Aquariums
I. So You Want An Aquarium
A. Fun, easy and instructive, an aquarium is a
singularly beautiful, always fascinating addition
to any home or office … a welcome source of
entertainment, education and relaxation.
B. Think of a fish as a pet. They rely on you to
keep their environment clean and healthy. This
includes proper feeding, cleaning the tank and
gravel and monitoring and adjusting the
water conditions.
C. Basic aquarium components are filter, light,
gravel, decorations, water conditioner, net,
and fish food.
II. Setting Up Your Aquarium
A. Handling the aquarium
1.Never attempt to move a full or partially
full aquarium.
2.Never lift an aquarium with wet hands.
3.Never attempt to lift aquarium by grasping
upper edges or frame.
4. Always grasp and carry an aquarium from
underneath, supporting the bottom at all
times.
B. Preparing the aquarium
1. Using a damp cloth, clean your tank inside
and out prior to setup.
2.Never use soap, detergents or cleaning agents.
C. Choosing a location
1.Place an aquarium in a location that will
support its total weight, filled with water
and gravel it weighs approximately 10-12
pounds per gallon.
2. Always place an aquarium on a flat, level
surface with an electrical outlet is nearby.
3. Never place an aquarium near a heat source
or air conditioner.
4. Never place an aquarium in direct sunlight.
Full or even partial sunlight can
cause excessive algae growth.
D. Adding gravel
1. Add 1.5 to 2 pounds of gravel for every gallon
of aquarium water.
2. Be sure to rinse the gravel thoroughly (water
should drain clear) before adding.
3. The gravel bed should slope gradually to the
front of your aquarium.
E. Filling your aquarium
1. To avoid disturbing the gravel bed. Place a
clean dish on top of gravel and gradually pour
the water over the dish. The stream is gently
deflected without displacing gravel.
2.Fill the aquarium with water at room
temperature. Cool water causes condensation.
If it does occur, simply wipe surface with a
clean cloth until temperature stabilizes.
3. Let the aquarium run for at least 48 hours to
dechlorinate the water before adding fish!
F. Lights and Reflectors
1. Aquariums should be covered to reduce
evaporation and prevent fish from
jumping out.
2. A noncorrosive material must be used
with Saltwater aquariums.
3. An aquarium cover or hood should have
a florescent or LED lamp.
III. Preparing the Water- Three Methods of
Water Cycling for Aquariums
A. The Classic Method
1. Place a starter or “suicide fish” to initiate
the cycle. A feeder Goldfish is a good
choice
2. Purpose of starter fish is to provide
ammonia through respiration, waste,
and decaying food.
3. Ammonia allows nitrifying bacteria to
colonize.
4. When the ammonia and nitrite levels are no
longer measurable by a test kit, the cycle is
complete.
5. This type of cycling takes 3 to 4 weeks.
B. Seeding Method
1. Feed the tank with fish food, decaying
food releases ammonia triggering the
cycling process.
2. To speed up the process, components
(gravel, plants, bacteria, etc) from an
established the tank can be added. Start
by adding one dropper of bacterial
material to the tank. More if needed.
3. Not much faster than the classic method.
C. Pure Ammonia Method
1. Pure ammonia can be added to the tank
instead of using fish food.
2. After the tank has been set up, add 5 (2)
drops of ammonia per 10 (5) gallons of
water to speed up the cycle.
3. Tank maybe ready in 7 days, test the
water prior to adding fish.
IV. Initial Set UP
A. Complete the water cycling process.
B. Make sure the filter is running.
C. The aquariums will run through the break.
D. Measure the pH, temperature, and ammonia
levels once class resumes.
(also measure salinity if it is saltwater)
E. Once levels are acceptable levels you may
add organisms.
F. Reminder 1 inch of fish = 1 gallon of water.
G. Live plants may be added for oxygen.
H. Feed fish once a day. Do not give them more
than they can eat in 3-5 minutes.
V. What to Measure-(multi-purpose probe)
A. Temperature
1. Best temperature -23 to 28°C (73 to 82°F)
2. Large tanks should have a heater .
3. The standard rule of thumb for heaters is
two watts to every liter of water in a tank.
B. pH
1. Most freshwater fish thrive in waters with
a pH between 6.5-7.5. Research your fish
species for specifics.
2. Marine fish prefer a pH of 8 or above
C. Nitrites and Nitrates
1. Fish release ammonia as metabolic waste.
2. Bacterial action on uneaten food releases
ammonia too.
3. This can create a toxic environment for fish
which could result in death if corrections
are not made.
4. Weekly dip a Nitrite/Nitrate test strip in the
water, wait one minute and compare the
color changes.
5. Record your data.
IV. Three-Stage Filtration
A. Mechanical Filtration
1. Traps solid debris such as uneaten food and
fish waste.
2. Example: using a net and/or filter cartridges
B. Chemical Filtration
1. uses media (activated carbon) to adsorb
dissolved pollutants that can cause water
discoloration and odor.
2.Example: Filter cartridge packed with premium
activated carbon
C. Biological Filtration
1. Adding a culture of beneficial oxygen-loving
bacteria to eliminate toxic ammonia and nitrite
that accumulate in aquarium water.
2. The bacteria culture biologically changes
the ammonia and nitrite into nitrate,
which is removed with once-a-month
partial water changes.
3. Beneficial bacteria grow naturally on surfaces
within the aquarium providing biological
filtration.
XI. Saltwater Tanks Considerations
A. Salinity
1. Measured in parts per thousand (ppt).
2. Marine aquariums have a lower salinity
than the ocean ranging between 27 to 34 ppt
Ocean’s salinity is 34 to 37 ppt.
B. Specific Gravity
1. Ratio of salt density to water density.
2. Measured by a hydrometer
3. Range is 1.020-1.023
XII. Six Reminders for a Health
Aquarium
1. Don’t Overcrowd Your Aquarium.
Start with just one or two fish (up to five is
OK, if they are small).
2. Don’t Overfeed Your Fish.
Feed them a small amount twice a day —
only what they can eat in less than five
minutes. Food that isn’t eaten will pollute the
aquarium.
3. Replace Your Filter Cartridge.
To keep your water clean and odor-free,
replacing your filter cartridge every two to
four weeks is best.
4. Change Your Water.
Every time you change your filter cartridge,
change at least 25 % of the water in your
aquarium, but never change more than 50%.
Replace any water lost to evaporation, too.
5. Vacuum Your Gravel.
If you have gravel you can purchase a
standard gravel washer, vacuum away dirt and
uneaten food as you change the water.
6. Clean Your Aquarium.
Algae growth is normal in any aquarium. To
remove the algae, wipe the inside walls of
your tank with a pad designed specifically for
aquarium cleaning. After you’ve cleaned the
inside, use a clean, soft towel to gently wipe
the outside surfaces