Freshwater

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Part III: Water, Chemicals, and Plants
Setting Up Your Tropical
Freshwater System
What follows are the basic steps to set up a tropical aquarium. For this example,
we will be using an undergravel filter, a background, a power filter, and
live plants.
1. Find a good location.
Choose a place that has a solid floor and is away from windows, doors,
and high-traffic areas. Make sure you have adequate electrical outlets
and a handy water supply.
2. Set up the stand.
Place the stand so that it is stable (that is, it doesn’t rock). You can use a
carpenter’s level to accomplish this goal. Lay the level along the length
of the stand to make sure that it is completely level. If not, use hardwood
shims (available at hardware stores) to level the stand by placing them
one at a time under the legs.
Make sure you leave room behind the stand for hanging equipment and
leave enough room for yourself to do cleaning and maintenance.
3. Clean out your tank.
Clean out your aquarium with clear water and a soft sponge. Do not use
soap or other chemicals! Make sure you dry the outside of the glass with
paper towels to avoid streaks that may be hard to reach after the system
is completely set up.
4. Place the aquarium on the stand.
Make sure that the tank fits properly on the stand. Do not allow any of
the tank’s bottom edges to hang over. If you want, you can place a thin
sheet of Styrofoam underneath the tank to cushion it and even out
minor changes in level.
5. Add a background.
If you want to add a background, now would be the time to tape it onto
the back of the tank so that you don’t have to work it around the equipment
and cords later.
Another option is to paint the back glass on the outside with a roller.
This is a great way to hide any cords or other objects that you don’t
want to show behind the tank. Apply two coats of paint and make sure
that it is completely dry before you continue. Take care not to splash
any paint into the interior of the tank as it can be toxic. You can cover