Fish Tank Basic Requirements

When starting a fish tank, there are several key items needed to be successful. Those key items include: filtration, heating, good water quality and lighting.

Filtration: Filtration is in my belief the most important requirement when running a fish tank. Filtration in a tank provides clean, oxygenated water and also removes harmful ammonia and other chemicals. Without filtration, NO Aquarium can last; all the fish will die. Filtration makes it so that all fish can breath and that the water is clean. So filtration is the number one requirement when starting an aquarium. The most common form of filtration is external filters. External filters are filters that hang on the outside of a tank and sucks water through a tube cleaning it and providing oxygen. External filters are often the most common, followed by sponge filters, the canister filters. No matter what type of filter, it is mandatory to have some type of filtration to keep your fish alive and healthy.

Heating: When keeping a fish tank with tropical fish, it is very important to keep your fish tank at the correct temperature. Heating is only required with tropical fish, cold water fish like gold fish don’t require heaters. Now with tropical fish, if your tank is too cold for your fish your fish won’t be as active, they would be dull in colorful and would most likely die. Most tropical fish need a steady temperature between 78º-82º degrees. Anywhere lower could result in serious problems. With an aquarium heater, your tank can stay the temperature needed for your fish to thrive.

Good Water Quality: Good water quality in a fish tank is very essential. The same way we humans need clean, fresh air to live, is the same way fish need clean water with proper chemical balances. Fish produce a lot of waste that makes the water quality poor, introducing harmful bacteria like nitrite and ammonia which can kill fish. Having an aquarium filter takes care of a lot of that, but not all. It is important to do weekly water changes to keep the ammonia and nitrite levels out of the tank.
Another important thing to consider when seeking good water quality is making sure that your aquarium has the proper pH levels. Fish coming from all over the world have different pH requirements. Some fish require higher pH levels, while others require lower pH levels. It is important to know the required pH level of all of your fish. You can check the pH level of your tank using a pH tester kit which is available at most fish stores. It is central that you assure your tank has good water qualities to keep your fish healthy and happy.

Lighting: Lighting in a fish tank is necessary if you want a tank to have natural affects that would occur in the wild like algae growth. Most people recommend aquarium fluorescent lights, which have a similar effect as the sun, growing algae which feeds tank algae eaters like snails and algae eating fish. Fluorescent lights also have a way of high lighting colors on fish. Some people do use others lights not meant for aquariums with no consequences, however it takes away that “natural feeling” in the tank!