Keeping fishes inside your home is such a pleasure. Nothing is more fun than looking at the fishes swimming freely on the tank with no worries at all. The sight seems to calm your nerves and changes your bad mood. However, there is a big difference when you just buy a complete set of freshwater aquarium than making or setting up your own. Although it will eat your time and take some of you energy, the result will indeed be rewarding. Thus, instead of going straight to the pet store and paying for your ready made freshwater aquarium, why not read these tips which will tell you how enjoyable it would be to do it yourself?
First, you must make sure that you want a tank in your own home. Choose a good spot, one which is not busy so that you will not end up with shattered glasses in your floor. Then, you must make a list of the things which you need to buy. With regards to the type of tank, you have a choice between a glass and an acrylic one. The traditional glass tank can already satisfy a simple freshwater aquarium. The size must be proportionate with the number or fishes which you want to keep. The list must contain the light bulb, the substrates, a heater, a filtrating system or tool, a background and some live plants. Lastly of course, you must already be sure of what kind of fish you would want to live in your freshwater aquarium.
The tank must be cleaned thoroughly using water. Actually there are many fish keepers who say that tap water should not be used since there is a big chance that harmful elements may remain on it. However, the big no-no should be using detergent soaps or other harmful cleaning solutions which will pose a threat to the fish health.
Then, you can start by adding the substrates. The substrates are also very necessary matter in setting up your own tank. The substrates can be gravel or sand depending on the suitable type for your fishes. They must be placed on the bottom of the tank and must be spread in a right level. Avoid using colourful substrates for paint may peel off from these colorful gravels and pebbles.
Set up the heater, the bulb and the filter. The filter will keep the water clean and free from harmful elements. The heater on the other hand will keep the temperature stable on the tank. Light is also necessary for the whole being of the fishes. There are filters which can be put outside of the tank while there are others which can be placed inside. The latter however tends to eat space.
Arrange the live plants in a symmetric manner. There are patterns such as concave, triangle and convex for your live plants. You can always look for beautiful great tips on what they call "aquascaping".
Lastly, the rest all boils down to your ability and skill to care for the fishes which you have chosen. Great fishes include those of the Cichlid and Koi family.