Tropical Freshwater Fish Aquarium - Things You Need to Do and Avoid

Fish enthusiasts continuously grow in number and in their passion particularly for freshwater fish kept as amazing pets at home, in the office or other venues you choose. If you are seriously considering fish keeping, there are various basic tips on caring for a freshwater tropical fish aquarium, along with some do's and don'ts that you need to carefully observe.

Make sure that you allot a sufficient quantity of your time, some money and effort for your chosen hobby. You will need to obtain the basic equipment such as the aquarium or fish tank, heater, filter, aquarium stand, thermometer, lighting and hood, aquarium gravel, and you may have optional gadgets or add-ons such as aquarium plants and or other decorations.

For freshwater aquarium maintenance, you need to have the right supplies and equipment such as water monitoring tests particularly for ammonia or pH. You also need water additives for the removal of chlorine and buckets and siphons to facilitate your regular water change tasks.

So what are some things you need to remember when purchasing your tropical freshwater fish aquarium? There are actually an overwhelming number and choices of aquariums you can choose from varying in size and shape. The best criterion in terms of size is to choose the largest tank you have space and money for and that makes sense for your home or office. Larger aquariums are more stable and fish are more amenable to this, avoiding instances of fish stress, sickness, or death.

This does not mean that you can't start a smaller aquarium and be a success. It is also good to choose a shorter, wider and longer tank over its narrow and taller counterpart. The former allows more available surface area that facilitates gas exchange and eventually helps in keeping the fish tank clean and your fish healthy. The narrow taller tanks seem to be very popular and very available in stores. These styles still work fine and actually are designed to save space.

There are also vital points to consider when choosing the best location for where to place your freshwater aquarium. Always remember that you should not place the aquarium in close proximity to the door or window. A stable temperature is essential for the environment that you provide your aquatic pets, and this is directly affected when temperature fluctuates due to excess light reaching your tank. Furthermore, it may also cause algae growth which can be difficult to deal with.

Never put your aquarium or fish tank in a place where you have a weak floor especially for larger aquariums that hold heavier water weight. If you have carpet, the tank will put indents that are very difficult to get out if you decide to move your tank. You also need to ensure that the aquarium stand you use is sturdy enough to support the entire weight of the fish tank.

The art of fish keeping can be a very challenging task to deal with, however using common sense and doing your research to learn as much as you can, will increase the success of your venture.

Chris Walker is a fish biologist and an aquarium enthusiast. For more great information on starting a freshwater tropical fish aquarium, visit http://freshwateraquarium.org.
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