Guide to Keeping a Freshwater Aquarium

For centuries humans have tamed and kept animals in and around the home for both companionship and for aesthetic inspiration. Many times keeping a pet requires a great amount of responsibility--especially when that pet is a dog or a cat--but nowadays many people just don't have the time to care for animals that need perpetual attention. If you're low on time but eager to keep a pet, an aquarium may be the right choice for you.

The first thing to consider before sculpting your private underwater world is the type of aquarium you'd like to have. There are hundreds of freshwater fish out there to buy, hundreds of aquariums, plants and chemicals. At first glance an aquarium can seem daunting but like everything else it's best to figure out one step at a time.

There are different kinds of aquariums that are made from many different materials. For the most part--if you plan to keep more than one fish--a generic rectangular tank is the best choice to start with. Aquariums are typically made from either Plexiglas or authentic glass. Glass is more expensive, but if you have the extra bucks it's worth the money. Glass is less prone to succumbing to algae growth and is much more comfortable for the fish. Plexiglas can sometimes fog up or deteriorate in a way that can distort it's appearance. Keeping a clean, transparent surface is essential because it improves your ability to see and enjoy the fish and it diminishes the amount of stress the fish go through.

Next choice to make is the color of gravel you'd like to have. The color of the gravel depends on your own personal taste but try to stick to one color. Multiple contrasting shades in the gravel can aggravate the fish just as it aggravates the eye to look at. Think about matching up your chosen gravel color with the dominant color of your living room.

Finally buy some decorations like small caves or ornaments. Fish like objects they can interact with or hide behind in the water. It's important to balance the amount of free swimming space with obstacles on the gravel.

After buying a tank and decorating it, you'll have to buy a water filter and air pump. The water filter will suck in dirty water and let out clean water into the tank. The air pump will ensure that oxygen is circulated throughout the water. A tube is connected to the air pump and finally a bubble stone is attached at the end that will spread out the air into a consistent stream of gentle bubbles. All of these items can be found at any local pet store. When you've set this all up and mixed in the proper amount of water conditioner, (a gel that rids the water of hard metals and contaminants) let the filter and air pump run through the water for a period of time between five hours and two weeks. This will allow natural and healthy bacteria to build up in the tank making the habitat much more comfortable for your roommates to be.

A water heater is optional but highly recommended. Most freshwater fish can tolerate room temperature but prefer an environment between 72 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping the tank within this range will not only ensure a consistent aquarium it will also promote fish health and spawning among the finned community.

At long last it's time to choose your fish. When I first started, guppies, mollies and tetras were perfect. These fish are resilient enough to endure difficult environments making them great for people just starting out in freshwater aquariums. The rule of thumb for keeping fish is to allow one gallon of water for every inch of fish. What this means is that in a ten gallon tank the total inch length of fish in the tank should not exceed ten inches. Following this rule will help minimize squabbling among the fish and allow distance between breeds or sexes. Keep in mind that there is a direct correlation between the amount of stress a fish goes through and it's susceptibility to disease or illness.

Freshwater fish can get along just fine with one meal a day making them perfect for the working type. Generic flake food is great for virtually all freshwater fish and is easy to dispense once or twice a day. If you have a vacation coming up, no problem; there are slow-release feeders out there to buy that dissolve over time or specially designed feeders that dispense flakes at predetermined intervals.

Once you've got your aquarium set up, filter, air-pump, light, decorations and finally, fish, it's time to sit back and enjoy your labor. It's known that watching fish swim can lower blood pressure so let that fact help you relax after a long day's work. Although you may spend between $100 and $200 dollars at first, you'll discover that upkeep on a standard freshwater aquarium will rarely exceed $20 a year. For anyone low on time and tight on money, keeping a freshwater aquarium is worth it's weight in gold...and time. Don't get me wrong, I love dogs like anyone else, but there's nothing like waking up to see the sun rising on your own secret ocean. Oh, one more thing: Forget about having to pay that pet deposit ever again. These guys don't mess up the carpet.