by Gary Lock
The want for aquariums at home has not declined since it
started. As the means for getting your own aquarium get easier the demand for
aquariums also rise in proportion. With the rise of the demand come a lot of
gadgets to add to an already long list of 'musts' for your aquarium.
Freshwater aquariums have never been out of hype. This may be due to the fact that they are relatively easy to obtain and maintain. Fishes from fresh waters are also more playful considering the time they have spent cultured by humans.
Saltwater aquariums, although harder to keep, have also increased demands. This is mostly attributed to the challenge they pose to the aquarist. The truth is that saltwater plants and animals are more attractive in color, variety and behavior. This type of aquarium is more expensive, though, as more augmentations are needed for the fish merely to live long enough, more so to thrive.
The market for aquariums is wide. Check your local pet store. Chances are, freshwater fishes are available there together with freshwater aquarium implements.
Appliances designed for saltwater aquariums are a little harder to find. They also come with higher price tags. Higher saltwater implement prices are but reflections of how hard it is to simulate saltwater conditions. These devices are mainly designed to keep the tank's variables as stable as possible.
A complete aquarium set consists of the tank, non-chlorinated water, biological filters, mechanical filters, chemical filters, a heater, a chiller, lighting, live rocks, substrate, plants, ornaments, a thermometer, a hydrometer, a pH measuring kit, a phosphate measuring kit, nitrate and nitrite measuring kits, small hoses, a suitable aquarium base, bacterial preparations, plastic netting, salt, and bleach. Yes, the fish is not included and should preferably be bought after all needed appliances and materials have been bought and set up.
Most of the items listed above are necessities. At best of times, all of them should be bought. Missing appliances often lead to disastrous results. The key to a successful yet cheap aquarium is to keep accessories to the minimum and the necessities complete.
In a fish only freshwater aquarium, for example, very little accessory is needed to maintain the fish. Usually, a tank with dechlorinated water, substrate and a wet/dry filter will suffice. Bear in mind, however, that this only keeps the fish alive.
In saltwater aquariums, things get a little complicated. Temperature control, for instance, is important even in a fish only setup.
In setting up an aquarium in a budget, you should first consider what type of tank you want. You could opt for fish only tanks to a reef aquarium and everything in between. Generally, the more creatures you add to your tank, the more equipment you will need.
It is imperative to buy the tank and set it up first. You may need a month to cycle the tank before introducing the fish. This will also buy you time to save for the fish itself.
For novices, it is advisable to start with affordable fishes. In a saltwater fish-only setup, the best fishes to buy are damsels, saltwater-acclimated mollies, clownfish, and blennies. These varieties are quite affordable and are also hardy. This will give you leeway on maintenance costs and space for errors.
It is best to buy a wet/dry filter as this will serve both as a mechanical and biological filter. It also helps oxidize the water, thus saving you the urgency to buy two filters and a plant.
Do not think you can save on low quality equipment. Most of the time, they break down easy incurring greater cost. Many stores offer the same products and brands. Check as much of them as possible as there may be big differences in prices.
All in all, buying an aquarium is only for those serious enough to support these delicate creatures in an artificial environment.
Freshwater aquariums have never been out of hype. This may be due to the fact that they are relatively easy to obtain and maintain. Fishes from fresh waters are also more playful considering the time they have spent cultured by humans.
Saltwater aquariums, although harder to keep, have also increased demands. This is mostly attributed to the challenge they pose to the aquarist. The truth is that saltwater plants and animals are more attractive in color, variety and behavior. This type of aquarium is more expensive, though, as more augmentations are needed for the fish merely to live long enough, more so to thrive.
The market for aquariums is wide. Check your local pet store. Chances are, freshwater fishes are available there together with freshwater aquarium implements.
Appliances designed for saltwater aquariums are a little harder to find. They also come with higher price tags. Higher saltwater implement prices are but reflections of how hard it is to simulate saltwater conditions. These devices are mainly designed to keep the tank's variables as stable as possible.
A complete aquarium set consists of the tank, non-chlorinated water, biological filters, mechanical filters, chemical filters, a heater, a chiller, lighting, live rocks, substrate, plants, ornaments, a thermometer, a hydrometer, a pH measuring kit, a phosphate measuring kit, nitrate and nitrite measuring kits, small hoses, a suitable aquarium base, bacterial preparations, plastic netting, salt, and bleach. Yes, the fish is not included and should preferably be bought after all needed appliances and materials have been bought and set up.
Most of the items listed above are necessities. At best of times, all of them should be bought. Missing appliances often lead to disastrous results. The key to a successful yet cheap aquarium is to keep accessories to the minimum and the necessities complete.
In a fish only freshwater aquarium, for example, very little accessory is needed to maintain the fish. Usually, a tank with dechlorinated water, substrate and a wet/dry filter will suffice. Bear in mind, however, that this only keeps the fish alive.
In saltwater aquariums, things get a little complicated. Temperature control, for instance, is important even in a fish only setup.
In setting up an aquarium in a budget, you should first consider what type of tank you want. You could opt for fish only tanks to a reef aquarium and everything in between. Generally, the more creatures you add to your tank, the more equipment you will need.
It is imperative to buy the tank and set it up first. You may need a month to cycle the tank before introducing the fish. This will also buy you time to save for the fish itself.
For novices, it is advisable to start with affordable fishes. In a saltwater fish-only setup, the best fishes to buy are damsels, saltwater-acclimated mollies, clownfish, and blennies. These varieties are quite affordable and are also hardy. This will give you leeway on maintenance costs and space for errors.
It is best to buy a wet/dry filter as this will serve both as a mechanical and biological filter. It also helps oxidize the water, thus saving you the urgency to buy two filters and a plant.
Do not think you can save on low quality equipment. Most of the time, they break down easy incurring greater cost. Many stores offer the same products and brands. Check as much of them as possible as there may be big differences in prices.
All in all, buying an aquarium is only for those serious enough to support these delicate creatures in an artificial environment.
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