About This Service
Aquarium Installation and Setup
Setting up a new aquarium for the first time looks more straightforward than it is. The tank goes in the right position, the filter goes on, the water goes in. Then the problems start. An uncycled tank with fish in it will spike ammonia within days. Equipment that has not been set up correctly will not work as it should. A tank positioned in direct sunlight will fight algae problems for as long as it stands there. Mistakes made at the setup stage cost far more to fix later than they do to avoid at the beginning. AquariumCraft provides a professional aquarium installation and setup service for homes and businesses across North West London. We handle the entire process from start to finish. Positioning the tank correctly, assembling and installing all equipment, filling and treating the water, cycling the tank properly and introducing livestock at the right time in the right numbers. You buy the tank, or we source one for you. Either way, when we leave your home it is running correctly, the water is stable and you understand what to do and what to look for going forward. We set up all types of aquarium. Tropical freshwater community tanks, planted aquascapes, cold water and goldfish setups, marine fish-only systems and full reef tanks. The process is different for each type and we approach it accordingly. If you are in Harrow, Barnet, Wembley, Finchley, Brent or anywhere across North West London and you want a new aquarium set up properly from the beginning, get in touch. A professional installation costs far less than the fish you will lose setting it up wrong.
What Is Included on Every Visit
Pre-installation consultation on tank size, type, position and equipment
Tank positioning, levelling and cabinet assembly
Filter, heater, pump, powerhead and lighting installation and configuration
CO2 system installation for planted tanks where required
Sump setup and plumbing for larger or more complex systems
Water filling, dechlorination and initial treatment
Aquascape design and installation including substrate, hardscape and planting
Cycling advice and monitoring plan for the period before livestock is introduced
Water parameter testing at the point of livestock introduction
Livestock selection guidance and stocking plan
Careful introduction of fish and livestock at the appropriate stage
Full handover including explanation of equipment, feeding and ongoing care
Who This Service Is For
This service works well for a wide range of fish keepers across North West London.
First-Time Fish Keepers
Setting up your first serious tank and want it done correctly from the beginning. We install everything, explain the cycling process and give you the knowledge to keep it going.
Tank Upgraders
Moving to a significantly larger tank or a different type of system. Enough changes in approach that professional help at the setup stage pays for itself quickly.
Gift Tank Owners
Received a tank as a gift and not sure where to start. We come out, set it up properly and walk you through everything before we leave.
Interior Projects
Homeowners and designers in areas like Hampstead, Barnet and Stanmore who want an aquarium installed as part of a room design from the outset.
How It Works
Get in Touch Before You Buy Anything
Contact us before you spend money on equipment if you can. The most useful thing we can do at the very start is help you choose the right tank size, filtration and equipment. We are happy to advise on this at no cost before anything is purchased.
Installation Day
We arrive, position and level the tank, assemble the cabinet if required, install all equipment and fill the tank. We build the aquascape if that is included in the service and prepare the water for the cycling process before we leave.
Cycling and Monitoring
We advise you fully on the cycling process before we leave. This is the period, typically 4 to 6 weeks for a fishless cycle, during which the beneficial bacteria that process waste build up in the filter. We give you a testing schedule to follow and remain on hand for any questions.
Livestock Introduction
We return for the livestock introduction visit once the cycle is complete and parameters confirm the tank is ready. We select appropriate fish with you, introduce them correctly and check the tank is running as it should before we leave.
Transparent Pricing
Simple, Fixed Pricing. No Hidden Charges.
Aquarium installation and setup visits start from £95 for standard freshwater setups. This covers the installation, equipment configuration, aquascape, water preparation and the initial cycling consultation. Marine and reef installations, planted tank setups with CO2 systems, sump plumbing and larger or more complex systems are priced individually based on the time and equipment involved. The livestock introduction visit is charged separately at a reduced rate for customers who have already booked the initial installation. We can also supply fish and livestock directly for customers who prefer not to visit a shop, at market rate with no markup. We give you a full written quote before any work is booked. There are no hidden costs and nothing added on the day that was not agreed beforehand.
Get Your FREE QuoteFrom
£95
Per Visit
No call-out fees
No hidden charges
Discount for regular scheduled visits
Larger tanks and marine systems quoted individually
Fixed price agreed before every visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy the tank before contacting you, or can you source one?
Either works. If you already have a tank we will work with what you have. If you have not bought one yet, contact us first. We can advise on the right size and type for the livestock you want to keep, recommend specific equipment that we know works well and help you avoid spending money on things you do not need. We can also source and supply the tank and all equipment directly if you prefer to hand the whole thing over to us from the beginning.
What is the nitrogen cycle and why does it matter for a new tank?
The nitrogen cycle is the biological process by which beneficial bacteria in the filter convert toxic ammonia, produced by fish waste and uneaten food, first into nitrite and then into the less harmful nitrate. In a brand new tank these bacteria do not exist yet. If fish are introduced before the cycle is complete, ammonia builds up to levels that are lethal within days. The cycle typically takes 4 to 6 weeks to complete. We explain the process fully at the installation visit and give you a testing schedule to follow so you know exactly when the tank is ready for fish.
Can you set up a marine or reef tank as well as freshwater?
Yes. Marine and reef setups are more complex than freshwater installations and require additional equipment including a protein skimmer, a sump in most cases, a refractometer for salinity management and specialist lighting for reef tanks. The cycling process for a marine tank also works differently to a freshwater setup. We have experience setting up marine systems of various sizes and we advise on equipment selection, water preparation and the approach to introducing coral and livestock in the right order and at the right time.
How long does an installation take on the day?
A standard freshwater installation including aquascape typically takes between 3 and 5 hours depending on the size of the tank and the complexity of the setup. Larger tanks, planted setups with CO2 systems and marine installations with sump plumbing take longer. We give you a realistic time estimate when we book the visit so you know how long to allow. We do not rush the job to fit a tight schedule. Everything needs to be done correctly on the day or problems follow.
Can you help if my new tank came as a kit from a shop and I am not sure how to set it up?
Yes. Starter kits and flatpack aquarium setups are something we help with regularly. The instructions that come with them are often incomplete or assume knowledge that a first-time fish keeper would not have. We come out, go through what you have, assemble and install it correctly and explain everything you need to know before we leave. It is one of the most cost-effective visits we carry out because it prevents the much more expensive problems that come from a setup that has been done incorrectly.