Your first aquarium: 4 things to know before starting out

02 May 2018

For those taking the plunge into the world of aquariology for the first time, it is really important to learn how to set up and manage your aquarium correctly so that you can safely turn you dream into a reality.

Each aquarium is an ecosystem, so it must be approached with respect and care for the life it supports (see also the article “An aquarium as an ecosystem”).

But before you even start thinking about how to set up your first aquarium, there are 4 aspects, 4 preliminary steps, which, if addressed properly, will ensure a solid and lasting foundation for the life in your aquarium. (picture above)

First step

Decide what room you would like to put it in and what type of set-up you would like to create. These points are essential to choosing not only the right design and size of aquarium but also the colour that will best suit your room's décor. Your trustworthy dealer is the perfect person to turn to for advice and information to help guide you in this choice.

Second step

The ideal solution would be to choose an all-in-one aquarium, which already has all the necessary technical components installed (lighting, filtration, heating), as these aspects can sometimes raise concerns. Askoll has always developed complete aquariums equipped with high-quality and reliable components which can be managed with a just a little basic know-how. This will ensure that setting up your first aquarium will be a pleasant experience for all.

Third step

Read the instruction manual. It may seem obvious, but it is the only reliable source to quickly learn how to use the product you have just bought and find out how it is made. The guide should be step-by-step so as not to jeopardise any of the activities essential for the installation and management of the aquarium, therefore allowing maximum enjoyment to be gained from it.

Fourth step

Where to locate it? The choice of the most suitable location for the tank must be guided by a few, simple pieces of advice.

Pieces of advice:

Avoid direct exposure to sunlight, especially midday and afternoon light, as it promotes algae growth
The aquarium must not be placed near a heater or air conditioner, otherwise it will become almost impossible to maintain the right water temperature
The stand is key; this piece of furniture must be strong enough to support the weight of the tank. Keep in mind that, for each litre of volume, a fully equipped aquarium weighs at least 1.2 kg. The best solution is to place the tank on a specific aquarium stand (link to the stand page)
Remember that we are talking about a container with water – a lot of water – inside: avoiding any spray in the vicinity of the aquarium (especially during maintenance) will be almost impossible. Consider this too when you are choosing where to locate it
The aquarium needs electricity to operate. Therefore, it should be placed near a power outlet (so you do not have to resort to long and cumbersome cables for future connections)
One last piece of advice? Fill the tank with water before operating the various components (pump/filter and heater first of all). This will avoid damage to the equipment and the risk of short circuit

Have you found the perfect place in which to locate your new aquarium? Right, now you have to think about its set-up! read our article that talks about this.

AQUARIUM

An aquarium as an ecosystem