Aquarium Fish Tank Setup
Setting up an aquarium needs to be planned correctly. Not only will you save time and money but hopefully create a suitable place for your future live stock to thrive. Probably your first decision is the type of aquarium that you want to setup and if you
plan to create a temperate or tropical environment. Tropical aquariums are more common because of the glorious species of fish that can be kept in it. All aquariums in this site are tropical except a British Rock Pool aquarium. Here it is necessary to cool the water. Another consideration is the number of fish that you plan to keep.
Fish Stocking Levels
The fish stocking levels are determined by a number of factors. Freshwater and brackish water aquariums can stock can be calculated by allowing a certain number of fish body lengths to the surface area of a tank. This figure is roughly 1cm of fish per 30cm2 to 36cm2 ( 1 inch of fish per 10in2 to 12in2 ) of water surface. Marine aquarium stocking levels are much less typically ¼ of fish to the figures above. This shows how important the surface area of the tank is. It is not recommended to immediately stock your aquarium to these levels for a number of reasons. You need to introduce your fish slowly as you are probably setting up your tank from new. Your heating, aeration and especially filtration is probably not yet functioning properly. The plants, also need time to establish. As the main purpose of the aquarium is to build a stable environment for your fish it is important to remember that some fish can be very demanding, excessive haste can lead to an outbreak of diseases so don't stock any more that 1cm per 8 litres ( 1 inch per 4 gallons ) for the first six months. You should add to your community very slowly and monitor the progress of each new addition very closely. When you buy fish you are probably buying juvenile fish, obviously they will grow so this needs to be taken into account when working out stocking levels.
The type of fish you buy is also important. you should purchase at least six preferably ten of a species of fish that naturally lives in a shoal. The total population should be sub-divided into groups that occupy top, middle and lower levels of the aquarium. This will utilise space better and provide a much better viewing perspective. Following these simple rules about fish level stocking should hopefully create a healthy environment for your fish to thrive.
