| Tropical fish keeping can be more than just a | | | | While an aquarium stand is an attractive addition, |
| simple hobby. It can be a way to beautify your | | | | you can also use an end table or some other kind |
| home, teach your children about caring for a pet | | | | of table if you're trying to cut back on costs. The |
| and provide you with something very enjoyable | | | | expenses involved in getting started on tropical |
| to watch. Tropical fish keeping is also very easy, | | | | fish keeping can add up quickly! Make sure you |
| even if you've never owned a fish before. If | | | | keep your tank away from direct sunlight and |
| you're considering trying your hand at tropical fish | | | | heating or cooling vents. The tank should also not |
| keeping, here are some of the main items you'll | | | | be near noisy appliances or machines, as they'll be |
| need so you can begin shopping around: | | | | stressed very easily. |
| · Aquarium tank | | | | Your aquarium tank can be an acrylic or glass |
| · Aquarium stand (optional) | | | | tank. Your pet store can help you choose the |
| · Air pump | | | | heaters, lights, air pumps and hood you'll need for |
| · Lighting equipment | | | | tropical fish keeping. While some people choose |
| · Hood | | | | complete filtration systems, others choose to go |
| · Filters | | | | with a simple canister or sponge filter. Filtration |
| · Heater | | | | systems are available in three types: biological, |
| · Thermometer and water test kits | | | | mechanical, and chemical. The purpose of filters is |
| · Aquarium Gravel (2" on bottom of tank | | | | to help keep the water clear, remove odors and |
| · Aquarium Maintenance Kit | | | | eliminate harmful substances from the water. |
| · Decorations | | | | Pet and fish stores offer heaters that have |
| If you're new and inexperienced at tropical fish | | | | attached lights (fluorescent or incandescent) and |
| keeping, I strongly recommend you learn all you | | | | hood, providing you with one complete and very |
| can about the topic and visit your local pet or fish | | | | convenient system. |
| store for help and advice prior to making your | | | | A heater that's thermostatically controlled will help |
| purchases on the equipment required. The type of | | | | you to maintain the correct temperature in your |
| fish you get will depend on your personal choice. | | | | water. While tropical fish may be very easy to |
| Guppies and Betta are both very easy to raise, | | | | keep and maintain, they do have certain |
| so you may want to start with them. | | | | requirements to ensure a healthy environment. A |
| Choosing a tank is one of the largest decisions | | | | water test kit is a necessity for tropical fish |
| you'll make in your fish keeping hobby. Keeping | | | | keeping to ensure their water is the proper pH |
| your budget and size of your room in mind, try | | | | level and temperature. |
| to get a fish tank large enough to allow your fish | | | | Once you've set up all the necessities for your |
| plenty of room. Even if you're new at tropical fish | | | | aquarium (pumps, heaters, filters, lights, etc.), |
| keeping, try to start with at least a 10-gallon tank. | | | | you're ready for the fun stuff: selecting |
| It's better to have a big tank with fewer fish than | | | | decorations. You'll be amazed at the many |
| a smaller tank that's crowded. The more water | | | | different varieties of aquarium decorations you'll |
| surface they have, the more oxygen they'll get. | | | | find. You'll have so much fun; you may find |
| Air pumps will help aerate the water and keep | | | | yourself at the pet or fish store every week! |
| your fish supplied with oxygen. | | | | |