If you want to start keeping fish as pets, there are several things you need to know. Think about the decor, as this will help determine the type of aquarium you will buy. The size and variety of fish will also play a part in your decision. The systems can be costly, but as with everything else you buy, do some research on finding the best price.
If this is your first aquarium you may be thinking that you should start off with a small tank and just a couple of fish. However, this may not be the way to go. When you are setting up an aquarium you are essentially trying to setup a mini ecosystem with the proper pH balance and even living plant life. The smaller the tank the harder this is to accomplish. Twenty gallons is a good size to start with. This may seem like a lot but you certainly don't want your fish to be cramped.
When trying to determine how many fish you want you'll first want to start with a small amount. Four or five fish may be a good starting point. You can always add more fish to your aquarium if you don't feel that you have enough. When purchasing your fish you first need to decide if you want fresh or salt water fish. Most of the tropical fish are salt water and you can't have both.
Before you randomly choose some fish, do some Internet research or talk to the pet store employees. Some fish species don't interact well and may actually eat one another for lunch.
Then decide what you want to put in the tank for decoration. Just ensure that the item you put in the aquarium have been purchased from the pet store. Do not put anything that you might have picked up from the beach, especially the gravel. The gravel that you pick up at the beach is not what you find at the pet store. The items from the store have been treated and will ensure that the balance inside your aquarium is maintained.
After having your fish and decided upon the aquarium you would like, next you will have to bring in the water. The chlorine in the normal tap water is harmful for the plants and the fish. This is the most important factor. You will have to treat the tap water to remove the chlorine content. Use a chlorine remover before adding the water to the aquarium.
The water temperature in your aquarium should be between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You will need to have a thermometer to ensure that your tank is never too hot or too cold. Fish are very sensitive to water temperature and it can prove to be fatal if the temperature isn't correct.
The next thing to be considered is the food for the fish. Most fish are not fussy about the food they are given, fish flakes and pellets are both fine with the fish. Recommendation for any special food can be ascertained from the pet store.
Some people are of the opinion that just placing a few gold fish in a bowl and hoping that the fish will be fine. However it takes much more effort. Starting an aquarium and then maintaining it can be very enjoyable and satisfying.
