A Five Step Introduction to Your Home Freshwater Aquarium
If you're thinking about getting a home freshwater aquarium, there are five simple steps that you can follow to make sure that get yourself and your fish the best.
You have to buy a great tank, buy the right equipment, set your tank up, buy your fish and maintain your aquarium.
It's all as simple as that; it really is.
You might however, have many different questions about the whole process of having fish at home.
For the most part, you'll get all the information you need from resources from the Internet and by speaking to the fish specialist at the pet store.
1 - Before anything else with a home freshwater aquarium, you have to make a decision where you want to put your tank in your home.
It has to be a place that's away from direct sunlight and someplace that's far away from vibration and drafts.
You will need to measure the space so you can get the right sized tank.
You have a choice between glass or acrylic tanks.
The benefit with acrylic tanks is that they're scratch resistant; they are also lighter than glass and the shape of the tank can be more intricate.
2 - A basic home freshwater aquarium would only need the most basic of equipment.
For most tanks, you're going to need a strong and sturdy case or other piece of furniture for the tank to sit on.
If you're thinking about decorating your tank with plants, you have to have the right kind of substrate.
Filtration is also another important factor with tank equipment.
You will also need a good heater and thermostat to keep the temperature of the water at a good balance that your fish will like.
Then, there's lighting which you will need for helping your real plants thrive and grow.
As for the maintenance, you will need cleaning equipment as well.
3 - Once you have all the necessities, you will set your tank up by first putting the gravel filter into the tank.
Rinse the gravel first to remove unwanted debris, and then cover the bottom of the tank with it.
Fill your tank up with water and place everything you have in like your heater, the plants, the rocks and so on.
4 - You have to be patient and allow the tank to cycle before adding the fish.
It is recommended to use basic goldfish to get the tank through the first cycle.
For the most part, you'll only be buying the "real" fish when your home freshwater aquarium is properly cycled.
You will have a long list of fish to choose from and whichever you choose, you'll have a lot of benefits from each one.
5 - Once the fish have been introduced to your tank, you now have to keep a schedule for maintaining the tank and the filters.
They will require regular cleaning otherwise there can be some stagnant water which you won't want to deal with.
Every two weeks is a decent timetable to check the tank and the components and see what needs to be done.
Don't forget to treat your water with de-chlorinator, if necessary, to ensure that it's free of chemicals before putting your fish into the tank.
In five easy steps, you'll have a breeze with the introduction to your very own home freshwater aquarium.
You have to buy a great tank, buy the right equipment, set your tank up, buy your fish and maintain your aquarium.
It's all as simple as that; it really is.
You might however, have many different questions about the whole process of having fish at home.
For the most part, you'll get all the information you need from resources from the Internet and by speaking to the fish specialist at the pet store.
1 - Before anything else with a home freshwater aquarium, you have to make a decision where you want to put your tank in your home.
It has to be a place that's away from direct sunlight and someplace that's far away from vibration and drafts.
You will need to measure the space so you can get the right sized tank.
You have a choice between glass or acrylic tanks.
The benefit with acrylic tanks is that they're scratch resistant; they are also lighter than glass and the shape of the tank can be more intricate.
2 - A basic home freshwater aquarium would only need the most basic of equipment.
For most tanks, you're going to need a strong and sturdy case or other piece of furniture for the tank to sit on.
If you're thinking about decorating your tank with plants, you have to have the right kind of substrate.
Filtration is also another important factor with tank equipment.
You will also need a good heater and thermostat to keep the temperature of the water at a good balance that your fish will like.
Then, there's lighting which you will need for helping your real plants thrive and grow.
As for the maintenance, you will need cleaning equipment as well.
3 - Once you have all the necessities, you will set your tank up by first putting the gravel filter into the tank.
Rinse the gravel first to remove unwanted debris, and then cover the bottom of the tank with it.
Fill your tank up with water and place everything you have in like your heater, the plants, the rocks and so on.
4 - You have to be patient and allow the tank to cycle before adding the fish.
It is recommended to use basic goldfish to get the tank through the first cycle.
For the most part, you'll only be buying the "real" fish when your home freshwater aquarium is properly cycled.
You will have a long list of fish to choose from and whichever you choose, you'll have a lot of benefits from each one.
5 - Once the fish have been introduced to your tank, you now have to keep a schedule for maintaining the tank and the filters.
They will require regular cleaning otherwise there can be some stagnant water which you won't want to deal with.
Every two weeks is a decent timetable to check the tank and the components and see what needs to be done.
Don't forget to treat your water with de-chlorinator, if necessary, to ensure that it's free of chemicals before putting your fish into the tank.
In five easy steps, you'll have a breeze with the introduction to your very own home freshwater aquarium.
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