Aquarium Systems
Most people admire a beautiful aquarium. They can stand and watch the colorful fish it would seem like forever. If that’s what you’re trying to build, then there are a few things you need to understand about aquarium systems before you get started. Take the time to do a little planning and save yourself a lot time, frustration and wasted money.
The first thing you have to decide is whether you want a freshwater or saltwater aquarium. Here we’ll be talking mostly about freshwater aquarium systems. So let’s get started. Here are the basics that make up aquarium systems.
The Tank and Stand
It may seem obvious to most that you need a tank and stand for any aquarium. The fact is, there are many options and you should do some planning before you buy. Consider what you want in an aquarium. Will it be fresh water or saltwater, single species or a community tank. How much room do you have for the aquarium. All of these decisions and questions need to be answered before you make a purchase.
Tanks today are made of glass, acrylic and plastic. All have their own advantages and disadvantages. Glass is the most popular but larger tanks can get quite heavy. Their shapes are limited to square or rectangular. Acrylic tanks are the most expensive but they are lighter and can be made into many different shapes for some really outstanding aquariums. I wouold avoid the plastic tanks because they scratch easily, the view can be distorted and they can become discolored.
Tank Filters
Filters have an essential role in any aquarium. They’re main function is to promote the nitrogen cycle by promoting bacteria growth, remove debris and waste and aerate the water. At first the many filter types available will seem quite confusing but it’s not really that complicated.
There are 3 types of filtration systems. Mechanical filtration removes solid wastes and debris from the water. Biological filtration converts deadly ammonia and food debris into less harmful nitrites and nitrates. Finally, chemical filtration keeps your aquarium water clean and sparkling.
Fortunately, with today’s systems getting better and better, you can find most of these filtering processes combined into one system. Do some research into various aquarium filters before you choose one.
Heaters and Thermometers
If you plan to have any type of tropical fish in your aquarium you need to have at least one heater. The main types of heaters are submersible heaters, non-submersible heaters and an undergravel heating cable.
If the heater you choose doesn’t have a built in thermometer you can get them separately. Here again there is quite a choice – hanging, stick-on, floating, digital and wireless.
Lighting
You always need a little light for your aquarium. Many people choose to use a hood for their tank that has a built in light. There are many bulb options available depending on what lighting effect you want to achieve. Again it pays to decide what kind you want ahead of time. If you're not careful, you can spend a lot of money on aquarium lighting.
Aquarium kits
If you are just starting out with your first aquarium system, you may want to opt for an aquarium kit. This is essentially a system-in-a-box. You need to carefully read what is included but usually they will include: tank, filter, hood, lights, heater, thermometer and water conditioner. All you need to add is some gravel or other substrate, some decorations or aquarium plants and the fish.