AQUARIUM SET-UP

Welcome! Beginning a new aquarium? You have come to the right place. I have enjoyed aquarium keeping for a number of years and would like give you some tips and notes that would help you get started in this wonderful hobby.

First of all success in keeping aquariums comes through reading and understanding the basics about aquarium set up and getting aquatic conditions right. If you decide to get into the hobby of creating and maintaining an aquarium. We would advise you to read and learn all you can about it as a first step.

You can encounter many topics and resources when trying to learn all about aquariums. First you must know some basics. You must decide on what type of aquarium you want to create. The environment you want to create can decide the types of aquatic life and the aquariums you decide on.

First you must decide on whether you want an aquarium containing fresh water, salt water or brackish water. For starters we would advice you to begin with fresh water aquariums because it is less complicated than the other types.

There are many choices to choose from if you decide on what aquatic life to include in your fresh water aquarium. It is important to know what types of fresh water life forms can coexist in a tank. There are books and articles which can advice you. You must never  put together species that cannot live beside each other. Once you have made a decision on the species you want in your aquarium wait and ask for advice.

Preparing your tank for future inhabitants will invest some of your time. This means that besides fish and other living creatures you need other things that can make the tank look attractive and act as a backdrop. You must make sure you have the right size of aquarium for your fishes. The basic rule of fish in the tank is 1 inch of fish for every gallon of your tank. If you learn and obey this basic rule it will be impossible to have an unsuccessful aquarium endeavor.

Putting live plants in your aquarium is good for small fish to hide in, secondly to provide oxygen in the tank that absorbs harmful elements which can be poisonous to the fish. Having sufficient light source at the top of your aquarium maintains aquatic plant life.

Size

The first thing that needs to be taken into consideration will have to be the size of the aquarium that you are intending to purchase. The amount and the types of fish that you plan to keep will determine this. Click here to see tanks

Fish Tank Set Up – Filtration system

A filtration system can also be purchased to manage the dirt that normally builds up over a period of time. Click here for further information on filters. Choosing a filtration system because there are many brands to choose from that also come in a variety of sizes.

Click here for more on Filters

Fish Tank Set Up – Lighting and Heating

When setting up an aquarium, another accessory to consider is a heater and lighting system. This is due to the fact that when the room temperature decreases slightly in the evenings, it is important for the fish to be kept warm. There are a variety of lighting options available and it is vital to choose the appropriate watts/Kelvin ratio to best suite your aquarium. Click here for more information on lighting.

Before commencing the aquarium setup, everything must be washed using soap and hot water. Ensure to rinse the equipment comprehensively as failure to do so may result in a soapy environment for the fish to swim in.

The aquarium must then be filled gradually with water while the filter system is fitted to the base simultaneously. The filter system is usually manufactured from plastic so the only way to keep it from floating to the surface is to add some gravel. There is no set criterion as to how the underwater habitat should be displayed.

Spice up the aquarium with Plants and Ornaments

The aquarium is considered to be a decorative item for some people, so a few ornaments and some sand placed at the bottom would definitely suit this purpose. A submariner, a sunken ship, a treasure chest or a miniature statue are just some of the things you can choose to give the aquarium that decorative feel.

Artificial plants also add color and life to the aquarium. The lighting, filter and heater can then be plugged in once everything has been set up.

When purchasing or relocating fish to their new habitat, be sure to check that the aquarium systems are fully functional. You should put the bag containing the fish on top the water for a few minutes before releasing it. Any sudden change in temperature could kill your fish.

After your aquarium setup, always keep watch on your fish to ensure that it has become accustomed to its new habitat.