If you are looking to start your first aquarium, then you will want to know a few things about starting out basic aquarium knowledge that will lead to happy fish. There is not much that can compare with the beauty of an aquarium in your home. But if you are new to this hobby, it can seem overwhelming and difficult at times. This article should help serve as a guide for beginners who want to get started with their first tank or upgrade from their old one!
Basic Aquarium Knowledge
Firstly Just like any hobby the more you know the more fun and enjoyment you will get from this great hobby, with some basic aquarium knowledge you will be on your way to setting up the perfect fish tank.
AQUARIUM - The Bigger, The Better, The Easier!
Strangely enough the larger the aquarium the easier it is to care for. The more water you have in your aquarium makes it easier to obtain a balanced environment for your fish.
When starting out with keeping fish we would recommend an aquarium of 100 litres or higher.
Deciding on the right type of aquarium for your needs can be tricky. You need to establish how much space you have, what shape, size, and type of aquarium will be best, and where you will place it in your home.
If you’re short on space, a smaller, square, or oblong aquarium may be the best option. Round aquariums tend to take up more room, but they can be easier to maintain since there are no corners for debris to collect in.
If you’re putting the aquarium in a corner, make sure you measure the space correctly so that it fits properly and doesn’t look out of place, a triangular tank will look amazing but these are generally taller and not so easy to maintain.
Once you’ve decided on the size and shape of your aquarium, you can start thinking about what type of fish you want to keep. Some fish require more space than others, and some need specific conditions to stay healthy.
Do your research to make sure you choose an aquarium that will meet all of your fish’s needs depending on the fish type.
With a little planning, you can find the perfect aquarium for your home.
Basic Guide to Aquarium Maintenance
Daily
Fortnightly
Monthly
- Feed one to two times daily in small amounts.
- Only have your Aquarium light on for a maximum of 10 hrs per day.
- Maintain a water temperature of 78 degrees for best results.
- Replace 25% of your water with fresh water.
- Add de-chlorinator to tap water when doing a partial water change.
- Clean the tank by using water only (detergents are harmful to your fish).
- Clean Glass inside and out by using an aquarium maintenance tool kit.
- Clean Decorations ( Plants, Ornaments, Rocks, etc.)
- Clean Gravel with a gravel siphon.
Aquarium Location
The location of your aquarium is important to maintain a constant water temperature and also to protect the aquarium from contamination or damage this basic Aquarium Knowledge will help you.
Do Not Locate an Aquarium
- In direct sunlight
- Near a heat source such as radiators or heaters
- Under Vents
- Doorways or walkways
Equipment for your Aquarium
Essential Item for an Aquarium operation and maintenance of the tank.
Filter
A filter is an important part of your aquarium providing clean healthy water by means of filtration. this will keep your water clean plus your plants and fish healthy.
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Air Pump
Air pumps add oxygen to your aquarium essential for keeping your fish healthy and also important if you keep live plants in an aquarium.
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Heater
The temperature of the aquarium is important as fish can’t produce their own body heat, a fish tank heater will maintain a constant water temperature (optimal setting 78 degrees), there are various types of heaters but purchasing a good quality heater is important.
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Thermometer
The Best temperature for your aquarium is 78 degrees F, this is the optimum temperature for Freshwater tropical fish.
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Lighting
Lighting is important to your fish and live planted aquariums, what you are looking to achieve is providing your fish with an environment replicating their conditions in the wild.
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Gravel
Gravel gives beneficial bacteria a place to thrive in your aquarium, it helps to break down waste created by your fish and also makes your aquarium look great.
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Siphon
A siphon is very important for aquarium maintenance, allowing you to easily do a 25% water change without making a mess and also to vacuum your gravel removing waste from the tank.
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Cleaning Kit
Cleaning and maintaining your aquarium can be made much easier with a basic cleaning kit, scraping algae off the glass of your tank, netting loose debris, raking the gravel, and so on.
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Water Conditioner
A water conditioner is important when adding tap water to your aquarium it removes the chlorine from tap water making it safe for your fish and live plants.
Keep your water Safe, breathable, and healthy.
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Aquarium Fish
When you first add fish to a new aquarium keeping fish recommends that with basic Aquarium Knowledge you will start off by adding just one fish, preferably an inexpensive one.
The reason for starting off slowly and not filling your aquarium with fish straight away is the fish tank needs to cycle properly and you also need to ensure all your equipment is working correctly to get your tank functioning properly.
You would be devastated if you had just bought a fish for £50.00 and it did not survive because of a problem with the setup.
Choosing your fish for the aquarium is also important as some fish don’t like other types of fish and can become aggressive in your tank, there are many types of fish some being community fish such as Platty’s or Mollies.
These types of fish would a good choice when starting out keeping fish but you can ask for advice at your local fish store.
Freshwater or Saltwater Fish?
When deciding whether to keep freshwater or saltwater fish in an aquarium, it is important to consider the level of care required for each type of fish.
Freshwater fish are generally easier to care for than saltwater fish, as they are less sensitive to changes in water quality and temperature. However, saltwater aquariums can be more aesthetically pleasing, as they often contain brightly-colored fish and coral.
In addition, saltwater fish tend to be more expensive than freshwater fish. As a result, beginners should carefully consider the pros and cons of each type of fish before making a decision.
Accessories
Accessories in your aquarium can make it look beautiful such as plants, decorative caves, or fun ornaments like divers and shipwrecks.
Adding accessories to your aquarium allows you to personalise the look and feel of the tank that you want you can add lighting and create some really cool aqua-scapes to give your aquarium the wow factor.
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I hope you found this article “basic aquarium knowledge” useful especially if you are starting a new hobby of keeping fish if you did leave a comment below about your experiences when starting out with aquarium fish keeping.
