Tropical Fish Tank

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 0 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #4,970 in DIY, #116,984 overall

A fish tank is an enclosure, such as a tank, pool, or bowl that is used to keep pet fish and other aquatic animals. There are many marine animals such as crabs, mollusks, etc. that can be placed in a fishtank for your viewing pleasure. Fish tank and aquarium are really two different terms meaning the same thing. Aquarium is commonly used for a fish tank, though aquarium also refers to a place for exhibiting live aquatic animals and plants to the public. A fish bowl is more specifically used to denote a transparent bowl for keeping live fish. Whatever the kind of fish tank, one biotic component is an integral part of its environment: plants.

Unique Fish Tank 

A unique fish tank is something that can be a very interesting focal point to a room. Everyone loves to see an aquarium. It begins a conversational piece as people are drawn to its beauty and uniqueness.

Today there are a great variety of choices in shapes, sizes and material for fish tanks. It does not matter whether you choose to have a small one or a big one rather what it important is how you decorate it so as to transform an ordinary tank into a unique fish tank specially matched to your favorite room. The lighting of the aquarium can really draw attention to the fish tank if done properly.

There are many shapes of fish tanks in the market which are suitable for any budget and any home. There are simple bubble tanks all the way up to hundreds of gallon fish tanks. All of them can decorate a room nicely and make for an interesting addition to a room.

You can get a hexagonal fish tank which is now becoming a hot favorite due its aesthetic beauty and then you can get coffee table fish tanks which can be completely breathe taking. There are some ingenious shapes available besides the ones already mentioned, such as thin aquariums that can be mounted on or in the walls.

Having a unique fish tank can be a very beautiful addition to your home. The fish tank placed in the bedroom can provide a mesmerizing atmosphere at bed time, which can be both calming and romantic. If placed in the living room, it can provide hours of entertainment through the continuous movements of the multi-colored fish and aquatic plants.

You may start with the idea of having a unique fish tank just for the pleasure of it, but in the end you will have a splendid decorative item for your room.

Plants in Your Fish Tank 

Live plants are an essential presence in every aquarium for many reasons. First, they add a natural and attractive look to the aquarium, and secondly, they provide the pet fish with a natural source of food. Presence of live plants reduces the growth of algae in the fish tank, but most importantly, live plants produce oxygen through photosynthesis and continuously add it to the water for the fish to breathe. Also, plants absorb wastes of the fish like exhaled carbon dioxide and ammonia; if allowed to accumulate in the tank water it can be hazardous for the fish's health.

Certain considerations need to be taken into account when letting live plants inhabit your home aquarium. The following points are important to consider:

Only select those species of plants for your fish tank that can stay healthy while completely submerged.

Make sure the plants you select are able to survive well in the existing lighting conditions and chemical nature of the tank water; most plants are suited to live in pH values 6.5-7.5. Also, check about the suitable temperature range for the plants you select.

Certain plant types, like sagittaria, are fast growing and tolerant of even hard water; thus, they are ideal for the first inhabitants of the fish tank. More sensitive plants can be added later for keeping diversity and giving the aquarium a natural lush and attractive look.

For visual effects, you can use a combination of plants of varying sizes so as to impart an impression of depth and contrast. Red plants, like ludwigia, bring a beautiful contrast against the natural green of other species.

Plants with tall stems need regular pruning to keep healthy and also to keep from overgrowing other plants.

20 Gallon Fish Tank for Beginners 

If you are a beginner at owning a fish tank then the perfect size is a 20 gallon fish tank. Most people start out with some lame bubble tank because they are intimidated by the size of true aquariums and do not want to do deal with the maintenance. Maybe they do not understand how to set up the filters and what takes place with cleaning.

A 20-gallon is best when you want a tank that is small enough to be installed easily and big enough to develop its own aqua-system quickly. The 20 gallon fish tank will keep you interested in the fish and the aquatic life without overwhelming you with the maintenance of larger tanks.

In the 20 gallon fish tank you can have quite few diverse fish. Most people mix small fish with big fish in the 20 gallon fish tank; however, this may not be advisable since the bigger fish have a tendency to eat up the food of the smaller fish . It might be best to simply get the same size of fish that can grow together. The fun part of a fish tank is the fun that you can experience as you bring in new and exotic fish and aquatic life to the tank.

A 20 gallon fish tank is the right size for the beginner. It will provide you with the experience of owning an aquarium and learning about caring for aquatic life without too much hassle.

Fish Tank Supplies 

What is the Teacher's Toupee Doing in the Fish Tank

Amazon Price: (as of 11/14/2009) Buy Now

Tropical Fish for Community Tanks

Amazon Price: (as of 11/14/2009) Buy Now

Fish Tank Sonata

Amazon Price: $18.96 (as of 11/14/2009) Buy Now

by samrichmond

Tropical fish is one of my favorite hobbies. I have just become involved with having a fish tank in my home. (more)

Explore related pages

Create a Lens!