Keeping an aquarium may seem to be a daunting task for many but it’s easy to understand why so many people enjoy keeping fish as pets. Their visual appeal is captivating, their movements soothing and reduces stress just by observing them in their element. In fact aquariums can often be found in places of business to decrease tension and stress.

Having fish is not just about picking out a few fish and putting them in a new aquarium with some fish food. There are several factors that must be considered such as size and compatibility of the fish and size of the tank required.

Regardless of whether you choose tropical fish or cold water fish, by learning a few fundamental rules you can enjoy your own tank with minimal maintenance.

The Basics

Here are some of the basics needed for setting up your aquarium. In time you can add to and modify to your collection but for the most part, these will be your staple items.

• Tank – make sure this is the proper size for the fish you plan on keeping

• Filter – there are many variations, but the bottom line is to keep the tank clean and oxygenated

• Plants – help oxygenate the water and provide hiding places for fish

• Gravel – mainly for decoration but some fish like to hide in gravel

• Heater – dependent on the fish you are keeping but an essential part of keeping your fish warm

The Most Important Rule

The most basic rule is not to over feed your fish. Very often, novice fish keepers are tempted to keep feeding their fish simply because of a lack of better understanding. You must always remember, an aquarium is a closed environment and everything that goes into the water becomes a part of this environment. When excess food breaks down it releases phosphates and this encourages the growth of algae. With excess food come excess waste and inevitably a dirty environment encouraging disease.

A good rule of thumb is to feed your fish only once a day and when feeding them, they should eat everything inside of a few minutes. They will feed at the top and chase after the food, diving down when necessary to get to it. Any excess food will sink to the bottom and by giving your fish a day of rest without feed, it will encourage them to search for food and keep their tank cleaner.

Adding scavenger fish or algae eating fish to your tank help will keep it clean naturally. They are quick to clean up any excess food and keep too much algae from forming.

Providing the Right Environment

All aquariums require some kind of maintenance with the buildup of phosphates, evaporation and water hardness over a period of time. Many fish means more waste matter, which in turn means pH levels, will continue to decreasing. Freshwater aquariums need 25 percent water change at least once a month depending on how heavily stocked it is and how clear you prefer your tank.

Maintaining the temperature that is best for the fish is very important. Tropical fish do v best in temperatures of approximately 25 degrees centigrade, while cold water fish do well in lower temperatures. Aquarium temperature should always remain constant, abrupt changes will result in a shock to the fish, which could cause death. The safest thing to do is to attach a thermometer to the tank and monitor it regularly.

Your fish need light and typically it comes from natural light and artificial light. The plants in the aquarium need light for their growth and the fish need light for feeding. The optimum light requirement for your aquarium is approximately 12 hours a day. Do not put your tank in an area where there is direct sunlight, this will increase algae formation and will heat the water to an unhealthy temperature.

Another important factor to be considered in aquarium maintenance is the pH levels of the water. The pH levels that are easily tolerated are between 6.6 up to 7.4 with the optimum being a pH of 7. Check with an aquarium specialist if you need to modify your levels for additional fish. They can give you advice on what works and what doesn’t.

Adding vegetation and other ornamental rocks will not only give your tank visual interest but it provides your fish with places to hide. It is important to understand the kind of natural environment your fish require. Visit your local aquarium shop to find the best plants and accessories for the type of fish you have.

As with any kind of pet, knowing how to keep them, and making every effort to provide the best environment can only mean healthy, happy fish that will be with you for a long time.