A carefully planned and well-sited aquarium can be an attractive focal point of any room. Building such an aquarium may seem a daunting task however, if you are a newcomer to the fishkeeping hobby. It need not be provided you follow some basic rules of fishkeeping, which are explained in my guides and on my web site.

First thing you need to be doing is gathering as much information as you can, have a look around your local aquatic shops, the ones that specialise in fish and aquatic supplies, not the local pet shop that just has a few fish tanks in the corner of the shop as a sideline. This information gathering will also give you the chance to compare prices of what is on offer between shops, and a chance to talk to the staff; they can usually offer some good advice.

It's a good idea to strike a bond with someone you can trust and knows what they're talking about. It is also advisable to read one or more of the many books and magazines available. There are many different fishkeeping theories, as you will discover (although basic rules are always observed). Therefore if you have a little knowledge yourself you can make comparisons, and be able to make some decisions of your own, as well as having a good idea of what you want from the hobby.

When you have acquired a reasonable knowledge, and have made a definite decision to start a tropical freshwater aquarium, it is then time to draw up a shopping list of equipment. Do not buy any fishes at this time. Fishes must only be added when your aquarium filters have had time to mature, this would be at least two to three weeks and only then if correct test results are obtained.

Having made up your shopping list don't forget to add up the cost, it would be a shame to get partially set up, only to run out of money.

Think carefully about where you are going to put your aquarium. Position it first and foremost where your fishes will have minimum disturbance, a constant flow of people traffic going past your aquarium will make the fishes nervous, to say the least. However, you will also want to place it where it can easily be viewed, and where you won't have difficulty getting to it for maintenance. Avoid placing it close to your rooms heating source, or where it would be in constant direct sunlight, these positions would cause temperature fluctuations, and excessive natural light would promote unsightly algal growth.

Remember that when your aquarium is fully set up it will be very heavy; one gallon of water weighs ten pounds, therefore an aquarium measuring 24x12x12inches (60x30x30cm), when filled with water, gravel, etc. would weigh in excess of 200 pounds (90kgs). Your stand or cabinet must be strong enough to support these kinds of weights, and if you are setting up an aquarium on raised floors be sure your stand is at right angles to, and lies across the floors supports.

If you are considering doing any diy work in the room, it would be worthwhile doing it before setting up your aquarium, once your aquarium is set up it will be difficult, if not impossible to move. Also paint or other chemical fumes can be adsorbed by the surface of the water, and could have a toxic affect on your fishes.

Getting Started: Wash your new aquarium in clean fresh water; do not use detergent or soap. Remember to place a polystyrene sheet of the correct dimensions beneath the base of your aquarium, some tanks don't need this precaution, they are designed with a floating base, which stops the bottom coming into contact with the stand (ask at the shop).

If you are going to use a film decor background, now is the time to place it on the rear of your aquarium glass (on the outside), use clear tape and keep it close to the edges, and as tight to the glass as you can.

Now is the time to position your aquarium in its permanent location, you will need help doing this, even a small aquarium with its equipment, furniture, and gravel will be heavy. Use a spirit level to ensure that your stand and aquarium are level. There is nothing worse than seeing an aquarium that isn't level, as you know water will find its own level and when it does it will show you just how level your aquarium really is.