How To Set Up A Home Aquarium

This question occupies enough books to fill a library and is a vast almost limitless

topic that is very specific to the species you would like to keep as well as the desired overall size of the desired tank. Ultimately however there is a small list of things needed to maintain a very vast number of species.

An obvious need is the tank itself and a stand to put it on. Tanks come in every shape and size conceivable, from small 1 gallon fish bowls to 8 foot long 400 gallon acrylic tanks. If your a beginner and you probably are if your reading this, I recommend a common sized aquarium, something between 30 and 55 gallons is a good size. Very large tanks can be overly complex and expensive. Whereas very small tanks can be difficult to keep stable. Whether the tank is glass or acrylic and what stand is chosen is mostly just personal preference, but be careful about using unapproved pieces of furniture for stands, full aquariums are very heavy.

Likely the most important of the necessary equipment is filtration. In its basic sense filtration is broken down into three types. Mechanical, chemical, and biological, filtration devices use a subset of all three. Biological filtration is naturally occurring, it refers to the bacteria that convert very poisonous compounds in the tank into much less poisonous compounds. This bacteria naturally forms in all areas of the tank but filtration media often facilitates it on purpose. Mechanical filtration is the act of forcing the small particles of unwanted matter through an actual filter to physically remove them. And chemical filtration is using a compound or chemical such as activated carbon or ferric oxide to neutralized certain materials in the water.

The most common type of filter for a fish only tank is a hang over the back trickle filter. These are cheap and easy to setup. A more sophisticated option is a canister filter it basically pumps water through an intake to a canister where there are several stages of mechanical filters and chemical compounds that the water circulates through as well as an area of material primed to house the proper bacteria for natural filtration. There are several more complicated forms of filtration but these are easiest for beginners.

Depending on the desired livestock some type of lighting could be necessary. If all you intend to keep are fish than very inexpensive forms of lighting are sufficient. However if you intend to grow live plants, or saltwater species such as coral or anemones very high powered intensive and expensive lighting will be needed for photosynthesis.

Some other things you might need are water movement and temperature control. Water needs motion to generate oxygen. There are many air pumps and water pumps that range in power and price that will serve this function, the most modest setup usually uses a common air pump and air stone that spits very small bubbles into the water column. Temperature control depends largely on the species but most species are happiest at temperatures between 74 and 82 degrees. If high intense lighting is used then it is likely that the tank will either naturally be in range or need fans or water chillers (chillers are very expensive). But if your tank has non intense lighting it's likely you will need a heater, aquarium heaters are not particularly expensive and can be purchased at any fish store. Many more advanced species require other things such as chemical supplementation.

by: KMonty

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