Fishes are beautiful water creatures. With little care and effort we can set up aquarium and enjoy the company of these pets at our home.

We can broadly categorise fishes in two categories, fresh water fishes and cold water fishes. Tropical fishes are fresh water fishes. They dwell in warm water.

Before setting up aquarium Tropical fish:

1. Decide the type of fishes you would like to keep in your water tank. All the fishes should be compatible with each other. Take store attendant’s help in figuring this out.
2. Also decide the number of fishes to be kept. Fish tank should not be over-crowded.
3. Check the following list of necessary and accessory items:

• Aquarium
• Aquarium Stand
• Hood and Lighting
• Aquarium Gravel
• Decoration (Rocks, Plants)
• Filtration and Aeration
• Heater
• Thermometer
• Net
• Water Test Kit
• Water Conditioner (AquaSafe)
• Fish Food(s)
• Cleaning Accessories

Setting up an aquarium for Tropical fish:

• Choose a leveled and stable surface for placing the fish tank.
• Thoroughly wash the aquarium gravel, rocks, and ornaments. Do not use soap for this purpose.
• If an undergravel filter is used, place it on the bottom of the aquarium and cover it with 2 to 3 inches of washed gravel. Do not to pour sand into the filter stems.
• Fill the aquarium approximately one-third full. Add water conditioner (one teaspoon per 10 gallons of water) your aquarium to nullify the effect of chlorine in the water.
• Connect the air line tubing from the air pump to any outlets located inside the aquarium, such as undergravel filters, air stones, or decorations.
• Setup decoration and plants in the fish tank.
• Fill the aquarium to near the top.
• If you are using any outside filters, fill them with filter materials, locate them according to instructions and make certain their siphon is free of air. Secure the heater as directed and place the thermometer as far away from the heater as possible. Make sure you can easily read the thermometer.
• Plug in your air pump, power filter, and heater. Check the air outlets and adjust the settings. Make certain that water is flowing properly through your power filter. Adjust the thermostatic heater to the proper temperature, checking periodically. It will take some time for the temperature to stabilize and you may have to adjust your setting. Important: Do not switch on the heater when it is not immersed in water in the tank. The heating element can malfunction and overheat and the glass tube can shatter if placed in water while hot.
• Water in new aquariums will often turn cloudy for a day or two. This is caused by a harmless bacterial growth and should disappear naturally.
• You'll be bringing your fish home from the store in plastic bags. When you get home, immediately float the bags in your aquarium for 15 minutes. This allows the water temperature in the bag to slowly match the water temperature in the aquarium. DO NOT pour the water from the bag into your aquarium. Rather, over a bucket or a sink, pour the fish into a net. Then immediately place the fish into your aquarium. Also, be sure to add AquaSafe every time you add fish to your aquarium.
• Place the hood securely on top of the aquarium to protect the fish and prevent them from jumping out. Turn on the aquarium light.