Tank Setup

Always remember that if your aquarium came with directions, you should read those first. You mechanical filters, water additives, and other accessories, usually come with instructions. It will help to get a good idea of how these thing work before you follow the instructions below. You can also e-mail me if you have questions about specific items and if I know about them, I will help you out.

It is also a good idea to fill your tank outside (preferably somewhere where you don't mind it getting wet should the tank leak) because you can check for any kinds of pressure cracks or leaks that may have happened during the movement of your tank. I have seen cases where people have bought tanks and took them home to set them up and upon filling them, found a leak in the tank and had to take everything down and bring the tank back.

Fill your tank with water and dry the outside of it and let it sit for 24 hours. Check it the next day and look for water in places where there shouldn't be water. If you do not find any water, you are ok to place your tank where you would like it.

First: Place your under gravel filter at the bottom of the tank. If you did not get one, or you have a Penguin Bio-Wheel or Millinnieum type filter, don't worry about this step.
Next: Add your gravel over the under gravel filter or glass. Rinse the rocks first in some type of strainer to remove any dust that may have accumulated on the gravel. Make sure that you have enough gravel in the tank to cover about 2 inches above the under gravel filter or glass. If you have an undergravel filter, smooth the rocks out towards the back of the tank with a majority of the rocks close to the updraft tubes. This is done because of the way the under gravel filter works. Since the tubes are placed at the back of the corners of the under gravel filter plates, water will be sucked up from there first. If you stack the rocks towards the back near the updraft tubes and leave a thin layer towards the front of the tank, water will be evenly distributed as it is pulled through the under gravel filter plate.
Place your back filter and heater in the places that you want them. If you have the Penguin Bio-Wheel or the Millinnieum filter, place those on the back now.
Add any decor that you may have purchased. Also, place your thermometer where you want it.
Add water to your fish tank (Hint: To avoid splashing the rocks everywhere, place a small plate at the bottom of the tank and pour the water over that.)
Once the tank if full of water, plug everything in except for the heater. (Wait 15 minutes for the heater to adjust to the temperature of the tank before plugging it in. Plugging it in too soon can cause it to burn up or crack.)
Make sure that the everything in the tank is running properly and let the tank run for 24 hours before you add any type of fish. Allowing your tank to run for 24 hours will ensure that everything is working and will also allow you to calibrate your heater to the proper temperature.

Once you have done all of these steps, you are ready to add fish.




							Setup
							Always remember that if your aquarium came with directions, you should read those first. You mechanical filters, water additives, and other accessories, usually come with instructions. It will help to get a good idea of how these thing work before you follow the instructions below. You can also e-mail me if you have questions about specific items and if I know about them, I will help you out. It is also a good idea to fill your tank outside (preferably somewhere where you don't mind it getting wet should the tank leak) because you can check for any kinds of pressure cracks or leaks that may have happened during the movement of your tank. I have seen cases where people have bought tanks and took them home to set them up and upon filling them, found a leak in the tank and had to take everything down and bring the tank back. Fill your tank with water and dry the outside of it and let it sit for 24 hours. Check it the next day and look for water in places where there shouldn't be water. If you do not find any water, you are ok to place your tank where you would like it. First: Place your under gravel filter at the bottom of the tank. If you did not get one, or you have a Penguin Bio-Wheel or Millinnieum type filter, don't worry about this step. Next: Add your gravel over the under gravel filter or glass. Rinse the rocks first in some type of strainer to remove any dust that may have accumulated on the gravel. Make sure that you have enough gravel in the tank to cover about 2 inches above the under gravel filter or glass. If you have an undergravel filter, smooth the rocks out towards the back of the tank with a majority of the rocks close to the updraft tubes. This is done because of the way the under gravel filter works. Since the tubes are placed at the back of the corners of the under gravel filter plates, water will be sucked up from there first. If you stack the rocks towards the back near the updraft tubes and leave a thin layer towards the front of the tank, water will be evenly distributed as it is pulled through the under gravel filter plate. Place your back filter and heater in the places that you want them. If you have the Penguin Bio-Wheel or the Millinnieum filter, place those on the back now. Add any decor that you may have purchased. Also, place your thermometer where you want it. Add water to your fish tank (Hint: To avoid splashing the rocks everywhere, place a small plate at the bottom of the tank and pour the water over that.) Once the tank if full of water, plug everything in except for the heater. (Wait 15 minutes for the heater to adjust to the temperature of the tank before plugging it in. Plugging it in too soon can cause it to burn up or crack.) Make sure that the everything in the tank is running properly and let the tank run for 24 hours before you add any type of fish. Allowing your tank to run for 24 hours will ensure that everything is working and will also allow you to calibrate your heater to the proper temperature. Once you have done all of these steps, you are ready to add fish.














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