Filling up an aquarium is not hard, but it needs preparation. Get towels for any spills. Keep kids and pets away if using a hose. Don’t rush and make sure to only switch on the equipment when it’s full.
Before filling, put in your aquarium’s base layer, plants, decorations, and equipment. There are ways to fill your tank without messing up your setup.
With that said, here are 3 ways of adding water to aquarium.
1. Using a Garden Hose
A garden hose is a flexible tube used to carry water. If you have a big fish tank to fill, you might want to buy a new garden hose and an accessory that lets you attach it to your kitchen or bathroom tap.
This helps you fill your tank fast.
If you’re using a device like a hose, ensure you set it slow or hold the hose’s end under the water at an angle against the glass. This way, the water pours in slowly.
2. Using a Python Vacuum
Python is a type of aquarium vacuum that you can buy at pet stores. It’s a long, clear hose with one end that connects to your sink faucet.
The other end has a large plastic tube that picks up water and debris from the bottom of your aquarium.
The faucet end has a gadget that lets you control the water direction – either from the faucet to the hose, or sucking water from the hose to the sink.
In simple terms, Python works like a garden hose, but with all the necessary attachments.
It allows you to control and reverse the water flow easily, which is helpful for weekly water changes.
Pythons come in various lengths. Choose one that’s long enough to connect from your sink to the aquarium.
Adding water using a python is easy:
- Flip the switch on the Python.
- Place the other end in a clean bucket near your aquarium.
- Fill up the bucket.
Use this method when fish are in the tank because tap water isn’t immediately safe for them.
After adding a dechlorinator to the bucket, slowly pour the water into your aquarium. This method is simpler than carrying water across your home.
Ensure that the new water is the same temperature as the tank water by using a thermometer.
3. The Old-Fashioned Way
You can fill your fish tank with water by using a bucket, which is an old-fashioned method. This means you fill up the bucket from your sink and carry it to the tank to pour in the water.
This method can be a bit difficult and tiring, especially if your tank is big or far away from the sink.
If you decide to use this method, it’s a good idea to put a small plastic or ceramic plate on top of the tank’s base (we call this substrate) and pour the water slowly onto this plate. This helps to prevent disturbing the substrate.
Tips to Keep in Mind for Aquarium Water
Collecting Water from Water Bodies
Setting up a freshwater aquarium? You might think about getting water from a local river or pond. It sounds good, but it’s a bad idea.
Many pet shop fish are born and raised in controlled aquarium conditions, not in nature.
River or pond water can bring diseases, parasites, fungus, harmful bacteria, and pollution into your tank. It’s also tough work to carry large amounts of water from a river or pond to your home.
To keep things simple and safe, stick with water treatments designed for aquariums.
And if you’re worried about the expiration of your water test kits, buy ones with longer shelf lives. They often let you replace only the part that’s used up, not the whole kit.
So, in short, avoid natural bodies of water for your aquarium. Stick to clean, treated water and proper aquarium equipment.
The Best Way to Prep Water for An Aquarium?
Here’s a good video that answers this question in detail.
