How to Set Up a 10 Gallon Tropical Aquarium: 9 Steps (2024)

1. 1

   Purchase the aquarium if you haven't already. Talk to the sales assistants. Lots of the staff usually have an aquarium or experience with one. They can provide you with some great advice!

2. 2

   Set up the tank. This means placing the tank on a table or an aquarium stand. Place the filter/bubbler in, as shown in the manual. This varies by product. Make sure it is set up properly.

3. 3

   Rinse the purchased stones/sand/gravel before pouring into the empty tank. Some aquariums come with stones/gravel already included.

4. 4

   Place the scenery and decorations in the aquarium. This may include real plants, fake plants, rocks, or other decorative items. Remember to rinse the (fake) plants and hiding spots for the fish. Never put rocks that you found outside in your tank. These may cause illness to the fish.

5. 5

   Fill the 10 gallon (37.9L) aquarium with water. Make sure the heater, filter and/or bubbler works properly. Make sure the temperature is perfect. Different fish like different temperatures.

6. 6

   Wait. Once everything is set up, you have to wait a week or two before you can buy any fish. This establishes the tank making sure it is safe for the fish.

   • The safest way to add fish would be to first add ammonia to the aquarium. Then, add some good quality live bacteria and test daily until the ammonia and nitrite levels are at zero before adding the fish.
7. 7

   Consider bio-support and freshwater salt. These are always a good thing to have available for the cleaning of the tank. This is a good thing to add during the waiting phase. Fish, like black Mollies, need to have freshwater salt or else they will not live as long.

   • Follow the instructions on the bottles to make sure you don't add too much or too little in the aquarium.
8. See Also

   10 Gallon Tank Dimensions: Comprehensive Guide - AquariumNexus30 Best Fish For A 10 Gallon Tank (With Stunning Pictures)10 Gallon Fish Tanks Reviewed [Best 6] | Fishkeeping World10 Gallon Fish Tank Setup: Complete Guide for Beginners - Full Guide for Beginners - AquariumNexus

   8

   Control the pH level of the tank. The pH of the tank is important, as the water being too acidic or basic may kill your fish. Pet stores sell pH tests, along with many solutions to adjust the pH of your tank. Some fish may flourish under certain pH levels as well, while some may suffer.

9. 9

   When you purchase fish, make sure you don't put too many fish in at once. They may get crowded and scared. Remember, you should have no more than ten 1–2 inch (2.5–5.1cm) fish in the tank. Putting in too many fish at once can cause overcrowding!

   • Recommended fish are guppies, platies, small tetras, habrosus corydoras (or other small cories), mollies, and small barbs. The store workers can help answer your questions and help you choose appropriate fish for beginners or experts!
   • Overcrowding your tank might make it harder to maintain safe ammonia levels and to keep everything in order.

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Community Q&A

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• When bringing the fish home, don't leave them in a cup holder in your car or on a seat because the water will splash around and stress out your fish. Stress can lead to death. Try to hold them steady or put them in a safe place when transporting them.

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• When you go to buy your fish, they may ask if your aquarium has been established and for how long. Make sure that you have waited the week (or more) before adding fish.

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• Be careful when transporting the fish back home.

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• Don't completely clean a tank unless you have to. This will kill off beneficial bacteria and stress out your fish, as well as creating a lot of work for you to do!

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• A 2/3 water change is good once a week or every other week. Note that this is for tropical aquariums - not saltwater/marine aquariums.

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• Don't buy too many fish at once. A distressed fish may die.

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Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about aquariums, check out our in-depth interview with Marshall Stephens.

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Co-authors: 25

Updated: December 24, 2022

Views:19,858