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A tropical fish tank can be a wonderful addition to any home. It is big and colourful, and the live fish swimming around the tank can make for a soothing sight. Keeping tropical fish has its rewards, but can be difficult, compared to keeping regular fish. The first and most important aspect to get right is the fish tank as this can, quite literally, make or break your fish.
Size
Firstly, choose the size of your tank. Of course, smaller tanks are cheaper and take up less space, but for an authentic tropical fish tank, a larger size is best. The water temperature and chemistry will remain more stable in a larger tank, and conditions change more gradually in a larger tank, resulting in less work and fewer things going wrong.
Equipment
Next, you will need the right equipment for the tank. Most pet shops sell a ‘complete package’, otherwise the pet shop attendant will help you in selecting the proper equipment. You will need a filter, as well as a heater, as the water temperature needs to be ideal for your fish to live.
The tank needs to come with a lid with lighting, while the correct gravel or sand is also needed. Lastly, choose some adequate backing for the tank, as well as appropriate décor such as wood, rocks, plants and other ornaments.
Placing the tank
Once the equipment has been bought, remember to set the tank up on a sturdy piece of furniture, bearing in mind that tanks hold a large volume of water and are, of course, very heavy. Also avoid positioning the tank under direct sunlight, as this encourages excessive algae growth.
Set the tank up a few days before buying the fish, which will give the water a chance to stabilise. Once the tank has been appropriately placed, fit the background to the tank, and remember to wash the sand or gravel thoroughly before placing it.
Installing equipment
The heater and filter then need to be installed. You can check the equipment’s manual guide on how to do this, but it is usually quite straightforward. Position the decorations anywhere in the tank, making sure they are washed thoroughly first. Add the water slowly and carefully, so as to not disturb the sand or gravel, switch on the heater and filter, and let the tank run for a few days before adding fish.
Buying the fish
And, as simply as that, your tank is set up and ready to go. Talk to the pet store owner on buying fish, as tropical fish can be very fussy animals that cannot thrive in just any conditions.
Describe the tank and make sure that the fish you have your eye on will be alright living in the tank that you have carefully set up. Owning fish can be wonderful and rewarding, but pay special attention to setting up the tank, to make sure that nothing goes wrong.
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