How Do You Properly Set Up a 30-Gallon Fish Tank?

Aquariums are beautiful slices of nature that can go right in your home or office. They’re especially great for animal lovers who can’t have the traditional dog or cat. However, not everyone has the space or inclination for a fish tank that’s hundreds of gallons, as they can be pricey and difficult for beginners to care for.

Mid-size fish tanks are a great option for those who want to keep fish but can’t have a large tank. Here, we’ll explain the proper way to set up a 30-gallon fish tank in your home.

Choose the Right Fish

For a 30-gallon tank, you’ll want to choose smaller fish. As a general rule, you want your fish to be about one inch per gallon of water in the tank. For example, if you wanted fish that grow up to five inches, you could only have six of them in a tank before crowding becomes an issue.

In addition, you want to make sure the various species of fish in your tank get along. Some fish get along with their own species, while others will fight for territory, especially in a small tank.

Set Up for Success

Before you can put in any fish, you’ll have to add the substrate. Substrates promote good bacteria and help with the nitrogen cycle. In addition, aquatic plants are great for your tank’s ecosystem. Their root systems break apart any anaerobic pockets that may form and release dangerous anaerobic bacteria.

After setting up your plants and substrate, you can decorate to your heart’s content. Just make sure the decor doesn’t have any small or breakable pieces that your fish may ingest, as this can cause a blockage and quickly kill a fish.

Ensure a Clean Tank

As with any fish tank, you’ll need to make sure that the tank is clean and then adequately condition the water. Tap water may contain metals and toxins that are harmful to fish, so it’s test-strip your water after conditioning to ensure there’s nothing in it that can harm your fish.

Small tanks can build up ammonia and nitrites very quickly, so an air pump and filter will ensure that the nitrogen cycle in your tank is going smoothly and that good bacteria are growing. However, not all small tanks come with these features, so you may have to invest in a smaller filter and pump to fit the tank.

Acclimate Properly

Proper acclimation will ensure that the new tank isn’t a shock to your fish’s system. To start, float the bag containing your fish in the tank water. Once the water in the bag reaches the same temperature as the water in the tank, add half a cup of tank water to the bag every four minutes until it’s full. Empty some of the mixed water back into the tank, then repeat the process one more time. After that, you’re ready to place your fish in the tank with a net.

Now that you know how to set up a 30-gallon fish tank properly, you’re ready to put an aquarium anywhere. And thanks to the internet, you don’t have to scout for a quality tank. Here at Fish Tanks Direct, we have beautiful 30-gallon fish tanks for sale online, ready to be shipped to your door today!