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How to Buy The Right Aquarium
by Kathy Strander
http://www.rockaquarium.com
If you are interested in buying an aquarium and keeping
several varieties of fish as pets, there are several things
you should know before you start looking. Some factors to
keep in mind are type of fish, number of fish, and what type
of decor would you like. Buying an aquarium can end up
costing a great deal of money but if you shop smart you can
get a nice aquarium for a good price.
If you haven't owned an aquarium before, you might think it
would be best to start off small. In truth you are
establishing an ecosystem, so buying a small tank and only a
few fish, is actually harder than going a bit bigger. In
order for your aquarium to survive, you need the correct pH
balance and also some live plants. Think in terms of twenty
gallons as a starting size. This will give your fish room to
swim and not feel trapped in a tiny space. It will give you
more to look at and enjoy as well.
Don't purchase too many fish in the beginning. Four or five
is a good number. You'll be able to add more later on if you
want to. Another consideration is deciding if you want fresh
water fish or salt water fish. You can't have both in the
same aquarium. Most of the tropicals live in salt water.
It is essential to understand the compatibility of the fish
with each other. Some fish do not get along with others and
eat the smaller fish. Take the advice of the employee at the
pet store or you can look for this information on the
Internet.
The next step is determining what you would like to go into
the tank for decorations. Anything from the pet store is
fine; it's really up to your own taste. However, you should
never put anything you have found at the beach into the
aquarium, especially gravel. The gravel you buy at a pet
store is not the same gravel you find at the beach or in
nature. You can jeopardize the integrity of your aquarium's
balance by adding objects which haven't been treated for an
aquarium.
Okay, you have your fish and you have your tank. Now you
need to add water. Tap water has to be treated before you
can put your fish into it. Most of our drinking water
contains chlorine and is harmful to fish and plants. You
will need to remove it before you add it to your aquarium.
Maintaining the correct water temperature is another
important consideration for your aquarium. It needs to be
between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so be sure to purchase
a thermometer. If the temperature isn't just right, your
fish could die.
You should also consider what type of food you intend to
feed your fish. There are fish flakes and pellets that are
available, both of which should be fine for most fish. You
can check with the pet store if they recommend any special
food but most fish aren't fussy.
Establishing and maintaining an aquarium can bring you
special rewards. Too many people think you just buy a tank,
add some water, and toss in a few goldfish. A true aquarium
is much more than that, so enjoy your new project.
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