| ave made that important decision to start your | | | | some general information. |
| aquarium, but don't feel overwhelmed by all of the | | | | There are several types of aquarium lighting available. |
| home aquarium supplies that you will need to get. | | | | Again, the determining factor is not so much the fish, |
| Here is a nice list of equipment and terms that you | | | | but whether or not your tank has plants and or reefs |
| should know before hand. | | | | in it. Each one of these types of tanks have their |
| The first and most obvious thing that all aquarium | | | | own requirements, so it will take a bit more research |
| aficionados need are aquarium tanks. Gone are the | | | | to determine which kind of lighting to use. If you are |
| days of the boring ten gallon rectangular tank that | | | | planning a tank with only fish in it and no live plants, |
| can either be for your fish or your hamsters. | | | | then you can go with a fluorescent or incandescent |
| Nowadays, you can find just about any size or shape | | | | lighting setup. |
| that you can think of. Any amount of space you | | | | A good aquarium filter is a definite must. There are |
| have will work no matter what the size. | | | | three kinds that can work and it does depend on |
| Now before you go out and just buy something that | | | | what type of fish and plants you are planning to |
| fits, there are some things you need to think about | | | | keep. The three types of aquarium filters are |
| first, the most important one being what kind of fish | | | | mechanical, chemical and biological filtering. You can |
| you would like to keep. The three main types are | | | | use one type or a combination to make sure your |
| saltwater, freshwater and brakish. All three are great, | | | | aquarium is one hundred percent clean and the water |
| but each require a different set of aquarium | | | | composition is correct. |
| equipment. The full grown size of the fish, the type | | | | Gravel is a must, and the type and size used is |
| of water chemistry they need, what other fish will | | | | determined by the size of the fish you will keep. The |
| live with them are all factors to take into | | | | type of biological filter system can also effect the |
| consideration. As far as size goes, A freshwater | | | | size gravel chosen. As always, check with your pet |
| aquarium can take fish about one inch for every | | | | shop pros to make sure that you are not making any |
| gallon of water and a saltwater tank should take one | | | | wrong decisions. |
| fish the same size for about every three gallons of | | | | One of the final pieces of equipment you will need is |
| water. | | | | the tank heater. As you can see, the general theme |
| Once you establish all of this, choose a tank which | | | | here is that everything you decide on depends on |
| fits you space, keeping in mind that a twenty gallon | | | | the type and size of the fish, and this is no |
| tank weighs about 170 pounds. Make sure the base | | | | exception. Tropical fish can die if not kept at the |
| can hold up under all the weight. | | | | correct temperature so care must be taken. |
| The next few things you will need are aquarium | | | | So that is a basic list of most of the home aquarium |
| lighting, gravel, aquarium filters, air pumps, and | | | | supplies that you will need. You can either purchase |
| heaters. You will need to investigate which type of | | | | these items separately, or in a kit that has |
| each of these items will best suite the type of fish | | | | everything you need. Do some research and most |
| you have chosen. We can however talk a bit more | | | | importantly, enjoy your new aquatic friends. |
| about each of these items first just to give you | | | | |