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.
- Optimal water filtration system for small to large aquariums the IF range has all models to suit all sized aquariums.
- With the detachable spray bar, our aquarium filters also could work as powerhead and oxygen supply, helping agitate the...
- Quickly assembles and disassembles and comes with suction cups for secure in-tank installation for aquarium tanks up to...
- Perfect for odd-shaped or shallow habitats, can be mounted horizontally or vertically, need to be fully submerged.
- Internal filter providing mechanical and chemical filtering to ensure proper oxygenation for a clear water and a healthy...
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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.
- Tetratec Aps400 Air Pump
- Accessories > Aquatic > Aeration
- Model Number: T285
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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.
- Tetratec HT150 Aquarium Heater. Automatic Heater/ Stat Suitable for Aquariums 150-225L
- Tetratec HT150 Aquarium Heater. Automatic Heater/ Stat Suitable for Aquariums 150-225L
- Tetratec HT150 Aquarium Heater. Automatic Heater/ Stat Suitable for Aquariums 150-225L
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Thermometer
The Best temperature for your aquarium is 78 degrees F, this is the optimum temperature for Freshwater tropical fish.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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.
- The 2nd generation of the ClassicLED aquarium light, more LEDs and 50% brighter
- With inline LED controller, white and blue LEDs can be operated together or independently, allow you to adjust the light...
- Adjustable mounting brackets to fit rimless or rimmed aquariums from 75 cm to 95 cm in length
- Ideal for freshwater or saltwater fish-only and low-high light level aquarium plants
- Perfect to use with the NICREW Dual Channel Timer control system
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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.
- Promotion applied during checkout*
- 3-5mm (gravel)
- PRODUCT CODE: XF20202C
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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.
- ✅ Aquarium water changer is a handy tool, you can clean the aquarium easily & quickly. Ideal for water changing and...
- ✅ This aquarium water changer is made from good quality plastic material which could ensure a long time use. Its...
- ✅ The head part (Intergrated gravel / fish strainer) is specially designed for gravel cleaning. You can dig it right...
- ✅ Total 7.5ft long, and you can add extra hose to the faucet if need (extra hose not included)
- ✅ Small container self priming water transfer design for more quick jobs (like syphon Diesel out of car etc).
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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.
- Color: Black, blue. Material: ABS plastic. Size: 43 * 10 * 3cm.
- Includes fish net, gravel rake, scraping algae, fork and sponge brush.
- It can be easily assembled and disassembled with the strap.
- Remove the dirty things from the bottom of your tank effectively.
- Perfect for cleaning aquariums and fish tanks.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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.
- Immediately turns tap water into fish safe aquarium water
- Promotes healthy water and healthy fish
- Creates water that more closely represents the natural habitats of fish and plants
- Model number: T213
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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.
