| A fish owner, you have the responsibility to create | | | | your home. This will help the fish become |
| and maintain an ideal environment for your pet, and | | | | accustomed to people leaving and entering the room, |
| there are a few easy steps you can follow to do | | | | thus making them less skittish around people. |
| this. | | | | Tank Stand: |
| Choosing a good tank: | | | | It is also important to remember that water weighs |
| Fish require enough space to swim and sufficient | | | | 8.4 pounds per gallon. A 25 gallon tank will weigh 210 |
| oxygen to live, both of which are controlled by the | | | | pounds. It is important to have adequate support for |
| size of the tank. The number of fish you can keep in | | | | the tank. Choosing its location is important because |
| a tank depends on the surface area of the tank. To | | | | once the tank is filled, it will be much more difficult to |
| determine this, multiply the length of the tank by its | | | | move. |
| width. This number will tell you the surface area in | | | | Tank Hood: |
| inches. Most fish keepers agree that one inch of | | | | There are several reasons that it is important to |
| freshwater fish needs 30 square inches of surface | | | | have a tank hood or cover. For one, it keeps your |
| area. | | | | fish inside your tank, as they are quite capable of |
| A glass tank with silicon, rubber cement sealant is | | | | jumping out of the tank. Secondly, it keeps |
| ideal. Glass does not scratch as easily as other | | | | unwanted objects from falling into the tank, thus |
| surfaces, and glass tanks are generally designed with | | | | disrupting the fish's environment. It also slows the |
| the purpose of housing living creatures, thereby | | | | evaporation rate of the water inside the tank, and |
| making them non-toxic and the ideal environment for | | | | prevents water from splashing onto nearby walls. In |
| your fish. Be sure to purchase a tank that is not | | | | addition to these, the cover helps retain the heat of |
| scratched and check for leaks before you create the | | | | the water. It is ideal to purchase an aquarium that |
| habitat for your fish. | | | | comes with a cover that is built to fit with the tank |
| Placement of the tank: | | | | perfectly. |
| Avoid direct sunlight when choosing a spot for your | | | | Choosing a tank for your fish is as important as |
| freshwater tank. Sunlight will affect the heat and | | | | choosing the fish themselves. To ensure a long and |
| algae growth within the tank. It is also a good idea to | | | | healthy life for your pet, do your best to provide the |
| place the tank in an area of higher traffic through | | | | ideal living environment for them. |