If you are setting up a tank.

[fish_doc]

First, inspect the tank and the aquarium stand. Be sure there are no breaks or cracks in the aquarium, and that the stand is solid and placed where you want it.

1.Rinse the aquarium (water only, no soap, no cleansers) and gravel. Use just plain tap water, NEVER use soap or other cleaners inside the aquarium. Cleaning agents such as this will leave a residue that will harm your fish.

2.Place your aquarium on a stand or other sturdy surface. A filled and
populated aquarium weighs about 10 pounds per gallon of water.

3.Pour the rinsed gravel into the aquarium.

4.Fill the aquarium 1/3 of the way with water.

5.Arrange your plastic or silk plants and other decorations. If you are using live plants go to step 12

6.Fill the aquarium the rest of the way with water, and be sure to add AquaSafe or similar dechlorinator to neutralize the harmful chemicals in tap water.

7.Add a thermometer to the aquarium.

8.Using an air pump? Good! Connect it to the tubing and run the tubing to an air stone in the gravel. Now, turn on the air pump.

9.Install the heater and the Power Filter. (Do not plug in until the heater has adjusted to the water temp. At least 1hr)

10.Place the hood and light on the top of the aquarium (you may need to cut out a section of the hood at the lines indicated, to allow for the Power Filter) Install timer if you’re using one.

11. Run the filter, heater, light and air pump for at least 24 hours to stabilize the water.

Your aquarium is now set up.

12. When planting with live plants is is best to do it in stages. When 1/3 full plant the foreground plants. Then add water to fill to about 50-60% and plant the middleground plants. Finally- fill to at least 80% for deeper tanks and more for shallower ones- then put in the tall background plants.

Plants will float and deeper water is a pain to work in, so doing it as suggested will make it a whole lot easier.

Also- add the dechlor before you plant as the plants dont like chlorine any more than fish do
Return and continue from step 7


Be sure to follow step 9 I have broken the glass tube on heaters due to my haste and wanting to get everything up and running.

[DavidDoyle]

Some good basic advice, however I would amend #4. When planting with live plants is is best to do it in stages. When 1/3 full plant the foreground plants. Then add water to fill to about 50-60% and plant the middleground plants. Finally- fill to at least 80% for deeper tanks and more for shallower ones- then put in the tall background plants.

Plants will float and deeper water is a pita to work in, so doing it as suggested will make it a whole lot easier.

Also- add the dechlor before you plant as the plants dont like chlorine any more than fish do.

[fish_doc]

Thanks, Hows the fix?

[DavidDoyle]

looks great

[mlefev]

Originally Posted by fish_doc [color=black] Be sure to follow step 9 I have broken the glass tube on heaters due to my haste and wanting to get everything up and running.

I did this, and have had 2 heaters break on me anyway, and the temp settings on my current one are completely messed up. I think many of the heaters out there are just made in a very shoddy fashion.

[fishfreaks]

Originally Posted by mlefev I did this, and have had 2 heaters break on me anyway, and the temp settings on my current one are completely messed up. I think many of the heaters out there are just made in a very shoddy fashion.

I agree with you. Penn plax we've had bad luck with. We invested the 50 bucks into a submersible heater with no glass, and haven't had any problems. With penn plax, there was mornings we would wake up and the tank was at 90, other times we would wake up and it would be down at 70. I forget what the brand is we have now, but we got it at petco and it was definatly worth the money