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It’s easy to set up your new aquarium when you follow these easy steps. And don't forget, your local pet store professional can be a continual source of information and advice. The more you learn, the more successful you will be, and the more fish care becomes fun and easy!

We've divided steps to setting up an aquarium into two main sections: Aquarium Setup and Location, and Adding Water and Fish. Steps 7 - 12 below are Adding Water and Fish. To jump to Aquarium Setup and Location, CLICK HERE.
7 Fill Your Tank
By now your aquarium is decorated just the way you had imagined! Your plants are in place, the gravel is gracefully sloped and the filtration system and heater are installed. You're ready to fill your aquarium with water!

Conditioning water is extremely important, as it will make the water safe for your fish. Jungle Labs Start Right or Water Safe PLUS Tank Buddies will make the water safe for fish immediately. You can condition the water before or after you fill your tank. To make sure you don't disturb the gravel and decorative accessories in your tank, you can place a small bowl in the center of the tank and pour water gently into the bowl. When the tank is filled turn on your lights, filter and heater. Allow the system to run for a couple of days to make sure everything is working properly and monitor the temperature of the water. When you are satisfied that everything is operating, as it should, you are ready to establish the biological cycle of your tank and add a few fish.
8 Set up your Filtration
Filtration in an aquarium is important in order to help keep your tank water clean and clear. There are different types of filtration you can consider during tank setup. An undergravel filter can be used to help establish a natural, biological bed of healthy bacteria and serves as a circulation system. This becomes part of the natural cycle of your tank and will help keep the water safe and healthy for your fish and plants. Mechanical filtration, such as the use of an outside power filter, will remove particles from the water. With the addition of activated carbon, or other filter media, harmful substances can be removed as well. Having both types of filtration is ideal for keeping a tank as clean and healthy as possible. However, if you plan on using live plants, the use of an undergravel filter is not necessary. Follow the manufacturers instructions on the filter you’ve selected. Your pet store can help you with making your selection based on your tank type and size.

9 Regulate Your Water Temperature
Maintaining a constant temperature is very important for the health and well being of your fish. A good quality heater and thermostat are a necessity, and the temperature should be monitored to prevent overheating or chilling. Most fish are comfortable with a range between 74°F and 82°F; 78° is ideal for community environments. Remember, fluctuating water temperatures can cause fish to become stressed or ill, so keep the temperature consistent.
10 Add Your First Fish and Establish the Biological Cycle
When you set up an aquarium, you are actually creating an environment for living organisms to coexist. Introducing fish, plants and food into an aquarium begins the natural process of cycling. Just as in nature, fish will excrete waste products and this, together with uneaten food, ends up as ammonia. Ammonia is extremely dangerous to fish, but once aquariums have cycled, there are millions of beneficial bacteria living in the gravel bed to consume this ammonia and convert it into nitrite. Nitrite is also toxic to fish, but as it accumulates in the water, other bacteria establishe itself and converts the nitrite into relatively safe nitrate. These bacteria grow and multiply, becoming large enough to handle the waste load. This is commonly referred to as a bacterial bloom. During this time of bacterial bloom, your tank can become cloudy as this natural biological cycle establishes itself. This is normal and will disappear when your tank has completed the cycle. This process usually takes 6 – 8 weeks and is also known as New Tank Syndrome.

To help boost the biological cycle, use Jungle Start Zyme; which has beneficial bacteria and enzymes that will help you establish a healthy aquarium. Because of the extreme conditions that occur during this process, it is best to start your tank out with a few, inexpensive fish. Once your tank has cycled, it will be safe to add additional fish. When adding fish, be sure to use Jungle Start Right or Water Safe PLUS Tank Buddies to minimize stress to fish. Carefully net the fish out of the bag and place them into their new home. Discard the water from the bag, as it is very low in oxygen and high in pollutants.
11 Adding More Fish to Your Tank
After the biological cycle has taken place, your aquarium is established and ready for you to add more fish. Begin with two or three fish from the hardy varieties, such as guppies, platys, or mollies - remember, this is still a new aquarium and you don't want to overload the environment. Every few weeks, you can add new fish, but be sure not to overcrowd the tank. A good rule of thumb for figuring the number of fish for your tank is one inch of fish for each gallon of water. But, be sure to account for the water displacement from having gravel, rocks and other decorations in your tank.
 		 
12 Maintain Good Water Quality
Testing the water is the best way to assure consistent water quality. It will help you identify deficiencies as well as help you know when you need to treat the water. There are some basic levels of water quality to test for. They are pH, ammonia, alkalinity/hardness, and nitrate/nitrite. Use Jungle Quick Dip Aquarium Test Strips to test your water on a regular basis. They're fast, accurate and easy to use. Test your water for once a week, as many factors can cause changes to levels, which can lead to stress in fish. If levels are off, follow the Jungle product recommendations on the Jungle Quick Dip Aquarium Test Strip packaging.

Routine Water Changes
The most important rule for long-term success with your aquarium is routine partial water changes. Water changes are essential to helping maintain a healthy aquarium and fish. The entire process will probably only take 10-15 minutes of your time.

Using a gravel vacuum, siphon water from the bottom of the tank very close to the gravel. Do not disturb the gravel unnecessarily. If your gravel is sloping toward the front of the tank, chances are that uneaten food will gather at the front of the tank where it can be easily removed.

Replace the water that has been removed, taking care that the new water is as close to the temperature of the aquarium water as possible. Use tap water treated with Start Right or Water Safe Plus Tank Buddies to reduce stress and make water safe for fish immediately by neutralizing harmful metals. Only use tap water in your tank because it replaces depleted minerals and elements necessary for a healthy tank. These crucial trace elements are not found in bottled water.

Water Change Frequency:
• In Tanks up to 10 gallons: 25% once a week
• Tanks of 20 to 30 gallons: 25% every 2-3 weeks
• Tanks of 40 gallons or more: 25% once a month

More heavily populated tanks require water changes more often than stated above, depending on the amount and size of the fish they contain and frequency of feeding. Always use a siphon, and limit the amount of water to be changed to 25%. Changing only 25% of water is less stressful for fish and won’t disturb the important bacteria in the tank.

Goldfish
Gold Care Water Care, Bowl Buddies Goldfish Care Kit or Goldfish Life will make water safe for Goldfish immediately.

If you need further assistance, contact us!
Even with the best care and attention, sometimes fish illness and water quality issues can
occur. Jungle can help you diagnose these types of situations. Just click Contact the Club to email the Jungle Customer Service Department or call 1-800-357-7104. These resources, along with Jungle Labs easy to use color-coded packaging will provide you with a complete system to insure your new fish tank remains a fun, easy to maintain hobby for years to come.

Congratulations!
You’ve just established a fish friendly environment, now sit back and enjoy!
Club Jungle Fish


Setting Up Your Aquarium...

Click on the links below to jump to the step you're at in setting up your aquarium!

  1. Choosing an Aquarium
  2. Location
  3. Lighting
  4. Gravel
  5. Decorations
  6. Plants
  7. Filling the Tank
  8. Setup Your Filtration
  9. Water Temperature
  10. Establish the Biological Cycle
  11. Adding More Fish to Your Tank
  12. Maintaining a Healthy Aquarium and Good Water Quality


 
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