Aquarium and stand

Nowadays, aquariums come in all different shapes and sizes.  Take some time to think about where you will position your tank.  Remember that the tank may need space behind for pipes and wires. Also, the tank will need an electricity supply so locate the tank close to sockets.  Generally, avoid placing your tank near sources of noise or heat, such as televisions, radiators or windows.  If placing a larger tank upstairs, be confident that the floor boards can cope with the weight!

If you are buying a tank with the intention of keeping particular fish, do a little research and check that the tank will be big enough to house them when fully grown.  For example, clown loaches may look small when young but will require a tank which holds  in excess of 100 gallons of water!

Bearing in mind the weight of the tank once substrate and water have been added, seriously consider buying the stand which has been designed to accommodate your tank.  This would be particularly important for 20+ gallon tanks.  In addition, a specially designed stand will have space for equipment such as an external filter.

Filter

A filter will be an essential part of your aquarium set up as it will help maintain water quality.  There are two main  types of filters: internal and external.

Internal filters, as the name suggests, will occupy a fair amount of internal tank space.  They are less expensive and easier to set up.  External filters are located outside (usually underneath or hang on to the side) of the tank.  Inside the tank will be two pipes which remove and return water to the tank.

Choice of filter comes down largely to budget and personal preference with regards to the appearance of your tank.  The key thing is to choose a filter which will cope with the volume of water in your tank.

Heater

In order to keep tropical fish, you will need a heater.  There are a lot of different heaters available.  Again, choose a heater which is suitable for heating the volume of water in your tank.  The standard submersible heater sticks onto the inside of the tank and has a thermostat built in so that you can set the temperature (most tropical fish enjoy temperatures between 24 and 26 degrees C) and the heater will maintain a constant temperature.  Another option is an in-line heater which sits in the outflow pipe of an external filter.  This option keeps the amount of equipment inside the aquarium to a minimum.

Thermometer

A thermometer is essential.  It will allow you to monitor the water temperature.  Don’t rely on your heater’s thermostat!  There are many thermometers out there which range from submersible digital thermometers to glass spirit thermometers.  Also available are digital thermometers which adhere to the exterior.  Choose according to personal preference and budget.

Lighting

Lighting is an important factor to consider and will be used for 12 hours every day.  Always use specialist aquarium lighting.  Often lighting is included as part of an aquarium package.  The t8 or t5 tubes should be suitable for most freshwater aquaria.  However, f your aquarium is deep (60cm/24″) opt for something more powerful than t8’s which will penetrate the depth of your tank – consider t5’s or, even better, metal halides.

Syphon and bucket

A syphon is another essential purchase.  You will need to remove roughly 10% of your tanks volume of water every week.  Some fish (such as discus or fry), will require much more frequent water changes – even daily.  A syphon will enable you to change the required amount of water (remember to add a dechlorinator if using tap water or reconstitute reverse osmosis water as appropriate.

Substrate

Most aquariums have a substrate which covers the base of the aquarium.  Choice of substrate can impact on the water quality.  For example, crushed coral will raise the pH level of the water.  However, peat moss will have the opposite effect and lower the pH.  In addition, some fish will prefer a particular substrate.  If you know which fish you will keep, they may inform your substrate decision.  Another factor to consider is plants.  If you wish to achieve a successful planted tank, look into specialist fertilizing substrates.  Finally, consider the visual aesthetics of your tank and your own personal preference.

Water

Quality water is key to happy and healthy fish.  Before filling your tank, consider the requirements of your future fish.  If you live in a hardwater area and wish to keep fish which prefer softer water (or vice versa), tap water may not be ideal.  Reverse osmosis (RO) water can be bought from many fish retailers or produced at home.  RO water has had impurities removed.  However, the process of removal also removes essential minerals and leaves the water with no buffering capacity to keep the pH stable.  An unstable pH is a known cause of stress to fish and should be avoided.  It is necessary, therefore, to reconstitute RO water.  It can be mixed with commercial products or tap water to create your desired pH and added to your tank.  If you wish to test your tap water or reconstituted RO water, choose an aquarium water testing kit.

Good luck with your new tank!