Kaix
07-27-2006, 02:41 PM
Choosing A Suitable Aquarium
How Do We Set-up An Aquarium?
Buy a fish tank, fill it with water, put in a filter and air pump, perhaps even an air stone. Throw in the fishes, feed them, sit back and relax, and watch them grow … 9 out 10 times, we watch them die. There is more to fish keeping than just throwing the fishes into a container and hope they do not die. We must first, UNDERSTAND just what is fish keeping.
Fish Keeping is the process whereby we play God and try to give or maintain the life of the fish in an artificial environment, i.e. your aquarium. If you can give them the best conditions to which they can not only survive, but also prosper and maybe even want to start a family, then you have succeeded. PUT yourselves in their position. Would you be happy if 10 people share your room?
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Decide on what fish to keep first
First, decide on the type of fish that you intend to keep. This is very important as the tank size plays a very important role for the fishes to do well. For instance, if you intend to keep goldfish, get a tank of at least 36" long by 18" high. 24" tanks are too small for goldfishes, as they will outgrow the tank in a very short time. Always start off with the biggest tank within your budget. Having decided on the type of fish you intend to keep, the type of filter to be used is also easily solved. It will not make economic sense if you were to buy a 24" tank if you intend to keep an Arrowana. Keeping goldfishes will require a minimum tank size of 36" and plenty of light for the colour to remain. Community tank set-up would still require a reasonable large tank so that you can make it look natural with plants and other decorations. Whatever you intend to put into the tank, please bear in mind the type of fishes you intend to keep.
Go for the biggest tank you can afford. The bigger the tank the less problem you will have for maintenance.
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Select tank type and size
Next, choose an aquarium tank. The tank length should be longer than its height. That is, it is better to have a tank that is 48" x 18" x 18" than one that is 36" x 18" x 24" although both have the same volume of about 55 UK gallons (250 litres). Round or "wine-glass" shaped tanks are suitable for only small fishes and finding a suitable filter is a problem. Minimum Tank size should be 24" Long Tank.
Of course, the larger the tank the better.
Beware: Some shops sell glass tanks cheaper than market prices because the glass is thinner than the norm. For 48 inches tank, get a tank where the base glass is a single sheet and not one where it is re-inforced with 3 smaller strips of glass.
Figure 3 is the most ideal tank for fish keeping. Figure 1 holds more water than figure 2 but can keep the same number of fishes
How Do We Set-up An Aquarium?
Buy a fish tank, fill it with water, put in a filter and air pump, perhaps even an air stone. Throw in the fishes, feed them, sit back and relax, and watch them grow … 9 out 10 times, we watch them die. There is more to fish keeping than just throwing the fishes into a container and hope they do not die. We must first, UNDERSTAND just what is fish keeping.
Fish Keeping is the process whereby we play God and try to give or maintain the life of the fish in an artificial environment, i.e. your aquarium. If you can give them the best conditions to which they can not only survive, but also prosper and maybe even want to start a family, then you have succeeded. PUT yourselves in their position. Would you be happy if 10 people share your room?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Decide on what fish to keep first
First, decide on the type of fish that you intend to keep. This is very important as the tank size plays a very important role for the fishes to do well. For instance, if you intend to keep goldfish, get a tank of at least 36" long by 18" high. 24" tanks are too small for goldfishes, as they will outgrow the tank in a very short time. Always start off with the biggest tank within your budget. Having decided on the type of fish you intend to keep, the type of filter to be used is also easily solved. It will not make economic sense if you were to buy a 24" tank if you intend to keep an Arrowana. Keeping goldfishes will require a minimum tank size of 36" and plenty of light for the colour to remain. Community tank set-up would still require a reasonable large tank so that you can make it look natural with plants and other decorations. Whatever you intend to put into the tank, please bear in mind the type of fishes you intend to keep.
Go for the biggest tank you can afford. The bigger the tank the less problem you will have for maintenance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select tank type and size
Next, choose an aquarium tank. The tank length should be longer than its height. That is, it is better to have a tank that is 48" x 18" x 18" than one that is 36" x 18" x 24" although both have the same volume of about 55 UK gallons (250 litres). Round or "wine-glass" shaped tanks are suitable for only small fishes and finding a suitable filter is a problem. Minimum Tank size should be 24" Long Tank.
Of course, the larger the tank the better.
Beware: Some shops sell glass tanks cheaper than market prices because the glass is thinner than the norm. For 48 inches tank, get a tank where the base glass is a single sheet and not one where it is re-inforced with 3 smaller strips of glass.
Figure 3 is the most ideal tank for fish keeping. Figure 1 holds more water than figure 2 but can keep the same number of fishes