel or Seachem's Prime should also be dosed daily for the first 1-2 weeks.
3. What water can I use in my aquarium?
You can use any type of water (from the faucet, filtered water or reverse osmosis water) just as long as you remove the chlorine from the water by using dechlorinator or by letting the water sit out for 24 hours before use. Using reverse osmosis water will allow you to skip the dechlorinator step because during the process of reverse osmosis the chlorine molecules are filtered out. Remember to consider pH and temperate and acclimate accordingly when adding new fish!
4. Do I need a heater?I usually have to ask more questions in order to answer this question, like 1. Do you keep your home at around room temperature (75 degrees Fahrenheit), and 2. Is your aquarium away windows, drafts and doors? If both these questions are answered yes, then you probably do not need to purchase an aquarium heater. If temperatures will fluctuate, or dip below 70, then you will need a heater.
5. What decorations do I need?
This all depends on your personal preferences and what you envision your aquarium to look like. Decorations are beneficial for your fish to feel secure and safe but their scheme, style and color all depends on you.
For more information, click "Freshwater Aquariums" above - also recommended is Wet Web Media, a site containing the most comprehensive collection of aquatics information online. Good luck with your new aquarium!
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