Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Easy Ways of Setting Up an AquariumBy [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Julie_Dodds]Julie Dodds

When thinking about a hobby to pursue, many people turn to reading or writing, or probably pursuing a new sport. Still others might turn to keeping pets. But even when pets are involved, rarely do people opt to have fish, most of them would choose to have dogs or cats or even bunnies. Although hairy and cuddly pets are highly therapeutic, this doesn't diminish the fact that fish can equal this effect. So if you are undecided whether to buy that white bunny or to keep some cute fish, better read this first.
When you would want to have fish in your home, what is the very first thing that you should consider? Of course, the fishes' home! Aquariums come in many varieties and they also come with different accessories. Here are the most common but useful tips in setting up your new pets' home:
1. Before barging into the nearest pet shop, be sure to know what type of fish you want to keep in your aquarium. Another thing to consider is, can my choices of fish live together or will they eat each other? Know which ones can live symbiotically.
2. Prepare the aquarium together with all the other equipment that you are going to use. It is highly advisable that you start out with an under gravel filter. Also, be sure to provide ample lighting by putting a fluorescent lamp on the aquarium's plastic top. A heater and an air pump will also be necessary purchases.
3. As soon as you have the fish tank (a.k.a. the aquarium) be sure to wipe it clean with freshwater and sponge. Wipe it dry.
4. Mount your choice of background. Be creative. Make sure to put in the design that will match all the other accessories and equipment (and your mood, too!).
5. Prepare to put the tank on its stand. As soon as you are decided on where to best enjoy your aquarium, level both the tank and the stand. Just be sure that the tank is away from direct sunlight, as this will greatly increase the growth of algae.
6. If you have purchased an undergravel filter, make sure to place it as soon as you have set up the tank on its stand.
7. Next, put two lift tubes (this is when you are using an air pump) in their sockets. If you have a power head instead of an air pump, then one lift tube would be sufficient.
8. Put in the gravel. Make sure to wash the gravel thoroughly before putting it in.
9. It's now time to put in the heater and the water pump. Be sure to place the water pump above water level (for safety reasons).
10. For starters, you can begin practicing a tank set up by using plastic plants, wood and stone decors instead of using the 'real thing' immediately. Get a 'feel' of how to keep an aquarium balanced. If you are bolder, then you can opt to have live plants and real rocks. Now it's time to set them all up inside the tank. Remember that plastics float once you put the water in so don't be dismayed to see them floating all around. To avoid this, make sure that they are weighed down by gravel.
11. Put in water but the water treatment should only be added when the tank is full.
12. You should be ready to test your mini-marine world. It is highly preferable that you test the aquarium for a couple of days before purchasing the fish that will go in it. Once the tank is operating smoothly, it's time to add in your choice of fish.
13. Welcoming home your pets doesn't end your commitment in keeping them. In fact, everything has just begun. Be patient in the next couple of weeks as this will test whether you can begin the cycle process.
Now that you have set up your new hobby, it is time to sit back, relax and enjoy the view. Looking at your new pets would have a calming effect on you that will sweep away the hours, even days that you've spent in setting up your new pets' home. http://aquarium-care.blogspot.com/ is a very useful site if you are thinking of setting up an aquarium. If you would like to learn more about different types of aquariums and how to care for your fish then please visit http://aquarium-care.blogspot.com/ for more tips and advice.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Dodds http://EzineArticles.com/?Easy-Ways-of-Setting-Up-an-Aquarium&id=997677
Different Types of AquariumsBy [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Julie_Dodds]Julie Dodds

Aquariums have something to offer to people. They aren't just merely there to take up space. Aquariums offer to bring people closer to a unique environment that can be found underwater. People can become outside spectators to an underwater spectacle on a small scale. With aquariums, people will be able to experience how fish live, how they interact and even wonder at the beauty of the magnificent creatures of the underwater world.
The make-up of an aquarium is a combination of many elements. Aside from the fish, plants will also need to be part in order to create a more suitable underwater environment. Other elements such as water, soil and rocks should go well together in order to create that perfect environment for its occupants, which are the fish. Armed with these general principles, people may be able to create aquariums well-suited for different kinds of fish. But not all aquariums are alike.
Different types of aquariums are being set up for different types of fish. This is to provide an ideal environment that is as close as the natural surroundings of the fish that will be kept in it. The different types of aquariums are usually identified with respect to the kind of environment created. And to accommodate this fact, aquariums are generally divided into two main groups- the temperate and the tropical aquariums.
Temperate aquariums, often called cold water aquariums, are those that are set up where the water temperatures are maintained at the range of 5 to 25 degrees Centigrade. The ideal water temperature should vary to the same extent as that in the levels found in the natural environment. Although these types of aquariums aren't heated, it may be a bit difficult to establish as room temperatures will barely fall below 15 degrees Centigrade.
Tropical aquariums are those types of aquariums that aim to recreate an underwater environment usually found in the areas lying between the tropic of Cancer to the north of the equator and the tropic of Capricorn to the south. It is in this area of the world where water temperatures vary by only a few degrees in a year. It is in this kind of environment that fish and plants not native to the same region can be raised alongside each other.
In aquariums, it can create an environment that is either fresh water or salt water. Tropical aquariums may house a splendid variety of fishes and plants but may be harder to maintain than temperate aquariums.
There are lots of articles and tips about aquariums at http://aquarium-care.blogspot.com/ . Please feel free to check out the information on there for more advice and information about aquariums and fish.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Dodds http://EzineArticles.com/?Different-Types-of-Aquariums&id=997680