A Quick Guide to Fish Keeping: Aquarium Tanks |
Posted: September 27, 2017 |
People tend to assume that fish keeping is easy. However, tell that to anyone who keeps an aquarium and they will look at you like you're crazy. Fish keeping requires dedication and knowledge to do it right. If you are someone looking to learn about fish keeping and are new to the hobby, you probably have a lot of questions. I'm sure you also think you know some stuff which may be untrue about caring for fish and keeping an aquarium. Before the days of the Internet, aspiring fish keepers tended to dive into the hobby with little help from others. Even worse, the scant information that was available was largely inaccurate. Thankfully, we now live in an age where information flows freely. Our understanding of fish and aquariums have now improved, but some questions remain unanswered. I wrote this guide for the person who wants to start fish keeping but doesn't know where to start. This will cover only the basic concepts, and advanced fish keepers will find nothing new here. If you just want to learn how to set up an aquarium, or thinking of getting a guppy or a goldfish for your child, you've come to the right place. How large (or small) a tank should you use? One of the first things you have to deal with before starting fish keeping is deciding upon the size of tank you are going to use. I highly suggest getting a ten-gallon aquarium tank for first-time fish keepers. The ten-gallon volume is the bare minimum. If you have the extra cash, I suggest going for a twenty-gallon tank. The reason for getting a big tank is that it's easier to maintain water quality and chemical equilibrium in a large tank compared to a small one. Of course, don't get a twenty-gallon if you can't afford its upkeep. Check your finances first. I would like to take this opportunity to talk about something I feel strongly about. Many people incorrectly assume that a fishbowl is a good size for someone starting out. A fishbowl is an unacceptable home for practically every major fish out there, even the betta and goldfish. Only the smallest aquatic creatures and fish can survive in a fishbowl and their chances of surviving are still slim. The goldfish still requires filtration to thrive. Many pet stores still claim that the betta does not require filtration because they are capable of breathing in air, and that goldfish are a hardy species. However, you also have to take into account the water's chemical levels, and without an aquarium pump, the amount of ammonia in the water will rise. Too much ammonia in the water will kill the fish. Where do I place the tank? Apart from the tank size, another factor you have to take into consideration is the tanks placement. As a rule of thumb, do not place an aquarium on regular store-bought furniture, unless you can verify that the furniture is of sound and solid quality. The average aquarium tank weighs around 5 kilograms per gallon of water, not including the tank's accessories such as the aquarium pump, so a ten-gallon tank weighs around 50 kilograms. This makes transporting the tank extremely difficult and dangerous once it has been set up. You also have to realise that moving a tank full of water can stress the fish and even break the glass. Do not place a tank in direct sunlight, nor should they be located near a constant source of heat or cold such as vents and fireplaces. I also do not recommend keeping an aquarium in the kitchen. When cooking with oil, some of the fat will vaporise and move around the kitchen. The vaporised oil will then settle into the tank, along with any other cooking by-products such as smoke. This infusion can ruin the chemical equilibrium and affect water quality, even if you have an aquarium pump.
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