You may be seeking the type of pet that requires as little maintenance as possible, but at the same time can offer you a great deal of pleasure and relaxation.
If that is the case, a freshwater aquarium is just the ticket for you.
Freshwater aquariums are easy to maintain, they are clean, they offer the best type of tranquility and relaxation, almost regardless of where you locate it in your home or office.
How to setup your fresh water Aquarium
Once you have decided to give tropical fish a try in your home or office, there are some steps you should follow before setting up your freshwater tropical fish aquarium. First, it is very important to realize that if you are a first-time fish owner, a freshwater aquarium is easier to care for than a saltwater fish tank.
Once you have mastered the care, maintenance, and complexities of your freshwater tropical fish aquarium and want to expand your new aquarium hobby, a saltwater aquarium can be your expansion.
But you may not need or want to expand to a saltwater aquarium, since a freshwater aquarium can provide pleasure and relaxation for years, both for you and your fish.
Like any other type of pet that you could ever own, a freshwater tank will require care and maintenance.
The most important factor is keeping your fish healthy and happy will be the aspect of cleanliness. This will require cleaning of your freshwater tropical fish aquarium, although the extent of specific duties of that cleaning will vary depending on the type of fish tank you have acquired, and the kind of pump and aquarium filter you got.
You will also want to watch your tank daily to ensure that the water remains properly balanced for your fish and maintains a comfortable and recommended temperature for them.
The last item that you will need to perform regularly is to feed your fish either daily or every other day, depending on the specific requirements of the type of fish you have.
Selecting your Freshwater Tropical Fish Aquarium
Once you are sure that you can handle the regular maintenance of your fresh water fish, it is time to go shopping for your tank.
Size
A freshwater tropical fish aquarium needs to be big enough to hold the number of fish that you plan to put into it, since overcrowding a tank can lead to polluted aquarium water and diseased fish.
Some people decide on how many fish they want to have in their tank and then choose the size of tank accordingly. Other aquarists have a specific limitation on the size of tank they can accommodate in their home or office, and therefore the number of fish they can have is already determined by the tank size.
Make sure you find out how large your fish will grow to be since size can vary greatly in the different types of fish available. A beginner might do well to start with a 10 or 20-gallon tank and a few fish of smaller and heartier types.
Water Choices
You even have a choice in what type of water you can use with freshwater aquariums and they are: filtered tap water, which is probably the cheapest or you can use bottled water which is already filtered for you.
One problem is that tap water in some areas of the country contains fluoride, which for humans, helps prevent tooth decay and is healthy for teeth. If this is the case where you live, you should use bottled water from the grocery store.
Necessary Accessories
You will also need to equip your freshwater tropical fish aquarium with a water filtration system, a good heater, and accessories to jazz up your tank and keep your fish happy.
When you bring your freshwater tropical fish aquarium home, find a location where the light and temperature will remain consistent.
Heater vents and bare windows can affect these water factors, which will not be good for your fish.
Bear in mind that once your freshwater tropical fish aquarium is filled with water, it will be extremely heavy, so make sure your flooring is solid underneath and don’t plan on shifting your tank at all once it is full of water.
Keeping Your Tank Healthy
The size of the tank you choose should be proportionate to the number of fish you have. If this is your first fish tank aquarium, a small tank is recommended to start with until you start feeling more comfortable with the aquarium maintenance routine.
Starting with a small freshwater aquarium will help you learn the basics in taking care of fish as well as keeping all costs to a minimum until you decide you want to expand with a more expensive or elaborate and complex setup.
The next step you need to consider is where you will place your freshwater aquarium. The main point is that the weight of the aquarium needs attention.
A small tank of say ten gallons will weigh around 85 pounds therefore placing it in a safe place where it cannot be knocked off by mistake is definitely recommended.
Now that you have the freshwater aquarium and the space where you will place it, you need to decide what you will place in the aquarium besides the fish such as: the plants, gravel and other decorations that match your personality and or décor. Aquarium decorations are vast, from plastic castles to office desk set-ups, so you can customize the inside to suit your mood and style.
Helpful Tips
Change the water of your aquarium at least once a month in order to keep everything clean and your fish in good health. Start with just a few fish and if you feel comfortable with your new hobby you can always add on and also expand the size of your aquarium.
An aquarium is a great source of relaxation so take your time when you clean your tank and do a good job; it will slowly but steadily grow on you, as you will enjoy the time with your new pals.
Tropical fish are a beautiful addition to your life, and a freshwater tropical fish aquarium can bring serenity to your home.
With a little research, you can keep your fish healthy and happy so that they will be there for your enjoyment for many years.
