| From Latin where it comes from, aquarium is a | | | | can be incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, |
| compound word made of "aqua" (which means | | | | mercury vapor and metal halide. |
| water) and "rium" (meaning building). Basically, the | | | | Fluorescent lights cost less, and is much cooler. |
| literal meaning of aquarium is "water building". As | | | | Filtration |
| such, freshwater aquarium is a water building | | | | The filtration system is one critical piece of |
| designed to house fresh water fish. Finally, | | | | aquarium equipment. There are a number of |
| freshwater aquarium information is everything | | | | models and styles available in the market. |
| there is to know about keeping freshwater fish - | | | | The biowheeel type had been proven reliable in its |
| your fish pets, your aquarium and its related | | | | filtration capability. Be aware, however, that the |
| equipments for operations and maintenance and | | | | size of the filter should match the size of the |
| more. | | | | tank. |
| For the new fish-keeping hobbyists who want to | | | | The filter rate is how to measure the filters abiity |
| start a freshwater aquarium, these are some of | | | | to filter the water known as its gauge. A good |
| the general guidelines on what to remember, | | | | one should manage to filter a tank at least four |
| what to prepare and what to expect. | | | | times in an hour. (A 20-gallon tank should have a |
| You will have to discover some of the details later | | | | filter with at least 80 gallons of flow rate per |
| after you finally put everything in place and having | | | | hour.Get a filter whose rating is higher whenever |
| your freshwater aquarium already up and running. | | | | you are using a filter that is borderline good for |
| First Reminders | | | | your tank. |
| Before buying your aquarium, the first order of | | | | Heater |
| the day is to consider your fish and their required | | | | Most aquarium heaters usually come as |
| future care and maintenance. Next would be on | | | | hang-on-the-tank or submersible types. They may |
| the side of economics. | | | | have a numerical setting or a simple up and down |
| Buy your aquarium and accessories at your | | | | slider. |
| favorite local store. Whatever you gain in mail | | | | The submersible with a numerical setting is better, |
| order buys is usually wiped out by huge shipping | | | | even if it costs more. Regarding the size, the |
| and insurance costs. | | | | wattage to use is 5 watts/gallon (for smaller |
| Aquarium Tanks | | | | tanks) and 3 watts/gallon (for bigger tanks). |
| Buy the biggest tank your budget will allow. Your | | | | Thermometer |
| pets will have better oxygen absorption. Small | | | | The best ones are those liquid crystal stick-on |
| aquariums loses heat fast if the heater fails, and | | | | types. They are inexpensive, easy to read and |
| the water quality goes down just as fast if the | | | | generally accurate enough. |
| filter falters. | | | | Substrate |
| 10 gallons is the smallest you should settle for | | | | This would generally be small and smooth dark |
| your tank, if you want to ensure a stable | | | | gravel. You should have one pound of rock or |
| environment for your pets. Smaller aquariums will | | | | gravel to every one pound of water or |
| become easily crowded. You will have a hard time | | | | somewhere in that comparison. |
| putting your plants in a small tank. | | | | Nets |
| Go for tanks that are short in height and long in | | | | Get a medium-sized, good-quality net. Get a pair. |
| body. The bigger surface area is good for air | | | | It is easier to catch fish using two nets. |
| exchange and there is more swimming space for | | | | Water Conditioner |
| your aquatic wards. | | | | For safety, have the aquarium water aged or |
| Unless they have already come up with | | | | de-chlorinated before putting in the fish. Choose a |
| scratch-proof acrylic tanks, stick to glass, even if | | | | product that will take car of the chlorine, ammonia |
| they are definitely heavier than the acrylic models. | | | | and heavy metals. |
| Aquarium Shape | | | | Test Kits |
| Odd-shaped tanks look striking, but it falls short | | | | The testing of water is crucial in a newly set-up |
| on the air exchange department. If it is tall and | | | | tank. For newcomers, it is wise to be always |
| thin, the surface area cannot sustain the needed | | | | ready with Ammonia, Nitrite and pH kits. Old |
| air exchange. | | | | aquarium owners should already have these kits. |
| Putting in the lights, the hood and other | | | | Siphon |
| accessories can be a pain, too. Cleaning | | | | The siphon tool is needed to vacuum the gravel |
| odd-shaped aquarium tanks is definitely a chore. | | | | and also used in doing water changes. The better |
| Fish Capacity | | | | model is the type that uses the tap run models |
| This is the maximum number of fish that can fit | | | | (they use water pressure from the tap to run |
| in your tank. (You might want to get a very large | | | | the siphon). |
| fish tank so when the fish get bigger they won;t | | | | Algae Scrubber |
| crowd each other which causes stress for them.) | | | | A medium-sized algae pad is an important tool for |
| Buy enough number of fish in relation to their final | | | | maintenance. (Algae will eventually grow in your |
| adult size and the size of the tank. | | | | tank.) Get a pad now and be prepared ahead of |
| Tank Lids | | | | time. |
| It is a toss-up between plastic and glass covers. | | | | Last Words |
| Glass is easier to clean, covers tighter, and lets | | | | Generally, the most important factor in successful |
| more light get in. | | | | fish keeping is the stability of the environment. In |
| Plastic covers costs less, weigh less and do not | | | | considering all of the enumerated freshwater |
| break easily. Either one does not make much | | | | aquarium information above, keep in mind the |
| difference except what you think of it. Lights | | | | stability of the environment. This will allow your |
| Usually, lights are packaged with the lid. But you | | | | fish to thrive and be happy in the new home and |
| have the choice to buy lights separately. They | | | | you to be happy- in your old home! |