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Now that you have purchased your aquarium and equipment, taken it home and filled it with water, what's next? Here you have a glass box full of water but nothing is in it. Excitement is building at this point, you are eager to put something living into it. This is the most critical point in your setup, and going to determine whether you fail or succeed. The most important thing to remember is patience. As you install your filtration unit, take the time to read the instructions that come with it. Take time to understand what each piece is for, where it fits, how it works. Every part of your unit is as important as another, and the more you understand it, the easier it will be to determine the cause of any possible problems, making them easier to fix in the future. Once you have properly assembled your filter, it is a good idea to disassemble it again, and do it once more. This will make sure you are familiar and comfortable with each piece and it's proper function. If you are planning to keep tropical or saltwater fish, this is also the time to install the heater. The thermometer should be in place by now, so monitoring your temperature is your next job. It is a good idea to check the temperature in the aquarium about every 2 hrs over the first 2 - 3 days. Many heaters do not have a temperature gauge on them, so it is the thermometer that will determine where it should be set. In the first 5 days, the aquarium will not be safe for fish, so there is plenty of time to regulate this temperature. Where to set it you ask? If you are still unsure of the fish you intend to keep, 75 degrees Fahrenheit is a good temperature to start with. Most tropical fish will require a temperature between 76 - 78 degrees Fahrenheit and this is also a safe range to cycle a saltwater tank where temperatures will usually range between 75 - 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Adding Gravel: Adding the gravel should be done before adding the water. This will cause less cloudiness to appear in the water. Pour water in at the same spot so to avoid disturbing all of the gravel with a heavy stream of water. The gravel should be rinsed thoroughly in cool tap water before putting into the aquarium to remove any dust that may have accumulated during packing. 1 lb of gravel per gallon is recommended in most cases. If setting up salt water, do not rinse live sand or crushed coral substrates.

Adding Rocks: Yes, this is the perfect time to begin decorating your tank. Think of it as setting up house for your fish before asking them to live in it. The rocks and plants act as "furniture" to break up the area in the tank. This allows each fish to find a place of it's own, unbothered by the other fish. These spaces are called territories, and each fish will need one to be happy and survive in your aquarium. Rocks are required for hiding and safety as much as for territory. By stacking them at odd angles against each other, and on top of each other, we create spaces between the rocks. Each space can/will be claimed as a territory, so the more spaces you allow your fish, the happier and more peaceful they will be.

Adding Plants: Plants are an important part of the freshwater aquarium if you are setting up for fish that are not vegetarian (plant eaters) by nature. Cichlids are in this group of fishes. Goldfish qualify here, but there is a small group of plants that goldfish don't seem to like. I will bring details on that in a future issue. Plants serve many purposes in an aquarium, all good! They help to oxygenate the water, they eat up harmful nutrients in the water (and can help relieve peaking during the cycling process) such as nitrates, and they also offer wonderful hiding places and territories for the fish. There are a wide variety of live aquarium plants that are very easy and basic when keeping. I have noticed that many people mention being afraid to try live plants in their tanks, afraid of the maintenance and expense they may require. Please don't let the plants scare you. Such species as the cryptocoryne wendtii and the java fern need no more than the standard florescent bulb that comes with most aquarium setups. Java fern, hornwort, and aponogeton crispus are also easy to grow under the incandescent lights of a standard 10 gallon aquarium. Live plants in an aquarium will help to reduce the risk of algae blooms which can cause many a headache to a hobbyist.

Cycling & Water testing: This first week of owning an aquarium is also the most lethal. I encourage waiting to add fish to your aquarium for at least 1 week after putting water into it and starting the filtration unit. There are 2 ways to cycle your aquarium, which we will be discussing in the next issue of Aquariumworld Magazine Online. There is fishless cycling, and cycling with fish to choose from. In either instance, water testing is very important. The test results will help you to determine the "safe point" to add fish, or more fish to your tank. This is also a good time to start a notebook, keeping track of your test results and the dates when the tests are performed. If a problem should occur, this will be your fastest detector, and the easiest way to resolve the issue. Many local pet stores will offer water testing, it's a good idea to ask then to write down your test results so that you may record them when you arrive home. Knowing your water quality is healthy and stable will ensure your success when entering fish into your aquarium.