The good thing about starting up a tropical freshwater aquarium is that its the best system for a beginner. It's also relatively inexpensive and the fish are quite hardy.
When you have purchased a freshwater aquarium you must remember these points: Wash the gravel: Put it in a bowl, place it under a running tap water and keep stirring the gravel until the water that flows from it becomes clean. Move it around and rinse the gravel to get it as clean as possible.
Decorating material: Wash the rocks as well. If you have a background secure it firmly.
Knowledge: I bought several books when things started going wrong, and I recommend that you look extensively around other Tropical Fish websites as well.
Now that you are ready to get started these steps should help you:
Add the gravel: Make sure that you have enough, because the plants will want to root. If you want an underground filter, use at least a depth of 2" at the front and rising to at least 4" at the back.
Fill the aquarium half way: Now you can add any plants easily. It's best to put the taller plants at the back, but its really up to you. Make sure that the plants have enough gravel to root and you may eventually need to trim them.
Install the filter: Attach it so no plants or rocks are in the way. You should hear a noise and a flow of bubbles when you turn the filter
on. Before adding any fish, let the filter run for 5-7 days, so any
last chlorine can escape. Also, you may notice that maybe a lot of
bubbles are clinging to the glass or acrylic. This is because tap water is
pressurised, and as cold water is warmed and left in the aquarium
gasses are released. These will dissipate and will disappear when
aerated. Its not a bad idea to add a couple of food flakes without the
fish, to start off the Nitrogen Cycle
before your fish arrive. Even better, take some water from an
established aquarium and add it to your water. If you can get some
media (gravel, decor, plants) it will all be helpful. There's no fixed
limit there as we are getting the cycle going. Make sure that the
aquarium you get water, gravel, decor etc. from does not have any sick
fish in it.
Add the rocks: If you use a large rock, make sure that it is firmly bedded in so that it can never topple over.
Add the rest of the water: Be careful! When you want to change things you may have to much water and it will spill over when you put your hands in.
Important! Condition the water: Before adding any fish, you must get rid of all the chlorine from the water. Chlorine and Chloramine can damage the fish and there are a lot of "tap water conditioners" on the market, so buy one NOW!
Add the fish!: Add only a couple of fish to start off with. Use the Equalising method, by floating the fish using their bag. Leave them there for 15 - 20 minutes. Then release them.
Items you need
1) Net: You can't catch the fish without one. 2) Food: Don't run out, your fish won't be amused. 3) Test Kits: Test the water in your aquarium frequently 4) Nursery/Breeding tank: Useful to isolate a sick fish, pregnent fish, or small fish. 5) Water bowls: Cleaning the filter (foam, carbon granules, ect.) use 1/2 gallon of aquarium water if you use tap water as it destroys any useful bacteria. 6) Gravel vacuum: Take the water out discreetly, not stressing the fish. 7) Bucket, Towel, Tissues: I have a marked bucket water which is useful for water changes. Dry your hands and watch the electrical socket. 8) Algae scraper: I have a scraper and a stiff sponge, both are efficient at removing algae from the water. 9) Fish Medication: You are bound to have one or two diseases in your aquarium. Always stock them away from sunlight and in a cool place. 10) Books: A good fish book can be invaluable to you.
