What will the fish in the aquascape be like in the first 60 days after the tank is completed?

Your aquarium fish will be like this in the first 60 days after completing the tank.In the first two months, you may see your fish tank go through many changes. It will take time for the new environment of the fish tank to find its balance.

Your aquarium: The first 5 days after completion

• You will be excited and anxious when filling your new aquarium with fish. Let your aquarium “stabilize” for at least 48 hours before adding fish. This will give you time to ensure the temperature and adjust decorations,….
• When you decide which type of fish to add to the tank, refer to the top 10 freshwater fish for beginners
• Do not add too many fish at once. The filter will not be able to handle a lot of waste initially, which can cause harmful ammonia and nitrite levels to rise.

Your aquarium: 5 – 15 days after completion

• Your new fish may hide at first. Fish can be startled when introduced to a new environment. Provide plenty of hiding spots for them to feel safe. Turn off the aquarium lights for a few days so that shy fish can acclimate to the new tank.
• Feed sparingly! Only give what the fish can consume within 2 minutes or less. Feed once a day until your tank goes through its first cycle.
• Test your aquarium water for ammonia and nitrite. Even if you do everything right, these levels may start to rise until the nitrifying bacteria in your filter catch up. Use Aqueon Ammonia Neutralizer, change water, or use chemical filter media to prevent them from reaching dangerous levels.
• When ammonia and nitrite levels return to 0, your aquarium has completed its first cycle. Now you can add more fish.

Your aquarium: 15-30 days after completion

• As ammonia is converted to nitrite and then to nitrate, algae may begin to grow on the glass and other objects in the aquarium. Remove algae from the glass with a scrubber or algae scraper. Never use a scrubber that has been used with soap or chemicals.
• As long as ammonia and nitrite levels are at 0, you can continue to add fish to the aquarium during this stage. If algae have started to appear, consider adding algae-eating fish like plecostomus, otocinclus, or snails.
• Always test the water before buying new fish and only purchase a few at a time. Wait at least a week between adding new fish. Consider buying a plant or decoration with each fish purchase.
• Sometimes, mature fish in the tank will act aggressively towards new fish as they see the newcomers as intruders in their “territory.” This is especially true for Cichlid species.
• Perform a 25% water change after 15 days. Remember to treat tap water with Aqueon Water Conditioner before adding it to your aquarium. Do not vacuum the gravel, as you may disrupt the beneficial bacteria that are starting to establish in your aquarium.

Your aquarium: 30-60 days after completion

• Start feeding twice a day, as long as ammonia and nitrite levels remain at 0. Only give what the fish can consume within 2 minutes or less. In fact, this is beneficial as it allows the fish to clean out their digestive systems.
• Observe your fish closely, especially during feeding times. Learn their behavior as they interact with each other and swim around the aquarium. Look for rapid breathing, gasping at the surface, clamped fins, white spots on fins or body, rubbing against objects, unusual behavior, or external signs that were not present before.

Now that you have gone through the first 60 days of owning an aquarium, we hope the information above will help you when completing your next aquarium.