Tetra® Brand — 29 Gallon Aquarium Kit Setup

Before setting up your new aquarium…make sure your kit includes all the necessary components.

If everything is there, lift your aquarium, supporting it from the bottom, and gently place it on the stand.


To start, wipe down your aquarium inside and out using a soft damp cloth. Then, thoroughly rinse your gravel, plants, and decorations. Do not use soap or detergent when cleaning –– both are highly toxic to fish.

Next, add one to one and a half inches of gravel to your tank…and fill a third of it with room temperature water.

Pouring the water onto a plate or saucer will keep your gravel in place.

After that, aquascape with live or artificial plants…or both.

Finally, add your remaining décor.

Once you have it all in place, you’re ready to add the equipment.

First, remove any cutouts needed to fit the filter.

Then, place the LED lights into the top of the hood.

Slide each light into the track at an angle.

Place the hood on the aquarium, align the frame clips with the hinges, and remove the hood.

To snap the frame clips firmly into place, rotate them towards you...then back.

Add the hood to your tank by pressing the hinges directly down into the frame clips.

Next, place your filter on the tank… be sure to add the intake tube to the bottom of your filter first.

The tube will be submerged but should not touch the gravel.

After a quick rinse to remove carbon dust…add your new cartridge and foam media pad to the filter.

Then, feed your heater’s plug through the cord slot in the hood…and suction cup your heater as low as you can…

…make sure it’s completely under water before plugging it in.

Finally, stick your thermometer on the outside of your aquarium.

You’re now ready for the final step.

Start by adding an aquarium conditioner like Tetra® AquaSafe to de-chlorinate your water first.
(ALT: Start by adding an aquarium to de-chlorinate your water first.)

After you’ve filled your tank…prime your filter by filling it completely with water.

You can now plug in your equipment.

To prevent water from flowing into your power strip or outlet, be sure to create a drip loop with your power chord.

Once all your equipment is plugged in…and you see your filter is running…place the cover back on and allow your aquarium to run for 24 hours to make sure there are no leaks and things are working properly.

If everything checks out…and the water temperature is ideal…you’re ready to go shopping for your new pets!

When you bring your fish home, immediately open the transport bag and let it float for 30 minutes.
This gives your new pets time to adjust to the water temperature.

In the meantime, dose your tank with Tetra® SafeStartTM to quickly cycle it with live bacteria.

We also recommend testing your water quality with Tetra® EasyStrips® and the My Aquarium app, which you can download free.

Finally, to transport your fish from the bag to your tank, gently pour the bag through a net over a bucket… then place the net it into your tank and allow the fish to swim out on their own.

Congratulations! You have successfully set up your new aquarium and are now ready to embark on your new aquatic adventure!

[daelpixphotography]

What you don't say is to cycle the tank first BEFORE thinking about choosing and adding fish.

[SpaghettiGodUltra]

Why are my LED lights from this set completely different??

[jb-_ebay]

one inch of tropical fish per every gallon doesnt work.If you have a 30 gallon tank and an asian arrowana which gets 30 inches and put it in the
30 the tank would be to small for it.

[JionghuiWu]

Where to buy the filter? The filter I bought cannot fit in the hole.

[addisonscontent]

All I use is Tetra. Tetra tank, tetra water conditioner, tetra safestart, tetra fish food, EVERYTHING! I love you're products. ><> #TetraForLife

[neilpare]

I'm thinking about buying this starter kit any tips for an absolute beginner?

[queenawakened]

Do I actually put the heater completely under water because it says something about a water level on it? But when I had it turned on above the water where it said WATER LINE there was no change. I just put it under water so I’ll see if there’s a change hopefully I didn’t break it

[bengalzbeastzhd]

Did you know that bacteria grows on surfaces not in the water

[elgaimeeer]

can you guys send me a 29-35 kit fish tank plz

[rafalpanwojny]

lmao i put the thermometer on the inside under water and it melted