Aquariums are a great addition to any home out there – not only do you get to liven up whatever room you place the aquarium in, you also get to create your own little ecosystem provided you give it all the care it needs.
Although we are most familiar with big, outdoor aquariums and relatively smaller home aquariums, aquariums come in all shapes and sizes, each one housing a different kind of aquatic fish. To understand what fish is right for you, you need to start out by learning about the different kinds of aquariums, their cost, and the conditions they need to be kept at.
Aquariums
Generally speaking, aquariums are large containers of areas containing water, in which animals, typically aquatic animals, are kept and grown. Most aquariums come with at least one transparent side, meaning the animals can be grown and observed.
Aquarium Types
Many aquarium types exist, some of which have been briefly explained below.
Freshwater aquariums
One of the most common types of aquariums is based on the idea of freshwater. These aquariums are often recommended to people setting up tanks for the first time, as they are easier to maintain.Kept at around room temperature, these tanks also cost less as no special chemical ingredients are required, except for clean water.
Often, the equipment needed for freshwater aquariums is also easy to use and affordable. The type of fish often added to these aquariums are readily available and grow well, provided that they are kept healthy and well.
Coldwater aquariums
Once you’ve gotten the hang of freshwater, you can move on to cold water. These are referred to as coldwater aquariums as the temperature of the tank is maintained at around 20 degrees Celsius. This is especially great for fish that thrive at lower temperatures, such as goldfish. Usually, people keep goldfish in just simple conditions, but if you give a goldfish the right temperature, they can grow to become healthy, and easily exceed their average lifespan.
Marine aquariums
Marine aquariums are an advanced version of the tank which features sea life – meaning it contains salt water. The fish that feature in these tanks are often exotic and have high maintenance and need to be cared for. This is mostly because these fish require very specific ranges of temperature, pH, and saltwater to survive.
Marine aquariums can be of different types, often displaying beautiful, colorful ship, along with some form of other marine life, such as invertebrates, corals, and much more. Here are some of the types of Marine aquariums:
- Only fish, with no rocks other than the base and no coral.
- The fish, along with small pieces of coral rock and some other marine life.
- Another kind has large coral along with a variety of fish and some invertebrate animals. These are difficult to maintain and very advanced.
- Finally, you can also have some special tanks for very specific fish, that require exact temperatures and other conditions to grow.
Brackish aquariums
If you’re the kind of person who likes to try out difficult projects and are an experiencer aquarium maintainer, you can attempt brackish aquariums. These aquariums are somewhere in between fresh and salt water, and usually, contain fish that can live where these two kinds of water meet – aka at the end of a river where it mixes into the sea.
As is obvious, these fish have very specific requirements that cannot be met by the amateur fish owner. The water conditions, along with the other needs, can require expertise to be taken care of effectively. Unlike a lot of the fish that live in saltwater and freshwater environments, brackish fish haven’t been ‘domesticated’ to the same extent, and so many of them may not adapt to life inside a tank.
The components of an aquarium
If you’re looking to run an aquarium successfully, it should contain the following:
Basic Equipment
The first few things you’ll need are the basic parts of a working aquarium – the tank, something to hold it, and finally, the cover for the tank. Now, your first thing to consider is the size of the tank. Before you decide on a specific tank, you should decide what kind and number of fish you want to house in there.The bigger it is, the better.
Overcrowding your tank can seriously harm your fish and even end up killing them. If you want your fish to live a long, peaceful, and happy life, a tank that’s larger in size will be the better option. Additionally, you can use tanks that have custom shapes or designs according to the need in your home.
Lighting, Filtration, and Air Pump
Lighting is a component of the tank that’ll not only help you see your tank but also help the plants and algae in the tank thrive. You can choose the kinds of lights that are best for your aquarium. This is essential if you’re hoping to make a thriving ecosystem.
Filtration is another essential part, as it makes sure your tank stays clean and your fish can grow without any worry of accumulating toxins. The air pump itself is also added, as it provides the aquarium with oxygen and air, as well as making sure the air is circulated throughout the tank, so all the fish have access to it.
Other items
Other than this, you should also add in a heater and temperature control, to make sure the tank has the right temperature for your fish. Finally, you’ll need the fish, their food, and other smaller parts like a net so you can place them in the tank.
Ornamental Fish
We’ve all probably had a fish or seen a fish in a tank at some point in our lives. Not only are they a crucial part of the tank and beautiful to look at, but just like any other pet, they can become a crucial part of your household. Ornamental fish are the kind of fish that have adapted to life in the home and can thrive in an aquarium.
Most ornamental fish are colorful, lively, and make for very interesting pets. The various types of ornamental fish are categorized into different groups. Based on experts, if you’re starting out, you should probably go for a goldfish or a tetra fish as an amateur, and then make your way up based on the complexity of the fish’s needs.
Puffer
Puffers are a group of fish that are known to ‘blow up’ into a ball, with extended spikes to deter predators when they are scared. These fish can grow in both tropical and freshwaters.
Angelfish
Angelfish are a species under the general category of cichlids. These fish can adapt to most aquariums and thrive in most confined spaces.
Catfish
Catfish are an incredibly diverse group of ornamental fish. They vary greatly based on size, shape, and color, but are similar in terms.
Arowana
Arowana is a group containing up to 10 fish that have various qualities. Usually, Arowana can grow up to large sizes and even outgrow their tanks. However, these fish are not known to be very friendly and tend to be solitary swimmers.
Koi fish
Koi is a species of fish that initially started out as a cold water fish across Asia. After successive domestications, the Koi has adapted to various ranges of aquarium conditions. Koi are often kept in ponds and are very colorful, with white, orange, and black markings.
Quick tips
Before you go, you can have a look at these quick tips to make sure your aquarium stays stable, peaceful and full of happy fish.
- Keep your fish numbers low, too many fish can cause overcrowding.
- Change some percentage of your tank water every month (between 15-25%)
- Keep checking your aquarium for changes in temperature, pH, and nitrates.
- Research extensively about your fish and how well they get along with each other.
- Consider fish your pets. Thinking of them as an item to decorate your home will not only keep you from enjoying them, it’ll also affect your ability to care for them.