| Each component that makes up your aquarium | | | | produced by the fish (which aquarists refer to as |
| environment plays a significant role in successful | | | | "clean dirt") itself helps make the water more |
| aquarium maintenance. However, before you go | | | | suitable for the fish. Only "dirty dirt," such as dead |
| and buy fish tank materials, there are three key | | | | fish, uneaten food, and harmful substances, should |
| elements that you should look into if you want to | | | | be removed. To keep the water in your tank |
| achieve a beautiful aquarium. These include | | | | conditioned, buy fish tank tools that help you clean |
| aquarium flooring, water, and plants. | | | | your aquarium without having to change the |
| You don't always need a bed of gravel or sand as | | | | water frequently. Some examples are strainers |
| a sort of flooring for your aquarium. However, if | | | | and algae scrapers. |
| you wish to use live, rooted plants and provide a | | | | Although plants are essential in an aquarium, it |
| more natural setting for the fish, you should use | | | | doesn't mean that they are needed by the fish |
| the larger variety of gravel. Materials that are | | | | for breathing. Still, plants make a lovely backdrop |
| much too fine pack more tightly when wet and | | | | and create an almost-natural environment for |
| this may hold back the growth of plants. Be sure | | | | your fish. An aquarium with healthy, live plants is |
| to wash the gravel carefully if you want to use it | | | | also less likely to have greenish water, which |
| as aquarium flooring. | | | | usually happens when there's too much algae in |
| The most critical element of a fish tank is the | | | | your tank. |
| water used, and if its quality is not good, none of | | | | Plants provide oxygen and use carbon dioxide only |
| the fish and live plants will stay alive for long. For | | | | during photosynthesis. This only occurs when |
| this reason, it is best to buy fish tank equipment | | | | there's sunlight. Since excessive sunlight |
| that is designed to keep water in top condition. | | | | encourages algae growth, it's better to use |
| You must observe proper methods in changing | | | | artificial lighting with a timer. Artificial lighting works |
| and replacing fish tank water, making sure that | | | | just as well for fish as daylight. Leaving the light |
| this won't cause undue fish stress and that the | | | | on for eight (8) hours is often enough. |
| occupants of the tank will continue to live the | | | | The types of plants you use will significantly |
| healthy life. | | | | affect the type of lighting your tank will require. |
| For starters, you can fill your fish tank with tap | | | | Buy fish tank plants at aquarium shops and see |
| water and then let it stand until it reaches room | | | | which ones work best for you. Plants like fanwort |
| temperature. For monitoring water temperature, | | | | and waterweed (or water thyme) need plenty of |
| you need to buy fish tank thermometers. Leaving | | | | light, while arrowhead and floating fern don't need |
| the water to achieve room temperature removes | | | | as much. |
| the chlorine, which is used to treat water but is | | | | Fish keeping need not be an expensive hobby. If |
| poisonous to fish. After that, it's safe to put the | | | | you want to start your own aquarium, study |
| fish into your tank. | | | | which elements you can use to reduce |
| Don't worry if the water isn't as clear as you'd | | | | aquarium-related expenses. This way, you'll get to |
| want it to be. If you keep the fish food supply | | | | spend hours watching your aquarium without |
| very small within the first two weeks, you'll | | | | spending too much. |
| eventually get clear water. Strangely, the waste | | | | |