A note from SJ Francis: I love animals. All animals. Large and small. Domestic and wildlife. Land and sea. I speak up for them all. Some animal advocates advise against keeping a fish tank. They consider it cruel. I disagree. I feel when I have an aquarium I can rescue those fish out of the overcrowded pet store. I have three fish tanks of various sizes with small tropical freshwater fish. I love to watch them. My cats love to watch them. I keep my tanks understocked to keep them all healthy and happy. Medical experts will tell you that keeping a fish tank is a great stress relief and I agree. Keeping a fish tank isn't difficult, but it does require commitment. It is a responsibility one shouldn't take lightly since the fish you keep are in a environment you alone control. I advise anyone interested in keeping a fish tank to read and research all you can about keeping one and see what works for you. It's important to realize that having an aquarium and keeping your fish healthy isn't an exact science. You alone are responsible for all the lives inside your tank. Take it seriously, but don't stress over it. Don't be afraid to seek out help from forums or even your local vet.
From Petplace.com
Aquarium shops sell an impressive array of fish tanks in glass and acrylic and in every conceivable shape and size: rectangular, hexagonal, cylindrical, tall, short, and every size in between. Tanks have been built into cabinets with facings in everything from faux stone to cherry wood to marble. They have also been built into glass coffee tables. Needless to say, selecting your first aquarium can be a daunting task.
While many of these tanks are impressive, they can be very expensive and certainly intimidating to a beginner. Still, you want a tank that will look good, accommodate a good selection of fish and plants, and be easy to care for.
Here are some tips for selecting your first aquarium.
Thanks for visiting my blog for the animals. It's always great to connect with another animal lover. If you and I don't speak up for them, who will?
“Some secrets should remain that way.”
A Book Review 4 U: http://abookreview4u.blogspot.com
From Petplace.com
Selecting Your First Aquarium
FISH
- Written by: PetPlace.com Staff
- Last Modified: October 12, 2016
Aquarium shops sell an impressive array of fish tanks in glass and acrylic and in every conceivable shape and size: rectangular, hexagonal, cylindrical, tall, short, and every size in between. Tanks have been built into cabinets with facings in everything from faux stone to cherry wood to marble. They have also been built into glass coffee tables. Needless to say, selecting your first aquarium can be a daunting task.
While many of these tanks are impressive, they can be very expensive and certainly intimidating to a beginner. Still, you want a tank that will look good, accommodate a good selection of fish and plants, and be easy to care for.
Here are some tips for selecting your first aquarium.
Selecting Your First Aquarium
Tanks now come in two basic types: glass or acrylic. Glass tanks are usually cheaper but they are heavy and can crack and break more easily than acrylic tanks. Acrylic tanks scratch easily and can look pretty beat up if you're not careful with your tank cleanings. Still, you don't have to worry about cracks and breakage.
Often aquarium shops offer beginner's deals that include the tank, filters, lights, heater, and gravel. These can be good deals but very often you will find that once you've got your tank going you may want some different accessories. It's also worth checking out the price if you get the accessories individually. It may be a little more expensive but you may get better products.
Often aquarium shops offer beginner's deals that include the tank, filters, lights, heater, and gravel. These can be good deals but very often you will find that once you've got your tank going you may want some different accessories. It's also worth checking out the price if you get the accessories individually. It may be a little more expensive but you may get better products.
Size Matters
While many first time aquarists think that beginning small is the best idea, this usually turns out to be a bad choice. The amount of work involved in setting up a 5-gallon or 10-gallon tank is exactly the same as the work in setting up a 20-gallon tank. The same goes for cleaning the tank. You will most likely find that you want more fish than you started with and now you have no room to grow.
It's better to begin with a 20-gallon tank. For rectangular tanks these come in what are called 20-gallon high or 20-gallon long tanks. The high tanks have the same length and width of a 10-gallon tank, but are higher. The longs are the same height as a 10-gallon but longer. The choice usually depends upon the space you have set aside for the tank. Either of these tanks will give you enough room for a good fish community that can include some groups of schooling fish such as barbs or rasboras along with your other good community tank species like gouramis. Your tank will have movement and color.
Other shapes besides the classic rectangle can be fun to look at but be certain before you buy one that the filter equipment you choose will fit inside and the lighting you choose will fit above. What determines the number of fish your tank can hold is not so much the amount of water in the tank, as the amount of surface area available for oxygen exchange. High narrow tanks may look appealing or fit your decor, but they will hold far fewer fish.
If you outgrow your tank, don't throw it out. Save it for a quarantine tank for new or sick fish or use it for a breeding tank.
It's better to begin with a 20-gallon tank. For rectangular tanks these come in what are called 20-gallon high or 20-gallon long tanks. The high tanks have the same length and width of a 10-gallon tank, but are higher. The longs are the same height as a 10-gallon but longer. The choice usually depends upon the space you have set aside for the tank. Either of these tanks will give you enough room for a good fish community that can include some groups of schooling fish such as barbs or rasboras along with your other good community tank species like gouramis. Your tank will have movement and color.
Other shapes besides the classic rectangle can be fun to look at but be certain before you buy one that the filter equipment you choose will fit inside and the lighting you choose will fit above. What determines the number of fish your tank can hold is not so much the amount of water in the tank, as the amount of surface area available for oxygen exchange. High narrow tanks may look appealing or fit your decor, but they will hold far fewer fish.
If you outgrow your tank, don't throw it out. Save it for a quarantine tank for new or sick fish or use it for a breeding tank.
Thanks for visiting my blog for the animals. It's always great to connect with another animal lover. If you and I don't speak up for them, who will?
Coins That Count:
Is your coin jar overflowing? Turn that loose change into cash that helps animals by donating to The HSUS at participating Coinstar machines nationwide. Where to go» Find a Kiosk near you...
Until next time….hug your animals. Tell them you love them. If you don’t have a pet, adopt one. Make adoption your first option when seeking a pet. Adopt. Don’t shop. Can’t adopt. Please consider fostering one. The animal will have the taste of home and the shelter will cover the expenses. Can’t foster? Make a donation or volunteer at your local shelter. Please, don’t hunt. Unless you’re starving down in a ditch somewhere, there is no logical reason to do so. Whatever you do, however you do it, please be a voice for the animals large and small. All it takes is one to make a difference, good or bad.
Together, you and I can make a difference in an animal's life. I’m one for the animals. Are you? Thanks for visiting. Stay safe. Be strong. Be happy. Smile. Show compassion. Be nice to one another. Pass it onward. If you like what you see here, please consider signing up to become a follower. Please feel free to share this post with others.
Regards,
S.J. Francis
“Some secrets should remain that way.”
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And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2017 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.
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