Pet Supply Source - Aquariums

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Aquariums

Anyone who is thinking of becoming a fish owner is going to need to learn something about aquariums. Two of the most important considerations in buying aquariums are cost and size. It is easy to underestimate both. A number of other supplies are needed as well.

Size and shape

Package deals for small aquariums are becoming fairly common, but it is actually more difficult to manage a small aquarium than a large one. It takes time to learn about water issues and if you start with a small tank, there is little room for error. Experts suggest that you purchase at least a 20 gallon tank as a beginner. The bigger the tank, the less likely a mistake will kill your fish. Of course, the size of your aquarium will ultimately depend on how many fish you plan to keep in it.

Another aspect of your aquarium that you should consider is shape. The shape of your tank will affect how many fish you can have it just as much as its size. Since the oxygen comes into the water from the top, a large surface area will give the fish more oxygen. Longer aquariums are better than tall ones for this reason.

Cost

When shopping for your first aquarium, you can easily spend $150 to $200 in start up equipment. Aquariums require more than just fish and water; you will also need a filter, light, heater, cleaning supplies and gravel or rocks for the bottom. A large tank should be placed on a stand, so include that cost into your budget as well.

Filters

Filters are necessary to keep the water clean and healthy for your fish. All of the water in the tank should go through the filter a minimum of 4 times per hour for proper filtration. The type of filter that you need will depend on the size of your aquarium. Small aquariums can use a power filter or an Under Gravel Filter (UGF). Power filters are easy to install and maintain and are the most common type of filter. The UGF is also simple to set up and use and is inexpensive. It may clog, though, especially if you have live plants in your aquarium.

Larger aquariums do better with a canister filter. These powerful filters are placed outside the tank, where they are easily hidden from view. They can be difficult to take apart for cleaning, however, and are sometimes hard to get started.

Stands

Aquariums are very heavy when filled with water. They will weigh about 10 pounds for every gallon of tank, so if you do not have anything that will hold that much weight, you will need an aquarium stand. You can buy one made of wood or metal, or you can even build one yourself.

Heater

Fish require a particular water temperature, usually around 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The size of the tank will determine the wattage of heater that is needed, but you can think of it as 5 watts per gallon for smaller aquariums and 3 watts per gallon for larger ones. Some heaters are hung on the side and some are submerged in the water. The settings range from a simple up and down switch to specific numeric settings.

Hood and Light

The hood of an aquarium consists of the lid and the light, which are generally sold together. Lids are made of either plastic or glass and serve to keep the fish from jumping out and to protect the light. Glass lids are generally recommended because they are easier to clean and permit more outside light to enter the aquarium. The lights can be different types, including incandescent, fluorescent, or halogen. Fluorescent lights are less costly to run and much cooler, making them a good choice for most aquariums. Lights do not need to be left on all the time; you can purchase a timer that will turn them on and off again once a day.

Cleaning

Aquariums must be cleaned on a regular basis. To clean your tank, you will need an algae scrubber, a siphoning kit, and a new bucket that has not held other cleaning products. Chemicals in normal cleaning products can be lethal to your fish, so get a bucket that is only used for cleaning your aquarium.

To clean your aquarium, carefully siphon out half of the water. Remove any rocks or gravel and clean them, then scrape the dirt, algae and debris from the tank. Do not use any type of soap as even a small amount can kill your fish. Once everything is clean, return the rocks to the tank and refill it with water. Aquariums should be cleaned about once a month. If you are forgetful, buy a reminder gadget that will beep to let you know when your tank is due for maintenance.

Decorating

Decorating your tank is fun and makes things more interesting for the fish as well. Live plants are popular additions to aquariums, though you need to make sure that your fish are compatible with your plants. Plastic and silk plants are options too. Driftwood is attractive and also gives the fish a place to hide. A large variety of background scenes are available as well. These are relatively inexpensive and will give your tank a whole new look. With a little work, aquariums can be a unique way to show your style and originality.