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Want to have an aquarium in your home, here are the steps you can take to set up a freshwater tank. Read on!
Having an aquarium filled with lovely and active fishes can be very therapeutic. You can keep and maintain all kinds of freshwater creatures and enjoy them peacefully. Setting up a freshwater tank comes with its rewards and costs. You need to analyze and decide a lot of things before you take that call. It is necessary for you to think things through about how to keep and maintain an aquarium. If you’re looking to own a freshwater aquarium, then you should read through this step by step guide to set up a freshwater tank.
What's Inside
Choosing the Right Type of Aquarium
Freshwater tanks come in various shapes and sizes. You can decide the perfect size for your aquarium depending upon how much space you have, what kinds of creatures you want in your tank, and most importantly, your budget limit. If you plan to keep a variety of large fishes in your tank, and have ample space to fit a big aquarium, then you can buy a larger tank. If you just want a freshwater tank to enhance the vibes of your living room, then a smaller tank with fewer and smaller fishes would do the trick for you. Do your research and find out what shape and size would be best for your budget.
Put It on a Steady Stand
The next thing to do after deciding the type and size of your freshwater tank is to find an appropriate place and a steady stand for your aquarium. Make sure that the surface on which the tank’s stand is placed is even. Do not place the freshwater tank near any switchboards, electrical appliances, gadgets, or shakey tables. It is best to get a tank stand from the place where you’re getting the aquarium because that’ll give you a custom-built stand capable of handling the weight of the freshwater tank.
Choose the Right Filter
A tank’s filter can greatly impact the condition of the water and fishes inside. Aquariums can get very dirty really fast because the fishes have no other place to excrete all the waste. With dirt being mixed in the water constantly, it is easy for the fishes to fall sick and even succumb to an unhealthy living environment. So the water filter is maybe the most vital equipment for any aquarium. While choosing the filter for your freshwater tank, consider installing aquarium overflow boxes to have a cleaner setup. The size of your tank will help you decide the size of the filter. Or in cases of larger freshwater tanks, some even prefer to install multiple filters to quickly process the waste in the tank. When you’re browsing different filters, it goes without saying that you should always opt for quality and durability; you don’t want to purchase a filter that would break down while you’re away, seeing as this could be fatal for the fish in your tank.
Cover the Tank with a Hood
Fishes add a lot of waste to the water inside a freshwater tank. There’s no place for dust or dirt from the outside to further degrade an aquarium. Look for a fitting tank’s hood to cover the top of your aquarium. A hood helps to prevent water from being evaporated, assists fishes with their day/night cycle, and provides enough light for live plants to survive in a freshwater tank. Hoods on a tank also prevent the fishes from jumping out and keeps your tank protected from external pollution.
Keep a Check on the Water Temperature
It is imperative that you constantly monitor the temperature of the water in your freshwater tank. Do not let the water overheat by placing the tank near a fireplace or spots where harsh sunlight falls upon the tank. Find the best heater for your aquarium to easily control the temperature of the water. You can install an aquarium thermometer to make sure that there are no sudden changes in the temperature of the water because it can be harmful to the aquatic life in your tank. Keep the temperature warm and stable for the fishes in your freshwater tank to flourish.
Find out what kind of freshwater tank fits best in the space you have and the money you’ve got. Place it in a steady and warm place. All the creatures inside the tank need to have ample space to swim. Make sure to regularly clean or change the water. Adding decorations like rocks, figures, or plants inside a freshwater tank can make it a friendlier environment for all your fishes.
