Aquariums are beautiful and can make a wonderful addition to your home’s décor but only if you set it up properly. Set it up wrong and you can have a tank filled with algae and lots of dead fish.

Before you run to the pet store and purchase whatever comes to mind, read this checklist to see what you actually need to have a successful aquarium.

Aquarium

Your aquarium should include the tank, with a lid, light, and a stand if you don’t plan on setting it on a table or counter top.

The first thing you need to take into consideration is the size. It’s common to think that you should start out small, but this is often a mistake. Smaller tanks are actually harder to take care of.

When you first start out keeping fish, the bigger the aquarium, the better. This is because with a larger tank, you have more room for error. Water condition problems aren’t as noticeable when you have 55 gallons of water. In a 10-gallon tank, it’s a big deal. Your fish can become sick very quickly in a small tank.

Aquariums can be either glass or acrylic. They both have their good points so the choice is up to you. Acrylic is clearer but scratches easily and needs support from the bottom. Glass is heavy but is more durable.

Usually, the lid and light are one unit, but be sure and check to make sure the light is included. Why do you need a lid on an aquarium? It keeps the fish from jumping out and it keeps the water from evaporating which will mess of the water pH.

Light bulbs come in a wide variety for aquariums including incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, mercury vapor, and metal halide. It is best for beginning aquarists to stick with fluorescent due to the fact that they are less expensive to buy and operate and are cooler.

Filtration System

A good filter for your aquarium is crucial. Don’t skimp when it comes the this piece of equipment. A rule of thumb is to choose a filter with a flow rate that filters through all the water in your tank at least four times each hour. So a 20-gallon tank should have a filter with a flow rate of at least 80 gallons per hour. When it’s borderline, always move to a higher flow rate.

Heater

If you have decided on keeping tropical fish, you will need a heater. If you would like to have cool water fish like goldfish, you won’t be needing one.

A good rule of thumb for wattage is to use 5 watts per gallon for smaller tanks and 3 watts per gallon for larger tanks. However, you need to take into consideration the temperature of your room. The room temperature does affect the wattage needed.

Along with your heater, you need to purchase a thermometer so you can keep a check on the temperature of the tank. Correct water temperature is very important for the health and survival of the fish.

Substrate

Substrate is what you put on the bottom of your aquarium. Most people go with some type of rock, or stone. Make sure it is made specifically for being placed in an aquarium or it may be treated with some type of finish that could poison your fish.

Generally, a small, smooth, dark colored gravel is preferable. A rule of thumb is to get one pound of gravel for each gallon of water.

Chemicals

You will need chemicals like a water conditioner and test kits to keep the water in the proper condition for your fish. The water conditioner will dechlorinate the water and dissolve the ammonia and heavy metals. A test kit for ammonia, nitrite, and pH are all necessary to maintain the correct water for your fish.

Miscellaneous Tools

Last but not least, you will need various small tools to make taking care of your fish as easy as possible.

First, you will need a fish net. Be sure and use the net when you need move the fish from one tank to another. Do not put your hands in the tank as they often have oils or chemicals on them from the lotions, soaps, and/or medications that you use. These get into the water and can poison the fish.

An algae scrubber will be your next tool. This is just a pad that is made for scrubbing the sides of your aquarium to remove the algae that will inevitably grow there. Buy a scrubber that is attached to a handle to keep your hands out of the tank.

Keep in mind that while no one wants to look at a green, overgrown tank, your fish will like a little bit of algae growing so they can "graze" as they swim. It might look a little dirty to us, but it imitates their natural habitat.

A siphon is like a vacuum cleaner for your aquarium. It cleans the gravel and makes water changes easier. You can get a gravity siphon or more complicated models that use water pressure from your water faucet. The pressure models are easier to use but are more expensive.

Don’t forget to get a water bucket when you are setting up your aquarium. You will need it when you do water changes. Do not use a bucket that you have around your home. Chances are it has had some type of soap or cleaner in it and will contaminate the water you are putting in your aquarium.

Always start your aquarium by buying yourself a good reference book. Over time, this will prove invaluable to you. One day, you will look at your tank and see cloudy, dirty water or worse yet, sick fish. That is not the time to be searching the internet to find a reputable site that can answer your questions. Having a resource book on hand will save you a lot of time and you can be sure you get answers that are dependable.

Take the time to check into all of these items and research them some more. Check with your local pet or aquarium store to find the best prices and the best quality equipment and your aquarium will be a great addition to the décor of your home.

Jason Ladock

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