Successful 55 Gallon Aquarium Kit Setup

55 Gallon Aquarium Kits are not hard to setup and maintain, if you know what to do.

Adding a 55 gallon fish tank to your living space is the ideal way to bring radiant color and life to your environment.  Observing and interacting with your aquatic life can help reduce your blood pressure and lower the stresses of everyday life.

If you would like to add a 55 gallon aquarium to your home, but really aren’t sure how to get started, this bulleted list and step-by-step instruction guide will help you on your way to creating a attractive, beautiful centerpiece like the 55 gallon aquarium kit pictured here.  Adding an aquarium to your home is simple to do and well worth the effort required.

Here is what you will need:

Aquarium Basics: 55 gallon aquarium Aquarium Stand Aquarium Hood Sufficient gravel (about 5 bags) A 200W Aquarium Heater Aquarium Thermometer Power Filter System Water Test Kit Dechlorination Solution

Aquarium Decorations (a suggestion) 4 Pieces of Driftwood 9 small background plants 3 small moss foreground plants 6 accent  plants foreground 6 small foreground plants 2 Medium accent plants 1 12″ tall plant 2 15″ tall plant

First: Set up the 55 Gallon Aquarium Kit and Stand

• Put the aquarium and stand out of direct sunlight.  Sunlight causes temperature fluctuations, causes bleaching and stimulates algae growth.
• Put at least 5″ between the wall and the aquarium to allow enough space for the filter, and make sure the stand is perfectly level.  Be absolutely sure this is a good place for your aquarium.  Once you set it up, you will have to completely disassemble the heavy system if you want to move it later.

Second: Add Gravel and Fill With Water

• Be sure to rinse the gravel before you put it in, using clean water, and then add it to the aquarium.  When you add it, slope it up from the front towards the back (so the front is shallower than the back).
• Place clean plate on top of gravel and slowly fill the aquarium with water.  If your tap water contains chlorine, add Dechlorination Solution (freshwater).  For saltwater, add your balanced salt solution you’ve let sit for a day.

Third: Install Heater and Aquarium Filter

• As you install things do not plug anything until everything is attached.
• Put the power filter together and hang it on the back of the aquarium.
• Put the thermometer in a place that is visible from the front for easy monitoring.
• Assemble the aquarium heater and place it underwater, near the inlet to the power filter.

Fourth: Decorate

• As you add decorations, make sure you leave plenty of swimming room for the fish.
• Before adding, rinse all new plants with clear water.
• Start with all the background plants, then arrange the pieces of wood, add accent and foreground plants, and then finish with a few decorative rocks or ornaments.
• Continue filling aquarium with water to maximum level.
• Plug the aquarium heater and filter into the wall.
• Wait 24 hours.  Check the temperature range and adjust if necessary.  Allow temperature to stabilize before adding fish.

Fifth: Put in Fish

• Establish the nitrogen cycle by starting with no more than about 10″ of fish (10 fish, 1″ each, or five 2″ fish)
• Allow the fish bag to acclimate at the top of the tank for 1 hour, then release them into the aquarium (do not add the water they were shipped in–use a net).
• Put the light inside the canopy and put it on top of the tank.
• Allow things to stabilize for four weeks and then test for nitrite and ammonia levels.  Once the levels return to 0 (zero), start adding the rest of your fish a little at a time (no more than 55″ of fish, total).
• Fish Suggestions:
  Your 55 gallon fish tank can hold up to 55″ of adult fish.  The following is a recommendation for standard 55 gallon aquarium kits:
  • 3-6 Bottom Dwellers
  • 1-3 Algae Eaters
  • Non-aggressive schooling fish such as: Rasboras, Danios, Barbs, Rainbows, Angels, etc.

To get the most of out your fish tank aquariums, check out our aquarium care ebook today and find out how you can keep your fish healthy, safe, and happy.