Setting Up An Aquarium

Dallas-area aquariums showcase nature's bounty

Dallas-area aquariums showcase nature's bounty

Jul 21, 2011 (The Dallas Morning News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Who knew a 75-year-old could remind my video-game-loving teenage son that there's an underwater, ethereal world out there more graphically beautiful than any virtual universe? My silent thanks go to the wizened alligator snapping turtle and its cohorts at the Children's Aquarium at Fair Park, as well as the denizens of Sea Life Grapevine Aquarium and Dallas World Aquarium, for giving our family glimpses of life beneath the planet's watery surfaces. Here are snapshots of our experiences at these three Dallas-area attractions.

Children's Aquarium at Fair Park

WATER WHIRLS The size and scale of this aquarium might just be perfect for those with young children in tow (does anyone need to be reminded of a 3-year-old's attention span?); curious, fact-loving older kids; and those who prefer to linger, watch and move slowly to the next display rather than log miles on their pedometers.

It's great value if you don't want to break the bank but want to see a variety of aquatic creatures from around the world. You might find yourself absorbed in the facts accompanying displays, which use easy-to-understand wording. Exhibit areas include the Freshwater Zone, the Intertidal Zone and the outdoor (but covered) Stingray Bay.

FISH FULFILLMENT Our favorites included the soldierfish (which swims in schools resembling military formations); the camouflage-loving flounder, which likes to "hide in plain sight"; the flame scallop, a mollusk that uses its shell to release a jet of water; the squat lobster, which has "terrible table manners" because it steals food from other sea creatures; the toothy, fearsome green moray eel, a predator with a handy extra pair of jaws in its throat; the awe-inspiring bonnethead shark; and a 175-pound, 75-year-old alligator snapping turtle, which definitely prefers life in the slow lane and whose kind is federally protected. We spent a long time admiring this dignified ambassador of marine life and the beauty of its rotund anatomy. Countless pictures were snapped, every subtle movement of the creature eliciting whoops of pure joy from my son. Beautiful.

You'll learn about various ecosystems, too, such as the marshes of Mexico's Cuatro Cienegas valley, home to a desert fish that's found nowhere else in the world, and the Sea of Cortez (also known as the Gulf of California), home to manta rays and blue whales. Interactive opportunities abound at the outdoor Stingray Bay, where you can feed creatures such as the adorable cownose ray or just lounge on one of the benches and take it all in.

Setting Up An Aquarium Fish Tank | Ornamental Fish

A visit to your local pet store or specialist fish breeder will help you decide on the type of fish you’d like to have in your new aquarium fish tank. The staff at the store will also help you decide on the right size tank for the space available and supply all the necessary equipment and accessories that you will require.

However, don’t buy any fish, yet! You’ll need to establish your tank before you introduce any fish into it.

The first step is to thoroughly clean the tank. Don’t skip this important step just because the glass of the aquarium looks clean. Use a mild detergent in warm water to scrub out the tank. Rinse out the tank thoroughly to completely remove all traces of debris and detergent. Flush out the cleaned tank several times with fresh water to ensure there are no traces of detergent left behind.

Also clean all equipment that will be used in your new aquarium fish tank and rinse thoroughly. Even a tiny amount of leftover detergent can kill your fish so do not skimp on the rinsing process. Gravel should be rinsed under running water until the water runs clear. Plants can be stored in a clean bucket of water while you set up your fish tank.

Even a small aquarium fish tank is heavy – one gallon of water weighs about 10 lbs – so your new tank will require a sturdy stand. There are dedicated aquarium stands available that will provide a solid base, although a small fish tank might sit on another item of furniture. Use a layer of polystyrene tiles between the tank and the stand to even out any bumps.

When you set up your aquarium try to avoid placing it in direct sunlight, which will cause algae to grow in the tank. Remember that it will need to be near a power outlet, like many items of equipment require a reservoir of power source.

Now you can fill your tank and check for leaks. Leave the water for several hours and confirm that the tank is not leaking and then drain the tank.

If you will be using an under-gravel filter place it in the tank first, following the instructions provided, then add the gravel, piling it a little higher towards the back of the aquarium to give the impression of distance within the tank.

Half fill the tank with water. Ideally, use dechlorinated water, or add chlorine remover in the recommended dosage. Place a dish in the tank on top of the gravel and pour the water gently onto the dish. This will create minimum disturbance to the gravel.

Setting Up an Aquarium

Setting Up an Aquarium

Setting Up an Aquarium

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