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Choosing the Right Features for Your Tropical Fish Tank

Congratulations on deciding on starting your aquarium!  There are many things to consider before you go out and buy your fish: size of tank, type of tank, filters, and plants, just to name a few.  And this all, of course, influences what kind of fish you can get, or is influenced by what kind of fish you have your eye on.  Throughout this article, you’ll find tips to create a tank your fish can thrive in.  If you don’t consider all aspects of keeping a fish, and end up with an overcrowded tank or a tank too small for your fish, this can not only cause stress on your fish, but can create a toxic environment for them.  In other words, complying with a fishes’ requirements means you’ll have a longer lived fish.

If this is your first tank, then I strongly recommend you get a twenty gallon tank.  Ten gallon tanks are ubiquitous in the fish keeping industry, but when taking into account the ideal accommodations for your fish, often the only fish you’re going to find that fits in a ten gallon tank is a single Betta splendens, otherwise known as a Siamese Fighting Fish.  Also, twenty gallon tanks have a more stable water temperature throughout the tank.  Remember, the smaller the tank, the more the water temperature can fluctuate around the tank.  Of course, the bigger the better, but remember that you have to clean the tank out twice a month, so you have to keep that in mind when it comes to how big of a tank you’re willing to buy.  Either way, the more space a fish has, the healthier it will be. And remember, no mater how big the tank is, always condition the water being put into the tank, be it a water change or to refill evaporated water, with an Aquarium water conditioner.

There are two types of tropical fish tanks – acrylic and glass.  Both have pros and cons.  Acrylic is lighter, less breakable, and retains heat more than glass, but can also become dingy over time, and is easier to scratch.  I have both tanks, and I’m not sure if this is true on all acrylic tanks, but is seems algae is less likely to stick on an acrylic tank.  There are also several types of tropical fish tank designs, as you can see here with the fish tank coffee table.  Don’t just jump at something that looks good, though.  It should have functioning filters, lights, and plenty of room.

You’re definitely going to need a filter no matter what kind of fish you get.  From filters that hang off the tank, bio filters, and under gravel filters, it really can depend on what kind of fish you are looking to get.  I would recommend a bio filter, such as an eclipse system.  For some more information on filters, you can visit fish tank filters.

Heaters are required for most every fish, unless you are planning on cold water fish, like goldfish or white cloud mountain minnows. Heaters are sold according to aquarium size, and have adjustable temperatures, so a thermometer you can apply to the outside of the tank will be useful to know what temp you are at, and to monitor if it gets too hot or cold.

There have been some debates about plants, whether to use plastic, silk, or live plants.  Live is ideal for a tank, as it helps in filtrating nitrates out of the water.  However, silk would probably be second best if you feel you would like to wait before adding another living creature to your tank, as it’s easier on your fish’s fins and slime coated body.  You will want to take into account how densely you want to plant your tank, as different fish have different preferences for their environment.  Some prefer densely planted tanks to hide in, while others are open water.

Many people like to use gravel as a substrate in their tank.  This is not recommended, though, as it is a harsher substrate on your fishes’ body.  Also, certain fish like to hide in their substrate, and would not be able to do so (at least not easily) in gravel.  Sand is your best bet for the wellness of your fish.  However, you would not be able to use an under gravel filter, and you would need to take the fine sand into account when choosing an aquarium cleaner, as the sand can be suck right out along with the water.  The exception to this would be betta splendens, whose fins are very long and very delicate.  Any tropical fish tank accessories that can tear at their fins should be taken out, which includes sand and gravel.  Marbles or some other form of glass, smooth decoration is much easier on their delicate fins.

Lastly, aeration is important in tanks.  The last thing you want is poor oxygen quality in your tank.  It can be harmful to your fish, if not deadly (especially if you have an overcrowded tropical fish tank).  You would require an air pump, tubing, and an air stone.  Air stones come in varying sizes that give off either big bubbles or little bubbles.  And if you have playful fish, you might see them playing in the bubbles every once in a while.

Next time, we’ll talk about the nitrification cycle, a MUST before you buy your fish to add them.