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How to start a fish aquarium

SAFETY FIRST: Ask an adult to help with tools you haven't used before.

fishtank

Having an aquarium is cool — and easy! Here’s how to start yours.

WHAT TO DO

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Pick starters. Starter fish are more able to adapt to a new tank. Zebra Danios, White Clouds, and Platys are great starters.

fishtank-2Pick fish that get along with each other. For example, don’t stick two male betas together; they will fight. Also, think twice if you want to add cichlids — they’re territorial. Labyrinth fish such as Gourami are calm.

Remove chlorine from the water. Buy water-cleaning drops at the pet store.

Regularly check the water temperature with an aquarium thermometer.

Do partial water changes to keep the water clean and your fish healthy. Don’t change all the water at once. Your fish might have trouble adapting in there is too much change.

Use the right equipment for cleaning — bucket, net, filter and siphon.

WHAT NOT TO DO

Don’t overfeed.

Don’t put things in the tank unless you are sure they are safe. Some woods and rocks can be bad for your fish. Never use meal. Shells aren’t safe for most tanks, either.

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Don’t put your tank in a window or next to an air conditioner or heater.

Don’t buy fish from dirty tanks or ones that have sick or dead fish in them.

Don’t buy only one of a “schooling fish.” These like to be in groups. Neon Tetras, Zebra Danios and Tiger Barbs are schooling fish.

Don’t make stops when bringing your fish home. Get it home and into its new environment as quickly as possible.

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Don’t put fish in the tank right away. Float the bag in the tank for about 10 minutes so the temperature matches better.

Don’t add too many fish at one time.

Don’t buy fish before you set up your tank.

WHAT TO ASK AT THE STORE

How big will the fish grow?

How many fish can you keep in your aquarium? (This depends on the size and kind of fish you buy, and the size of your tank.)

What do the fish eat?

Do the fish need a heater?

CHECK OUT THESE FUN AQUARIUM WEB SITES

The Shedd Aquarium: shedd.org

The Monterey Bay Aquarium: montereybayaquarium.org


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12 Comments on How to start a fish aquarium

  1. cool

  2. do not put two male beatas in the same tank or one of them will kill the other beata. if you have a girl beata fish do not put her in the same tank or if you want baby beatafish then be redey to take her out ok :>)

  3. this will help my bros they need this to learn how to take care of there fish ;>p :>}

  4. scuba diving mama // September 13, 2011 at 7:47 am // Reply

    Can two male or two female betta fish live in the same tank? How big should the tank be??

  5. TROOP.27 MEMBER // July 27, 2011 at 8:27 pm // Reply

    wow. the question below is a question that you probribly would kno.

  6. white salmon // July 18, 2011 at 7:30 pm // Reply

    will the fish live or die

  7. i am a grandmother to three great boys ages 11 and 5. i am thinking about getting them a fish tank. they have pet dogs however i would like to give them this gift. what type of fish should i give them and how big should the first tank be ?

  8. how long should you let you water filter befor you can add fish
    20 gal tank

    • BoyScoutTroop85 // May 14, 2010 at 3:36 pm // Reply

      you can put the fish in as you start the filter, but let the filter starp pumping first.

  9. Many fish require air circulation to be healthy. Pet stores sell a filter and air circulation combination from a company called Small World. It has suction cups and sticks to the side of your aquarium. It helps to remove waste toxins from the water and adds bubbles to circulate air in the water. Our Betta Splendid lived for six years in a five gallon tank with one of these circulating filters. Bettas are generally expected to live 3-5 years in captivity.

  10. Just for everyone to know, goldfish can’t live in a bowl. they need a filtered 20 gallon tank.

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