So, you've decided to start a hobby aquarium. That's a great decision!
Keeping fish as pets is quite a buzz, which gives you hours of pleasure, and is not as demanding on your time as other pets.
Additionally, an aquarium will make the interior of your home more beautiful.
But 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 regarding the maintenance of your tank.
One of the first decisions that you'll need to make is what kind of fish do you want to keep?
For a beginner, a salt water aquarium is not exhorted as they require more time, attention and maintenance than a fresh water tank.
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. As it contains a smaller amount of water, small changes in your water quality and chemistry will have more effect on your fish.
Usually, a tank of at least 30 gallons (120 Liters) is a good starting size, but you can certainly go bigger if you like!
So what else is required besides a tank?
- 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)
Location of the tank:
Choose a spot that's away from direct sunlight, as sunlight promotes excess algae growth - something that's very undesirable in an aquarium.
Keep the tank far enough away from heaters and air conditioners so that they don't affect the temperature of the water.
Put your tank in a location that's easy to get to, and as near a water supply as possible, since you'll be adding water and removing water every time you perform tank maintenance.
And of course, place your aquarium in a location where it can be enjoyed the most by your family and guests.
After all, the primary reason for keeping fish is admiring their beauty.
Choosing a Tank:
Tanks come in many different shapes and sizes, and also a variety of materials. Tanks may be rectangular, and made of glass.
You can even consider a bow-front, hexagonal or corner aquarium, or one made of acrylic rather than glass.
Acrylic tanks, although lighter and clearer than glass tanks, require 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 dangerous results.
Rather than using a table or other piece of furniture that you might have around the house, it's much better to purchase a stand that is manufactured specifically to hold an aquarium.
Deciding on a Filter:
In general, there are three popular 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 healthy aquarium, all three types of filtration are important.
A power filter hangs on the back of the tank, and is generally considered the easiest to maintain 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 result in excess algae growth, which is unsightly and causes extra maintenance tasks.
While you have a choice between using incandescent or fluorescent lighting, most professionals suggest to choose fluorescent bulbs, since they are more cost-effective, do not generate a large amount of heat.
By planning well for your new aquarium, you'll be ensured to have a thoroughly crowning aquarium.
As with most things in life, a good plan can help you avoid making mistakes.