The document provides an overview of preparing and maintaining an aquarium. It discusses selecting an appropriate sized aquarium tank, setting it up with the proper equipment like filters, heaters and lights. It also covers adding aquarium plants and fish species that are compatible. Regular maintenance is important to monitor water quality parameters like temperature, pH and oxygen levels. Accessories help filter and aerate the water to keep fish healthy.

1. Topic: Preparation and Maintenance of Aquarium
Contents: -
• Introduction
• Overview of Demand Situation
• Fabrication of Aquarium
• Setting of an Aquarium
• Aquarium Accessories
• Aquarium Plants
• Aquarium Fishes and their Food
• Aquarium Maintenance
• References

2. Introduction:-
Aquarium keeping of fish started in 1805. The first public aquarium in the
world was opened in England in 1852, in the Zoological Gardens, London
and science then keeping and breeding tropical fish has increased in
popularity enormously.
Aquarium:
An aquarium is a glass container which displays the aquatic organisms in a
simulated natural environment by introducing aquatic plants, rocks,gravels,
artificial decorative etc. It is specially designed devise that acts as an
artificial habitat for water dwelling animals. Different types of equipments
are required for controlling aeration, water movement, temperature,
suspended organic matter, illumination etc inside the aquaria.

3. Fish keeping means providing such conditions in the aquarium that the fish
will live and fish remain in good condition for several months or years,
depending on the life-span of the given species. The main primary principles
of successful fish keeping are proper water conditions, composition,
temperature, amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the water and correct
feeding. Other important factors are lighting, planting and shelter in the
aquarium, composition of the bottom substrate and suitable selection of fish.
 A basic rule is never to keep big and small fish, predatory and peaceful
fish etc. together in a single aquarium.
 Do not skimp or space and always choose a larger rather than a
smaller aquarium
 The aquarium should be located permanently in a spot where it is fit
in within the layout and furnishing of the room.

4. Overview of Demand Situation:-
The number of species known as ornamental is estimated about
1600 of which 750 are from fresh water and the remainder marine
species, which only represent 10 to 20 percent of total volume.
Consequently, the species that dominate the market are all from
freshwater. The main importers of ornamental fish are the United
States, Japan and Europe. About 90% of imports of ornamental fish
into the USA are traditionally from Asia and 10 percent from South
America. The US imports from Indonesia and the Philippines are
mainly composed of marine species.

5. A. Selection of a Tank
 A tank with a water capacity of 125-250 L is most conventional.
An appropriate size would be an 80 cm tank (80x40x40cm) or a
meter size tank (100x50x50cm).
 The most popular size of home aquarium is 60 cm length x 30 cm
width x 40 cm height, with a capacity of 57 L (15 gallons).
 Aquaria Tanks are usually measured as = Length x Depth x Height
 Aquarium tank is of prime importance. An aquarist must consider its shape,
size and material used.
 Tanks may be of several kinds: Metal frame tank, Plax-glass tank, or All
glass tank.

6. B. Aquaria Types
Based on water regime contained in the aquaria they may be of two types:
1. Fresh water aquaria
2. Marine water aquaria

7. Fabrication of Aquarium:-
 Before fabrication of all glass aquariums, one first decide about the size of the tank.
 Different thickness of tank is required for different size of tank.
 There should be a strict relationship between length, depth and height to suit the
principle of water pressure which exercises pressure against the bottom and the four
walls, the front, the back, and the two sides.
 Length of aquarium is the deciding factor; it must be twice the depth while height
equal to the depth.
 The glass sheet should be cut into correct sizes of the panes for the tank size
selected. All edges should be evened by filling with wet fine grain sand paper or
sand stone.

8.  Place the base glass on a flat surface and stick pieces of adhesive tapes on all the four
sides.
 Make a glue line of silicon adhesive using the nozzle of the gum on the edge that will
hold back glass pane.
 Join the back glass pane to the base on this glue line, stick the flying adhesive tapes on
to it and provide weight from outside to give support to it.
 Stick adhesive tape pieces to the sides of the glass pane. Likewise repeat it on the
other side to join the second side glass pane.
 Join the front glass pane in the last. Silicon glue dries up within minutes, so it is
essential that any surplus glue on the inside be wiped out immediately using a
solution of washing up liquid in water.
 Extra care may be taken to seal corners to get water tight aquarium tank.

9.  Leave the cemented tank exposed to air at least for 2-3 days so that the bond is
perfect. To check any possible leakage fill it with water and allow it to stand
overnight. Repeat it three times.
 Now the water tight tank is ready. To strength glass corners, plastic or metal corners
may be glued using silicon glue.
 We can also form framed aquarium using aluminums or iron frames. For such
aquarium tanks glass should also be thick i.e. more than 6mm.

10. Importance of Cover:-
 No aquarium is completed without a glass cover or non-toxic hood. It should fit
loosely on top of the aquarium to allow circulation of air.
 Apart from checking fish to jumping out, covers on aquarium slow up loss of
water by evaporation and stops a lot of dust and other bodies from getting in.
 It also provides support for lighting system. Usually a wide slit with mesh cover is
left on the sides of aquarium hood for aeration. Top covers of aquarium gives
attractive look to aquarium.
 At present in market, tops are fabricated with plywood and fiberglass with
lighting facilities. Some aquarists prepare top with PVC strips, bamboo strips,
glass sheets, PVC electric pipes and strips.

11. Setting Up the Aquarium:-
Before actual setting up the aquarium following points are to be checked.
1) Selection of Site:-
 A firm level base must be chosen. Make sure the weight is distributed evenly. A
window location is not suitable; day light is uncontrollable (extra algal growth).
 The height of aquarium must be in the same level of our heads.
 We must avoid that aquarium gets direct sunlight. Do not place aquarium above
or near a heat source, heating vent or stove.
2) Preparation for Aquarium Setting:-
 Before setting up, test the tank for leak and wash gravel and rocks.
 Plants should be rinsed and inspected for snails’ eggs and other unwanted
passengers.

12.  If biological filtration is to be used, the filter plate must be put into the tank
before the base covering gravel is added.
 Fit the heater to rear walls of tank.
 Hide the hardware and pipe work strategically placed rock work but do not
obstruct water flow to filter’s inlet tube. Then add water and plants.
3) Adding Equipment and Non-Living Decorations:
 Position the equipment toward the back of aquarium
 Heaters, thermostats and filters should be attached to glass using the suction
cups provided.
 Air pumps should be positioned above the level of water
 Once an aquarium is well set and properly placed, now the time comes for
its decoration.

13.  Uninterrupted supply of oxygen is of prime concern in an aquarium.
Normally stone diffusers, connected to an air pump by a plastic tube, are
placed inside the aquarium.
 However, to give aquaria an attractive look a number of decorative toys are
available in market. Sometimes a colorful picture of sea strata or sea bottom
may be placed at back side of an aquarium to look it more attractive.
Water Filling:
Water contributes the immediate environment for the fishes. Aquarium should
be filled with clear potable water. If tap water is chlorinated, it has to be
aerated overnight before adding to an aquarium.
Heater is needed during winter season because most tropical fish need warm
water. This means heater is needed to not only keep the water warm, but to
keep the temperature constant as well. There are many heaters available and
they come in a variety of sizes to match the size of the tank.
Placing Heater:-

15. Aquarium Accessories:-
Various accessories are installed in aquarium.
Essential Accessories:-
The accessories under this category are highly essential. These will help to
maintain the water quality of aquarium e.g. Filters
Aquaria Filters:
Harmful substance like ammonia and nitrates are regularly produced mainly
through fish metabolism as excretory product. They keep on accumulating in the
aquaria water. At times, they may exceed the carrying capacity of aquaria water
and cross the lethal limits and eventually poison the fish. Filters play a significant
role in purification of aquaria water with the help bacteria. When ammonia loaded
water is passed through the gravel bed of filter, it is subjected to the action of
aerobic nitrifying bacteria that oxidize toxic ammonia into nitrite by Nitrosomonas
bacteria. The nitrites get further oxidized by Nitro bacter group of bacteria into
nitrates which are less toxic to the fish. They finally gets absorbed by the plants.

16. Other accessories:-
 Aerator
 Magnetic scraper
 Heater
 light
 Hand net
Bio Filters Heater Aerator Gravel

17. Physico-Chemical Requirements of Aquaria Water:
Water plays an important role in survival and growth of fishes. Physicochemical
regime of aquaria water should be maintained well within the recommended
limits.
 Temperature of 76 to 80 °F
 pH ‐ 7.6 to 8.4
 Specific Gravity ‐ 1.002 to 1.007 (optimal)
 Oxygen saturation point or at least 5ppm

18. Aquarium Plants:-
Aquatic plants can offer an ideal place for fishes to refuge and many fishes prefer
aquatic plants and parts suitable for egg laying. Soft aquatic plants are suitable as
direct food for herbivorous fishes.
a) Floating Plants: - e.g. Lemna minor, Azolla caroliana
b) Rooted Plants: - e.g. Echinodorus paniculatus, Sagittaria
c) Branched Plants:- e.g. Comba aquatic
Aquarium Fishes:
 After maintenance of adequate water load in the aquarium fishes of
choice should be introduced in the aquarium.
 Aquarium fishes are both exotic and indigenous). Some of the popular
aquarium fishes are:
Puntius ticto, Pterophyllum (angelfish), Lebistes reticulates (guppy), Kissing
gourami, Goldfish, Tilapia mossambica, Fighter fish, Indian catfish, , Molly,
Cichlids etc.

19. Fishes adapted for salt water or marine aquarium are:
 Pterophyllum (angelfish)
 Jaw fish
 Lion fish
 Eels
Fishes that live in fresh water aquarium
 Cichlids
 Catfish
 Goldfish
 Rainbow fish

20. Food and Feeding of Aquarium Fishes:
Most of the aquarium fish are carnivores and their diet should reflect this. In most
cases, lots of live food will be required but this depends upon the choice of species to
be kept. Synthetic aquaria foods are available in market. Overfeeding should always be
avoided.
 Water fleas and tubifex can be obtained from a lake or pond by means
of a small net, constitute good live food for fish.
 Minsed meat can be given occasionally. Leafy green vegetables
lightly boiled and minsed ,can also be given for a change.
 Eggs and larvae of mosquito, shrimp, earthworm and crustacean larvae
collected from the pond can also be given as a live food.

22. 1% vitamins–minerals could also be added with above given nutrients.

23. Aquarium Maintenance:
An aquarium, if prepared carefully, does not need any special care, but cannot be left
unattended and some precautions are necessary.
 Fishes should be subjected to KMnO4 or CuSO4 bath before keeping them in
aquarium.
 Large fluctuation of the water temperature should be checked, and a thermometer
can be adjusted for keeping a watch.
 A thermostatically controlled water heater can be fitted in aquarium, which
automatically maintains water temperature with in the desired range during winter
months.
 An electrically operated aerator is a useful accessory for maintenance of aquarium. It
is used to generate a continuous stream of air bubbles using a “diffuser”. Thus water
circulates from bottom to the surface and is oxygen from time to time.

24.  Excess of food and waste matter must be removed by means of a siphon. A long
glass tube can be used to siphon out waste and undesirable matter from time to
time.
 Cleaning of algal scum from the glass at periodical interval. To remove the algae, an
ordinary razor blade can be fixed at the end of wooden rod to scrap and clean the
glass
 Removal of dead fishes, if noticed inside the aquarium.
 If aquarium water turns cloudy after one or two months, it indicates the need to
change water.
 When the water level in the aquarium falls due to evaporation, fresh water is added
to make up the loss. The aquarium is emptied ½ or 2/3rd once in 2-3 months, the
glass panels are cleaned, and fresh water is added to fill it up to the required level.

25.  Do not over feed the aquarium fishes.
 For tropical fishes, a temperature of around 720 F and pH of around 7 -7.2 is
ideal.
 One type of food should not be used.
 An aquarium should always be provided with a cover.
 If the aquarium does not get sunlight, the artificial light from the bulb must be
given for 6-8 hours every day.
 Aquarium fish should be handled with the help of a hand net.
With these precautions the aquarium can be maintained for a fairly long time.

26. References:
i. Anon. 1999. How to develop ornamental fish farming. Seafood Export Journal
Vol. 30(2): 31.
ii. Barry James. 2000. Aquarium plants. Book published by Interpet Ltd, U.K.
iii. Charak K.S. and F.A. Fayaz. 2005. Ornamental fishes of Jammu. Fishing
Chimes 25(6): 24-25.
iv. Peter, W. Scott. 1987. A fish keeper’s guide to live bearing fishes. Book
published by Salmander Book Ltd., London, U.K.
v. Sharma, L. L., S. K. Sharma and V. P. Saini 2005. Tropical freshwater aquarium
fishes. Course manual-winter school by ICAR 8-28 Feb: 4-7.
vi. Strohmeyer, Carl (1 January 2019). "Aquarium Silicone, Tank Repair,
Applications, DIY, How To Use". Aquarium Answers.
From Books:
Ornamental Fish Culture & Aquarium Management by A.D. DHOLKIA