Freshwater Tropical Aquarium
Let's start ...
buy an aquarium ... decide to launch yourself into a unknown world ... various problems, where do I put this ...
These are some of the problems that a neophyte arises when he decides to take this step. We want to help all those who decide to try this wonderful adventure by giving suggestions, information, which for those who are already aquarists will now seem obvious, but for those who wants to begin now this adventure, are definitely not easily climbable obstacles.
Start with the clearest possible ideas is the key to a certain success and a great satisfaction.
One prerequisite seems to me obligatory: aquariology, the passion of a few, is entering more and more overwhelmingly in all families. All this is very beautiful, but attention, animals, all, must be treated with respect and having a home in our house involves a lot of care that should not be forgotten in a short time. He will need your help throughout all his life, short or long.
On the other hand, the owner of a dog will take him for a walk, someone to a cat will change his sand frequently, or, the fancier of parakeets will give the cuttlebone to its birds. The same care will also be taken for the fish, in a different way, with different times, but with the same passion.
Respect the element water and its inhabitants. After all, everything is born there.
We intend to deal with all the problems that accompany the neophyte, but also the expert, in the normal management of their freshwater tropical aquarium.
First let´s decide where to put the aquarium
Before buying an aquarium you will have to decide where to put it in your home.
Exposure to direct light is not advisable as it causes a proliferation of algae, harmful to plants and unaesthetic to see.
So you will have to find an accommodation not overly lighted, just do not put it in front of a window where the sunlight is much more intense.
Found the right place please check that there is a power outlet nearby. It will serve to power the electric equipment of the aquarium. For more safety check with your electrician that your electrical system is equipped with a life saver.
If you live in a house with a wooden floor, check that there are no excessive slopes that would make the aquarium basement unstable.
If the aquarium capacity exceeds 200 liters, avoid placing the aquarium in the center of the room. The strength of the floor, in the central area decreases considerably, better not to risk!
Lastly, remember, that once in use, your aquarium is no longer transportable, so the accommodation must be final.
Take the maximum measurements of the location where you would like to put the aquarium, they will make you comfortable in the store to make a decision on the purchase.
Choosing the aquarium for your home
Choosing an aquarium is not such a difficult problem. Just pay attention to some important rules:
Do not buy artisan aquariums. The technology in the construction of series aquariums has reached an optimal perfection thanks to the work of professional companies working in this field.
Many aquariums are provided with guarantee. Preferably direct there your choice.
Costs: remember, that, in addition to the price of the aquarium, you must estimate at least 70-100 EUR for the products needed for the first preparation.
On the market there are aquariums acvailables for all budgets. You can start with the simple plastic box indicated for the goldfish. Please do not consider the bowl, it is the limit of endurance for our animal!
Consider the purchase of a medium size aquarium, 70/80 liters. Translated into sizes, 70x30x35 cm, where 70 is the length, 30 the depth and 40 its height, will go very well for the first experiences.
Buy an already fully equipped aquarium, equipped with a filter, pump, heater and lighting system; the price is lower than the piece-by-piece assembly.
Also evaluate the holiday factor. If you plan to stay away during the year for shorter or longer periods, then you should buy a fully equipped bathtub with timer and automatic feeder. These aquariums allow you a "quiet" absence even a month. In fact, the timer will turn on and off the light in the tank and the feeder will feed your fish once or twice a day, depending on how you set the timer.
Again, buying an aquarium with included timer and the manager will cost you less than adding them later.
The main accessories
Now we will talk about the accessories normally supplied with a new aquarium.
The accessories may vary in shape, size, price and product quality.
Normally in the aquarium we will find the following accessories:
1) The filter, essential for the correct functioning of the aquarium.
The filter pump is used to make the water flow into the filter material placed inside the filter, creating a recirculation current even inside the aquarium.
2) The heater. The tropical aquarium needs an heat to made warm the water.
3) The thermometer, to check the correct water temperature.
4) Lighting, essential for plant stimulation and growth.
5) The aerator, an accessory mainly useful in aquariums without plants to guarantee the necessary oxygen exchange.
The lack of only one of these accessories can affect the correct functioning of the whole system, so it is useful to know in depth their functioning and to be able to perform a proper maintenance.
Decorative Material
Plants and fish are not always enough to recreate an underwater landscape that reflects, at least in part, the bottom of a river or of the sea.
For this reason we insert in our aquarium stones, woods, corks and other decorative materials designed to create a habitat suitable for the life of our fishes.
You must create dens, shelters, quiet areas where the animal can feel safe and maybe attempt a reproduction.
In addition, our aquarium should not resemble a birch field, but we must recreate the raised areas to give depth. Our eyes must wander in that small world.
Normally it is our imagination that guides us in building these landscapes, but also with the help of photographs and examples we can get inspiration for our aquarium.
Here is a small description of the most used decorative materials in freshwater tropical aquariums:
The "sand" for the bottom
The sands can be of different granulometry. The most suitable is 2.5 mm. Can be both polychrome or quartz, the important thing is that sands are not calcareous. If you use the quartz, you are safe.
There are also artificially color sands, which I strongly not recommend to use, as over time they release in the water toxic substances used for coloring.
Before use, the sand should be carefully washed several times to eliminate the dust that would otherwise muddy the aquarium water.
The bottom fertilizer
It is not an aesthetic material, but should be taken into consideration immediately, as it must be inserted before the sand.
As an indispensable product for the rooting of new plants, which will find a nourishment in their roots, the fertilizer will guarantee a healthy and luxuriant plant growth.
Note: do not wash the fertilizer to avoid losing precious elements that will slowly dissolve in the water of the aquarium.
The stones
Tall, round, dug, perforated, all forms are fine, as long as they are not calcareous. The calcium that stones may release into water gives much trouble to the plants that, on the contrary, ask for a tender water, that is water with low calcareous substances.
Even here we can sleep peacefully if we use quartz stones. In addition quartz stones are also beautiful!
On the market there are also synthetic stones, very beautiful but with a small flaw: get attacked by annoying algae. By the way, you can wash and brush synthetic stones. It's up to you!
The woods
The bog woods are the most tropical part of an aquarium, even here nature chooses bizarre shapes that are suitable for setting up an aquarium.
Before using in the aquarium, however, should be treated as follows:
Boil the wood for at least ten minutes. The water will be tinged with a tobacco color. It is the humic acids that in the aquarium do absolutely not hurt, but that is aesthetically. If you boil it a little too much, it is not very good to see, so just short boil and everything is solved!
Miscellaneous and not classifiable
Amphorae, sailing ships, ruined castles, fake plants and bamboo canes are also part of the home aquatic decor.
If inserted without exaggeration you can still bear, but in excess they are really ugly! (personal consideration).
And now we are starting to set up the aquarium really !!
