First of all wash the tank carefully with sponge and normal tap water. Do not use any detergent or chemical for washing your tank. After cleaning the tank place it where you want to place, but avoid direct sunlight. And also careful about the table or self, should be strong enough to carry the load of your tank. Now after placing the tank, add the accessories such as filters, air pumps air stone tube lights etc.
Check all the electrical equipments before adding the water and gravel. Next thing is to add the gravel. Before adding the gravel you should clean the gravel with tap water (Do not use any soap or detergent). I suggest that you should dry up the gravel after washing. Now add the gravel slowly. Fill your tank about 3-4 inches.
Now add some decorations to your fish tank. Avoid any decorations with edges. You should buy decorations from pet stores because they are for fish tank only and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals. Add some water plants (Hygrophilas, Sagittarias, Elodeas, Cabombas, Vallisnerias, Java Fern,) to your tank.
Now start filling your tank with dechlorinated tap water. Fill it 1/3rd of it. Now run air pumps. Check all the equipment that they are working properly or not and also check any leakage. Now fill the tank and leave the tank for some days (15-20 days). Do not add any fish at this time. After 15 days change 20% – 25% of water. Again wait for 2 weeks and then add some starter fish to your tank. These are inexpensive and easily available at your pet store. For next 3-8 weeks you should cycle the tank. Partial change water weekly and do not overfeed the fish. After all these your tank is ready for your fish.