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Setting up the aquarium

First of all you should clean all the equipments, plants and gravels, but don't use any washing detergent or soap because that is harmful for your fish and could cause the fish to die. While washing the equipments and gravel use some salt (cooking salt). After cleaning the equipments put them under the direct sunlight for atleast one hour. Clean the fish tank and set it to the place where you want it and notice that there is no direct sunlight . Direct sunlight may cause algae growth and rising the tempreture of the Aquarium. After you setting the aquarium in the right place add all the equipments ( under gravel filter, plants, power filter, pipes for air stone. Then add the gravel to it .

After adding the gravel add decorations like plastic plants (if you want) , stone made houses, etc. Remember onething you should always buy equipments from aquarium stores. After this you need a bucket to carry the water. Fill the tank about 40% . Then add about 1 teaspoon of salt per 5 galon of water. Now add the medicines you buy from the store ( As recomended by the pet store). Then turn on the air-pump and undergravel filters, but donot on the power filter. Then leave the aquarium for 24hrs. After 24hrs fill the rest of the tank but donot fill it full, leave atleast 2 inches unfill. Now leave the tank again for 24 hrs. the next day you need a strong fish to cycle (nitrogen cycle/biological cycle) the aquarium.

After adding the fish leave the tank for 10 days. Don't forget to feed the fish. feed the fish at least 2 times daily. After 10 days change 10% - 15% water. Again after a gap of ten days change 10% - 15% water. Continue this process for 1 and 1/2 month. During this process you need a test kit which can test pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, chlorine and also hardness of water.

Nitrogen cycle - Ammonia/ Ammonium produced from fish waste, fish food. If your water pH level is under 7 then there is ammonium which is not harmful for fish and if ph level is more than 7 then there is Ammonia which is very harmful for fishes. After some days bacteria eliminate Ammonia to Nitrites. This is also harmful for fish but not like Ammonia. Again after some days New bacteria form and convert the Nitrites into Less harmful Nitrates. When your test kits shows nitrate level you need to change 15-20% of water. After 1 and 1/2 month this process completes. Now you can add fish of your choice.