Why should you bother with aquascaping? Isn't it a waste of time and cumbersome to think about what and how to go about getting your aquarium setup and established with rocks, sand, plants and etc. You may wonder why not just buy off the shelf fish tank decorators, dump it into the tank and you are done with it?
Well if you are a newbie to aquarium design or say you just pick this new hobby on rearing tropical fish then it is not surprising you might think that way. After all, why bother with the hassle to keep live plants if you can do with artificial substitues.
Some people has the wrong impression that aquascaping is just all about aquascape artistic ideas, of making your aquarium visually pleasant to the eyes by means of incorporating various aesthetic decorators such as plant, rock, sand, lighting and etc.
Aquascaping is more than just making your aquarium looks good. It encompass design and establishing an environmental condition for the fish and plants in your aquarium that closely resembles its natural fauna,flora and habitation.
It is important to note not all fish species and plants share the same ideal environmental condition. For instance, gold fish prefers cold temperature while some other tropical fish species thrive in warmer temperature and climate.
Some fish species are bottom feeders and spend most of their time in rock crevices while others prefers to swim freely near the water surface. Some kind of fish prefers to mingle in groups while others are territorial in nature and prefer to be long ranger so to speak.
Aquascaping encompassed a whole range of factors thus it is important for you as responsible aquarium hobbyist to design and create the best condition that will enable your fish and plant to thrive.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Fish Tank Stand - Aquarium Rack
One of the most important aspect of aquascaping is the support framework namely the fish tank stand or aquarium rack. Do take note that the weight of a filled tank might be over 10 times that of empty aquarium.
Thus it is important to ensure the rack is rigid, sturdy and robust enough to take the weight of the filled tank. Furthermore, it is also important to ensure that the tank is placed on an even surface. Make use of a level tool such as the torpedo level to measure the tank platform horizontally.
A torpedo level is a carpenter's must have tool that is used to gauge how flat and even a surface is. Basically it contains a bubble indicator that positions almost at the center if the surface is horizontal.
The main reason why you need to ensure a stable horizontal support for the aquarium is so that it will not cause filled water tank weight to be shifted unevenly. Uneven platform surface might result in more stress applied to certain parts of tank and this might cause stress cracks eventually.
Thus it is important to ensure the rack is rigid, sturdy and robust enough to take the weight of the filled tank. Furthermore, it is also important to ensure that the tank is placed on an even surface. Make use of a level tool such as the torpedo level to measure the tank platform horizontally.
A torpedo level is a carpenter's must have tool that is used to gauge how flat and even a surface is. Basically it contains a bubble indicator that positions almost at the center if the surface is horizontal.
The main reason why you need to ensure a stable horizontal support for the aquarium is so that it will not cause filled water tank weight to be shifted unevenly. Uneven platform surface might result in more stress applied to certain parts of tank and this might cause stress cracks eventually.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Freshwater versus Saltwater Aquarium - Which Of These Should You Start With
Should you establish a freshwater aquarium or a marine saltwater tank if you are a new aquarium hobbyist and this is your first attempt to set up one. Most experience aquarist suggest first timers to start off with freshwater aquarium for the following reasons namely:
Less Complex
Generally speaking, freshwater fish tank accessories and equipments are less complex and easier to set up. Aquarium filters for freshwater are quite easy to operate and usually the "standard" type that you can easily get from any local fish stores.
It takes you less time to establish a freshwater aquarium compare to a marine fish tank. Generally speaking, most marine aquatic fish and plant are more sensitive to the environment such as the water pH level and other water quality parametric such as the level of contaminants, waste and etc.
Don't take the local fish store salesman word and advice for granted. There are those who are honest and genuine in offering sound advice. There are also those who couldn't care less because they are just working for others and their objective is to sell you the most complicated and expensive items so that they can get a bigger cut of the sales commissions. When in doubt, go to the library or the Internet to find out more about those information you need.
Less Expensive
Marine fish, plants and associated aquarium accessories are usually more expensive compare to its freshwater counterparts. You wouldn't want to spend a fortune or burn a hole in your pocket by investing in expensive equipments, fish and plants when you establish your first aquarium
It's not surprising that you might make mistakes particularly when you are new to this hobby. Furthermore, saltwater aquarium accessories are usually more fragile and sensitive compare to its freshwater counterpart.
In summary, it is recommended that you start your first aquarium hobby by considering freshwater inhabitants over the more expensive and complicated marine saltwater aquascaping and aquarium. Once you have gathered some hands on experience and knowledge with it, you can then move on to establish saltwater aquarium.
Less Complex
Generally speaking, freshwater fish tank accessories and equipments are less complex and easier to set up. Aquarium filters for freshwater are quite easy to operate and usually the "standard" type that you can easily get from any local fish stores.
It takes you less time to establish a freshwater aquarium compare to a marine fish tank. Generally speaking, most marine aquatic fish and plant are more sensitive to the environment such as the water pH level and other water quality parametric such as the level of contaminants, waste and etc.
Don't take the local fish store salesman word and advice for granted. There are those who are honest and genuine in offering sound advice. There are also those who couldn't care less because they are just working for others and their objective is to sell you the most complicated and expensive items so that they can get a bigger cut of the sales commissions. When in doubt, go to the library or the Internet to find out more about those information you need.
Less Expensive
Marine fish, plants and associated aquarium accessories are usually more expensive compare to its freshwater counterparts. You wouldn't want to spend a fortune or burn a hole in your pocket by investing in expensive equipments, fish and plants when you establish your first aquarium
It's not surprising that you might make mistakes particularly when you are new to this hobby. Furthermore, saltwater aquarium accessories are usually more fragile and sensitive compare to its freshwater counterpart.
In summary, it is recommended that you start your first aquarium hobby by considering freshwater inhabitants over the more expensive and complicated marine saltwater aquascaping and aquarium. Once you have gathered some hands on experience and knowledge with it, you can then move on to establish saltwater aquarium.
Aquarium Size - What You Need To Consider
How big should your aquarium be? This is one of the most common and popular question that many new aquarium hobbyist had in mind when they set up their first tank. The size of the aquarium depends on a number of factors. The size of a fish tank is usually expressed in units of gallon.
The bigger the tank the more water it can hold and this means the heavier the filled weight. Thus you need to determine the amount of space that you intend to allocate for your aquarium and also amount of weight that the place can sustain the filled fish tank. Do not underestimate the total weight of the tank when it is filled and make sure you provide a stable platform for it.
You can check out the aquarium size and weight chart to estimate the amount of weight that a filled tank of the size of your choice is going to be.
The bigger the tank, the more fish and plant you can house in the aquarium. On the other hand, you should have some information about the the fish that you want to keep such as the maximum size of the adult fish so that you can roughly estimate how many of that species of fish you can keep in the tank.
I guess the best method to determine what aquarium size is to first ask yourself how much space you intend to and which you can allocate to place the aquarium. Next determine how many fish and plants you want to keep in the tank.
The bigger the tank the more water it can hold and this means the heavier the filled weight. Thus you need to determine the amount of space that you intend to allocate for your aquarium and also amount of weight that the place can sustain the filled fish tank. Do not underestimate the total weight of the tank when it is filled and make sure you provide a stable platform for it.
You can check out the aquarium size and weight chart to estimate the amount of weight that a filled tank of the size of your choice is going to be.
The bigger the tank, the more fish and plant you can house in the aquarium. On the other hand, you should have some information about the the fish that you want to keep such as the maximum size of the adult fish so that you can roughly estimate how many of that species of fish you can keep in the tank.
I guess the best method to determine what aquarium size is to first ask yourself how much space you intend to and which you can allocate to place the aquarium. Next determine how many fish and plants you want to keep in the tank.
Friday, June 3, 2011
What You Need To Know Before You Establish Your First Aquarium
You are thrilled and captivated with all the beautiful fish and plants exhibits in the aquarium shop. You decide to set up an aquarium in your home. You reckon it should be quite an easy task to establish a fish tank, populate it with fish and plants and then get it done quickly in no time.
Well, everything seems so easy and you just have to enjoy the aquascaping environment that you have created in your tank. You suppose that there is very little maintenance work to follow up with. Just minimal work involves right? Well, you are absolutely wrong!
Of course as usual in life most of the time there is an easy way as well as a difficult way to manage things. There is no short cut to keep your aquarium and its inhabitants in good condition, as any responsible aquarist hobbyist will tell you.
Do not take the health of your fish and plants for granted. You need to maintain and keep the environmental condition where they depend on such as the water to be clean and free from harmful pollutants, waste and chemicals.
Furthermore, you need to make it point to understand your fish and plants natural habitat and environment requirement and conditions such as the acceptable pH level, the type of food and etc. The more you know about your fish and plant the better and well prepared you will be to manage and keep them in tip top condition.
If you are the type of person who lacks patience, persistence and passion to manage all the hassle associated with keeping your aquarium in good condition then please don’t set up one in the first place.
Well, everything seems so easy and you just have to enjoy the aquascaping environment that you have created in your tank. You suppose that there is very little maintenance work to follow up with. Just minimal work involves right? Well, you are absolutely wrong!
Of course as usual in life most of the time there is an easy way as well as a difficult way to manage things. There is no short cut to keep your aquarium and its inhabitants in good condition, as any responsible aquarist hobbyist will tell you.
Do not take the health of your fish and plants for granted. You need to maintain and keep the environmental condition where they depend on such as the water to be clean and free from harmful pollutants, waste and chemicals.
Furthermore, you need to make it point to understand your fish and plants natural habitat and environment requirement and conditions such as the acceptable pH level, the type of food and etc. The more you know about your fish and plant the better and well prepared you will be to manage and keep them in tip top condition.
If you are the type of person who lacks patience, persistence and passion to manage all the hassle associated with keeping your aquarium in good condition then please don’t set up one in the first place.
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