set up a fish tank

Question
ok. for homework i have to write 2 paragraphs on how to set up a fish tank. i have NO CLUE WHATSOEVER. i've looked it up but it was never what i was looking for. can u  give me some information? the assignment is due this Wednesday. i'm not asking for u to write 2 paragraphs on the subject. but just to tell me wut do do when setting up a tank. thnx! appreciate the help! :)

Answer
Hi Haani
Wow only 2 paragraphs?  That's not bad.  Ok, I'll list out some steps, and try to keep it basic.

Decide if you're going to do a cycle with fish or without fish.  Here's a link that explains how an aquarium cycles:

http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/startupcycle/Step_5_The_Cycle.htm

Pick a spot to set up the aquarium, away from any heat/cool air sources or drafts, and away from any windows/direct sunlight to avoid algae problems.

Set up the tank stand and tank.  
Rinse off any gravel, decorations, etc. and add them into the tank.
 
Start filling up the tank with water.  If you have city water, you'll want to use a dechlorinator to remove chlorine/chloramines.  If it's well water, you usually don't need to use this product.

Once filled up, let everything settle down for about an hour or so, then plug in your filter and let it run for awhile to filter anything leftover in the gravel.  If you have a heater, go ahead and get that turned on to the temperature you want.  At this point, some people say you have to wait 24 hours or a week to "condition" the water before adding fish.  This isn't true.  See next paragraph...

Here's where you can add your fish if you're doing a cycle with fish.  If it's a fishless cycle, go ahead and add your ammonia source-pure ammonia, cocktail shrimp, etc.

Then just monitor the water quality-ammonia, nitrites, nitrates till the tank cycles.

That's really about it for setting up a fresh water tank.  

Let me know if you have more questions.

Christy