All fish need special attention. A quick trip to the library or to your local pet shop can provide you with a book on the species of fish that you have or plan to buy. Not all fish need the same care, so getting the right aquarium supplies can be very important.
If you are buying your first aquarium, here are a few tips to help you get started.
Have a budget in mind before you go shopping for your aquarium supplies. Also, if you know beforehand which type of fish you want, it's easy to avoid common mistakes like getting either too small a fish tank or one that is way too big.
You should have some idea about where you want to place your aquarium. A good rule of thumb is one gallon of water weighs about 10 pounds, so multiply 10 pounds by the number of gallons the tank holds and then see if you have a table or other stand that will support that much weight.
The filtration mechanism is a very important part of your aquarium supplies shopping. It needs to be big enough to filter the amount of water the tank will hold. The filtration system is not the place to skimp. Heaters and thermometers should also be on your aquarium supplies list. These are very affordable, but make sure you get the proper one for your species of fish. Water that is either too cold or too hot for your species of fish will do more harm than good.
There will also be chemicals and test kits on your aquarium shopping list. Store clerks can help you with choosing the appropriate ones.
Of course, you will need fish food. Here, again, a knowledgeable store clerk can be very helpful. If you bought a book on your species of fish, it should offer suggestions for the best food to use.
Live plants can be very important, and should be added to your aquarium supplies list. Live plants reduce algae, improve the quality of the water, and are beautiful to look at.
One item that is often overlooked is the lighting system for your tank. Proper lighting is vital to the health and well being of your fish.
For the floor of the aquarium, you may want to choose a medium to fine gravel substrate.
In addition, there are tons of little things you can add to your aquarium supply list. Things like toys, treasure chests, and other little places for your fish to explore.
There is no need to be intimidated when buying your aquarium and fish. A good aquarium supplies list is all you need.
