Starting the aquarium from scratch. Preparation and proper start of a new aquarium: step by step instructions

The new aquarium is launched after all the scenery, soil, and plants have been purchased. This process, contrary to the general delusion, does not begin with the purchase of fish and involves five preparatory stages. The lion's share of success depends on the purchase of all necessary equipment. It should be quality and resistant to wear, as some systems will operate around the clock.

Selection rules

Starting the aquarium from scratch should start with selecting the most capacious. If the aquarist is a beginner, it is preferable to choose medium-sized models, the volume of which varies from 80 to 200 liters. Such a step will easily maintain biological balance in comparison with small tanks. Step-by-step starting of the aquarium, described below, will help to avoid problems.

Filter

All filters are divided into two large categories - external and internal. Beginners who start the aquarium from scratch are advised to purchase good internal ones, which will also save money. Manufacturers indicate the amount of water the filter is designed for, so it is almost impossible to make a mistake. However, experts recommend choosing such equipment with a small margin.

Heater with thermostat

This device maintains a temperature that is comfortable for all participants of the system. Manufacturers also indicate the recommended volume on the package. When starting the aquarium from scratch, the choice usually does not cause complications.

Lighting

A special spectrum of the beam is an important condition for the full existence of aquatic plants. They grow well under special purpose lamps with intensive lighting. On average, one liter of water requires a power of 0.6 V, that is, no less than 60 V per hundred liters, or better, all 90.

When the aquarium starts from scratch, it should be noted that the light day should be the same. With this, the automation (special timers) perfectly handles.

Background

Experienced aquarists recommend giving preference to a special film of black or dark blue, and can also be pulled onto a tablet that is commensurate with the parameters of the rear window, the fabric of the desired shade. It is this background that perfectly emphasizes beauty. Flawed glossy photographic backgrounds are not the best choice, starting an aquarium with plants can be ruined.

The system of saturation with carbon dioxide

In the daytime, carbon dioxide is needed for the entire vegetation of the system for growth, especially if there are many fish. It is recommended to pay close attention to CO2 parameters. Establish a saturation system is recommended after stabilization of biological equilibrium, including when the aquarium starts with plants.

Cupboard

The product must be strong. The weight of the capital's aquarium is 140 kg. You can buy a special cube or adjust the existing furniture. The aquarium, the photo of which is presented below, is installed on the cube correctly.

Running. Stage one: check

First of all, it is necessary to determine if the container is leaking. To do this, it is placed in a bath, preferably on a flat surface. The aquarium is filled with running water to half the volume, after a day it fills up completely. This test is carried out in any capacity - this is the only way to understand if the glass breaks and whether the product will transfer the first start. After checking, the water is drained, it is better to wash the container. The aquarium is installed on the curb.

Running. Stage two: soil

As a rule, the soil is represented by a gravel of fine fraction, which is suitable for most plants. Before you place it in the aquarium, it is better to conduct heat treatment, for example, boiling. After that, most of the soil is mixed with the starting fertilizer.

The base is neatly laid out on the bottom with an even layer, the height of which should not be less than 4 cm. In some cases, it is advisable to arrange an uneven layer: small at the front glass, gradually rising to the rear wall. It is better to immediately plan the places where the plants will be located. At this stage, it is important to carry out everything correctly in order to avoid further modifications. When choosing the location where the plantations will be located, it is better to focus on the lighting and the distance from the heating devices. On the ground there are artificial and natural scenery.

Running. Stage three: installation of equipment

The heater-thermostat, the pump with the filter are brought to the aquarium. The technique is still unconnected.

Running. Stage Four: planting plants

When placing living vegetation, the following recommendations should be followed:

• Near the rear wall are located large plantations.
• In the middle part, it is customary to plant smaller specimens.
• In the foreground - the smallest, they will be closest to the observer.

Beginners should choose inexpensive, tenacious plants, for example, valisnery or hornwort. Such instances help to quickly establish a balance, after which they can be replaced. In addition, to accelerate the stabilization of biological balance, you can use a special bacterial starter. It is introduced into the water according to the instructions. Plants during planting should be constantly sprinkled from the spray.

Running. Stage five: water inlet and connection

Water can be used the most simple - tap. It must be settled so that the chlorine completely evaporates. If you do not want to wait, you can buy bottled drinking water.

To prevent erosion of the soil, a saucer is placed on its bottom. The flow of incoming water should fall precisely on it. The aquarium fills up completely. Then you can turn on the equipment. It is necessary to check immediately how the filters function, heating, what temperature level is established in the system. The filter should work all the time, it can not be turned off. Within a few weeks, a bacterial environment emerges inside the device, which becomes a biological filter. If it is turned off, the bacteria will quickly die without the inflow of oxygen and fresh water. Their place will be immediately replaced by anaerobic microorganisms that produce hydrogen sulphide and methane - from them the entire system will cease to exist.

The final inspection should take place seven days after the launch. In the first days of work, the water in the aquarium will become turbid, as part of the plants die, and the bacteria will begin to multiply intensively. The activity of microorganisms will eventually normalize this process, and it will be possible to talk about the stabilization of the internal biosystem. Only then the capacity is ready to receive fish. To complete the formation of the environment, where every resident will feel good, it will take about a month. One fish should have about 10 liters of water.

How to launch fish

A week after the start of the start, it is desirable to increase the time of the aquarium lighting up to 12 hours. At this time, you can run unpretentious species of fish in an amount not exceeding a third of the permissible for such a volume of the population. It is important that if you start the fish correctly at this time should remain hungry - this is absolutely harmless for them. Feeding can disrupt the nitrogen cycle, which will lead to the need for a restart. Feeding fish can get after four days.

A few days later, the aquarium can be populated with half the population. During this period you can run more capricious fish. After seven days, you can run all the fish.

If the house has soft water, you should choose those inhabitants who prefer this pH level, and vice versa. The aquarium, the photo of which is presented below, is launched absolutely correctly and admires its beauty.

Marine type

The launch of a new aquarium can be complicated if it belongs to the marine type. All stages are similar to previous ones, however, water requires special preparation. It must be treated with reverse osmosis, after which it is settled for three days. After that, the salt concentration is brought to the required level.

When the optimum salt balance, density and temperature of water are reached, it is possible to fill in the soil: sand or coral chips. Further in the system you can place live stones, plant corals, decorate the bottom with shells. After a week, you should check the performance of nitrite and ammonium in water. A month after the water treatment, fish can be launched into the marine aquarium.

Rules for a successful aquarist

• It is necessary to purchase only healthy fish in a trusted store;
• Fish can not be overfed;
• It is better to regularly check how all systems work;
• Fish should have a sufficient living space;
• Fish living in the same system must be compatible;
• Support of the nitrogen cycle;
• Periodic cleaning of the filter;
• Even a beginner needs to know what is water hardness, pH, buffer capacity ;
• A regular partial replacement of water is necessary even if the first start of the aquarium occurred less than two weeks ago.

Instead of concluding

Quick start of the aquarium in 99% of cases does not lead to the desired results, it is often necessary to conduct a repeat training cycle. A beginner aquarist must be patient, so that the system can stabilize and function fully.

The question of how to prepare an aquarium for launching is becoming very relevant in recent times. Many families want to get beautiful fish that will float in the environment of vegetation. However, the content of the system requires some effort from the owner, which is better taken into account when deciding on the installation of the aquarium. In addition, we must not forget about the need for constant costs for maintaining the system, including the purchase of feed for fish, replacement filters, etc.