What do I need to know before getting an aquarium?

Kayla Gulec Kayla Gulec
Floating Aquarium, Aquarium Architecture Aquarium Architecture Гостиная в стиле модерн
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There’s just something so calming about water. The way it moves, the way it sounds, and the plethora of life it gives and houses. If you feel the same way, you might consider bringing this tranquility into your home so that you can experience it on a daily basis. Setting up and maintaining an aquarium is a wonderful hobby that provides hours of restful, beautiful entertainment. Aquariums can be a great way for children to learn about ecosystems and they can also help to relieve the stress from our every day lives by providing us with the tranquil sound of trickling water paired with a serene view of aquatic life. They do require a bit of work, thought, and planning, however. That is why we here at homify have put together this Ideabook to tell you all the things you need to know before getting an aquarium and beginning this fantastic hobby.

Does my rental contract allow an aquarium?

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If you live in an apartment complex or you are renting your home, you should first check your rental agreement to see if the installation of an aquarium is even allowed. It all depends on the landlord, and there may not even be anything stated in your rental agreement, or if there is something concerning pets, it may just mention “domesticated pets,” which means cats and dogs only. Reptiles, birds, and small mammals fall under a different category and usually need special consideration. If there is nothing stated in your contract, go ahead and talk to your landlord. The main concern is the weight and support of the fish tank, as well as water intrusion, causing mold. But most apartment complexes – especially the higher end lofts and penthouses – allow aquariums, big or small.

Size

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So if you’re allowed to have an aquarium where you live, you have to think about what size your tank will be. The minimum size you should consider is the minimum size your fish will need to thrive in, so if you want a smaller tank, pick a smaller fish or fish that can survive in a smaller area. But the bigger the aquarium, the better it is for the fish living inside it. But be wary – if you opt for a larger tank, say a 100 litre tank, that’s about 135 kilograms of water weight on your floor. Most floors are built to hold people and their furniture. Now 135 kilos should be no problem, but if you want to get anything larger, you will want to verify with a professional that your flooring is capable of supporting it.

Fish

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During the first few days you have your tank, run the filtration system without any fish in it. Once it’s been cycling for a few days, you can add some starter fish to it. These fish should be hearty, inexpensive, and rather small while you get used to caring for an aquarium. The rule of thumb when purchasing starter fish is for every 2.5 centimetres of fish, you need to give it about 40 litres of water. This will ensure your fish have enough space to swim around comfortably in the most natural way possible. Some of the best starter freshwater fish you can buy are goldfish, Bloodfin tetras, Betta fish, white cloud fish, and the Suckermouth catfish. Suckermouth catfish are particularly great choices because they help to clean up the algae buildup in your tank.

Plant life

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In order to have a more natural environment for your fish, and also to make your fish tank look tropical, mysterious, and all around aesthetically pleasing, you will want to add some live plants to your aquarium. Be sure that the plants you select can coexist with the fish you have chosen, as well as survive in the water type you have picked. If you get some heartier species, they can also help control the algae buildup and improve water quality, reducing stress for the fish, and subsequently making your fish tank look more natural and beautiful. Water Wisteria, Java moss, Lilaeopsis, Amazon sword, and African water fern are great starter plants you can consider. They all provide beautiful decoration and hiding places for the fish, as well as provide protection for any baby fish you might have.

Costs

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Starting an aquarium project and keeping aquarium fish typically has a fairly high start up cost. This is mostly due to the equipment needed to give the fish a proper environment and to keep the aquarium running. This includes purchasing the fish tank itself, along with the filters, lights, the fish, and cleaning and maintenance products. These prices can add up quickly if you’re not careful. The fish cost can range anywhere from inexpensive (about 30€ per fish) to very expensive for the more rare species (some cost over 100€). The average freshwater fish tank start up cost typically begins at 200€ and goes up from there, depending on the types of fish and the equipment. Saltwater fish and marine tank setups cost more than freshwater setups, so keep that in mind as well.

Care

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To maintain your fish tank, especially in the beginning period, you should check it daily. Make sure your fish are getting along and have enough room. You should check your filters at least twice a week and perform a water change every week. While doing the water change, scrub for algae. Once a month you should check all of the hoses, fittings, clamps, cords, lights, and any other equipment. This may sound like a lot to do, but a couple of minutes a day could warn you months in advance of a possible problem with the tank. Changing the water is typically a half hour job, and most people find their daily aquarium checkups to last about two minutes.

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