A Quick Guide To Help You Keep Tropical Fish
Congratulations – you have chosen to keep tropical fish! Welcome to a wonderful hobby and hours upon hours of amusement. But let us face it – aquariums are hard work, a lot of hard work and sacrifice. Here are just some of the things you have to do – feed the fish, aerate and clean your aquarium, provide light and nutrients to live plants (if applicable) and prevent your aquarium from growing algae.
If you are up to the challenges and think such tasks are peanuts, then you’re on your way to a rewarding and productive hobby.
I hope I’m not boring you yet, because the good stuff is just about to start: You have to know what to buy before you get into any particular hobby, right? So enough blah blah, let’s start by discussing the essential equipment you would need to have, may you be keeping saltwater or freshwater fish:
First, an aquarium. If memory serves me right, the fish stay there.
An aquarium stand. To support your new aquarium.
Filtration equipment. You can choose from chemical, mechanical and biological filters.
Lighting. This is more than just aesthetic, as it helps live plants thrive.
A tank hood. This can minimize evaporation and prevent foreign objects, or even your cat’s grubby paws, from introducing themselves to your fish.
Decorative items. These can be anything you decide. You have free hand in choosing the ideal decoration for your tank, as there are many options available. You want those wires hidden, so create a decorative background as well.
Sand/gravel. You may be going “sub-what?” but substrate is simply what you see at the bottom of aquariums – the sand/gravel mixture.
Choose the right plants. You can go with live plants, plastic plants, or a mix of both types, but just make sure there are a few in there.
Aquarium heater. In order for the water to stay just above room temperature, you need a heater if you decide to start caring for tropical fish.
What, chemicals? By chemicals, we mean chemical filtration, which gets rid of harmful gases that the water picks up as it passes through a carbon filter. This is not mandatory equipment but if you have it, all the better for your fish.
A thermometer. I personally prefer the ones with liquid crystals inside…the plastic strip variety.
A small net. For getting debris out of the aquarium.
A scrubby stick, special aquarium bucket and a brush with rounded bristles – basically, miscellaneous cleaning equipment.
Fish food. Goes without saying.
Prepare the drum roll, because we’re now down to the last, and most important part of any aquarium…the fish!
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