Basic Starter Equipment For the Newbie Aquarium Enthusiast

Watching fish swimming peacefully in fish tanks is a fascinating hobby and one that can be started easily even if you've never set up an aquarium before. It can be overwhelming for a beginner, though, since there are so many choices you need to make - what type and size of aquarium to buy, how you'll maintain it, what kinds of fish to keep in it, and even where to put it.

The first thing you'll need to decide is what type of fish tank you want. They come in different types of materials such as glass or acrylic. An acrylic tank is usually seamless and will be lighter and more durable than a glass fish tank. Aquariums come in all shapes and sizes, from 5 gallons all the way up to custom tanks of 200 gallons or more. It's important to buy the largest tank you can afford, since the larger the tank the more stable the water quality will be.

Another important consideration when setting up your first fish tank is exactly where you'll put it. Water is very heavy, weighing approximately 10 pounds per gallon, so you need to plan on whether to set it on an existing piece of furniture or purchase a separate aquarium stand. Just make sure that whatever it's setting on can support the weight of the full tank and that it's level.

There are other basic equipment requirements for your new fish tank. You'll need some sort of filtration system to filter out harmful materials and aerate the water. The most common type of aquarium filter is the power filter. This type is popular as it's efficient and easy to maintain. They work well for most aquariums, as some of them combine chemical, biological, and mechanical filtration, making them most effective. Other types of filters include the undergravel filter, sponge filter and canister filter. Each one is suited for different types of fish tanks.

A water heater is another basic piece of equipment you'll need, especially if you're going to have tropical fish. Most heaters come with a thermostat, which is important to keep your water temperature within the range you set. Make sure any heater you buy is UL approved and made specifically for fish tanks.

Lighting is necessary for your fish and any plants you may have in your aquarium, but remember that lighting also adds beauty to your aquarium. The type and wattage of bulbs that you use will depend on whether or not you have live plants growing in your fish tank. If you do, then you'll need between 2 and 5 watts of light for every gallon of water. You'll also need to take into account the species of plants in your tank and how quickly they grow. If you purchase an aquarium starter kit, it will most likely come with basic lighting, which means regular fluorescent bulbs. These are fine for a basic fish tank. Aquariums without plants only usually need between 6 - 12 hours of light, while tanks with live plants need anywhere from 10 - 12 hours for optimum plant growth.

The basic aquarium equipment here is all you need to get started with your new hobby. Fish tanks for sale can be found at any local pet store and there are many online stores devoted solely to the fascinating world of fish-keeping.

It is important when buying fish tanks online that you have a good look around. One site of particular notice that has good quality fish tanks for sale is a site called "First Class Aquariums", if you type their name into Google or click on the above links you will be able to take a look at what they have to offer. Enjoy!

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