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First, gather the materials you will need for your tank. Once these are all together you're ready to set up your aquarium. Before you do anything, put the background on your tank. It will be much harder to do once you have the tank in place, so get it out of the way first. Now set up the stand and tank in whatever spot you would like in the house.

If you have an undergravel filter, you will want to put it together first. Then cover the bottom of the tank with gravel. If you have a bubble fixture, attach it to the plastic tubing and make sure that is attached to the aereator. Bury the bubble fixture in the gravel in whatever spot you want and cover over it. Then arrange the plants in your tank in whatever arrangements you like. Bury the bases of the plants under the gravel.

Now follow the instructions for installing the filter. This is usually best put in the corner with the flow facing along one of the sides of the tank so it gets a good convection current circulating around the tank. Once this is put together, tuck the heater next to it so the heat circulates with the current.

Once everything is in place, you can fill the tank with water. Fill it almost to the top, just below the black rim of the tank. Add the water conditioner in the recommended amount and turn on the filter, aereator, and heater. Now put the hood on and fire up the lights. Keep the tank running without any fish in it for a day or two while the water gets ready.

After a day or two you can start putting in some fish. Because fish need a certain level of nitrates and bacteria in their ecosystem, it is very stressful for fish in a new aquarium. You will often lose your first couple of fish. Because of this I recommend putting in a couple 15 cent goldfish. These fish are very hard to kill and will equalize the environment for you without being likely to die on you. Many pet stores will take the fish back once you're done with them.

After the fish have been in the tank for about a week and none of them have died, you're ready to start picking out your fish.  

Your tank is so amazing it should be on display somewhere. You've really done a great job building the ecosystem that's required for the various kinds of freshwater fish you have. It's obviously working out - you've even got "babiiiiiiieeees!". It impresses me every time I see how well the fish are doing (always active and looking quite happy), not to mention how beautiful it is. Kudos to you.

  

Thanks, I really put a lot of work into setting up the ecosystem, picking out the fish, and maintaining the tank. I wish I could post pictures of my actual fish but I still don't have a digital camera. One of these days I'll get a good one and post lots of pictures of everything, including my amazing fish.

Sounds like you really know what you are talking about. I have always wanted to have a saltwater aquarium but I just don't know about all the work that is involved with managing it. I know that you have to clean the tank and get the water mixed right with the right amount of water and the right amount of salt. I just don’t know if I’m ready for that kind of commitment.