Setting Up An Aquarium

Starting an aquarium is actually easier than you might think.
Like any hobby, the more you know about it, the more enjoyment you'll get from it.
So here are a few aquarium hints & tips to get you started.

The Bigger, The Better
Believe it or not, the larger aquariums are actually, the easier they are to care for.
The more water you have, the easier it is to maintain “balance” in your environment. That’s why we recommend starting with a 90 litre aquarium or larger.

Location Matters
Pick a spot away from direct sunlight, windows, heating or air vents, and high-traffic areas.


Equipment

  • Filters
    The filter is the heart of your tank that provides clean, healthy water. It makes the job of maintaining an aquarium a whole lot easier and will keep the water cleaner and brighter for both you and the fish to enjoy. There are many varieties to chose from, general the advice is to stay with well known brands with proven filtration technologies.

  • Air Pumps
    Air pumps adds an extra boost of oxygen to your tank, and some designs are specifically engineered with sound dampening to reduce overall noise and chambers to minimise turbulence and produce a smooth, quiet stream of air. Like most things, you get what you pay for, so a quiet pump is something well worth investing in.

  • Heaters
    Since fish can’t produce their own body heat, they reliant on the temperature of the water, that’s why a heater is essential.
    Be sure to buy the correct sized heater for your tank. Buying a heater too small, can cause under heating.
    It’s also critical to ensure your tank is equipped with a hood or glass canopy to contain the heat inside the aquarium.


  • Thermometers
    The average ideal temperature for freshwater tropical fish is 25℃ or 78º F in old money. But for more exotic species, temperature and water pH may be even more critical, so check before you buy your fish, what kind of environmental conditions are required for their home.

  • Lighting
    On average, you should leave an aquarium light on for 8-12 hours; 10 is ideal. This is to give both you fish a sense of their natural daily circle (to maintain their circadian rhythms), and to provide enough light for the plants in the aquarium to grow.


Water Quality
The key here is to make it liveable, breathable and healthy. Always add a conditioner when adding tap water to your aquarium to de-chlorinate it.

Cycling
No, you don’t have to buy them a bike. “Cycling” a fish tank means growing healthy bacteria on a new filtration system so it filters out dangerous toxins. Generally this is done by the gravel and plants, but your filtration system can help by removing the bad stuff, whilst not extracting the good stuff.

Replenishing
It’s often useful to add a water treatment solution to replenishes essential trace elements and minerals between water changes. This helps prevent the water in your aquarium from getting “stale."


Fish
If you’re new to keeping fish, it’s advisable to start with just one, preferably an inexpensive one, here’s why.
When setting up an aquarium for the first time, you want to make sure your tank is cycled properly and the equipment is working. That’s why it’s best to start with one inexpensive “test” fish from us.

Also, sadly not all fish play well together. Different fish, have different personalities. Community Fish are good tank mates, while aggressive fish need special mates, or none at all.

It’s always good to confer with us as to the best mix of species, specifically with tropical fish and goldfish.

Accessories
Creating a beautiful aquarium is one of the most enjoyable aspects of keeping fish.

Here are a few accessory tips:-

  • Use a variety of small, medium and large plants, natural are better than artificial.

  • Create a dramatic focal point using a single item, such as an anemone or arch.

  • Decorative caves and tunnels give the fish a place to hide and make them feel safe.

  • Whilst Artificial plants look real and are easy to maintain, real plants help balance certain biochemicals and nutrients.
    But keep in mind, live plants require some maintenance, such as trimming and additional fertilisers.

Good Luck with your aquarium, and remember, we are always here to help.