After the sand has been put in, it is then time to put in the plants and other things and fill it up with water. The water to be filled should be municipal water as this is free from mineral deposits and salts. Although this water has chlorine which is harmful to the fishes, this can be removed by leaving the water for a couple of days or using a de–chlorinating liquid. This is readily available in the market and also comes in crystal form. The other way to do this is to aerate the water for a few days. These air pumps can be bought in the market and with them an air stone and about 3 meters of air tube needs to be bought. These devices oxygenate the water by releasing a stream of bubbles into the water. After the tank has settled down and the plants have been planted, it is then time to think about filtration. Filtration in an aquarium takes mainly three forms - biological, chemical and mechanical. Some of the types of filters are listed below:

• Sponge filter.
• Under gravel filter.
• Canister filter.
• Trickle filter.

The most suited for the new aquarist is the under gravel filter. This type of filter uses the sand as the filtration medium so that when the water is sucked through it the dirt gets trapped at the surface and the water passes through. After a while, the sand forms a habitat for certain bacteria that consume the nitrates and other toxins in the water. This water in now truly pure. Thus the under gravel filter acts both as a mechanical and biological filter.

The lower side of these pipes contain holes through which the water can pass. The upper side on the other hand has no holes and is attached to a power head. The under gravel filter needs to be made at home and can be done easily using inexpensive materials and a little work. The required pipes and joints can be bought at most hardware stores and are easy to work with as they can be bonded easily using a PVC sticking solution. The power head for the filter can also be bought from most aquarium stores and the store owners will also be able to help you and give you advice. This type of a filter also helps to create a little turbulence in the water.

The other type of filter that can be used is a sponge filter. This consists of a sponge attached to a tube through which the water is drawn, all the dirt is collected in the sponge and the water is put back into the tank. The other forms of filters are generally used in larger aquariums. In addition to the filters some cleaning will have to be done manually. Some of the dirt may be too big for the filters to suck up or it may be time for the complete clean up. The first problem can be solved easily by using a sufficient length of pipe and siphoning out the debris. The second method may of course take time but it is required very rarely–once or twice in a year.

In some tanks due to the excess light there might be an outbreak of algae. This can be controlled by reducing the light or by regularly scraping it off with a sponge or rough cloth. Another problem that may arise is an out break of snails. These will have to removed manually or by the injection of CO2 into the water. After setting up the aquarium and making sure that it is free from all these problems it is time to introduce the fish. When buying fish one must make sure like any other animals whether they are healthy. This requires them be vibrant and bold, avoid any fish that look stunted and reclusive. Also ask the fish dealer to feed the fish in front of you–buy fish that eat easily and finicky eaters are to be avoided. Also make sure that your fishes are not very aggressive, neither too shy.

Also avoid buying too many fishes in the beginning. The fishes will be packed into plastic bags and filled with oxygen and sealed with a rubber band. When bringing then home avoid temperature variations and shock. When you bring them home do not put them directly into the tank as the temperature and pH of the water may be different from that of the water at the aquarium store. Float the plastic bag for at least 30 minutes to allow the temperatures to equalize. Then open the bag slowly add a little water from the tank into it, after repeating this process a couple of times, you can let the fish swim into the tank slowly.

Once the fish has settled down completely it will regain its original colors. This method is to be repeated with all sorts of fish and must not be done in a hurry. The other thing you can do to help your new fishes is to feed the other fishes if any. This distracts them and gives the new fish a chance to settle down.
Some of the places to get aquariums in Pune are:

1. Gay Lord Fish House, 2132,
   New Modikhana Camp, Pune 411 001, Maharashtra, India.
   Ph +91 20 652275.
2. Fish n Fun 288 A, M.G. Road,
   Pune 411 001, Maharashtra, India. Ph +91 20 6131146.
3. Fish O Fish 124, Ghorpade Peth, Pune 411 002, Maharashtra, India.
   Ph +91 20 4473371.
4. Tropical Aquariums 33, Kailash Kutir, 12, Aundh Road,
   Kirkee, Pune 411 003, Maharashtra, India. Ph +91 20 5810584.
5. Aqua Zone Aquariums., Ph. +91 20 6696204.