Setting up an Aquarium

Setting up an aquarium could be daunting as far as costs such as equipment, fish, accessories, feeding, etc.  Once budgeted costs are available to spend, another challenge is the selection of the size of the aquarium and a suitable place to setup.

Essential Equipment

A basic setup requires the essential equipment listed below:

1. Aquarium;
2. Hood;
3. Filter; and
4. Stand

Setting up a fish tank

If you are new to this habit, you may need a budgeted equipment set up to keep costs low.

As far as the size of the aquarium is concerned, you may have to visit local pet shops to enquire about the set-up, fish, accessories, decoration, fish, and feed costs.  Costs vary according to the aquarium size, so you may have to carefully budget your wish list.

Aquarium Accessories

In addition to essential equipment, you may have to consider accessories depending on the budget and also the type of fish you are selecting.  These accessories may include:

1. Rock bed or layer
2. Water conditioner
3. Heater – depending on the type of fish selected and the local environment
4. Thermometer

Aquarium Essentials

Aquarium Decorations

The aquarium decorations come in various sizes and shapes, ranging from living plants to rocks or backgrounds.  We will briefly discuss some of the ideas for decorations.

Backgrounds

Backgrounds provide a nice feel to the overall setup.  A more realistic background with 3D effects benefits to fish and onlookers more.  Also, darker backgrounds distract less from the fish’s natural beauty.

Artificial Plants

These plants are available in a wide variety, of colors, shapes, and sizes.  The benefit of having artificial plants is saving time from growing, caring for, cleaning, and maintaining live plant aquariums.  Artificial plants are easy to clean, and they provide a particular design to an aquarium.

Live Plants

Maintaining an aquarium with live plants is a bit difficult to set up and then maintain.  Live plants require more care and continuous monitoring.  As far as benefits are concerned, it provides better water quality and natural habitat for fish.  Live plants can provide natural filtration, but one may have to maintain a healthy level of nutrients and control over algae.

Ornaments, Figurines, and Enhancements

Ornaments and figurines provide multifold benefits.  They provide beautification to the aquarium as well as a hiding place to fish whereas figurines provide further enrichment of the setup.

Sand, Rock. and Wood

Sand, Rock, and wood provide different textures, patterns, and depth to an aquarium.  There is a huge variety of stuff available as far as rocks and woods are concerned.  These need to be carefully selected from a caring perspective.

Selection of Fish

Fish in a functional aquarium

One of the most decisions in setting up an aquarium is the selection of fish.  Where a low budget is a consideration, we may have to select cold water and tropical fish like goldfish.  As far as expensive fish are concerned, marine fish are considered to be more expensive, and they also require more care and attention.

Based on the size of the fish tank, you may decide on the species of fish.  Initially, you may select either cold water fish or tropical or marine.  Tropical fish has ever-growing varieties, but these require careful selection than impulse buying.

The selection of fish is budget-dependent whereas you have a small budget then go for small-size fish as they are more active but less costly.

Running and Maintenance

Once the process of setting up an aquarium is completed, running and maintenance are one of the biggest considerations.  The essential ones are breakdown into the following:

• Selection of fish food
• Water filtration and periodical replacement of filter foam
• Setting up lighting and periodical replacement of light tubes
• Medicines as advised by the vet
• Plant fertilizers in case of maintaining an aquarium with live plants.

Healthy Fish and Live Plants

Regular Tasks Required after Setting up an Aquarium

The regular tasks required after completion of all the formalities of setting up an aquarium include:

• Feed the fish daily or set up an automatic feeder
• Check the water temperature and test the water occasionally. Also, change the color of the water as you feel or at least once a week.
• Observe the changes in fish and keep a count of their numbers. Fish might need medicines.
• Keep an eye on lighting as you may have to turn on and off the lights.
• Keep a periodic schedule for replacing carbon in the filter, cleaning decorations, and wiping algae from glass.
• Whereas live plants require utmost care in the beginning and thereafter they need pruning.

Sensitive fish requires more attention whereas cold-water fish like goldfish require lesser care.  Anyhow, you can’t be lazy or carefree while maintaining an aquarium as you might lose your pet fish due to a lack of attention.

Functional Aquarium

Benefits of Setting up an aquarium

The most common benefits include reducing stress levels and lowering blood pressure and heartbeat levels.  It also provides a medium for managing hyperactive children as they silently observe fish most of the time.  It also promotes a caring attitude and learning among the people who manage it regularly.

November 2022