Setting Tropical Aquarium

 
     Folks, it is pleasure and exciting to own and maintain an aquarium at home. However, it is better to have serious thoughts before investing in. If your are so serious enough continue reading further. It is better to understand the know how!!!

Start at googling for topics. You can start with the following sites.

http://www.aquaguide.net/
http://www.firsttankguide.net/

You need to understand the natural cycle that will happen at your tank. It is better to go with the natural way of recycling than an artificial one.

http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

Selecting fish to your tank shall be so tempting. Be cautious in selecting the compatibility group.

http://www.tropicalfishandaquariums.com/Compatibility/index.php
http://www.aquariumfish.net/information/how_to_choose_fish.htm

It is very important for giving your fish enough space to live in. Never over crowd your tank. This may result in disaster.

Find fish to Water ratio @ http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/beginnerinfo/a/fishcalc.htm

Tanks and its volume @ http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/aquariumsandstands/a/tanksizesweights.htm



Fish love to explore new teritory. It is appreciable to give fish places to hide. Plants and small caves can be the ideal ones. Never over crowd with the ornamental things. Avoid sharp object inside the tank this may hurt the fish.

Adding acquarium plants enables the natural nitrogen and carbon cycle to function effectively.

Aquarium plants, like any others, require light for photosynthesis. Check the light requirements of the plants you are choosing, many require high amounts of added light. Low light plants will do well if your tank has plenty of light from windows. Otherwise, plan to light your tank with a fluorescent full spectrum tank light.

It's recommended that when you start out, stick to less than 2.5 fluorescent watts per gallon unless you put a carbon dioxide system in place.

"Cool White" or "Daylight" fluorescent bulbs are cheap, efficient, and effective enough for most purposes.

Add fish. Fish waste will help to nourish the plants. The plants, in turn, will keep the water conditions better for the fish by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Some plants are good at removing ammonia or nitrate. If you don't have fish already, wait a week after adding the plants before you introduce them to the lush environment you're creating.

Acquarium plant examples.

Vallisneria gigantea
Substrate :coarse-grained gravel
Lighting :bright (to moderate)0,3-0,7 Watts / litre
pH level:not important prefer 6-7.5
Water hardness : not important prefer KH less than 15
Temperature :    15-30 °C
Size :2cm to 2 metres

Here are the pics of my acquarium.