Fish Tank And Equipment

If you are rescuing fish, they will often come with their own tank and other supplies. But you want to have an idea of the needs of fish. You will probably want to make changes in the tank and set up you get for an optimal environment for your new fish.

Glass or Acrylic or Outdoor Ponds

A fish at the top of it's tankPhoto by Nothin Ahead https://www.pexels.com/photo/small-exotic-fish-swimming-in-water-7188174/

Most fish tanks are made from glass or acrylic. Acrylic tanks are more expensive and lighter weight. They scratch easily, but the scratches can be buffed out. Glass will scratch less, but the scratches are permanent Acrylic tanks might react to chemicals and a chemical stain will not ever come out. Acrylic tanks are clearer than glass but are harder to clean.


Acrylic tanks can come in different shapes, incorporating curves in the design. They can also be seamless, so there is less of a chance of a leak. They hold in heat more than a glass tank. Acrylic tanks will breakdown over time after being exposed to light whereas glass will be more durable in that respect.


There are advantages and disadvantages to both glass and acrylic tanks, so you need to consider all the factors if you are choosing a new tank for your fish.


If you are creating an outdoor pond, you can use prefabricated pond liners of various shapes and sizes, usually made out of High Density Polyethelene. You can also make your own using horse troughs, water sealed barrels, or any number of water tight objects that you can bury in the ground or keep your fish above ground.


Size

The bigger the better. The fish will be much happier if they have more room to swim around in. You’ll have to clean it less if you have a large amount of water compared to the number of fish in the tank. Fish bowls are generally too small for even just one goldfish or beta fish, even though some people do keep their fish in small bowls. It’s much better to have the largest tank you can fit in the area you have and keep just a few fish in it.


Location

Whether your tank is inside or outside, you need to be aware of sunlight. If your tank is in the sun, the temperature change from when the sun is high in the sky or streaming through the windows to when it is night could be too much for your fish. So keep the tank in the shade.


Fish can also get stressed out with too much activity going on around them. Booming sounds and tapping on the tank side can bother them. So think about keeping them in a quiet part of the house. 


Make sure that your floor or stand can handle to weight of your fish tank when it is filled with water. If the tank is on a stand, make sure it is very sturdy and won’t tip over.


If your tank is outdoors make sure it is in the shade but not directly under a tree because you’ll be cleaning so many leaves all the time.


Equipment

You’ll need a certain amount of equipment with the tank to keep your fish happy and healthy.

Top

A well-fitting top to the tank prevents heat and water loss. It can also hold lights.

Filter

You’ll need a filter for the water, even if you have algae eaters. The filter will help keep down debris. A filter can also encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria that keeps the water chemistry in balance. Some filters use chemicals such as activated carbon to remove impurities in the water. Filters can be totally submerged in the tank, be kept hanging on the side, or be underneath the tank. You’ll need a way to clean the filter, it’s motor, and all the tubes that connect the filter and the motor.

Light

You want to be able to see your fish when you look in the tank and any plants you have growing need light. Most people like neutral white light in their aquariums, but if you are growing coral in a saltwater tank, you might want to have light with a more blueish tint. The light should be intense enough to reach the bottom if you have a large tank and the light should be spread over the whole aquarium. You might want more than one lamp so the whole tank is lit well.


LED lights are usually used because they are long lasting and they don’t emit any extra heat.


Heater

Tropical fish will need the water heated and even some cold-water fish might need some heat if you keep your house cold. Most heaters are submerged and have a thermostat so they won’t overheat.


Substrate

You can line the bottom of the tank with pebbles, sand, or dirt. If you use dirt, you’d need to use a special kind of dirt that won’t make the water muddy. Some aquarium live plants need a certain substrate, so your plants might dictate the kind of substrate you have. You’ll want a substrate vacuum to keep it clean.

Decorations

fish swimming arounf decorations in their tankImage created By Linda Velwest using craiyon.com

A background poster will make your aquarium interesting and unique. There are all kinds of objects you can put in the tank for visual interest and for your fish to swim around in and hide in. When I had a fish tank I had a ceramic skull and pirate-themed decorations. The fish could swim in and out of the skull and even hide in it if they wanted.  You could have Sponge Bob, Atlantis, mermaid, or any other decoration theme you want. Pieces of wood and rocks could also be good decorations in a tank.


Always make sure anything you put in the tank is washed first and safe around fish. There should be no sharp edges or points. Also, make sure that anything natural is clean so it doesn’t introduce harmful bacteria or parasites into the tank.


Plants

A fish tank with lots of plantshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amaterske_akvarium.jpg

Plants are both decorative and helpful in your aquarium. They provide perfect hiding places for the fish.  They also make oxygen for the fish and help to filter the water. They help to reduce the algae and keep the water chemistry in balance. While they may made cleaning the tank a bit harder, their added beauty and help with creating a great ecosystem for the fish make up for this inconvenience.


You can find many different plants or coral that you can grow in your tank. They will add beauty and health to your tank.


Conclusion

While you may get a tank and supplies when you adopt your fish, you may want to change things out a bit. You can have a glass tank or an acrylic tank. They both have advantages and disadvantages. You also may want to get a bigger thank than what you get. Be careful of where you place the tank and make sure you get all the needed equipment and decorations to keep your fish happy and healthy.

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