Perhaps you've enjoyed your tropical fish for many years, or maybe you are just getting started with this wonderful hobby. Whatever the case, you may have questions and concerns about how to size your aquarium to best fit your needs. Finding the right size aquarium that will provide the right habitat for your fish is a process that doesn't take much time and will ensure that you have an environment you and your fish can enjoy for years to come.
* The first thing you should ask yourself is just how much room do you have for an aquarium? Perhaps you just have a small desk in the den to set a small aquarium on, or maybe you have a huge inset wall that you could place a 200+ gallon tank in. While you are taking inventory of where you might be able to place your tank, also look at the environment near where you have in mind. Avoid placing an aquarium directly below or above an air conditioning or heater vent. Also, do not place the aquarium near a window that gets strong sunlight all throughout the day. Finally, keep in mind that you will need a power source and a storage area for the food and other materials.
* Next, decide what type of tropical fish you would like to have in your tank. Each different species of fish has specific requirements for the amount of water and space they need in a tank. Do not make the mistake of adding fish to your tank without taking into account how much room they need. Most stores tend to over-populate their aquariums with way too many fish because of the turnover they have in selling them. This can lead you to believe that you can actually place more fish in your tank than it can safely handle. If you have any questions about how much room your particular tropical fish will need ask the salesman or consult a handbook.
* Now remember, most aquariums have more than just fish in them. They also may include tropical plants, other freshwater creatures (such as slugs or snails), decorative items and wood or rock pieces. Each of these items takes up valuable real estate in your aquarium. Yet they are all vital components of a successful aquarium. Tropical plants can do wonders in keeping your tank clean and water well aerated. Likewise, snails and other freshwater creatures can also help keep algae down in the tank which can sometimes be a problem depending on what environment you have.
Now that you have mapped out all the requirements for your aquarium it's time to go shopping. Here your bank account may dictate what type of aquarium you can purchase. Larger tanks require more heavy duty filtration devices and water aerators. This can add up quickly. Many people who are just getting into the hobby may be better suited in checking out local yard sales, online auctions and the classifieds for people who are selling old aquariums for a fraction of the price!
Whether you have a big sized aquarium with lots of tropical fish or just a glass bowl on your table with a couple of Gold fishes, they give you great pleasure and tranquility to see them. Fishes are most soothing pets, but they can be real delicate too. However you can take a good care for your fishes by remembering some small tips. Whether you are out for a couple of days, your fishes will be there waiting for you when you come back. Here are some tips to keep your fishes healthy.
1) Cleaning your aquarium or tank
Your fish survives in the water of your tank or your aquarium. Not only they eat in it but also the water gradually accumulates the bio-waste from our fishes and gravel. So it makes a god sense to clean the aquarium and change the water once a week. Do not change the entire water immediately. Fishes are sensitive to water temperature and a sudden change may affect them. Collect your fishes in a tub or a plastic bag with some water of your tank or aquarium. Seal the plastic bag and put it safely. Then clean the aquarium and change the water. Put the plastic bag (with the fishes and water) inside the aquarium -without opening it. Let the temperature of the water inside the plastic bag change gradually to that of the new water in the aquarium. Your fishes will adapt to the new temperature. Then open the plastic bag and release the fishes inside the aquarium. After all a clean aquarium is always more pleasant to look at.
2) Cleaning your aquarium's air pump
Dirt and gravel often coagulates the air pump making it function less efficiently. Often bio-waste accumulates in the air filter. Consider changing the air filter at least once a month or as mentioned in the air-pump manual
3) Feeding your fishes.
One big word: Do Not Overfeed your fishes. Most aquarium fishes die of overfeeding rather then underfeeding. Also leftover foods (usually your fishes will continue eating till they are in real trouble!) contaminate the water, and promote bacteria harmful to the fishes. Feed the fish small amounts, which they can consume in three to five minutes and feed them daily. And if you are going out for a couple of days in the weekend, do not try to feed them an extra quantity on Friday. Your fishes will do well on an empty stomach for a couple of days. Also it is always better not to ask your helpful neighbor not to feed your fish when you are away for the weekend. The chances are that your over-zealous neighbor will overfeed them (with a good intention, of course!). There is sufficient food in a balanced aquarium to keep fish healthy even though not fed for a day or more.
Both Graham Wardle & Partha Mitra are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Graham Wardle has sinced written about articles on various topics from Aquariums, Internet Marketing and Tropical Fish. The Author, Graham Wardle, offers tips and advice about the hobby of keeping fish both indoors and outside at