|
Welcome!
According
to the dictionary, an aquarium is a tank, bowl, or other water-filled
enclosure in which living fish or other aquatic animals and plants are
kept.
Sure, the definition SOUNDS simple, but the fact is that starting an
aquarium can be tough! Have no fear, I'm here to help you! I'll guide
you through all the steps to creating a great looking freshwater aquarium
with minimal effort.
So lets get started!
Purchasing an Aquarium!
When starting
an aquarium, one of the first things you should do is pick out a tank!
An important thing to look for in an aquarium is something that fits
your lifestyle. You won't want a giant 600 gallon tank if you're living
in a tiny 1 bedroom apartment! You should also definitely be thinking
about your fishes lifestyle. Don't cram a fish that needs a lot of space
into a 10 gallon aquarium! Remember, your fish will grow. I suggest
buying an aquarium 20 gallons or larger. Besides giving your fish more
space, having a larger tank can often make maintenance easier for you.
This is because it takes longer for your fish to contaminate 20 gallons
of water than 10. You can usually find basic aquariums at your local
pet store for not much more than $1 per gallon.
Planning a Happy,
Healthy, Home!
Once you
have your aquarium, you should consider what you'll be putting in it.
If you want tropical fish you'll need to buy a heater and thermometer
to keep your fish warm. You can buy a good heater at your local pet
store for around $20 and a simple thermometer for about $2.
For almost any kind of fish, you'll want a filter.
For filtering, I recommend using an undergravel filter. An undergravel
filter's name says it all! It is basically a slotted plastic plate that
lies under the gravel and sucks water through, filtering it. You'll
also need some gravel for your filter to lie under! It's a good idea
to have about one and a half pounds of gravel for each gallon of water
in your aquarium. Gravel will do three things for your aquarium. The
first and perhaps most obvious thing that gravel does is serve decoration
for both you and your fish. Second, your gravel will act as a filter
by collecting debris before they reach your undergravel filter. The
third thing your gravel will do for you is serve as a breeding ground
for helpful bacteria - keeping your tank healthy.
Another important addition to your aquarium is
it's top. Investing in a $10-$20 top for your aquarium will provide
you with a place for a fluorescent light, help to prevent evaporation,
stop dust from falling in your water, and keep your fish from jumping
out.
For more info on creating a great environment
for your fish, it's a very good idea to get one of these
books.
Setting it up!
Now that
you have your supplies, you can start to set up! The first thing you
should do is find a flat, hard, stable surface to set your aquarium
on. Next you can add the gravel. Be sure to thoroughly rinse out your
gravel before putting it in your aquarium. (I learned this the hard
way when I set up my first aquarium!) Now you'll want to put your filter
in the aquarium by placing it under the gravel and connecting the necessary
tubing. Finally, you should add any other decorations or necessities
to your aquarium.
Once you've completed these steps, it's time to
add water! To avoid stirring up the water and destroying the environment
that you've created, you shouldn't pour water directly into the aquarium.
Instead, it's a good idea to place a bucket into the aquarium. Slowly
pour the water into the bucket and allow it to gently overflow into
the rest of your tank.
After you've filled your aquarium, turn on your
filter and heater and allow them to run as though you have fish in it.
Adding fish!
Ok, you
have your aquarium, you have all your supplies, and you've set it up.
It's almost time to add fish to your aquarium! But don't get too excited
yet. Before purchasing fish, you should run your filter and leave your
heater on for a few days. By doing so, you are giving bacteria a chance
to grow, providing a stable environment for your fish. Now you
can purchase your fish!
What type of fish should you buy? For beginners,
I recommend most types of Tetras. Tetras are easy take care of and love
having other tetras in the tank with them. It's a good idea look through
a tropical fish index and look through tropical fish pictures. It's
also good to read one of these books and
consult your fish store owner before purchasing your fish. They're usually
happy to answer any questions and help you find the type of fish that
is right for you.
Once you've purchased your fish, take them home
and allow them to float in your aquarium still in the plastic bag that
they came in. This will give your fish a chance to adjust to the change
in water temperature. After about 10 to 15 minutes of this allow your
fish to swim out of the bag.
Taking care of your
new fish!
Feeding Your Fish: Like any other pet, fish need to be fed.
Fish should usually be fed once or twice a day with no more food than
the can eat in about five minutes. You can find the correct type of
food for your fish at your local pet shop.
Checking Water Quality: It is vital to your fish's health that you keep your tank
clear and unpolluted. Chemicals such as chlorine will kill your fish.
Also, it is important to keep your aquarium's pH at a neutral level.
It's a good idea to test your aquarium's water occasionally to make
sure no problems occur.
Using Chemicals: Never use household cleaners
on or near your tank. You're much better off using a clean stainless
steel pad. If you're building your own aquarium or repairing a leak,
make sure you only use silicon sealants recommended for fish tanks.
Changing Water: I recommend changing at
least one third of your tank's water every three to four weeks. Don't
put water into your aquarium straight out of the faucet. Let it sit
for at least 24 hrs or use some type of water conditioner.
Sick Fish: When one of your fish becomes sick, you
should immediately move them to a separate tank. Consult your local
fish store owner or look in a book about various fish diseases for further
advice.
When Problems Arise..
W
hether it's cloudy water or sick fish, every aquarium
is bound to run into problems eventually. Because there are way too many
possible problems for me to go over on this page, I recommend arming yourself
with The Complete Aquarium Problem Solver.
This book can be a real lifesaver for your fish. It's got loads of great
information and has certainly kept my fish healthier.
That's all there is to it! With a little effort, it's easy for you to
find yourself the proud owner of a great new aquarium!
Click Here for more information
and some useful books about freshwater aquariums!
Congratulations! you've just set up your first freshwater aquarium!
|
