Getting Started With Your New Aquarium

Fishkeeping is a fascinating, enjoyable, and very hands-on hobby, as it requires more than just feeding your fish and changing the water in your tank every now and again. Proper fish care requires certain aquarium conditions for your fish to thrive, so it is up to you to make your aquarium a healthy, comfortable environment for them! Here is what you should keep in mind as you set up your new tank.

ADDING WATER: One of the first things to know about acclimating your fish to their new tank is that the water in your aquarium must first be treated, because regular tap water contains high levels of chemicals which can harm your fish's protective slime coat, or even result in fish loss, if left untreated. We suggest that you use AQUARIAN Instant Dechlorinator to make water safe for your fish.

ESTABLISHING A NATURAL AQUARIUM CYCLE: Establishing the aquarium cycle, or biological filter, in your tank may sound difficult, but it’s actually quite simple! Your fish need the good bacteria that the natural aquarium cycle provides, but because your water will be completely fresh when starting out, it will be helpful for you to add AQUARIAN Aquarium Kick Start to your aquarium. This product will add live bacteria and accelerate the aquarium cycle in your tank, as well as keep poisonous ammonia and nitrite levels low.

WATER TESTING: You should test your aquarium water weekly for key water parameters in your tank. If certain levels are high and remain untreated, such as ammonia or nitrite (which are easily detectable with a test kit or aquarium test strips), this will result in fish loss. If your water tests show that any of the levels in your water vary from the norm, it is important to take steps to correct this as soon as possible for your fish's health and well-being.  If you run into any issues as you're setting up your new aquarium, the AQUARIAN brand is here to support you.  Give us a call at 1.800.847.0659.