When most of us decide it's time to jump in with both feet and setup that freshwater aquarium we have always wanted, the first problem we encounter is how to start. We begin to second guess our decision, thinking it is going to be too hard, wondering can we really do this? Of course you can! And it's not as difficult to setup an aquarium as you might think; you just need to take it one step at a time.
Setting up your aquarium will be as easy as reciting the ABC?s. You don?t have to worry when you encounter problems during the process of setting it up because you already know how to deal with it. Guessing will be out of your burden.
Choose a substrate or the stuff you put on the bottom of the aquarium. Substrate has many varieties to choose from like rock or sand, manmade or natural and also gravel that come with small or medium size. Substrate must typically be three inches depth, which are 2 pounds per gallon. Substrates are very important part of the aquarium because it acts as the biological filtration that spruces the tank. The needs of your fish must be prioritized, instead of beautifying your tank because there are many available options that will help your tank to be beautiful depending on your artistic flare.
The essential materials and equipment you probably needed is the aquarium, filters, heaters, artificial light, substrates, and oxygen machine. In terms of aquarium, you must choose an aquarium that is larger in size and can lasts for a long time. In order for you to save money, why not try to check advertisement in your local newspapers, visit Internet sites dealing with online auctions or some list on online ads. Through these said media you can find discounted equipment and devices. Aside from the basic materials, you also need to know the things you should consider to make your freshwater aquarium setup totally perfect.
Substrates simply refer to the materials you use to add up beauty and life to your aquarium. Examples of substrates are the freshwater plants, gravel, and shells. For gravel, it is advisable to use small or medium size of stones or sands. You can either choose from rock, sand, manmade or natural type of gravel. The main purpose of putting up gravel is for filtration. The appropriate amount of gravel suggested in aquariums is three inches deep. Let your creativity decides on how to beautify your fish tank.
Mechanical filtration - this is when bits and chunks of drifting stuff from your water will be eliminated. It is best goes with a power filter.
Biological Filtration - it breaks down nitrifying bacteria colonies of excess food and fish waste. Its best example is under gravel filter.
Chemical filtration is the introduction of compounds, typically carbon, to remove dissolved wastes and reduce odors; many power filters will provide a way to add carbon to the filters water flow.
Heat your water. Fish do not produce their own body heat, so you need to provide a source of heat to them by heating the water. Always remember that the internal temperature of a fish is maintained by the water they live in.
Chemical filtration on the other hand is the usage of compounds such as carbon to get rid of deliquescing wastes and can decreases odors. The power filter device can add up carbons to water. The body temperature of fish merely depends on the temperature of the water they swimming into. Since the marine animals do not produce their body heat, it is your initiative to provide them with warmth.
A 20 gallon tank, most in standard calculation of 50 watts should raise the water temperature of 9 degrees above the room temperature.
Give light to fish. Most customary bulbs are used today are fluorescent and compact fluorescent. There are some who still use a screw type incandescent bulb that is when their aquarium is smaller. If you buy an aquarium and if it does not include a cover with built in light fixtures in it, then you need to buy one.
If you are setting up an aquarium with special needs, such as coral reefs or light demanding plants, you will want to research your lighting options carefully as there numerous designs and price ranges to pick from.
You have to have a special light for every substrate you put into your aquarium. Each freshwater plants or coral reefs have distinct necessity. That is why you buy or choose perfect light for it.
Test your water quality to defend your fish from illness. Bad water gives stress to your fish, once fish are stress they are prone to injury and disease. You must once in awhile check the water, so fish with illness may not impure other fish.
It is advisable to test the water first before filling it into the aquarium. The quality of water may of course affect your pet fish. Bad water will result from some illness of the animals. They might be stress and subjected to death. Aside from bad water, immediate alterations in the water temperature or the water ph level can also contributes in the tension or pressure of fish. Even the production of ammonia and nitrates is the other contributor of stress.
Four crucial parameters to test for are pH, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. For an established aquarium, testing should be performed 2-4 times per month; however in a new aquarium it is imperative that you follow the stages of cycling by testing your pH, ammonia and nitrite levels daily. Keep a diary of all your results so you can spot any abnormalities immediately.
Setting up your aquarium will be as easy as reciting the ABC?s. You don?t have to worry when you encounter problems during the process of setting it up because you already know how to deal with it. Guessing will be out of your burden.
Choose a substrate or the stuff you put on the bottom of the aquarium. Substrate has many varieties to choose from like rock or sand, manmade or natural and also gravel that come with small or medium size. Substrate must typically be three inches depth, which are 2 pounds per gallon. Substrates are very important part of the aquarium because it acts as the biological filtration that spruces the tank. The needs of your fish must be prioritized, instead of beautifying your tank because there are many available options that will help your tank to be beautiful depending on your artistic flare.
The essential materials and equipment you probably needed is the aquarium, filters, heaters, artificial light, substrates, and oxygen machine. In terms of aquarium, you must choose an aquarium that is larger in size and can lasts for a long time. In order for you to save money, why not try to check advertisement in your local newspapers, visit Internet sites dealing with online auctions or some list on online ads. Through these said media you can find discounted equipment and devices. Aside from the basic materials, you also need to know the things you should consider to make your freshwater aquarium setup totally perfect.
Substrates simply refer to the materials you use to add up beauty and life to your aquarium. Examples of substrates are the freshwater plants, gravel, and shells. For gravel, it is advisable to use small or medium size of stones or sands. You can either choose from rock, sand, manmade or natural type of gravel. The main purpose of putting up gravel is for filtration. The appropriate amount of gravel suggested in aquariums is three inches deep. Let your creativity decides on how to beautify your fish tank.
Mechanical filtration - this is when bits and chunks of drifting stuff from your water will be eliminated. It is best goes with a power filter.
Biological Filtration - it breaks down nitrifying bacteria colonies of excess food and fish waste. Its best example is under gravel filter.
Chemical filtration is the introduction of compounds, typically carbon, to remove dissolved wastes and reduce odors; many power filters will provide a way to add carbon to the filters water flow.
Heat your water. Fish do not produce their own body heat, so you need to provide a source of heat to them by heating the water. Always remember that the internal temperature of a fish is maintained by the water they live in.
Chemical filtration on the other hand is the usage of compounds such as carbon to get rid of deliquescing wastes and can decreases odors. The power filter device can add up carbons to water. The body temperature of fish merely depends on the temperature of the water they swimming into. Since the marine animals do not produce their body heat, it is your initiative to provide them with warmth.
A 20 gallon tank, most in standard calculation of 50 watts should raise the water temperature of 9 degrees above the room temperature.
Give light to fish. Most customary bulbs are used today are fluorescent and compact fluorescent. There are some who still use a screw type incandescent bulb that is when their aquarium is smaller. If you buy an aquarium and if it does not include a cover with built in light fixtures in it, then you need to buy one.
If you are setting up an aquarium with special needs, such as coral reefs or light demanding plants, you will want to research your lighting options carefully as there numerous designs and price ranges to pick from.
You have to have a special light for every substrate you put into your aquarium. Each freshwater plants or coral reefs have distinct necessity. That is why you buy or choose perfect light for it.
Test your water quality to defend your fish from illness. Bad water gives stress to your fish, once fish are stress they are prone to injury and disease. You must once in awhile check the water, so fish with illness may not impure other fish.
It is advisable to test the water first before filling it into the aquarium. The quality of water may of course affect your pet fish. Bad water will result from some illness of the animals. They might be stress and subjected to death. Aside from bad water, immediate alterations in the water temperature or the water ph level can also contributes in the tension or pressure of fish. Even the production of ammonia and nitrates is the other contributor of stress.
Four crucial parameters to test for are pH, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. For an established aquarium, testing should be performed 2-4 times per month; however in a new aquarium it is imperative that you follow the stages of cycling by testing your pH, ammonia and nitrite levels daily. Keep a diary of all your results so you can spot any abnormalities immediately.
About the Author:
Don't take chances! Learn more effective techniques in choosing the best freshwater aquarium setup. Visit Kent Henry's website and grab a free copy of his mini course and the details on freshwater aquarium care guide.
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