If you wash your equipment with soap and water prior to assembly, it's extremely important to rinse it thoroughly to remove any trace of soap residue, which can harm or even kill the fish.

If you're having trouble making your tank stand level, you can shim the stand (slip thin pieces of wood under the stand's base until it's level), or you can take a piece of foam padding (like an exercise mat) and put it under the tank before you add the gravel and water.

2torial #0705: Learn2 Set up a Freshwater Aquarium Set up the aquarium Okay, time to turn this pile of strange equipment into a fully functioning ecosystem. The steps are as follows: Choose a good location to set up your aquarium. The area shouldn't be in direct sunlight (due to algae growth) or near loud noises, like a stereo (fish can be sound-sensitive). An outlet should be nearby for the filter, lights and other electric equipment. Remember, once it's filled, it'll be very difficult to move. Position the tank on the aquarium stand. Check the stand's surface with a level (a filled tank can crack or even break if it's uneven). Rinse the gravel in warm water, then distribute it over the tank's bottom. Remember the ratio: one pound to one gallon. (Note: If you're using an under-gravel filter, install the filter first, then the gravel.) Using the bucket, fill the tank with room temperature water until it's about two-thirds full. Add the plants, rocks and decorations. Keep in mind that caves and recesses make for more interesting viewing and provide shelter for timid fish. Put in the heater and air pump (if needed), following the manufacturer's directions. Fill the tank the rest of the way and add the filter. Again, follow the manufacturer's directions. Attach the thermometer, secure the hood, plug everything in, and make sure it's all running properly. The lights don't have to be on all the time, but other components do, especially the filter, so make sure there's no danger of an accidental unplugging. You can either test the water chemistry now or wait to see what kind of effect the filter has. If you want to wait, let the filter run 24 hours, then make the necessary tests and add purifiers as needed. Once the water checks out both chemically and temperature-wise (which depends on the tank size and the type of water and filter used), your aquarium will be ready for its new inhabitants. Step 5