subject: Fish Tanks - Simple Tips For Setting Up Fish Aquarium Tanks [print this page] There are different types of fish tanks such as tropical, freshwater, coldwater and marine. You'll find plenty of good advice, online or in magazines, on how to set up and maintain healthy fish aquarium tanks. Here are a few simple tips to get you started.
Salt Water or Marine Aquariums
Some stores will use the term 'tropical' for freshwater aquariums and use the term 'saltwater' or 'marine' aquariums to describe salt water fish. Check with each individual store for their definition.
Tropical fish tanks
Tropical fish live in warm water, either freshwater or salt water. Most are small and beautifully coloured, and come from all around the world. A tropical fish tank needs a heater that will keep the water temperature constant.
Freshwater fish tanks
Freshwater fish live in fresh water. The fish include Goldfish, Catfish, Cichlids, Corydoras and Loaches. Freshwater fish tanks can be made of glass or acrylic.
Marine fish or salt water Aquariums
Marine fish live in salt water. Fish are vibrant and usually small in size, making marine fish tanks very colourful and exotic.
Cold water fish tanks
Cold water fish live in cooler water than tropical fish so there is no need for water heaters. Goldfish are a popular cold water fish.
Tropical aquariums
Warm water holds less oxygen than cold water. The water in tropical fish tanks is kept around seventy five degrees Fahrenheit and holds less oxygen than its coldwater counterpart. There are various methods for increasing the oxygen content in your tank.
Invertebrates
Corals and invertebrates e.g. snails, live in marine aquariums.
Surface area
If you are a beginner, choose a long fish tank rather than a tall tank. The larger the surface area of your tank, the more oxygen it will hold. So it's much easier for the novice fish keeper to maintain a long tank rather than a tall one.
The decor of your fish tank can be used to hide the aquarium equipment. Rocks can be glued together, using special aquatic glue, to make arches and interesting shapes for your fish to swim through.
You can get heaters with built in switches that will turn off the heater if there is a risk of overheating. Check the manufacturer's technical details to find out how long your heater will last and change it well before the last date.
Set your tank up before you buy your fish. There is plenty of good advice, online or in magazines, on how to set up and maintain healthy fish aquarium tanks.
Choose the size of tank to fit your home. Different sizes and shapes of fish aquarium tanks are available to fit virtually any space. Elegantly designed aquariums are ideal for an office environment.
A commercially made stand is one of the safest ways of supporting fish aquarium tanks. Purchase one at the same time as you buy your aquarium. If you prefer to have a piece of furniture, opt for one of the cabinet aquariums.
Position the tank away from direct sunlight and near to a safe electrical supply. You'll need to plug in your water heater and pump.
You will need to change a percentage of the water at least once a month, so bear in mind you will probably spill water at some point. Position the tank in an area where you can mop up easily and the water spillage will cause the least amount of damage.
Fish need space to move and good water quality to thrive, so understock your tank with fish rather than overstocking. Factors determining how many fish you can put in your tank include how big your fish are in relation to the size and shape of your tank.
Fish aquarium tanks start at around ten gallons, but a good size for a beginner would be a twenty gallon fish tank. Larger tanks are easier to maintain than smaller ones. Your fish store will advise you.
Check how often your fish need feeding and avoid the urge to overfeed. Overfeeding will taint the water and so affect water quality.
Fish tanks can hold a variety of fish at once. Choose fish that are happy to live together. There are lots of community fish that cohabit well.
Don't cut corners. For healthy fish you will need a healthy environment. Once you've determined what equipment you'll need to keep your type of fish, buy the best you can afford. You can always check for sale or reduced items to keep the costs down.
Start off with just a couple of fish and then slowly build your stock up. This will give your tank's processes time to settle in.
