How to get started with a freshwater aquarium?

 

Getting into aquarium keeping is not a decision that can be improvised, it requires time, a lot of attention and some money: you will be responsible for keeping living beings in good conditions because, let's not forget that, even if they cost less than cats or dogs in pet shops, fish are ALSO living beings.

 

It is therefore strongly advised, not to say mandatory, to learn about the needs of fish beforehand because, contrary to what many people think, it is not enough to put a fish in a small jar filled with tap water for it to be comfortable. In this article we will look at the first things to do to start a freshwater aquarium, even before putting fish in it.

Ask yourself the right questions before you start keeping fish

Before buying anything, you need to have an idea of what kind of tank you want to have, and above all choose something that you will be able to take care of in the best possible way according to your lifestyle:

 

What budget will I be able to spend on my aquarium?

This is indeed the basic question to ask, do not embark on a project that you will not be able to afford.

 

How much time can I devote to my aquarium?

Depending on the species you own, but also on the plants you have purchased, your aquarium will require more or less time to maintain, so make sure you know which species of fish are suitable for you.

 

How much space do I have to store my aquarium?

This is indeed an important question. An aquarium should not be placed just anywhere. It should be in a quiet place, so as not to stress the fish, and avoid being in direct sunlight, which favors the development of algae.

How big should I choose my aquarium?

If space is not a problem for you, it all depends once again on the species of plants and fish you wish to keep. You will also have to take into account the time you will be able to devote to it: the bigger the aquarium, the more time it will require for maintenance.

 

What species should I put in my aquarium?

This is a very important question to ask yourself and it requires some research in order to find answers. Indeed, not all fish species can live together. It is best to go to a pet store and ask for advice from a salesman specialized in aquariums, who will be able to advise you.

 

Once you have answered all these questions and you are still willing to go ahead, then the preparations can begin.

 

Basic purchases for a freshwater aquarium

Some accessories will be essential to keep your fish alive. Make sure you get them before you start your tank, so that you don't run the risk of not being able to afford them when you already have the fish. Without these accessories, the fish will not last long. You will need :

 

•          an air pump: this is the only accessory on the list that isn't actually essential, but is highly recommended, especially for beginners. It will prevent the water from stagnating and will oxygenate it.

•          a heater: even if some fish can live in cold water like goldfish, most fish live in temperate water, and therefore need heated water to survive. Count 1watt per liter of water, so for example a 150watts heater for a 150 liters aquarium.

•          a filtration system: this is certainly the most important element of an aquarium. The filter removes suspended particles, in other words it cleans your aquarium, but above all it transforms certain chemical compounds into vital compounds for the maintenance of the life of your aquarium

•          a lighting system: there are many different systems, which you will have to adapt mainly according to the plants you have. Don't hesitate to ask for advice in a pet shop to choose the right lighting.

Setting up the substrate of your aquarium

Put the sand or gravel you have chosen in a colander (note that if you want to put plants in your aquarium you will need to use a specific potting soil), and rinse it thoroughly with warm water until the water is completely clear. Then, you can install the substrate of your aquarium, on a thickness of about 5 to 7 cm.

Setting up the decorations of your aquarium

Once the substrate is in place, you can install the decorations you want in the bottom of the aquarium. But be careful not to put in any shell you brought back from your last vacation in Brittany, nor to put in a pretty stone found outside!

 

Indeed, putting anything in an aquarium will encourage the development of bad bacteria on the object in question, and your fish will not survive it.

 

It is best to opt for decorations that are made of more neutral materials; boil them before inserting them into your aquarium, so that they are truly sterile.

 

Putting water in your aquarium

Finally, you can put water in your aquarium. Place a plate on the sand of your aquarium to avoid making holes in the sand when pouring water. Once the aquarium is full, you can turn on all the elements: the philter, the heater, the light and the oxygen pump. If the water that comes out of the filter is cloudy, clean the foam from the filter.

 

You will now have to wait three to four weeks for the so-called nitrogen cycle to take place. The pH level will stabilize and become more or less neutral. Thanks to the filter, the nitrate level, deadly for fish, will gradually fall to zero, and the good bacteria necessary for the life of an ecosystem will start to develop.

 

Putting the plants in your aquarium

If you have chosen to put plants in your aquarium, start by taking them out of the bag in which they were put for transport, then remove the cotton from the pot (the latter being there to prevent the plant from taking root in pet shops). Then check that the plant does not contain any parasites such as snails, it could become a real ordeal to eradicate. Finally, place your plant at the bottom of your substrate by turning the pot, so as not to stir up the sand too much. Then cover the roots of the plant with the sand, taking care that there are no air pockets.

 

Inserting the fish

You can now insert your fish into your aquarium. However, you should not put them all in at the same time so as not to disturb the fragile chemical balance of your water. No more than three or four fish at a time.

 

Start by putting the bag your fish were sold in into your aquarium water. This will allow the water in the bag to gradually come to the same temperature as the water in the aquarium, thus avoiding thermal shock to the fish.

 

After about 45 minutes, slightly pierce the top of the bag, but be careful not to put the fish in the water right away! Insert a small amount of water from your aquarium into the bag, this will allow the fish to gently get used to the water parameters of their future habitat. This way, they won't risk an osmotic shock that would be fatal to them. Repeat the operation every 20 minutes for one hour. You can then put the fish in your aquarium, but without pouring the water from their bag, catch them with a net to insert them in their new living place. This avoids that the water of your aquarium is eventually polluted by the water coming from the pet shop, if ever there was a problem with their water; better to be careful. Finally, repeat the operation for each bag of fish in your possession.

 

Finally, be aware that you will have to wait ten days before you can insert new fish. Only after this period of time will it be possible to detect a potential disease and treat the entire aquarium, thus avoiding the risk of contaminating new arrivals.