Setting up the tank, test the tank. First, always fill your aquarium with a hose in a place that it can get wet, to make sure it does not leak. If there is a small leak, you can use silicon cork which you can buy at any hardware store.

Apply background. I find the cheapest and longest lasting background is to paint the back or side of the tank with a latex spray paint. Just go to your local hardware store and get some tape and paint. Protect with newspapers the areas that you don’t want to painted and do it your self. Use light coats of paint so it does not run. It is easy, cheap and should come out just fine.

Make sure you paint before you put the tank where it is going to go, for once you get the tank up and running you won’t be able to reach where you need to paint. Level the stand, you can’t over build the stand. If you have a way more support than you need then you have enough. Whether you buy or build your stand, here is some things you make sure you have. If using a wood stand, make sure it overflows and make a hole with enough clearance to get a wrench to the overflow holes underneath. Be more concern with the edges of the stand as this is where your weight will go. So, when you cut, cut as much towards the inside of the tank stand as you can.

Some people like to put a piece of foam under the tank but I personally don’t like to do so because if the tank is not level, it would put more stress on the stand. If you do use foam, make sure that it is one inch piece that fits perfectly between the stand and the tank.

The tank should be leveled on all four sides and diagonally. Make sure the stand is leveled before you put the tank on the stand. Don’t think it could level the stand better with the tank on because it will only be more of a headache with the extra weight.