So, you've decided to start a hobby aquarium. That's a great decision! keeping fish as pets is a rewarding hobby, which will give you hours of pleasure, and is not as demanding on your time as other pets. Additionally, an aquarium will make the interior of any home more beautiful.
But don't be fooled. It's not just a matter of filling a tank with water, adding some fish, and sitting back and enjoying them. There are some important decisions to be made up front, as well as some commitments you must make regarding maintenance of your tank.
Hobby
One of the first decisions that you'll need to make is what kind of fish do you want to keep? For a beginner, I'd propose against a salt water aquarium, since they wish more time, concentration and maintenance than a fresh water tank. For the sake of this article, we're going to assume that you've decided to go the fresh water route.
Now, you're obviously going to have to procure some equipment and supplies before you even think about getting any fish. So how large should your tank be? You might be surprised to know that a smaller tank is not necessarily easier to take care of. Because a smaller tank
contains a smaller number of water, small changes in your water quality and chemistry will have more follow on your fish. Usually, a tank of at least 30 gallons (120 Liters) is a good starting size, but you can as a matter of fact go bigger if you like!
So what else is required also a tank? At the very least, you'll also need:
- a filter
- a stand
- a hood and lighting
- gravel
- a heater
- a thermometer
- maintenance items like nets, cleaning equipment, etc
- decorations (not an absolute necessity, but an aquarium looks pretty bare without them)
A major decision that needs to be made is the location of the tank. pick a spot that's away from direct sunlight, as sunlight promotes excess algae growth - something that's very undesirable in an aquarium. You'll also want to use a tiny base sense regarding placement near vibrating or loud objects, which might follow in upsetting your fish.
Keep the tank far adequate away from heaters and air conditioners so that they don't affect the climatic characteristic of the water.
You'll also want to put your tank in a location that's easy to get to, and as near a water contribute as possible, since you'll be adding water and removing water every time you perform tank maintenance.
And of course, you want to place your aquarium in a location where it can be enjoyed most by your house and guests. After all, the former imagine for keeping fish is admiring their beauty. You as a matter of fact don't want to hide your aquarium where nobody can see it.
Choosing a Tank
Tanks come in many different shapes and sizes, and also a collection of materials. If price is an issue, the cheapest tanks are rectangular, and are made of glass. If money's not as a matter of fact a restriction, you might want to consider a bow-front, hexagonal or projection aquarium, or one made of acrylic rather than glass. For a beginner, it's a good idea not to get a tank that's very deep, as uneven light penetration in the middle of the top and bottom of the tank could cause issues, and a deep tank is harder to clean. Acrylic tanks, although lighter and clearer than glass tanks, wish more support, and scratch easily.
Your Aquarium Stand
It's imperative that you place your tank on a stand that is sturdy and stable. Aquariums are heavy (about 10 lbs per gallon), and using an unsuitable stand could have in some very messy and/or hazardous results. Rather than using a table or other piece of furniture that you might have nearby the house, it's much great to purchase a stand that is artificial specifically to hold an aquarium, and is rated for the size of your tank. It's base for tanks and stands to be sold together as kits, which, also the security factor, will also ensure that they complement each other aesthetically.
Deciding on a Filter
The type of filter you buy will in some part be decided based on the type of tank you purchase, but the greatest factors will be ease of cleaning and looks. In general, there are three favorite types of filters - a canister filter, a power filter, and an under-gravel filter.
An aquarium filter performs three kinds of filtration - mechanical, chemical, and biological. For a wholesome aquarium, all three types of filtration are important. Since an under-gravel filter only does mechanical filtration, and is hard to clean, I would propose against that type of filter. A canister filter is usually situated below the tank inside the stand, so it is hidden, except for the hoses going into the tank. A power filter hangs on the back of the tank, and is ordinarily determined the easiest to contend because of its ready accessibility.
Choosing Your Aquarium Lighting
Lighting is extremely important to the ecology of your aquarium, especially if your tank contains live plants. Too much light will follow in excess algae growth, which is unsightly and causes extra maintenance tasks. While you have a choice in the middle of using incandescent or fluorescent lighting, most aquarists pick fluorescent bulbs, since they are more cost-effective, do not create a large number of heat, (which will affect the climatic characteristic of the water) and can emit different spectrums of light.
By planning well for your new aquarium, you'll be ensured to have a standard knowledge of what's needed, the ideal location for your tank, and you'll be able to make sure that you purchase everything that's required before you begin your new hobby. As with most things in life, a good plan can help you avoid making mistakes.
Planning Your Hobby Aquarium
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