You Too Can Build an Aquarium that Will Be the Envy of the Neighborhood

Make the home for your tropical fish as large as you can afford. When fish have lots of space, they seem to thrive. Because there are so many beautiful varieties of fish, you will be upset with yourself if you don't have enought space in your tank. That's why you will need a large one. You must keep in mind, however, that the bigger the tank, the heavier it will be once you fill it with water. The warranty against cracking and leaking only holds if the aquarium is placed on the recommended stand. You need to decide on whether to buy the stand the tank manufacturer suggests or place your aquarium on a table or bookcase.

Be sure that the table you use is completely flat. You also need to be aware that the floor must be structurally sound enough to support the aquarium. The weight of the aquarium when filled with water will be significant. To be completely safe, read all the manufacturer's instructions when setting up your aquarium.

There are several different shapes of aquariums. They are often rectangular but could be square or hexagonal as well as other interesting shapes. You will need the basic equipment of a filter, thermostat, heater, pump, and lights. Lights are not absolutely necessary, but they do give a pretty visual effect and they also keep the plants happy. Make sure you thoroughly wash everything that goes into the aquarium but don't use soapy water. The gravel that goes in the bottom should be washed under running water and then rinsed with boiling water to kill any bacteria. Because you're dealing with live animals, keep in mind that things need to be cleaned. Don't forget to wash your hands after handling your fish items.

Plants are an excellent addition to any aquarium. Great looking plants will make the aquarium come alive with beauty. Also, some of your plants will provide food for the fish as well. One of the most popular aquarium plants is called Amazon Sword (Echinodorus Bieheri). It grows from about 8 inches to 20 inches and has low light requirements. It likes the water to be about 70 to 80°.

Two easy to grow plants for your aquarium are Anubias Augustifolia and Anubias Coffeefolica. Anubias Augustifolia has an advantage over some other plants. Fish don't seem to eat it so it will not disappear. Anubias Coffeefolica is a good choice because of its coloration. The leaves have a nice reddish brown tint to them. That will be a nice contrast to all the green and blue colors in a typical aquarium.

If you want an easy plant to propagate, go with Moneywort or Bacopa Monnieri. Just cut a piece off and plant it in the gravel at the bottom of your aquarium. Before long you will have a new plant.

Algae is a problem in all aquariums. You can buy Algae Eaters, a fish that eats algae, for one solution. Another option is to buy Wisteria. This plant is easy to grow and may help with your problem. It seems that this plant absorbs nutrients from the water and helps to contain the algae.

Your local pet store will have many more kinds of plants and lots of different kinds of fish. Your toughest job will be the decision of which plants and which fish to buy.