For setting up your aquarium, it is necessary to purchase proper fish tank supplies for the maintenance of a healthy environment for your fish. A good way to remove the stress of researching it is to buy complete system fish tank aquariums which contain all the necessary aquarium equipment.
An indispensable piece of apparatus is a filter. Aquarium filtration is vital for fish health as toxic products build up in aquaria which must be removed or else fish will become diseased and die. Mechanical aquarium filtration pulls water through sponge media which traps waste particles. These need to be kept clean as they clog easily. Chemical filtration uses activated carbon media to remove dangerous chemicals from the water. The media needs to be frequently replaced. Biological filtration places good bacteria in the water which breaks down harmful ammonia into nitrate. Biological filter media should be rinsed in aquarium water and quickly replaced so bacteria growing on them will not be completely lost. There are different types of filter including hang-on filters, internal and external canisters which are self-contained units, and under-gravel filters which pull the water through gravel substrate. The best type is a two-slot power filter which combines all three types of aquarium filtration. Another advantage is that one side can be changed and then you can wait for a couple of weeks before changing the other side so that beneficial bacteria are maintained. Filters can be found in different sizes which are graded according to the volume of water in the fish tank.
Low-voltage aquarium lighting helps to mimic the natural habitat of your aquatic inhabitants and thereby reduces stress and promotes well-being. Aquarium lighting is also essential for plants to grow. Different bulbs offer varying strengths and color spectra. Fluorescent light is suitable for both freshwater and salt water aquariums. It is important to purchase high quality fluorescent bulbs and ensure they are protected from the water by glass and contained in a hood. Fish usually receive ten to twelve hours of light in their native environment, and turning aquarium lighting on and off at set times each day encourages healthy behaviour patterns. A timer is a good idea to take care of this. Some aquariums offer the option of night lighting which produces a bluish moonlight look.
An aquarium heater is needed if you are keeping tropical freshwater fish or marine fish which typically live in warm waters. They are very sensitive to fluctuations in temperature and need to be maintained in a constant temperature, specific to their species. This can only be accurately provided by fitting an aquarium heater as most rooms in the house are not kept at a constant temperature.
For fish health, an aquarium air pump is needed to oxygenate the water and to keep the water clean by creating a constant circulation of it through filters. The movement of the air bubbles also has an aesthetic appeal. It is best to buy an aquarium air pump that allows you to adjust its force as not all fish can tolerate a current of strong air bubbles.
Fish require to be kept in a stable environment of certain water parameters and therefore aquarium test kits need to be purchased to monitor the temperature, pH, hardness, salinity, ammonia and oxygen levels of the water. It is important this is done on a regular basis as well as when monitoring the nitrogen cycle for initial tank set up.
All fish tank supplies should be checked daily, especially at feeding time when you are in the habit of observing fish. When aquarium filtration, lighting, heaters or air pumps fail, there is a major risk of pollution and distress.