Aquarium fishes are one of the most interesting pets you can have at home. They have different bright colors, various sizes and shapes, and unique characteristics. Some fish are believed to bring good luck and wealth to their owners.
If you’re interested in recreating the natural habitats of sea and freshwater fish in your home, here are five tips to building a fish tank:
Your tank’s size and shape will determine how much water you’ll use, how you’ll design your fish habitat, and where you’ll place it. Rectangular tanks can be the same size as a laptop screen or a 50-inch TV. Tall, vertical fish tanks are also available and perfect for those who don’t want to compromise their home’s square footage and tank space to hold all their aquascape elements.
If rectangular tanks are “too common” for your preference, consider irregularly shaped aquariums. And we aren’t just talking about fish bowls here! For instance, corner aquariums are available in many pet stores. These tanks are space-efficient and perfect for cozy homes, such as Camella Monticello’s 50-square-meter houses. Future homeowners will have a fish habitat that won’t occupy too much space.
The fish you’ll keep will depend on what kind of tank you want to build. Aquarium fish vary from saltwater to freshwater types. You want your tank to suit your fishes’ needs and well-being as much as possible.
Some of the beginner-friendly fishes ideal for a saltwater setup include:
For a freshwater aquarium, you’ll want fish such as:
Your tank preference also determines which plants, substrates, and other elements you’ll need to add. Decide on whether you want to build a freshwater or saltwater habitat and research which fish types and aquatic plants are available in your nearest pet stores.
After you’ve selected your fish and aquarium decor, it’s time to arrange your tank. Start with your live rock or driftwood; test different angles to see how to best position your tank’s primary piece. Then, add your pebbles, gravel, or marbles as your substrate. Your substrate will serve as the “ground” to arrange your plants and other aquarium decors. Before you arrange your aquarium plants, take a look at photos of professionally arranged tanks or live coral reefs for reference.
For plants, both natural and artificial greens are fine. If you choose live plants, select those that will thrive even fully submerged underwater. On the other hand, get paraben-free artificial plants and those made from eco-friendly materials.
Now that you’ve set up your aquarium environment, it's time to add water. Start by slowly pouring water inside your tank to avoid ruining your aquascape. Use a bucket or tabo to do this. For saltwater tanks, premade saltwater is sold in gallons in many pet stores. You can also make salt water at home by mixing aquarium salt into deionized water.
After you’ve filled your tank, get your aquarium test kits to check the quality of your water. Your test kit will measure the pH, alkalinity, nitrate, salinity, and phosphate levels of your water. Ideal fish tank parameters include:
Finish your tank by adding water filters and lighting. Your lighting will create an environment that mimics photosynthesis for your aquatic plants. LED aquarium lights are best and recommended to be turned on six to eight hours a day.
For filters, you’ll need three kinds: mechanical, biological, and chemical. Here are their differences:
Building an aquarium might seem a challenge, but following the proper steps entails a healthy environment for your aquarium fish. These five tips will help you plan how your aquarium will look and how to make it conducive to raising happy and healthy fish.
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