The excitement of setting up a fish aquarium can be overwhelming. However, there are many ways to create a beautiful ecosystem in your home. Don’t let the multitude of products and options available discourage you.
It cannot be obvious to navigate through the prospects. However, it is easy once you learn the basics. This checklist will help you ensure everything is working correctly in your fish tank before you start looking for freshwater fish.
1. Water Conditioner for Fish
It is essential to have the right bacteria present in your aquarium water. Water conditioners for fish help inoculate your aquarium with the correct bacteria to break down and digest ammonia waste from your fish.
Ammonia is poisonous and can cause the death of freshwater fish. Fluval cycle biological enhancer is a water conditioner that can jumpstart your system’s bacterial colonization to prevent toxic buildup.
2. Fish Filter
Fluval aquarium power filter provides water with three critical types of filtration. Each type of filter has essential advantages.
When water passes through fish tank filters pads designed to trap debris, it is called mechanical filtration. Water flows through activated charcoal, which removes toxins. Biological filtration happens when water comes in contact with a medium that has been colonized with healthy, nitrifying bacteria. This breaks down ammonia to make the tank water safe and clean for your freshwater fish.
3. Aquarium Heater
Keep tropical fish happy with warm water. If you think that your house thermostat is set at 72° Fahrenheit so the tank will stay warm, think again.
While your fish will survive, they will be happier if they are kept comfortable. Each species has its requirements, but the temperature range for tropical fish is generally between 75- and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Fluval Submersible aquarium heaters will maintain the perfect temperature in your freshwater fish tank.
4. Air Pump
Water flow promotes gas exchange between air and water. Fluval Air Pump for Aquariums is an air pump that keeps water oxygenated. This makes it easier for fish to breathe. The pump also helps in heating the water evenly, rather than just pockets of warm water around a heating element.
5. Substrate
It serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. The substrate is a layer of soil that covers the bottom of your fish tank’s filters in its most basic form. This provides another platform for bacteria growth. In addition, the proper substrate is required if you wish to grow plants that have covered roots.
You have many choices when it comes to choosing a suitable substrate. The best way to select the correct substrate is to visualize your aquarium.
Polished gravel can be an excellent option for freshwater aquariums like the Exotic Pebbles polish mixed gravel. If you have live plants, a bioactive substrate such as the Activ Flora plant substrate can help to stimulate growth.
6. Lighting
There are many lighting options for fish tanks. However, these lights can be very different in terms of price, size, and appearance. Therefore, you need to consider the overall appearance of your tank as well as your financial budget.
Although they require a more significant initial investment, LED, lights tend to last longer than traditional compact fluorescent bulbs (CF) bulbs. Current USA’s aquarium LED, and satellite freshwater LED light generate very little heat and require very little energy.
7. Fish Aquarium Test Strips
Before adding freshwater fish to your aquarium, could you wait for it to cycle? The 6-in-1 Tetra EasyStrips test strips allow you to test the water for pH, hardness, alkalinity, and more.
The test strips can give you a clear picture of the state of your freshwater fish tanks in about 60 seconds. This information is essential if you want your system to be healthy.
The most critical readings on these test strips to be aware of, especially when you have a new tank, are nitrite and nitrate. It is best to have nitrite undetectable. Nitrate should be kept as low and neutral as possible. However, freshwater fish can live in pH ranges from 5.5 to 7.5, depending on the species.
Once you’ve decided which finned friends you want to keep in the fish aquarium, all system requirements will follow. First, it is essential to research what kind of fish you would like. Research the places they live, their water needs, what food they eat, how much space they require, and how well they get along. This information is crucial in creating the ideal habitat.
Aquarium keeping is fun, especially if you are prepared. Take it slow, research everything and enjoy the ride.
