Seven Top Aquarium Accessories

By Chintamani Abhyankar

If you want your aquarium to look great, it needs regular maintenance. For maintenance you require tools and supplies. They are essential for keeping a healthy as well as clean environment. Many people try to economize on supplies under one pretext or another. But remember, tank maintenance is an ongoing process and if you don't have necessary equipment to do it, your fish may get sick and it may die.

Here is a list of seven top aquariums supplies which are regularly required for maintenance -

1. Brash to clean the filter - Bacterial colonies are settled on the filter. These bacteria are useful for keeping down proportion of unwanted chemicals in the water. So you need to clear the filter very carefully. You cannot use any brush for this work. You should consult your pet fish shop and buy right brush.

2. Gravel cleaner - Just like your woolen carpet, gravel in your aquarium needs to be vacuumed. A good cleaner will take out by fish waste and other dirt quickly. There are many varieties available in the market. However you should buy one depending upon the size of your aquarium.

3. Algae pad - These pads are very common and available everywhere. However do not buy them from a department store. Buy it from a local pet fish shop. Sometimes a chemical residue or soap is formed during the manufacturing process and using such bad will be lethal for your fish.

4. Glass cleaners - The exterior of your aquarium should be cleaned regularly for the clean and attractive look. Many glass cleaners are available in the form of handy wipes and you should buy them after consulting your pet fish shop. The work of cleaning the exterior is always boring but it will make your aquarium shine.

5. Glass scrapper - You need a good scrap are to take out algae from glass. Many people are tempted to use metal razor but it may develop scratches on your aquarium. A plastic scrapper is safe.

6. Glass magnet - It's a hard work to clean the glass by putting the whole arm into the aquarium. A magnetic cleaner is available in the market. One important thing to consider while purchasing the glass magnets is - go for smaller ones. They are handy and convenient to use as compared to the larger ones.

7. Aquarium cleaner - It is always a hard thing to get over the line accumulated on the lid and on the light. But you should not go for standard cleaners. They may be hazardous for the fish. Go for a line cleaner which is specifically manufactured for use in aquariums.