| 3:45 a.m. |
Setting Up Your Aquarium |
Follow these steps to set up your aquarium.
1. In a separate container, wash the gravel. Do not use soap of any kind. Empty the gravel into a container, fill it up with water, and then dump the water and start all over again. You must agitate the gravel during each rinse by moving the gravel around while submerged to get the dirt and other toxic debris off the gravel. Generally, for brand-new gravel, four or five thorough risings are enough. Don't skimp on this step, as unlearned gravel will not only make for cloudy water, but water unsafe for your goldfish.
2. Make sure the tank is exactly where you want it to be. You should not move the tank once you begin to fill it. (Tanks are not made for movement once they have been filled.) Pour the gravel gently into the tank and begin the aquascaping of your tank. Terrace the gravel so that the gravel is as high as it goes toward the back of the tank.
3. Add any large pieces now, rocks, pieces of wood, etc. All these should be thoroughly rinsed off before being put into the tank. Again, don't use soap in cleaning anything-just clear water.
4. If you have an air stone or air release, put it in place now.
5. Add the water to the tank. Use tap water. The container to carry water from the tap to the aquarium should be free of any soap or other element that would dirty the water. It is best, if you have a large piece in the tank, to pour the water on it, trying not to disturb your aqua cape too much. After water is added, you may need to re-aqua cape.
6. Place the filter and heater in the tank and position them.
7. Place the plants. If you are using live plants, remember to weight them down. Place the thermometer in now as well.
8. Plug it all in after you have set it up and hooked up all the hoses. Turn it on. Make sure the heater is properly adjusted and that the filter is working.
Note: Don't place the fish in the tank immediately. Wait at least forty-eight hours before placing fish in this environment. The water needs to distill for twenty-four hours and you want to make sure the tank is running properly before putting in the fish. Some experts would have you wait as long as two weeks, but I think that's too long for any enthusiastic hobbyist. Keep in mind that goldfish are a fairly hardy species.
1. In a separate container, wash the gravel. Do not use soap of any kind. Empty the gravel into a container, fill it up with water, and then dump the water and start all over again. You must agitate the gravel during each rinse by moving the gravel around while submerged to get the dirt and other toxic debris off the gravel. Generally, for brand-new gravel, four or five thorough risings are enough. Don't skimp on this step, as unlearned gravel will not only make for cloudy water, but water unsafe for your goldfish.
2. Make sure the tank is exactly where you want it to be. You should not move the tank once you begin to fill it. (Tanks are not made for movement once they have been filled.) Pour the gravel gently into the tank and begin the aquascaping of your tank. Terrace the gravel so that the gravel is as high as it goes toward the back of the tank.
3. Add any large pieces now, rocks, pieces of wood, etc. All these should be thoroughly rinsed off before being put into the tank. Again, don't use soap in cleaning anything-just clear water.
4. If you have an air stone or air release, put it in place now.
5. Add the water to the tank. Use tap water. The container to carry water from the tap to the aquarium should be free of any soap or other element that would dirty the water. It is best, if you have a large piece in the tank, to pour the water on it, trying not to disturb your aqua cape too much. After water is added, you may need to re-aqua cape.
6. Place the filter and heater in the tank and position them.
7. Place the plants. If you are using live plants, remember to weight them down. Place the thermometer in now as well.
8. Plug it all in after you have set it up and hooked up all the hoses. Turn it on. Make sure the heater is properly adjusted and that the filter is working.
Note: Don't place the fish in the tank immediately. Wait at least forty-eight hours before placing fish in this environment. The water needs to distill for twenty-four hours and you want to make sure the tank is running properly before putting in the fish. Some experts would have you wait as long as two weeks, but I think that's too long for any enthusiastic hobbyist. Keep in mind that goldfish are a fairly hardy species.
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