Recently, more and more people want to buy an aquarium, as an interesting element of the interior. They do not think at all that this is a serious step, a responsibility for the life and health of living beings. In addition, to the aquarium really decorated the interior - it should be clean, well-groomed, and the fish are healthy and active. About how to prepare an aquarium before launching fish, and will be discussed below.
Many believe that the more expensive the aquarium and the equipment to it - the better. They invest a lot of money in the beginning, and then even more - in correcting their own mistakes. Therefore, it is important to think in advance of the weight of the details, so as not to make a mistake in the choice. The price of the equipment absolutely does not assume its quality and need for you. Without many of these things in general, you can do without. Even if the seller in the store gives excellent advice and praises a certain product - do not take a word for it right away. Below is what is the basic equipment necessary for the proper functioning of the aquarium before launching the fish.
Aquarium Selection
Aquariums are different. And it's not just about the shape and quantity of liters. First, they are divided into freshwater and marine. The latter, of course, are the most spectacular, colorful, but also the most difficult in content. In addition, in our conditions it is quite expensive - you have to buy special reagents to create imitation of sea water. True, in such aquariums fish are less susceptible to infections, less likely to get sick and live longer. After sea salt is a natural antiseptic. And yet for beginners aquarists are more suitable for a freshwater aquarium. What we call "ordinary".
Now about the form. It all depends on what kind of fish you are going to keep. Round aquariums of 8-10 liters are suitable only for a couple of small fishes such as guppies or zebrafish and a couple of snails. Many keep goldfish in similar aquariums. Actually this is a mockery. Goldfish are carp, only decorative. They need space (about 50 liters per fish). However, this is another topic. It is best to prepare an aquarium of rectangular shape, elongated in length and not very high. So fish will be more convenient to swim, not interfering with each other. Yes, and plants in this aquarium grow more convenient, due to a large area of the bottom with soil. All other aquariums are rhomboid, in the form of columns, paintings on the wall, etc. - it's just a decoration. You are suffering with bringing them into the proper form, since the natural balance in such an aquarium can not form. The water will constantly grow turbid, the algae will tighten the glass, and the fish will suffer and die one by one.
There are also different types of glass, for example, optical white or special plastic, which is characterized by increased transparency. However, for the beginning of ordinary glass is enough. It is also important to try to acquire aquariums of standard shape. This will allow easy adjustment of the cover and lighting - just many fluorescent lamps are standard. The price for standard containers and covers is much lower than for custom ones.
The bigger, the better?
In the case of an aquarium - yes. Not because it produces more impression, but because with a greater volume of water it is easier to form a balance. Many people think that by purchasing a small aquarium for themselves, they deprive themselves of unnecessary problems. Actually - on the contrary. In small aquariums (up to 40 liters), it is very difficult to establish an equilibrium, especially with artificial plants. And with a weekly change of water, the balance is constantly broken. A larger aquarium allows you to reduce the amount of work associated with maintaining it in a "residential" state. In addition, many species of fish and plants simply will not grow to their full size in a small aquarium and will feel bad constantly. Fish will exhibit behavior that does not allow reproduction, that is, you can not breed them. They will not be able to give offspring or will not show much of their color. After all, in the human world, the family also feels better in a house with a garden than in a one-room apartment. Therefore, if possible, it is worth to buy a large aquarium (from 100 liters). This rule applies to both marine and freshwater aquariums.
Filtration
Some consider this item optional, but it is a huge mistake. The filter is necessary, since the water in the aquarium is not in the natural water body. It is constantly polluted with the remains of fodder, fish feces, decayed parts of plants, etc. The water in the aquarium immediately becomes turbid, if not to provide timely filtration. Especially if you keep goldfish or snails-ampularia - from them a lot of waste life.
Filters are of different types:
Mechanical - those same devices that sell in the store. They are internal and external. The latter are more reliable and effective, but quite expensive. All of them are aimed at eliminating the pollution visible to the naked eye and placed in the aquarium before launching the fish.
Biological - special plants, whose activities are aimed at improving water quality. They include very useful bacteria that break down dead plants and other impurities, preventing them from rotting.
Chemical - serve to maintain a good chemical composition of water.
The most common is the sponge filter on a conventional pump. The sponge has the properties of mechanical filtration and also has a positive effect on biological filtration, because it regulates strains of beneficial bacteria. These sponges are removed from the tank almost every day and washed, which is not very convenient. However, some experts advise washing such filters not more often than once a week.
Another type of filter - cascade filters, which are placed on the edge of the aquarium from the outside. They have many advantages. First, they do not occupy space in the aquarium, which significantly affects the aesthetics. In the aquarium there is only a tube from the filter. Water from a crowded filter has a large contact with air, which improves aeration. Maybe not so much, but as an additional aeration it can only be welcomed. Another advantage is that the new models make it easy to clean the filter. To clean or replace it is not necessary to dip your hands in the aquarium. Modern cascade filters also allow for any filtration.
Another type of filter is called external filters. At the moment it is the most modern type of filters, and certainly the most expensive. The water from the tank is sucked through a tube inserted into the tank (as in cascade) in a tightly closed container in the form of a bucket. This filter tank is placed in special baskets. The size and shape of the container allows it to accommodate a large number of filter materials for water purification. This large amount of carefully selected materials allows you to get really clean water that meets physical and chemical properties.
Aeration
We all need oxygen. Pisces is no exception. Therefore, aeration is vital for many of them, and you must prepare the aquarium for proper aeration before starting fish. Although, it is not needed by everyone. There are such kinds of fish as labyrinths - they breathe oxygen from the air. All the others need an additional supply of oxygen into the water. Lack of oxygen can be seen, for example, when fish swim slowly, are lethargic and float on the surface. There are several methods of aeration. It is important that air is introduced into the water in the form of the smallest bubbles. As already mentioned, internal filters are equipped with aeration systems installed at the ends of exhaust pipes with external filters. But there are separate air pumps that supply air to the aquarium. They are more powerful and noisy, but the degree of air supply does not depend on the contamination of the filter. And you will be sure that it will not turn off if the filter suddenly becomes contaminated with something.
Heating of water
Another point that many novice aquarists miss. Most aquarium fish are thermophilic. They need a temperature of 24 0 C. There are, however, cold-water fish (for example, goldfish) - they feel great at 13-20 0 C. In any case, decide on the type of fish in advance. Most likely, the heater is still needed. It is better to take an adjustable one - it's easier to handle and set the right temperature. It is also convenient for fluctuations in the room temperature. For example, during the heating period, the temperature in the room rises - the heater may not even be needed.
It is important to know that at certain times the temperature should be raised artificially even to 30 ° C. This concerns the spawning of fish or the period of their mating (in viviparous fishes). Also, heat must be maintained even when growing fry. Therefore, it is so important to purchase a heater with the possibility of adjustment.
Aquarium lighting
Many believe that the lighting is suitable for a normal light bulb with a simple light, aimed at the aquarium. In fact, this light has no effect for normal plant growth and only irritates the fish. Such lighting causes a rapid growth of harmful algae that flood the entire aquarium. In addition, such a lamp, which shines all day, consumes a terrible amount of electricity.
In good aquariums, specialized T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps are most often used. They are very effective in stimulating plant growth, providing sufficient lighting for fish. The most powerful and most expensive is the illumination of the marine aquarium. This requires at least two to three times more light than in a conventional aquarium. As for a freshwater aquarium, plants need a lot of light in it. Thus, it is better for them to purchase special fluorescent lamps that produce a large amount of light of sufficient intensity and color.