An aquarium can be an excellent addition to any room, enhancing its décor and beauty.
Moreover, an aquarium is a great hobby, providing beautiful entertainment and a relaxing environment. However, Aquariums require some thought, planning and careful work.
Here are the factors to consider setting up an interesting aquarium in your home.
Aquarium Maintenance
As much as aquariums have been shown to reduce stress, you should note that they can induce a certain amount of stress, especially when it comes to upkeep and maintenance.
Performing periodic water changes, cycling the tank, vacuuming the gravel, managing the filtration system,as well as feeding the fish can all be mentally taxing and time-consuming activities.
However, if your schedule is too tight and the upkeep work is too overwhelming, you can hire an aquarium maintenance company and enjoy the serenity.
Saltwater or Freshwater Tanks
If you are a novice aquarist, then you can start with a freshwater tank. This is because they are easier to maintain.
Saltwater are highly exotic. The main setback is that they have a higher price tag than freshwater fish.
Additionally, saltwater fish pose unique challenges. For example, they may refuse to feed during the first few days, after being introduced into the aquarium.
Saltwater tanks also tend to be more demanding in terms of upkeep.
On the other hand, after establishing the nitrogen cycle, saltwater tanks maintain a better water quality than freshwater tanks. This may be attributed to the live rock present in saltwater tanks.
Aquarium Setup Costs
Depending on the type of fish you intend to purchase and the size of the tank, you can obtain an aquarium from $50 to several thousands.
Apart from the tank itself, an air pump, filter, food, lights, and pH ammonia will be needed. Considering all factors, freshwater aquariums are cheaper than saltwater aquariums.
Common Mistakes
– Insufficient water amount: Whether you are installing a small aquarium or even a mini-aquarium for your single fish, the tank should have at least one gallon of water.
We recommend the 20-gallon Aqueon Aquarium Fish Tank Kit to start off with your new fish.
– Chlorinated water: When introducing tap water into the freshwater aquarium, it is important to use a de-chlorinator to get rid of chlorine.
This should be done during the initial setup as well as other periodic water changes to be undertaken later.
– Aquarium placement: Your water temperature in the aquarium should be identical to the same conditions the fish experiences in its natural habitat. Having said that, maintain a temperature range of around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the aquarium is a safe distance from the windows, since sunlight can cause growth of green algae in the tank.
– Inadequate filtration: You should ensure that the aquarium filter has the ability of filtering the tank at least twice per hour. It is always advisable to invest in a large filter, even if over filtering will occur.
We recommend the Marineland Penguin Power Filter w/ Multi-Stage Filtration to ensure quality filtering.
– Failing to test the water: The nitrogen cycles in fish tanks tend to be rather confusing. If you want to set up a successful aquarium, then you should test the nitrogen levels, pH and ammonia, as much as possible. Ensure that all these levels have maintained stability within the past week, before you introduce your fish inside the tank.
– Too many Fish: One of the most popular mistakes made by novice aquarists is introducing too many fish, within the initial stages of setting up a home aquarium. The best option would be to add at most three fish at a time. This will allow the fish to get used to the new surroundings and each other.
The Right Fish
You should stay away from aggressive water fish like devils, oscars, and cichlids. Neon tetras, red-eyed tetras, and danio zebras are all good options during the initial setup.
If you opt for saltwater fish into your aquarium, you can go with tangs, clownfish, angelfish, puffers, and arowanas. They are great options that are easier going.
Puffers are extremely fun aquarium fish, since they are able to recognize their owners, and have a charming personality.
However, puffers come with extra maintenance in terms of food varieties and tank size.
Whether you intend to use your aquarium as a corner unit, a room divider, or even the main attraction in the room, it will definitely change your home’s aesthetics.
The above tips will ensure that your first aquarium will be impressive.