| Caring for fish requires a decent amount of | | | | circulation from a more powerful pump. |
| equipment and sometimes large amount of | | | | An aquarium heater is of the utmost importance. If |
| equipment depending on the particular Aquarium | | | | you intend to keep any fish or invertebrates that live |
| setup you are interested in having. Regardless of | | | | in a tropical environment your aquarium needs to be |
| what kind of tank you intend to have there are | | | | kept at a temperature between 74 - 80 degrees. |
| certain basic supplies that are absolutely necessary to | | | | Filtration is essential to keep the water clean. The |
| keeping your fish happy and healthy. | | | | methods of biological and mechanical filtration are |
| Basic Aquarium Equipment You Need: | | | | endless but trickle filters that hang on the tanks back |
| An Aquarium Of The Proper Size | | | | are sufficient for most setups, if you want a little |
| An Air Or Water Circulation Pump | | | | more filtration there are endless options including |
| Proper Filtration System | | | | canister filters. |
| Gravel Or Other Substrate | | | | Substrate actually isn't a necessity, however it does |
| Water Heater | | | | add extra biological filtration as well as a much more |
| Aquarium Lighting | | | | pleasing view than a plain glass bottom. For the fish |
| The first thing you must decide is exactly what size, | | | | only freshwater aquarium any type of clean gravel |
| shape, and material aquarium to purchase. Smaller is | | | | that you find most aesthetically pleasing is sufficient. |
| obviously less expensive but be careful not to | | | | If you intent to keep fish only, lighting is also not a |
| overcrowd a small tank, a common estimate is about | | | | necessity, but you will probably find you want it. |
| 1 inch of fish per gallon. A larger tank will also require | | | | Simple basic florescent lights are more than enough if |
| a dedicated stand which while being more expensive | | | | fish are your only interest. If you intend to keep |
| adds to the overall appeal of the tank. | | | | plants or corals or any other photosynthetic animal |
| Choosing unusual shaped or styled aquariums is | | | | you will need much more high quality intense lighting |
| strictly a personal preference. The creative shapes | | | | that such as T5 lights or metal halides which will run a |
| can give good visual appeal but most often cost | | | | very high price. |
| more and occasionally inhibit the use of certain | | | | This is by no means an exhausted list. There are |
| equipment you might want in the future. | | | | countless supplies and methods aquarists use to test, |
| Next you will need some sort of water or air pump. | | | | filter, and otherwise properly care for there aquatic |
| Fish need good oxygen and this is created by motion | | | | life. Particularly if you intent to house some of the |
| within the water. A simply air pump blowing tiny | | | | more difficult species you find in saltwater or planted |
| bubbles is sufficient for fish only tanks but other | | | | aquariums. Please research each animal before you |
| more particular species may need the added | | | | get it to ensure it gets the care it needs. |