| Keeping an aquarium is an old-time favorite hobby | | | | fluorescents. As the name suggests, these give off |
| among a great number of fish enthusiasts. Aside | | | | more light than ordinary fluorescents, great for tall or |
| from the beauty it brings to a dull or boring room, | | | | oddly shaped tanks. |
| taking care of aquatic plants and fishes are also a | | | | So how do you decide which among these would be |
| great way of relieving stress. However, beginners for | | | | appropriate for you fish tank? Simple. Follow our |
| this kind of pastime have to be guided in setting up | | | | simple guidelines and you'll be picking your fish tank |
| and maintaining a tank. An aquarium has to be | | | | light off the shelf in no time. |
| carefully designed to meet the specific needs of the | | | | |
| living organisms inside. | | | | 1. Decide on what fishes and plants to put in your |
| One of the most important elements in a fish tank is | | | | fish tank. Fishes survive even in low light but if you're |
| the lighting. More than just adding to the overall | | | | planting your tank, you have to make sure you have |
| aesthetics of the aquarium, the light also provides | | | | the proper lighting in order for these to grow and |
| heat for the fishes and helps in the proper | | | | thrive. Lighting greatly affects a plant's chances of |
| photosynthesis of the plants inside. Incandescent | | | | surviving in fish tanks. |
| light, which is common around the house, may be | | | | 2. Be aware of your options. How would you decide |
| used in lighting your aquarium. Lamps, ordinary light | | | | if you don't even know what you're supposed to |
| bulbs and spotlights give off sufficient heat and light | | | | choose from? |
| to small aquariums. The only disadvantage of using | | | | 3. Consider the size and shape of your tank. If you're |
| incandescent light is that it gives off more heat than | | | | new to the hobby, it is ideal to start with a small |
| the light it produces leading to temperature problems. | | | | tank under 20 gallons. It would be okay to start with |
| If you're planning to get a medium-sized or a large | | | | artificial plants and use standard fluorescent lighting |
| tank with live plants, it would be better if you | | | | since it's the least expensive and the easiest to set |
| purchase fluorescent lights or tube lights made | | | | up and maintain. |
| especially for freshwater tanks. | | | | Before setting up your fish tank it's best to do your |
| Fluorescent lighting is the most popular choice among | | | | homework and find out as much as you can about |
| hobbyists these days. Aside from the fact that these | | | | anything and everything about setting up simple |
| come in different sizes, these also come in various | | | | aquariums. As you go along, you're sure to discover |
| wattages and are the simplest to install and use on | | | | more things and learn how to improve the overall |
| aquariums. You have the option to customize your | | | | appeal and functionality of your aquarium. It is |
| fish tank the way you wish. | | | | important to always consider the living conditions of |
| If you are planning to set up a reef tank then you | | | | the organisms inside before installing anything on your |
| could probably use a metal halide. This gives off more | | | | tank. Make sure that everything harmonizes well and |
| light great for dark areas of the tank like the reef | | | | provides a good environment for both plants and |
| itself. Though it gets hotter than incandescent lights, | | | | fishes. On top of the beauty and aesthetics of your |
| the heat to light ratio is still better. Another option is | | | | fish tank, it is important to keep in mind the welfare |
| the use of high output and very high output | | | | of the fishes and aquatic plants. Enjoy! |