| How often have you been somewhere and seen | | | | apply to all sizes. |
| a beautiful aquarium and thought I wish I had one | | | | Once you have decided what size you would like |
| of those. So after thinking about it you decide | | | | the next step is choosing a filter, heater, light, |
| you would like a freshwater tropical fish aquarium | | | | cover, power bar with a timer and gravel. If this |
| in your home or office. I have to agree that is an | | | | is your first tank, I would suggest buying a kit |
| excellent decision. An aquarium is a fun hobby that | | | | which will usually include everything that you will |
| is a perfect accent to any room and will provide | | | | need except for the gravel and power bar. I will |
| hours of entertainment for people of all ages. | | | | discuss gravel and the power bar with timer in |
| Before going out and buying any tanks or | | | | my article titled Live Plants In A Freshwater |
| equipment decide where you are going to place | | | | Tropical Fish Aquarium. Another good reason to |
| your freshwater tropical fish aquarium. Choose a | | | | buy a complete aquarium kit is that the heater, |
| location that is not in direct sunlight, we will discus | | | | filter and light will be correct for the size of tank |
| why in later posts, and in a location where you will | | | | you choose. For example a heater with too low |
| be able to enjoy your handiwork. Your first | | | | of a wattage rating will not keep your tank at a |
| questions will most likely be, how big of a tank | | | | steady temperature and the filtering system |
| should I buy or what type and how many fish | | | | needs to move enough water to keep the water |
| should I have. There is no set rule as to what size | | | | clean and safe. The last thing you will require to |
| is perfect. The type of fish or how many to put | | | | get started is something to put your tank on. You |
| in your tank we will discus after you have your | | | | may use any solid structure for this. Aquarium |
| aquarium up and running. My first tank as a | | | | stands are sold at most pet stores or can be |
| youngster was twenty gallons and was no more | | | | purchased online. If you are good with |
| or less work than the fifty five gallon I maintain | | | | woodworking you can even build one, but |
| today. A forty to sixty gallon tank will give you | | | | remember when you add water and gravel it will |
| enough water and area to set up a beautiful | | | | become extremely heavy. Water weights |
| aquarium with plants, rocks and other accessories | | | | approximately ten pounds per gallon and I |
| you may want. Although not necessary, you will | | | | recommend one pound of gravel per gallon of |
| want to choose a theme. I prefer a natural look | | | | water. When you calculate this out a twenty |
| so I only add plants, gravel and rocks. If you | | | | pound tank has become a six hundred pound |
| want a more fun or fantasy type of look you | | | | aquarium, before you add the rest of the |
| may want to add underwater castles, sunken | | | | accessories. In my next article I will describe |
| ships or even the proverbial scuba diver blowing | | | | setting up your new freshwater tropical fish |
| bubbles. In this article and in future articles I will | | | | aquarium. In my next post I will describe setting |
| refer to a fifty five gallon setup but my ideas will | | | | up your new freshwater tropical fish aquarium. |