| By :
Bob Finklea
Freshwater aquarium information is an article to introduce the reader to many of the basics of owning and maintaining an aquarium. We wanted this article to answer the many questions that we get from hobbyists all over the world and I think that we did a good job. Before one gets involved in any hobby especially one that can be expensive, they should know the basics. Information is the key to having an happy time with your aquarium and the happiness and long life of your fish and other tank pets that one may get. let the old hobbyists teach you from their mistakes so that you can avoid them. For the new fish-keeping hobbyists who want to start a freshwater aquarium, these are some of the general guidelines on what to remember, what to prepare and what to expect. You will have to discover some of the details later after you finally put everything in place and having your freshwater aquarium already up and running. First Reminders Before buying your aquarium, the first order of the day is to consider your fish and their required future care and maintenance. Next would be on the side of economics. Buy your aquarium and accessories at your favorite local store. Whatever you gain in mail order buys is usually wiped out by huge shipping and insurance costs. Aquarium Tanks Buy the biggest tank your budget will allow. Your pets will have better oxygen absorption. Small aquariums loses heat fast if the heater fails, and the water quality goes down just as fast if the filter falters. 10 gallons is the smallest you should settle for your tank, if you want to ensure a stable environment for your pets. be careful that your small fish tank doesn't have too many fish in it. You will have a hard time putting your plants in a small tank. Go for tanks that are short in height and long in body. The bigger surface area is good for air exchange and there is more swimming space for your aquatic wards. Unless they have already come up with scratch-proof acrylic tanks, stick to glass, even if they are definitely heavier than the acrylic models. Aquarium Shape Odd-shaped tanks look striking, but it falls short on the air exchange department. If it is tall and thin, the surface area cannot sustain the needed air exchange. Putting in the lights, the hood and other accessories can be a pain, too. Cleaning odd-shaped aquarium tanks is definitely a chore. Fish Capacity This is the maximum number of fish that can fit in your tank. (You might want to get a very large fish tank so when the fish get bigger they won;t crowd each other which causes stress for them.) Buy enough number of fish in relation to their final adult size and the size of the tank. Tank Lids It is a toss-up between plastic and glass covers. Glass is easier to clean, covers tighter, and lets more light get in. Plastic covers costs less, weigh less and do not break easily. Either one does not make much difference except what you think of it. Lights Usually, lights are packaged with the lid. But you have the choice to buy lights separately. They can be incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, mercury vapor and metal halide. Fluorescent lights cost less, and is much cooler. Filtration The filtration system is one critical piece of aquarium equipment. There are a number of models and styles available in the market. The biowheeel type had been proven reliable in its filtration capability. Be aware, however, that the size of the filter should match the size of the tank. The filter rate is how to measure the filters abiity to filter the water known as its gauge. A good one should manage to filter a tank at least four times in an hour. (A 20-gallon tank should have a filter with at least 80 gallons of flow rate per hour.Get a filter whose rating is higher whenever you are using a filter that is borderline good for your tank. Heater Most aquarium heaters usually come as hang-on-the-tank or submersible types. They may have a numerical setting or a simple up and down slider. The submersible with a numerical setting is better, even if it costs more. Regarding the size, the wattage to use is 5 watts/gallon (for smaller tanks) and 3 watts/gallon (for bigger tanks). Thermometer The best ones are those liquid crystal stick-on types. They are inexpensive, easy to read and generally accurate enough. Substrate This would generally be small and smooth dark gravel. You should have one pound of rock or gravel to every one pound of water or somewhere in that comparison. Nets Get a medium-sized, good-quality net. Get a pair. It is easier to catch fish using two nets. Water Conditioner For safety, have the aquarium water aged or de-chlorinated before putting in the fish. Choose a product that will take car of the chlorine, ammonia and heavy metals. Test Kits The testing of water is crucial in a newly set-up tank. For newcomers, it is wise to be always ready with Ammonia, Nitrite and pH kits. Old aquarium owners should already have these kits. Siphon The siphon tool is needed to vacuum the gravel and also used in doing water changes. The better model is the type that uses the tap run models (they use water pressure from the tap to run the siphon). Algae Scrubber A medium-sized algae pad is an important tool for maintenance. (Algae will eventually grow in your tank.) Get a pad now and be prepared ahead of time. Last Words Generally, the most important factor in successful fish keeping is the stability of the environment. In considering all of the enumerated freshwater aquarium information above, keep in mind the stability of the environment. This will allow your fish to thrive and be happy in the new home and you to be happy- in your old home!
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