Many people enjoy having fish tanks in their home. They can be a beautiful addition to any room. However, getting started may seem like a daunting task. This article will give you some basic information about how to set up your first tank and some tips on tropical fish care.
Now that you have decided that you want to set up a fish tank, what are the things you need to make that happen? Obviously you will need a tank. The size and shape of that tank is entirely up to you, but keep in mind that the larger the tank the more it will cost to set it up. There are a multitude of choices as to the types of decoration and fish to put into the tank but there are some things that you simply must have. They include gravel, a filter, a heater and a light source.
Gravel comes in many sizes and colors and the one you choose is based entirely on your taste. Remember that the gravel you choose will be the first thing that people will notice about your tank. Make sure that it fits with the look you are trying to achieve.
Filtering systems come in two basic types: those that are placed under the gravel and those that hang on the outside of the tank. Both are equally effective at cleaning the water. Some feel that the one placed under the gravel is a better choice because it cannot be seen, but they are much harder to maintain than the ones on the outside of the tank. In some cases, especially if the tank has many fish in it or is particularly large, you may find that it takes both types to keep the water quality high.
You will need a heater to keep the water temperature around 72 degrees. If the water is much colder than that, the fish will become sluggish and may die. Much warmer than that and you will promote the growth of bacteria and algae that will be harmful to your fish.
Light fixtures often come as part of the tank's hood. These hoods are designed to cover the entire top of the tank. This will keep the fish in and everything else out. You will have a choice of incandescent or fluorescent light fixtures. Fluorescent may be the better choice. The light bulbs last longer and they do not add any additional heat to the tank.
Once you have purchased everything that you need to get started, it is time to set up the tank. Do this where you intend the tank to stay because a tank full of water is very heavy and difficult to move. Turn on the filter and the heater and leave it to run for several days before adding fish. This will give you time to get the temperature just right and allow any chemicals that may be harmful to you fish to be filtered out.
After all of that, you are ready for the fish. Start with just a few. Let the bags of fish float in the tank for at least fifteen minutes before releasing the fish into the tank. This will allow the fish and water temperature in the bags to slowly adjust to the temperature of the tank. Now you can release the fish and sit back and enjoy watching the fruits of your labor.
Now that you have decided that you want to set up a fish tank, what are the things you need to make that happen? Obviously you will need a tank. The size and shape of that tank is entirely up to you, but keep in mind that the larger the tank the more it will cost to set it up. There are a multitude of choices as to the types of decoration and fish to put into the tank but there are some things that you simply must have. They include gravel, a filter, a heater and a light source.
Gravel comes in many sizes and colors and the one you choose is based entirely on your taste. Remember that the gravel you choose will be the first thing that people will notice about your tank. Make sure that it fits with the look you are trying to achieve.
Filtering systems come in two basic types: those that are placed under the gravel and those that hang on the outside of the tank. Both are equally effective at cleaning the water. Some feel that the one placed under the gravel is a better choice because it cannot be seen, but they are much harder to maintain than the ones on the outside of the tank. In some cases, especially if the tank has many fish in it or is particularly large, you may find that it takes both types to keep the water quality high.
You will need a heater to keep the water temperature around 72 degrees. If the water is much colder than that, the fish will become sluggish and may die. Much warmer than that and you will promote the growth of bacteria and algae that will be harmful to your fish.
Light fixtures often come as part of the tank's hood. These hoods are designed to cover the entire top of the tank. This will keep the fish in and everything else out. You will have a choice of incandescent or fluorescent light fixtures. Fluorescent may be the better choice. The light bulbs last longer and they do not add any additional heat to the tank.
Once you have purchased everything that you need to get started, it is time to set up the tank. Do this where you intend the tank to stay because a tank full of water is very heavy and difficult to move. Turn on the filter and the heater and leave it to run for several days before adding fish. This will give you time to get the temperature just right and allow any chemicals that may be harmful to you fish to be filtered out.
After all of that, you are ready for the fish. Start with just a few. Let the bags of fish float in the tank for at least fifteen minutes before releasing the fish into the tank. This will allow the fish and water temperature in the bags to slowly adjust to the temperature of the tank. Now you can release the fish and sit back and enjoy watching the fruits of your labor.
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