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The notes below only serves as a guideline in setting up your first fish tank. It is always advisable for you to ask among your friends about the necessary equipments for your aquarium. Do note that the water quality standard and the availability of certain instruments are limited from country to country.

   [ Tank Size ]

   SIZE DOES MATTER!
Suggested size: 2.5 feet long x 1.5 feet wide x 1.5 feet height. Try not to limit the movement of your fish. Your fish must be able to roam freely within a spacious compartment. This aquarium size is ideal for ONLY 2 fish around 3-4 inches long. Another reason is to prevent outbreak from affecting the fishes in the same tank.

   [ Tank Preparation ]

Wash your newly bought tank with clean water by soaking it overnight to test for any leakage and removing any unwanted chemical from the usage of glass sealant.

   [ Tank Holder ]

As long as the holder is strong and firm on a firm ground, that will do. It can be a customized tank holder or table top. Another crucial matter to be considered is the ability to hold the tank weigh.

   [ Tank Location ]

Placing it at the wrong place will scare your Flower Horn. Leaving your Flower Horn at a dark isolated spot will probably stresses your Flower Horn to death. Accessibility, noticeable, convenient spot will be the best place for your aquarium. E.g. at a corner unexposed to direct light spot in the living hall where your Flower Horn could easily be spotted by relatives or friends and not too far away from the washroom to make cleaning a relatively easy task.

   [ Tank Cleaning ]

Best if you could clean / change your water twice daily. It will stimulate growth and increase the oxygen level in your tank.

You may opt to clean around 50 - 75% of the water a few times before doing a thorough changes.

   [ Companion ]

Doesn't need any companion except for breeding / cross breeding.

   [ Compartment Size ]

Your house is not an aquarium shop. Never cramp your Flower Horn within a small compartment where it can hardly swim around.

   [ Filter ]

You will have many varieties to choose from. If you are not tight on budget, it is advisable for you to get the more reliable and durable. Is one time investment after all.

    [x] Outside Filter

    $$$ Wise
 >  Expensive
    Filtration Result
 >  Impressive
    Setup
 >  Easy
    Advantages
 >  More space for fish, very effective, high volume, easy to clean
    Disadvantages
 >  Not suitable for small tank, take up space, expensive, prone to other pollutants.

    [x] Inside Filter, Power Head Sponge Filter

    $$$ Wise
 >  Reasonable
    Filtration Result
 >  Good
    Setup
 >  Easy
    Advantages
 >  Easy to clean, effective for all small - medium sizes and filtration results.
    Disadvantages
 >  Less space for fish, power cord limitation, air hose could detach.

    [x] Inside Filter, Air Pump Sponge Filter

    $$$ Wise
 >  Cheap
    Filtration Result
 >  Poor
    Setup
 >  Easiest
    Advantages
 >  Easy to clean, effective for small aquarium, air pump can be shared
    Disadvantages
 >  Less space for fish, air tube might get tangled, kills nitrifying bacteria if washed

    [x] Under Gravel Filter

    $$$ Wise
 >  Very expensive.
    Filtration Result
 >  Excellent.
    Setup
 >  Troublesome.
    Advantages
 >  Can be fit inside or outside of the tank.
    Disadvantages
 >  Fixed once for all occasion. Could cause problem. prone to other pollutants.

   [ Lighting ]

Most commonly sold in the aquarium shops are incandescent and fluorescent bulb.

    [+] Incandescent bulb
    $$$ Wise
 >  Reasonable.
    Power Consumption
 >  Medium.
    Heat
 >  Generate more heat (may affect the temperature).

    [+] Incandescent bulb
    $$$ Wise
 >  Reasonable.
    Power Consumption
 >  Low.
    Heat
 >  Less heat

   [ Water Quality / pH / GH / KH ]

Factors which affects your water quality, extra references.

Flower Horn needs to live in clean water to stay healthy, active and breed. Therefore, your tank water should not be too acidic or too alkaline. In plain English, alkaline water will taste salty while acidic water will taste sour. Extra reference page.

   [ Water Temperature ]

You may use a heater to maintain your tank water temperature. Incorrect water temperature will cause your fish to become sluggish, develop white spots or other symptoms.

   [ Water Heater ]

Non-submersible (which hang over the side) and fully submersible for you to choose.

    [+] Non-submersible
    $$$ Wise
 >  Cheap
    Ease of Use
 >  Yes.
    Built In Thermometer
 >  No.
    Precautions
 >  Water level monitoring is essential.
 >  Avoid dipping / dropping the heater into the tank.
    Installation
 >  Above water level

    [+] Fully-submersible
    $$$ Wise
 >  Medium
    Ease of Use
 >  Yes.
    Built In Thermometer
 >  Yes.
    Precautions
 >  Not applicable
    Installation
 >  Below water level

   [ Aqua plant ]

Unless your tank is big enough, you may get some aqua plant for your fish or as a background decoration.

Alternative choice, poster behind / underneath the tank.

Or, use your aqua plant as part of your biological filter (such as the Under Gravel Filtration). Best example, most arowana tank. One fish per aquarium with near complete essential items.

   [ Gravel / Sand / Stones ]

Unless your tank is big enough, you may get some aqua plant for your fish or as a background decoration.

   [ Ornaments / Decoration ]

Same case as your aqua plant. Unless your tank is big enough, you may get some ornaments / decoration as a decoration. Alternative choice, poster behind / underneath the tank. Bear in mind, it will make your cleaning task a bit more complex.

Suggested: Create a hiding spot for your Flower Horn is all that you need in your tank.

Avoid using colored / artificial stones. It's could be poisonous to your Flower Horn.

   [ Fish Food ]

Feed them occasionally with live stock to promote some light exercises for your Flower Horn. You could feed them with color enhancing pallets too.

Never save on your Flower Horn food. They will know how to differentiate the high and low quality food. Never let your Flower Horn starving too. Feed them on schedule.

Proceed to recommended / suggested tank setup

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