Siting and Setting Up The Aquarium

When siting the tank, consideration should be given to the proximity of electrical sockets, as they will be needed to supply power to the various electrical equipment required.

A full tank of water is extremely heavy and cannot be moved without risking consequent damage to the glass. The tank should be sited away from direct sunlight, unless adequate shading can be provided, since too much sun causes overheating of the water.

If you are a heavy smoker, it is best to site your tank in another room which is not constantly in use, as your fish will not take kindly to stale smoke-laden air, which can also cause a scum on the water surface.

Newly glazed tanks should be filled slowly after cleaning the glass (DO NOT USE PROPRIETARY CLEANERS).

After the tank has been set up on it's stand, some consideration should be given to the cover. The aquarium cover is necessary to keep dust and dirt out and also to provide a shade for the lighting. Between the cover and the tank, it is usual to put an intermediate cover of plastic or glass. This is to prevent condensation from forming on the underside of the cover and electrical fittings.

Covers to fit standard size tanks are readily available from suppliers of aquatic equipment. Very large tanks can have specially constructed wooden covers. These should be made in several pieces which can be removed separately.

When the tank has been sited, check that it is level with a spirit level.

Any variation should be corrected by packing the supporting legs - NOT THE TANK ITSELF.