It’s always fun to set up an aquarium in the home; you can turn it into a personal hobby or use it as a means of creating creative enclosures. Whatever your purpose is for purchasing a fish tank, be aware of what homeowners need to know before buying an aquarium. Going in with a few pieces of knowledge can help you understand what your fish need and how to eliminate the possibility of accidentally killing your fish.
Different Types of Water
There are two different kinds of fish: saltwater and freshwater. It’s essential you know the type of water you put in the tank and what kinds of fish you intend to populate it with. Putting freshwater fish in saltwater can dehydrate them to the point of death, while saltwater fish will bloat in freshwater, causing them to die.
Always check beforehand what species of fish you purchase; not all fish survive in all types of water. Freshwater fish are the most common, making them the most available at fish shops and other pet stores. They can be the ideal fish to start your tank, as it’s significantly easier to maintain their environment.
The Perfect Place To Install the Tank
Besides the fish you put in the tank, you need to consider the right placement for the aquarium. If you go with a standard 30-gallon tank, you’ll need a stand that can properly handle the weight. Also, you need to be careful not to install your aquarium in the line of direct sunlight.
Algae easily forms and is not healthy for your fish, as it can release harmful chemicals that will poison the water. The algae spreads due to photosynthesis, and sunlight will only promote its growth. Know the best places to put your aquarium to avoid any complications that can harm your fish.
The Best Way To Clean Out the Aquarium
Like anything else, your aquarium will become dirty, which makes it vital to know how to clean it out the right way. Many peoples’ first instinct is to empty out all the water, keeping the fish in a separate, smaller enclosure in the meantime. However, this will cause more harm than good.
While most bacteria are harmful, there are essential microbes in the water that will benefit your fish. These microbes develop to provide your fish with the ideal environment, and getting rid of them will disturb the ecosystem. Every week, you should empty roughly a quarter of the tank’s water, adding in the same amount you took out. This preserves the beneficial bacteria without letting the tank get dirty.
Study Before You Buy
Unlike dogs or cats, handling fish does not come so easily to most people. You need to know the different quirks and necessities of different fish, ensuring you don’t inadvertently poison them. Be aware of what homeowners need to know before getting a fish tank; it’ll save you a lot of trouble in the long run.
