Aquarium Tips for Tropical Fish

Coldwater Aquarium Set-up and Care

More and more people are taking up aquarium keeping as a pastime and most like to keep warm water tropical fish, but they should consider a coldwater aquarium as they are the easiest to keep. One good point to coldwater tanks is they do not require any heating. In the long run a coldwater aquarium is much easier to maintain and it has the added benefit of lower costs because of the lack of heating requirement. Only certain fish can be kept in cold water conditions but there are numerous species to choose from, guppies and goldfish being the most common you are probably acquainted with.

The equipment you will require for your coldwater tank is less than for a heated freshwater tank and a saltwater tank. For your first tank you should take some advice from your local aquatic pet store but it is also bout your own personal preferences with size and shape. Sometimes you can get the type of aquarium you want in kit form and it will contain most of the equipment you will require to set up your tank. If the kit comes with an air pump and filter all well and good but if not your will have to purchase them as they are essential to a healthy aquarium. If you buy a kit you will need to specify which type you require as you do not want to end up with a saltwater kit for tropical fish if you are going to keep coldwater fish. There will be no heater in your kit when buying a coldwater tank kit.

Once the tank is purchased the next step is how you design your tank. There are many different ways to make your tank into a beautiful aquarium. The bottom of the tank can be decorated with many different types of gravel and sand in many different colours. You can add rocks and different objects and you can deck the tank with either live plants of the plastic variety. The décor is all down to your own design and the amount of objects which can be used in your design is always growing. Some tools you will require include a conditioner for the water, a net, and an algae scraper.

One problem you may want to keep in mind is adding lighting to your tank. Lighting will also add heat to the tank and algae thrives in heat. The light itself will not harm your aquarium but it may contribute to the growth of algae. However algae is easily cleared from your tank so it is not a big problem. Fish do like some light so a hood to fit over the tank with a light fitted is probably your best solution. When choosing where to place your tank it is best to keep it out of direct sunlight because sunlight also adds to algae growth.

Fish can be added to the tank once the environment of the tank is up and running and is stable. You should check with your local aquatic dealer as to which are the best coldwater fish to keep, they can also give you advice on the plants and maintenance of your aquarium. After adding the fish to the tank see how it looks and you can adjust your design so that it will be just right for you. Once it is up and running you should have plenty of enjoyment for years to come.

Once up and running you will need to start a maintenance routine to keep your coldwater tank healthy and in perfect condition. If you want your tank to look good, schedule tasks to be completed on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Again seek advice if you are unsure of what is required. Every two months or so the tank requires a complete cleaning whereby you must empty it remove any algae present, wash out your substrate, clean any ornaments and decoration, change your filters and completely change the water. Hopefully everyone will admire your coldwater aquarium when it is properly maintained.