So you want to add a little bit of life inside your home? Having an aquarium is not that difficult to maintain but it is surely complicated if you are just starting up. It is important that you have all the necessary equipment in setting up a new aquarium. It is not difficult to have everything that you need since they are now available at pet supplies in Australia.
What are the things that you need for a new aquarium? Here’s a short checklist that you can use as your reference.
Aquarium.
For starters, you will need to have an aquarium that will not only look great but can also mimic the fishes’ natural habitat. You need an aquarium that can hold at least 20 gallons of water. This is most recommended for beginners. Larger aquariums are more stable compared to the smaller ones.
Gravel.
Once you have the aquarium, you will need gravel. It should be coarse enough to allow the water to flow but still fine enough to nitrify the bacteria. You can choose from creek stones, glass gravel, or coarse sands. You should avoid calcium or limestone-based substrates for your first aquarium.
Filter.
You need equipment that can keep your aquarium clean. This is what a filter can do. The filter should be rated to have at least 3 to 5 times turn over of the aquarium volume per hour. Choose the hang-on-back filters. It should also have a high flow rate and is reliable and easy to use and maintain.
Filter Media.
Your filter cartridges need to be replaced from time to time. This is why you have to make sure that you have plenty of replacements available. During the early stages of your aquarium, you will notice that you will need to replace them more frequently. This way, the water will be clear and free from any debris.
Heater.
In order to prevent any diseases, your aquarium needs a heater. This will also tropical fish to survive. Choose a reliable heater that is also affordable. Make sure that you know the required wattage to avoid overheating your aquarium.
Water Test Kit.
Before you place your fishes inside the aquarium, you need to test the water. This is why a high-quality test kit is important. This will warn you if your aquarium is in toxic conditions. Most water test kits nowadays can be used to test for the pH, nitrate, and nitrite, as well as for ammonia content.
The Importance of Cycling The Tank
Once you have placed everything inside your aquarium, it is important that you ‘cycle’ the tank. Do not put your fishes and other tank inhabitants inside right away. Cycling can promote de-nitrifying of the bacteria which is essential especially for new aquariums.
Setting up a new aquarium can be scary at first. But if you know what you need and how to do it the right way, you will realize that it is not that difficult at all. Just make sure that you have high-quality equipment and have all the essentials needed.
