A Beginners Guide To Fish Supplies And Shopping Tips For Aquariums
With so many stores on the internet, shopping for fish supplies couldn't be easier
. Water heaters, fish food, air pumps or tanks are all easily obtainable online and can be ordered twenty four hours a day.
You can buy some aquariums as a set, but mostly you will need to buy some fish supplies to supplement your initial purchase of the tank. Once you are set up and running, you can stock your tank with fish of your choice and then buy your supplies as you need them.
The fish tank is your first purchase. A rectangular aquarium is the best. Buy the largest tank you can afford that will fit into the space you have available.
Don't buy a fish bowl because they don't have enough surface space to provide sufficient oxygen for your fish. With so many well shaped fish tanks on the market there is no need to buy a goldfish bowl. Glass aquarium tanks are preferable to acrylic and will last longer. Make sure your tank is well sealed.
You need lighting that won't heat the water. Fluorescent lighting is a good choice and is the most popular. Make sure your hands are dry before you plug it in.
You will need a filter. A filter will aerate the water and filter out any poisons that will build up in your aquarium. There are different types of filters on the market, and some will need to be changed at regular intervals. Make this a priority item to purchase when you are restocking your fish aquarium supplies.
If there is gravel or substrates on the bottom of your fish tanks, you may prefer under gravel filter systems. These rely on natural bacteria in the gravel to break down waste, and they will help filter out the poisons. You may find that a gravel washer and vacuum cleaner work well to remove the dirt from the bottom of the tank.
Before you set up your aquarium, place the rocks, plants and wood where you want them to go. Play around with the decor. It helps to know where everything should go before you put the water or the fish in. There's a variety of natural or synthetic stone and rocks to choose from.
One of the top priorities on your tropical fish supplies list is a water heater. You will need to know the temperature of the water at all times. Water needs to be kept constant and must not exceed the maximum temperature.
Most popular thermostatic heaters are placed on the inside of the tank, with the heater being encased in a glass tube for protection. If you have a large tank you will most likely need two heaters. These can be placed at both ends of the fish aquarium tank.
Make a list of the supplies you need. This way you can order everything you need in one go, keeping postage and packing to a minimum.
Check delivery times, and leave instructions for the driver where to leave the package should you not be in to take delivery.
Some websites offer free delivery if you order above a set amount. To keep costs to a minimum work out if you are ordering enough fish supplies to qualify for free delivery.
If you are comparing a few websites, make sure you compare like for like. It only works when you compare the same brand; some brands of fish supplies are always cheaper than others. You must also take postage into account when you are doing your calculations.
Make sure perishables such as fish food are fresh.
Other people's reviews are a great help when you are just starting out. Read reviews on fish tanks and fish supplies before making your purchases. Experienced fishkeepers are very friendly and are always willing to share their knowledge with those just starting out.
A few hours reading about other people's experiences, is time well spent and can save you from making costly mistakes. There are so many fish keepers you will find someone who has set up the same type and size of tank.
If you aren't sure what you need, give your store a call and talk to them about the fish supplies you are thinking of ordering. Your store should be willing to discuss their products with you and can give you good advice. Stores are busy at times, but if they can't get to the phone to help you straight away do they call back when promised?
Choose a store that packages your fish supplies well. Your package will need to withstand post or courier handling, and you will want it to arrive in top condition.
by: Katherine Walker
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