Aquariums Fish Tank

An aquarium is an enclosure with at least one transparent side where fish and other water-dwelling plants and animals are displayed. Keeping fish in man-made ponds is a practice that has been around for thousands of years. It is thought that the history of the development of aquariums originated with fish being trapped in enclosures after the floodwaters arising from monsoons receded. The Sumerians started to keep fish in pools more than 4,500 years ago. The Chinese were the first civilization to breed fish, raising white goldfish, more commonly known as carp, for their ornamental qualities perhaps as far back as 15,000 years ago. They were exported to Japan in the 16th century and the Japanese raised carp breeding to a new level of sophistication. In the late 17th century goldfish were brought to Great Britain and soon it became popular among the wealthy there to display the fish in artificial lakes.

One important date in the history of aquariums is 1850. Until then fish had almost exclusively been kept in ponds, but on this date Robert Warrington of England built the first modern style, self sustaining fish tank. It held 13 gallons of water and was made of glass and had sand on the bottom as well as snails and plants. The idea was that the plants would provide food for the snails as well as oxygen for the fish, the snails would lay eggs, and the eggs would be the food for the fish. Thus a cycle would be set up in which fish could thrive indefinitely.

Aquariums were successfully maintained like this, without the air filtration systems we use today, for the next hundred years or so. At first the aquariums/fish tank continued to mostly be a hobby of the rich, or the aquariums were of the large public kind, with the first one of these opening up in the London Zoo in 1853.  The under gravel filter was introduced in the 1950s, a decade that also saw the invention of convenient flake foods for fish by Dr. Baensch Atlas. These two developments especially, along with such changes as the introduction of plastic bags for shipping fish and the rise of air freight, led to a rapid rise in the popularity of keeping fish in aquariums in the homes of the masses.  This rise in popularity is to the point where today fish are second only to cats in popularity as a pet in the United States.

There are really only two types of aquariums that you need to worry about.  The two types are saltwater aquariums and freshwater aquariums.  Choosing the fish tank’s type is important for determining the things you will with your aquarium and fish purchase.  The wrong type of aquarium for your fish can be harmful and even fatal to your aquatic friends.  Also, when choosing an aquarium, your choice will also impact the amount of maintenance required, what available accessories you can choose, and how much money you need to spend.

In generic terms, freshwater fish tanks will require a lot less work.  However, with the less maintenance you’ll less extravagant looking fish.  This can be very disappointing to some would-be fish owners and so they’ll need to look at a saltwater fish tank instead.  Most people would definitely agree saltwater fish are much more beautiful.  When looking at saltwater tanks, you must be prepared to have much more work ahead of you as well as being prepared to keep on top of the care of your fish.  While you can a much more beautiful aquatic ecosystem in a tank, you can also very easily kill your entire exotic fish supply with poor maintenance habits.

When looking at saltwater aquariums, there are two subtypes to look at:  fish aquariums and invertebrate/coral aquariums.  There isn’t a combination of the two because fish and invertebrates don’t cohabit peacefully.  What would happen is one day you’ll come home from work and see that your fish has eaten their aquarium mates.  If you’re considering a invertebrate aquarium, you’ll be looking at lot more work than a fish aquarium.  If you want a population of coral, you’ll need some skill and special care to keep the flourishing in your home.  If you’re thinking about getting a saltwater aquarium, you should start with a fish type.  Saltwater aquariums are very expensive to start and a beginner can easily end up losing their hard earned investment if they choose to start with a coral aquarium.  The best choice for beginners is to start with a saltwater fish aquarium and then get a second aquarium with coral when they’ve grown accustomed to the care of the saltwater fish.

The ultimate recommendation for first-time fish owners is to start with a freshwater aquarium.  Otherwise, be prepared to do a lot of research and even hire a fish professional to help you choose and set up your saltwater tank.  Freshwater aquariums are simply cheaper and easier to handle which make them the best for beginners.

Are you looking for a way to spruce up a room in your home? Perhaps you live in an apartment that does not allow you to have traditional pets like a cat or dog, but you still want a pet. A fish aquarium tank might be the answer for you, as they are relatively easy to maintain if you stick with the freshwater variety.

Before you decide on getting a fish tank, you should decide which variety you want. Freshwater tanks are generally easier to take care of, but the species, which can live in fresh water, are not as diverse as those that can live in saltwater. In fact, the only really pretty species of fish that can live in a fresh water tank is the African cichlid, and they are aggressive fish that will prevent you from having any other species sharing their space.

Saltwater tanks are much more diverse, as any species that live in the ocean can live in a tank. However, in addition to pH levels, you must worry about salt content and specific heat levels, as some specifies are very sensitive to fluctuations in heat. This extra care is entirely worth it if you enjoy brightly colored fish, as some of the prettiest fish in the world are salt water dwellers. The only problem with this is salt water tanks must be much larger than freshwater tanks, as the fish are larger and require more space. Most fish generally require 1 gallon of space per fish, with larger fish requiring up to 5 gallons of space to live without being cramped.

Another thing you will need to decide on is the size of tank and where you will place it in your home. If you have a small apartment, a ten or fifteen gallon tank might be enough for you. However, if you live in a home and you want something slightly larger to attract your visitors, then you might want to consider a fifty gallon fish tank. These are relatively large and have to be cleaned less frequently than smaller fish tank aquariums, but when they do, it is a chore to ensure your fish are safe while you are cleaning their habitat.

All in all, you should make a decision as to convenience for you. If you prefer having a smaller tank with smaller fish, then you probably want to go with a fresh water tank. However, if you want an over the top tank, then a salt water aquarium is probably a good start for you.

Anytime you are considering purchasing an aquarium that is over 20 gallons, you should consider making another investment as well. Stands come in all different make and models so this is not something that is decided with a cursory online search. If it delays your fish aquarium purchase then so be it since this is necessary. There is nothing worse than having a small child or a pet hurt because of a fish tank fall over. A little tremor from the earth and this aquarium could just come crashing down on your floor. Even if your floor is not damaged how many friends and family members are going to be issuing out “I told you so?” It also makes sense to buy these items as one; this should reduce the total price. They will also look better since they would be made for each other and bought simultaneously. The prices on either can be negotiated as well.

Acrylic and glass aquariums both demand a separate type of stand. So, with this said, it makes sense to match the aquarium with the stand. Sort of like an arranged marriage is done in some cultures like Saudi Arabia. Acrylic has to be sitting on a strong foundation that shoots the entire scope of the bottom, the width and the length. Glass only has to be supported by the outer edges.

Stands can end up matching the trim that is located on the aquarium. However, a stand and an aquarium can form a symbiotic relationship even if they do not end up being the same color. For instance, the interior and exteriors of brand new cars do not match and they usually look exquisite. But that does mean a stand and an aquarium have to share the same relationship. It seems that if the aquarium has maple stain trim, the stand would look best if it was that same stain color. Regarding the car example, wood is a little different than leather and fiberglass. You can have the most precious and fabulous fish and eloquent tank but if the stand does not look right underneath the fish tank, it will not be as impressive and the charm of the tank will be undermined. This can be avoided.

Acrylic aquariums are absolutely stunning. They are designed to blend in with the surroundings of the environment and just look super exotic. An Acrylic aquarium is a perfect example of living art and in this case, many times it is swimming underneath a spectacular ecosystem. These aquariums can hold anywhere from 45 to 45,000 gallons of water. No two acrylic aquariums look alike. They are custom made to compliment the area they are going to be placed in or to satisfy the wishes of the client. There is not too many venues that cannot house or contain this type of aquarium. They can hand crafted to fit snugly in any environment.

These aquariums are found in amusement parks, touristic destination, homes, backyards and in some other public hotspots. It is not under unheard of to see these aquariums travel for different shows and exhibitions. These are not cheap gifts and something you decide to do overnight but these will dazzle your friends and family’s imagination and bewilderment. This is a major expenditure, or can be and it not something that you can just pack and leave with. It is more of a stationary object. An aquarium on this scale could spark some jealousy with some friends of yours and instigate some family envy but art of this magnitude can also be harmonious and bring people together. The fish will love living in such a seemingly natural environment as well. Therefore, this type of aquarium can potentially bring tranquility to two worlds, yours and the fish.

This kind of aquarium is not contained within any one style. Like art, the only limit is the human imagination and to see that an acrylic aquarium is not an exception to this adage. It is possible for the customer to create their aquarium and the maker just sits back and takes notes. Of course, the makers are going to have some of their input in it as well but that depends. They have the ability to construct the aquarium without any clientele input but it is respectful to ask the clients what they expect. It is also logical since it does not do anyone any good to build a masterpiece and either the customer does not want it or it does not fit well within the scope of that particular environment. However, with team work and communication, the real result is a sightseeing event that will dazzle any viewer even though that viewer could be seeing it for the tenth time.

Setting up an aquarium can be a daunting task even for the most able bodied among us.  Do it yourself projects can, however, be very rewarding and a fish aquarium is an ideal and low maintenance facility for low maintenance pets.

The first tier of the decision making paradigm is to determine what type of fish will be housed in the aquarium.  This matters when you take into consideration the size of your fish, how many types of fish you plan on keeping and what specific requirements your fish have.  You should not buy your fish until you research and find out specifically how to care for them.  In rare cases, you may try to purchase a fish that you simply cannot care for.  As a general rule of thumb, you should have a tank that will hold at least one gallon of water per fish.  Next, you need to decide what type of aquarium will best suit your fish.  Some fish are tall and thin and should be housed in a vertical aquarium, some fish are long and flat and are better suited to a horizontal aquarium.  Your fish’s display needs are certainly not your only concern in selecting the shape of your aquarium, but they are one consideration.  Survivability is another key factor.  Your fish should be in an environment that generally mimics their natural habitat as best as possible.

Once you have your fish and aquarium selected, the rest is fairly simple.  Select a place in your home for the setup.  Once water is inside, it will be difficult to move so take your time choosing.  Hopefully you will have purchased accessories to make the aquarium more livable for your fish, and more aesthetic to the eye.  Gravel should be washed and placed at the bottom and various fixtures installed at this time.

Fill the aquarium with drinking water, a few inches below the top.  This is when you install your pump, heater, thermometer and filter; as well as anything else that your fish require.  Now you install your natural or artificial plants, whatever you decide, and mount lighting fixtures.  You should give your tank roughly 24 hours to allow the chlorine to mix and filter.  Once the temperature reaches 75 degrees, it is ready for your fish.

Setting up an aquarium properly is essential in ensuring the longevity of your fish.  Be lazy and do it right the first time.  Your fish will thank you.

Most families love pets.  Pets are like family members.  Sometimes there are problems with having furry friends.  Allergies, lack of attention, having to train and pick up after are issues that one needs to consider before getting a puppy or kitten.  There are pets that can live in a fish aquarium that are appropriate for children.

Children love to take care of any type of animal.  They enjoy the idea of having a pet as a new friend.  Parents like that a pet teaches children responsibility.

There are all sorts of pets that can successfully live in an aquarium. When one thinks of an aquarium the first pet that comes to mind is fish.  Fish are one of those types of pets that most people enjoy.  They are interesting, colorful and not demanding.  It is relaxing to watch a fish aquarium.  They are full of underwater life.

There are big aquariums and small aquariums.  When deciding to purchase fish, one must consider what size aquarium they would like.  If a goldfish is what the family would like then a smaller aquarium will do the job nicely.  However, if you would like to create an underwater oasis of colors such as tropical fish then a large aquarium is what is needed.

Fish take care.  Feeding them is easy but sometimes aquarium care is not.  Tropical fish in salt water tanks are tougher to maintain than their cold fresh water friends.  Many people think of a saltwater tank when they decide on fish because of the colorful appearance of the different fish.  Cold water fish are not typically as brilliantly colored.

A salt water tank is much more expensive to operate than a fresh water tank.  The water must be maintained at a certain temperature range as well as the salt water needs to be treated to maintain the fish.

When purchasing a fish aquarium, one must first decide on what type of fish they would like to have.  Freshwater or salt water is one question that needs to be answered.  One fish or many fish in the aquarium is another question.  Cost and maintenance may also be factors.

A way to make the decision over the pet is to have a family meeting, come up with goals and then shop around.  The internet can give you lots of hints and tips about setting up an aquarium.  Cost estimates can be created and then fish shopping can be done.  Fish are a wonderful underwater adventure.

Bubbling water from a fish tank and the quiet movement of fish can have a Zen like effect on you.  That is why so many people have them in their home office or business.  The fish bowl may be a great way to start out the love affair of man and fish, but moving on to a fish tank can bring you into a world of natural color and beauty.  Watching fish has been proven in many health studies to lower blood pressure and calm hyperactivity.

Types of fish tanks can be very simple, table top models such as, a rectangle, octagon, or pole, all of which can be home to some great new friends.  Anything over a fish bowl size will require a water pump and filter.  Using a water pump and filter for your fish tank not only infuses oxygen back into the water for your fish to breathe but help maintain the water. Deciding on the size of a fish tank is usually based on gallons, and you can choose any where from a one gallon fish tank to a much larger. There are many different styles to choose from as well as custom designed fish tanks to fit into unusual places.

Larger fish tanks can come in floor models that are mounted on cabinets so you can store all your special food and cleaning supplies inside. There are tanks that are used as coffee tables or you can have one recessed into your wall and also some people use a fish tank as room dividers.  When making your choice about the size of a tank to get, it really depends on how many fish you want to have.  You can get help with that from the place you are going to buy your fish.  They will gladly give you advice, but there is some beginning fish tank knowledge you will have to educate yourself with, so your fish will stay healthy.

Fish tanks can be made of glass or acrylic.  Glass tanks are heavier than acrylic, and an acrylic tank will give you a less distorted view than glass.  There is a lot more pros and cons but it usually boils down to personal preference. There are complete sets that include a tank, water pump and filter, as well as a canopy and light that are easy to get started with.  Besides the fish your fish tank will need some plants and maybe an under water house, reef or pirate to swim around.  After adding the water you can soon be ready for a relaxing great addition to your home.