A friend asked me recently for help setting up a GloFish tank. Not passing up the chance to set up a fish tank, I dove into this, and these are the steps we took to set up the GlowFish tank.
To set up a Glow-in-the-dark fish tank, you’ll need a 10-gallon fish tank, 20-gallon filter, a 50W heater, thermometer, full hood aquarium light, and 5 lbs. aquarium gravel, water conditioner, glow-in-the-dark decorations, and 3-4 GloFish. After buying these, follow the instructions given to set up the tank. No additional equipment is needed to set up as every part of the tank comes with the required equipment.
The picture of that GloFish tank below is also a link to Amazon, it takes you to a useful 10-gallon GloFish tank set that includes all the essentials you will need.
Step-by-step Instructions
Before starting up the setup, choose which type of GloFish tank you want to set up (regular or GloTank). After that, select a place for the aquarium to be set up and place your tank there (it should be near an electric switch outlet as aquariums need a constant electricity source).
Initial tank setup
To set up your tank, first, rinse the 5 lbs. aquarium gravel with warm water, then pour the gravel into the fish tank and pat it down to smoothen and even it up.
Now take a one-gallon bottle and fill it up with room temperature tap water, then condition the water using a water conditioner (5 drops per gallon) to get rid of chemicals present in water (chlorine) that are harmful fish.
After conditioning, pour the gallon of water into the tank and fill the tank halfway (5 gallons) to make it easier for you to do the next step; placing the glow-in-the-dark decorations.
Before putting the decorations into the tank, rinse them with warm water (no soap, just water), place them wherever you see fit, and then fill up the tank with the rest of the 5-gallons of water.
Now place the glass canopy (which comes with the fish tank) onto the top of the tank and install it properly. Check by opening the food latch up and down to see if it works well.
After that, place your full hood aquarium lights where the glass slot is, install them properly and plug the filter pump and LED light into an outlet (make sure you set up your tank near a switch for ease).
Filter pump setup
Set the flow adjustment knob on the filter pump to the max setting and connect the pump tube to the filter pump and nozzle for the filter pump. Now place the filter pump in the space allocated for it and rinse the filter cartridge with tap water before putting it back into the pump.
Once your tank is running, refer to the instructions and adjust the flow if needed. Route the power cord over the back of the tank but do not plug it in just yet.
Temperature monitoring
To monitor the temperature routinely, attach or stick a thermometer on the side of the fish tank – this will make sure the temperature of the water is just right for your Glofish.
Test your setup
After setting up your fish tank, comes the hard part, waiting. Let everything run for 3 weeks or more before adding the fish – this will ensure that the aquarium runs smoothly and the new environment is well established enough for the fish to be placed.
For preventive purposes, put 3-4 GloFish in another bag filled with sample water from the pet store and let the bag sit in the fish tank for 30 minutes. After that, let the fish out into the aquarium.
Glow in the dark
Turn off the lights for a while to see the glow-in-the-dark effect. To see the glow-in-the-dark effect more clearly, place a black chart paper at the back of the aquarium.
Maintenance
It’s important to note that you must maintain the hygiene and cleanliness of your GloFish tank to ensure the health and long life of your pet Glofish. It would be best if you did a 20% water change every 2-3 weeks plus a gravel change and tank cleaning to ensure good hygiene.
How is a GloFish Tank Different from a Regular Fish Tank? Can I Use a Regular Tank for My GloFish?
GloFish tanks have neon lights and decorations which enhance their fluorescent beauty, and they also bear the additional cost of LED/neon lights plus the electricity burden. You can also use an ordinary fish tank for your GloFish, granted they’re provided the same environment and conditions as the GloFish Tank.
How Many GloFish Can I Put in a 10-Gallon Tank?
3-4 GloFish are ideal for a tank of this size as they can live in harmony while also enjoying their environment to the fullest. A more crowded fish tank will be a hassle to manage and unhealthy for the fish habituating there.
Why Should I Rinse the Equipment with Warm Water and Not Soap Before Usage?
Warm water acts as a disinfectant for your decorations and gravel. If you use soap, it will be harmful to your fish as the GloFish are known to nibble on the decorations placed within the tanks. Rinsing with water also removes any debris attached to the gravel and the decorations.
How Important is Conditioning the Water Before Pouring into the Tank?
Conditioning the water with a specific GloFish water conditioner or a regular one is important. Water contains many chemicals (e.g., chlorine) that can prove harmful to your GloFish and result in their death if kept in the chemical water for long periods. So the water needs to be neutralized before pouring into the tank.
My GloFish Seems to Be Sick. Is It Because of a Problem with My Fish Tank?
The hygiene of your GloFish tank matters a lot in maintaining the GloFish’s health. If they appear sickly or exhausted, it can be due to a handful of things:
- Waterborne diseases: Maintaining an aquarium requires you to change the tank water every 2-3 weeks. If not done so, the water becomes contaminated and houses many waterborne diseases that make your fish sick.
- Unconditioned water: You likely forgot to condition the water before pouring it into the tank, thus resulting in the fish living in chemical water – affecting their wellbeing.
- Soap cleaned decorations: Soaps and detergents can be harmful to your GloFish. They also contain many unchartered chemicals, thus making your Glofish sick, hence why they should not be used.