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Choosing your First Aquarium – Tropical Fish Tanks for Beginners
Activ Web Design Leamington
Many people start out in fish keeping with a goldfish bowl and then progress to a small fish tank full of cold-water fish, before moving on to keeping tropical and even marine fish.
There is a daunting array of tropical fish tanks to choose from for the beginner aquarist. Many people decide to start with a very small tank. This is not always the best proposition, however, as a small tank requires constant maintenance to keep the water in good condition and is easily overstocked. Therefore, consider a tank that is at least 60 centimetres long by 30 centimetres wide.
There are many aquarium designs available including rectangular, round, curved, corner and wall tanks. They also come in glass and plastic and often come with a cabinet or stand. Therefore, there should be one to suit any room you intend to place it in. I would recommend glass as it is better quality and won’t scratch like plastic can.
It is a good idea to by a complete kit that comes with all the electrical equipment that you need to set up the aquarium. Many suppliers offer a fish tank with heater, filter, pump and lighting included.
Your tropical fish tank should be positioned in a calm place away from too much human movement, away from draughts and sources of heat such as radiators and windows. It is also recommended to place it on a special fish tank stand or a sturdy piece of furniture and of course it needs to be near an electrical socket for powering the equipment.
Once you have your aquarium you can place an attractive substrate such as gravel on the bottom, place any plants or ornaments in the tank and then fill it with water. Tap water is fine but it may need a water treatment or chemicals to ensure it is of the required ph and nitrate levels before adding fish. This can be tested using a water test kit.
It is imperative to wait 2-3 weeks after filling your fish tank to make sure the water has cycled and is safe for the fish. This gives time for the aquarium filters to build up the necessary bacteria to keep the water in good condition. You can also make sure the heater and other equipment is working well.
As a guide approximately 1 inch of fish can be kept for each gallon of water in a tropical fish tank. The quantity should be calculated using the maximum size the fish are known to grow to. Introduce a few fish at a time and err on the conservative side of the maximum number calculation as over stocking can be a major cause of problems in a fish tank.
Copyright 2011
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Tropical Fish Tanks
Round Fish Tanks
Childrens Fish Tanks
Article submitted Wednesday, September 14, 2011 & read 27 times.
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