Setting Up a New Tropical Aquarium by John Jameson
Setting up your first tropical aquarium may seem quite daunting, but it really is quite simple! There are a number of starter kits on the market which come with all the equipment you’ll need. If you prefer to buy them separately, let’s run through what you will need.
Aquarium
The first thing you will need to decide on is where The Aquarium is to go. This must be away from any direct sources of heat, and near to a power point. The choice of location will dictate the size of tank you are able to accommodate. It should be borne in mind that some species of fish, for example Angels, require a tank with greater depth.
Filter
All tropical aquariums need some sort of filtration system, whether it is internal or external. The benefit of an internal filter is they are very economical and easy to install and maintain. The benefit of an external filter is they are aesthetically much more pleasing, principally because they are discreetly tucked away in the Aquarium Cabinet so they are not on show! They do not therefore take up valuable space in your tank. They tend to be bigger than internal filters, which means more power, greater turnover of water, and reduced maintenance.
Lighting
Lighting can make a huge difference to the aquarium, drastically affecting both the appearance of the tank and the colouration of the fish. Some bulbs are specially designed to aid plant growth; some to bring out the colour of your tropical fish.
It is advisable to keep your tank light on for no more than eight hours per day to avoid problems with algae.
Air Pump
If you have a heavily stocked or planted tank an air pump is a must. Plants absorb CO2 and produce oxygen in the daytime – all well and good for your fish. When the lights go off, however, the process reverses. They deplete oxygen levels and produce CO2, which could leave your fish gasping for air. We recommend setting up a timer so that when the lights go off, the air pump comes on. Alternatively, you may prefer to leave your air pump on all the time – a curtain of bubbles does make an attractive display.
Heater
You will need a heater to regulate the temperature of your tank. We recommend stick on thermometers which attach to the front of your tank so that you can keep an eye on water temperature.
Substrate
There are two types of substrate: gravel and sand. Both are available in a huge range of colours. With a Freshwater Aquarium you will need to ensure that the substrate is inert and will not alter the PH of the water.
Ornaments
Whether it’s mopani or bogwood, a sunken ship or a castle, ornaments make a great focal point to your tank, and make interesting hidey holes for your fish.
Plants
The addition of plants in your tropical aquarium provide a much more natural environment for your fish. Real plants aid the water filtration process, absorbing harmful nitrates in the water. They can also aid breeding in your fish. Artificial plants can be incredibly convincing these days however, and are easy to install and maintain.
A tropical aquarium makes a great focal point to any room and provides hours of fun for all the family. They’re especially popular with children! No wonder fishkeeping has grown to become one of the most popular passtimes in the UK!
About the Author
The great news is that if you shop online for Tropical Aquariums or for Tropical Aquarium Accessories you can find unbeatable deals at great prices!
Aquarium Co2 INJECTION KIT – 3LT PRO
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20 lb. Aluminum Co2 Tank Compressed Gas Air Cylinder for Keg Beer $109.95 The Co2 cylinder is produced from high strength aluminum alloy 6061-T6. These tanks are popular because they are not as heavy as steel tanks and do not rust. Easy carry handle, 8″ diameter, 27.5″ height, 1800 psi, CGA-320 valve. Good for 20-25 kegs…. |
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Drop Checker – Glass CO2 Indicator for Aquarium Ada Diffuser Bettle Fish Tank Plants $9.95 Drop Checker is an original glassware unit, designed to indicate the CO2 amount diluted within the water with color change of the pH reagent inside, in order to understand the proper amount of CO2 supply. You can easily judge the proper CO2 supply by comparing the color of reagent with pH color test card…. |
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Hydrofarm CO2 System (.2-2 cubic feet per hour) with Timer (COSYS) $99.99 Active Air climate control products are available for a variety of indoor growing applications. Whether fans, CO2 systems, filters, or any other product in the line, they have all been custom engineered for hobby and commercial growers to provide both performance and value. With attractive color packaging that highlight each product’s features, Active Air is the name you can trust for your climate… |
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O2 Medical Oxygen Tank Cylinder Regulator 0-15 lpm $22.99 A BRAND NEW NEVER USED CLICK STYLE OXYGEN REGULATOR Comes in sealed Manufacturers box ********0-15 LPM******* Comes in green, picture shows blue * All-metal construction provides greater durability than plastic. Anodized aluminum will not rust |
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Aquarium Supply Buyers Guide – Best Practices for Keeping Fish Revealed $2.99 Many people think that Fish are easy to take care of, but the truth is, maintaining an aquarium needs to have great amount of dedication and hard-work. Aquarium Supply Buyers Guide lets you get to know more about aquarium maintenance as it gives information about what type and size of aquarium to choose and what to place inside the tank. This book provides you with knowledge on some of aquarium’s … |
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Fluval Ceramic 88g-CO2 Diffuser – 3.1 Ounces $6.49 A7548 Fluval is a world leader in quality aquatic products. For over 30 years Fluval has earned the trust of fish hobbyists by delivering the highest quality, most innovative products in the industry today. All Fluval products are designed to deliver performance that exceeds the expectations of the first time aquatic consumer to the most advanced fish hobbyist. Fluval products include the world’s… |
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Pondmaster PMK190 190gph Pump and Filter with Bonus Fountain Head $115.00 190 GPH Pump & Filter Kit, Suitable For Small To Medium Ponds & Containers…. |
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Aquasaurs $14.97 Aquasaurs are prehistoric creatures that can grow up to 2 inches, and you can now watch live Aquasaurs swim in an amazing prehistoric environment that’s 250 million years in the making. Includes live Aquasaur eggs that hatch when placed in water, and a habitat that features an underwater volcano. Also includes Aquasaur food and manual. Habitat measures approximately 10″ x 6″ x 10″ tall.Eggs may ta… |
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AQUATEK CO2 Regulator with COOL TOUCH SOLENOID $79.99 Aquarium: Perfect for calcium reactor and Freshwater Plant CO2 injection applications. Calcium Reactors and CO2 fertilization require far more precision in their dosing. Our Deluxe CO2 Regulator with solenoid is the best we’ve seen. Unit comes with dual gauges each with dual reading of both psi & kg/cm. Left gauge meters tank capacity and right gauge output pressure. Green… |