1 Set Up And Maintain A Freshwater Aquarium How To

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Maintenance

Transporting & releasing

your fish

Water quality needs to be monitored all of the time, especially

during initial set-up and when stocking the tank. This helps to

reduce the chance of causing any damage to the animals

because of the build up of high ammonia (NH3) and nitrite

(NO2-) levels. It is also advisable to test for nitrate (NO3-), pH

and hardness. Don’t forget to monitor the temperature of the

aquarium too.

Regular partial water changes are required to remove excess

nitrate. This should be carried out as often as required.

Remember smaller fish tanks will require more regular

maintenance as the water is less stable than in larger

aquariums.

Filters need to be checked for clogging and waste build up. If

they require cleaning, NEVER rinse them under a tap as this

washes away the beneficial bacteria. If clogged, rinse the filter

media in some of the waste tank water during a routine water

change.

Fish are easily stressed for instance by excessive lights,

vibrations, noise and movement. When transporting your fish

home try to reduce the stressors your fish are subjected to.

Your OATA retailer will usually sell you your fish in a plastic

bag. Try not to keep them in this too long. It is best that once

purchased, the fish should be taken home straight away to

avoid any changes in the chemistry and temperature of the

water in the bag.

Once home, your fish will need to acclimatise to their new

environment. It is best to switch off aquarium lights and float

the bag in the water of your tank for up to 30 minutes to

ensure the temperature in the bag is the same as the aquarium

water. Slowly add small volumes of aquarium water to the bag.

This allows the fish to acclimatise to any differences between

the retailer’s water and your own. This can take up to half an

hour. Once complete, slowly release the fish into the aquarium

adding as little of the shop water as possible and discard the

bag and excess water (Note: this process may take longer with

more specialised species like Discus). Ask your OATA retailer

for any more advice you need regarding the species you have

selected.

How to...

Set up & maintain

a freshwater

aquarium

1 General maintenance

Checklist

Before you buy make sure:

You have the appropriate equipment and position for the

aquarium.

You have researched all the species you are interested in

and your final choices are all compatible.

You are familiar with how to transport and release your

fish.

You are aware of the daily, weekly and monthly

maintenance your aquarium will need.

You are prepared to look after your fish properly for the

duration of their life.

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© Copyright OATA Ltd 2010 May 2013

Never release your aquarium

animals or plants into the wild

Never release an animal or plant bought for a

home aquarium into the wild. It is illegal and for

most fish species this will lead to an untimely and

possibly lingering death because they are not

native to this country. Any animals or plants that

do survive might be harmful to the environment.

If in doubt contact

your OATA

retail member

for further

information

Scan this code to

download an

electronic copy

Introduction

Maturing your tank

Adding your fish

Equipment

Stocking levels

Positioning your tank

Setting up an aquarium can be an enjoyable and rewarding

hobby for adults and children alike. It has been shown that

watching fish in a healthy and well maintained aquarium can

reduce your stress levels.

But before purchasing an aquarium, you should consider all the

aspects raised in this leaflet to ensure the underwater

community which you choose to create is looked after properly,

and that the fish remain healthy.

As a general rule you should, within reason, buy an aquarium

as big as possible. Larger aquariums contain more water and it

easier to maintain a healthy environment in it for your fish.

Once all of the equipment is ready, the tank should be positioned

carefully so it is:

1. Out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat.

2. On a perfectly flat level surface or stand which can

indefinitely support the weight of the tank when it is filled

with water.

For help choosing the type of tank that you would like to keep

ask your retailer. There are also a range of OATA care leaflets

covering the majority of species commercially available.

Before adding any fish, get some advice from your OATA

retailer about the species in which you are interested. As with

the rest of the animal kingdom, not all fish species will

peacefully cohabit. Different species may also prefer different

water types.

Patience is a virtue, add fish slowly. Overstocking or stocking

too quickly may cause ‘new tank syndrome’ when the filter is

not capable of coping with the increased waste load. Ammonia

and nitrite can quickly build up to unhealthy levels and often

fish will not survive.

Healthy fish have clear bright eyes, undamaged fins, intact

scales, no ulcerations or bumps, appropriate swimming and

steady breathing. Do not purchase a seemingly healthy fish if

sickly fish are present in the tank with it. Fish diseases can be

easily carried without showing any symptoms. If in doubt ask

your OATA retailer for advice.

It is not possible to say exactly how many fish your aquarium

can hold. The differences in size, species requirements, water

parameters and compatibility of fish available are vast. Ask your

OATA retailer for advice on stocking densities for your chosen

aquarium.

Aim to create as natural a set up as possible, for example

shoaling fish need to be kept in numbers. Remember that

decoration and plants take up space, however these are

recommended additions. Live plants help to remove nitrate,

and ornaments can provide less boisterous and reclusive fish

with a safe retreat.

The diet and feeding requirements vary between species. Some

feed at the surface, others will be found throughout the water,

while others will spend most time at the bottom of the tank.

Be sure to have suitable food to cater for all of your fishes

needs.

Do not expect to fill your tank with as many fish as your OATA

retailer. They are able to stock tanks more heavily than home

aquariums due to their management expertise and advanced

filtration systems.

Freshwater fish have little or no tolerance of ammonia (NH3) or

nitrites (NO2-) therefore the aquarium needs to be ‘matured’ before

being fully stocked. Maturing a tank involves growing a population

of nitrifying bacteria in the filter media. These bacteria are

responsible for quickly breaking down fish waste into ammonia,

nitrites (both of which are dangerous to fish) and then to much less

toxic nitrates.

Once the aquarium has been filled and the water has been

dechlorinated, switch on your equipment. It is advisable to leave

the aquarium for at day or two. This ensures that the temperature

is reached if it is a tropical set-up, as well as ensuring that the

equipment is working correctly.

Following this process there are two commonly used methods to

mature the aquarium’s filter. A commercially available bacterial

supplement can be added, following the manufacturer’s

instructions, or a small number of fish can be added to the

aquarium. Whichever method you use, the ammonia and nitrite

levels should initially successively rise and then fall while the nitrate

(the end product of filtration) levels will usually continue to rise.

It is important if you have added fish that the levels of these waste

products do NOT rise above the guidelines below. Regular partial

water changes will be required. You should use test kits regularly to

monitor any changes in water quality and take action as necessary.

Once these levels have dropped to a safe level (preferably zero)

permanently, the tank is mature and stocking can continue slowly.

Each time you add more fish or increase feeding, a ‘mini’

maturation process will take place. The time for maturation will

vary from aquarium to aquarium and therefore needs patience.

The equipment required depends upon the type of set up that is

chosen. Freshwater aquaria can be used to keep either

coldwater species e.g. goldfish which must be kept at room

temperature or tropical species which must be kept in heated

water.

A generalised checklist for a freshwater aquarium should

include the following:

1. Glass or acrylic aquarium

2. Suitable stand (if appropriate)

3. Gravel

4. Filtration

5. Lighting

6. Secure lid

7. Siphon cleaning device (recommended)

8. Ornaments

9. Plants

10. Heater (tropical set-ups)

11. Water conditioner/dechlorinator

12. Thermometer

13. Water testing kits

14. Food

Coldwater/Tropical freshwater

Ammonia (NH3) 0.02mg/l

Nitrite (NO2-) 0.2mg/l