Getting a fish tank is only the first step in setting up a home aquarium. There are many tools you will need to maintain an aquariums. These tools range from cleaning tools (vacuums, scrubs, bucks, siphons) to ornamental and necessary equipment.
1. Necessary Tools
Filters: A filter is probably the most important piece of equipment for your aquarium. Without it, the fish won’t survive. When looking at filters you are going to have to find one that is large enough for the aquarium. There is a possibility that you are going to need more than one. Filters come in three varieties : external, internal and under gravel. External filters are best, but also cost the most. The undergrad are cheapest, but are comparatively less effective. You can combine a mixture of the filters if you desire.
Heaters: If you are going to care for tropical fish, you need a heater. This will keep the water between 70 to 80 degrees or more if your fish need it. If you have freshwater fish, this may not be needed. Make sure you get a heater that is big enough to maintain the aquarium.
Test kits: These little kits are used to test different elements in the water. You need to test the pH level, ammonia and nitrate levels. Fish need different conditions to live, so you have to make sure they all right. If not, these conditions need to be addressed immediately. You should also get a thermometer because you need to keep track of temperature for both freshwater and saltwater fish.
2. Ornamental Tools
Gravel: There are different ways to line the bottom of the tank, but most people prefer gravel. When looking for gravel to purchase, look for the per-washed one. If you don’t get it per-washed, you are going to have to cleanse the gravel yourself. This requires boiling it to remove any bacteria to clean it. Check with any pet store employees because the gravel might effect the pH level of the tank.
Toys: You’ve seen the little toy chest and toy submerged man. When getting these toys check with the pet shop employee on the care. These usually require cleaning as well.
Plants: If you are going to purchase live plants, find marine plants that are going to thrive underwater. You don’t want them to grow above the water line. The other thing you want consider when it comes to this if the fish you are getting are going to eat your plants. If so, get plastic ones.
3. Cleaning tools
This a broad category that is going to have many different items in it. You are going to need a bucket to use to transfer water when cleaning the tank. You can also get a bucket to hold the fish in when cleaning out the aquarium. A scrub brush and scraper will come in handy when cleaning the algae off the sides of the tank. You can purchase plastic gloves to keep yourself clean during the process. Cleaning isn’t a fun part to owning a fish tank, but a necessary one.
If you don’t clean the fish tank, the fish won’t thrive. Waste and excretions will eventually build up to the point that the filter can’t even control. This is vital to life of the fish.
While this isn’t the beginning at the end of a list, this will prove a great place to get started. Ask around and talk to people who have aquariums to see what other tools and equipment you are going to need.
There are different places you can purchase the equipment as well. You can always go to the local pet store where you are going to get a great deal of information from employees. You can also see what they have in stock. You can go on the Internet to check the different selections online. The Internet will provide a greater selection and loads of information on getting started.
Filters: A filter is probably the most important piece of equipment for your aquarium. Without it, the fish won’t survive. When looking at filters you are going to have to find one that is large enough for the aquarium. There is a possibility that you are going to need more than one. Filters come in three varieties : external, internal and under gravel. External filters are best, but also cost the most. The undergrad are cheapest, but are comparatively less effective. You can combine a mixture of the filters if you desire.
Heaters: If you are going to care for tropical fish, you need a heater. This will keep the water between 70 to 80 degrees or more if your fish need it. If you have freshwater fish, this may not be needed. Make sure you get a heater that is big enough to maintain the aquarium.
Test kits: These little kits are used to test different elements in the water. You need to test the pH level, ammonia and nitrate levels. Fish need different conditions to live, so you have to make sure they all right. If not, these conditions need to be addressed immediately. You should also get a thermometer because you need to keep track of temperature for both freshwater and saltwater fish.
2. Ornamental Tools
Gravel: There are different ways to line the bottom of the tank, but most people prefer gravel. When looking for gravel to purchase, look for the per-washed one. If you don’t get it per-washed, you are going to have to cleanse the gravel yourself. This requires boiling it to remove any bacteria to clean it. Check with any pet store employees because the gravel might effect the pH level of the tank.
Toys: You’ve seen the little toy chest and toy submerged man. When getting these toys check with the pet shop employee on the care. These usually require cleaning as well.
Plants: If you are going to purchase live plants, find marine plants that are going to thrive underwater. You don’t want them to grow above the water line. The other thing you want consider when it comes to this if the fish you are getting are going to eat your plants. If so, get plastic ones.
3. Cleaning tools
This a broad category that is going to have many different items in it. You are going to need a bucket to use to transfer water when cleaning the tank. You can also get a bucket to hold the fish in when cleaning out the aquarium. A scrub brush and scraper will come in handy when cleaning the algae off the sides of the tank. You can purchase plastic gloves to keep yourself clean during the process. Cleaning isn’t a fun part to owning a fish tank, but a necessary one.
If you don’t clean the fish tank, the fish won’t thrive. Waste and excretions will eventually build up to the point that the filter can’t even control. This is vital to life of the fish.
While this isn’t the beginning at the end of a list, this will prove a great place to get started. Ask around and talk to people who have aquariums to see what other tools and equipment you are going to need.
There are different places you can purchase the equipment as well. You can always go to the local pet store where you are going to get a great deal of information from employees. You can also see what they have in stock. You can go on the Internet to check the different selections online. The Internet will provide a greater selection and loads of information on getting started.