Fish Tank Now

One of the most important tasks for any aquarist is correctly setting up a new fish tank.  Before introducing any fish to their new habitat, it must be fully stocked with everything they will need.  This will include a filter, lights, hiding places, water of the right temperature and pH as well as enough room for them to swim comfortably.  Even aquarium kits that are marketed as complete will often neglect to include adequate hiding space for your fish, so be sure that each item is present and set up before buying your first fish.  Every species of fish has unique space and temperature requirements, and the requirements for your fish of choice must be researched before a tank is purchased.  Well-planned fish tanks are not only beautiful, they promote healthy fish.

The ideal size for an aquarium fish tank will vary based on the number of fish it will house and how big they will be when fully grown.  It is important to choose a tank not based on the size the fish are when purchased but how big they will be when they have reached maturity.  The dimensions of the tank should be generous enough to allow ample room for swimming.  At the very least, a tank’s length should be 4 times the length of an adult fish, though 10 times the length is truly ideal.  The height and width of the tank should be at least 2 times higher and wider than the length of the fish at its adult size.  If the fish you are selecting are active, their tank size requirements will fall on the higher end of these guidelines, while less active fish will be perfectly content in smaller accommodations.  When purchasing your tank, do not forget to find a fish tank stand that is sturdy enough to support the weight of the tank plus the weight of the water.

A fish tank filter that is equipped to handle the volume of a given aquarium is vital to maintaining the cleanliness of the water.  A good filter will help to break down fish waste products, transforming them into nitrates that will not harm fish.  They will clean the water to remove floating particulate as well as any trace elements that might be dangerous.  The three main types of filters are air-powered, under-gravel and internal power-head filters.  Air-powered filters use air to force water to cycle through the filter.  These are by far the least expensive option, but many aquarium enthusiasts dislike the high amount of maintenance they require and their perceived unreliability.  Under-gravel filters pull water across the gravel at the bottom of the tank to remove large particles, leaving the filter to remove smaller debris and waste products.  The third, and most popular, option is the internal power-head filter.  These are the filters that hang from the side of a tank and circulate water with an internal propeller.  They are easy to remove for cleaning and filter maintenance.

After you have purchased all the necessary components, it is time to fill a tank with water.  Tap water can be used if it is filtered to remove chlorine, but it must be stabilized and tested before fish tank fish are added.    A water test kit must be used to make sure that the chlorine, ammonia, pH and other chemicals present in the water are within acceptable ranges to support life.  Take a few days to allow the water temperature to stabilize and ensure that your aquarium lights will not raise the temperature significantly.  Aquarists will find it much easier to maintain near constant water temperatures in larger aquariums than it is in those with fewer gallons of water.

Even after a fish tank is well-established, one must carefully research any fish they hope to introduce to the environment.  All fish in one tank should thrive in water that is within the same temperature and pH range.  Those with a tropical fish tank should confine the species within it to only those that naturally live in the same geographical area.  A marine fish tank can be designed to hold fish from different regions as long as the climates are similar and the fish are not aggressive.

Fish tanks may be purchased from almost any major pet store and a number of online retailers offer fish tanks for sale as well.  In addition to any research you do on your own, feel free to speak to senior employees at your retailer of choice and solicit their personal experiences with various tanks and filters, as well as general tips on caring for fish.  Good luck on setting up your first fish tank!

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A BiOrb fish tank is a sleek, modern take on the aquarium.  BiOrb fish tanks are available in styles that call to mind the traditional fish bowl, as well as cylindrical models that can easily fit anywhere in a home.  Aquariums come with an included filter that is specifically designed to handle the exact volume of the tank, and the included lighting system will eliminate any questions regarding the number of watts needed and save the headaches associated with installation.  Both experienced and beginner aquarists will love their ease of use and their ability to remove guesswork from the establishment of a healthy, functioning aquarium.

BiOrbs are available in sizes ranging from the 4 gallon Baby BiOrb fish tank to the 16 gallon BiOrb Life model.  Round fish tanks take up less space in a home than their rectangular counterparts take and can easily be placed on any sturdy flat surface that is well shaded from the sun.  Tanks are completely enclosed, with a matching metallic cap that replaces the chunky hoods of traditional tanks.  While tanks are generally big enough for most who are interested in starting a tropical fish tank, they are not large enough to host freshwater sharks, nor will they support reefs or live rocks.

The BiOrb fish tank.

The custom filters are designed to oxygenate water, remove any floating debris and reduce the concentration of harmful chemicals.  There are four mechanisms within the BiOrb that will perform these functions.  Water is pumped through sponge and mesh filters to remove any large particulate from the water, including uneaten food, large waste, and other floating detritus.  The activated carbon acts as a chemical filter, removing chemicals that are excreted with waste, and that may build to dangerous levels if left unattended.  Ceramic rocks at the base of the BiOrb act as a home for the bacteria that provide the biological filtration.  These bacteria will take harmful ammonia that is introduced to the water through fish waste and turn it into harmless nitrates.  The last component, an air pump, adds bubbles to the water for oxygenation, keeps water moving throughout the tank and promotes the growth of tank cleaning bacteria colonies.

The BiOrb baby fish tank.

These components are vital to any filtration system, but in many cases, multiple devices are needed to accomplish all of these tasks.  This built in filter will reduce the number of unsightly cords that often accompany a fish tank.  As each filter component is made by the same manufacturer, all replacement chambers may be ordered from one source.  Do keep in mind that though chambers may be ordered together, they may not require replacement at the same intervals.  Each filter component should be examined when tank maintenance is being performed.  Depending on the quality of water that is added, or the number of fish in the tank, some filters (namely, the carbon activated one) may require more frequent replacement than others may.

The BiOrb life fish tank.

All BiOrb aquariums come equipped with a lighting system that should be sufficient for the needs of the tank.  Standard bulbs may be used for fish only as well as lightly planted tanks.  For those who wish to add plants with substantially higher than average watt per gallon requirements, replacement bulbs are available.  If considering replacing the bulb with one of higher wattage, keep in mind that too much light can stress and overheat fish and plant life.  High intensity replacement should only be considered if absolutely necessary.  BiOrb bulbs may also be purchased that simulate nighttime conditions for nocturnal illumination.

To set up a BiOrb tropical fish tank simply follow the same steps you would for any tank, with a few notable exceptions.  Standard gravel should never be added to a BiOrb fish tank, as it may hamper the functioning of the tank’s filter.  If a tank will be planted, use the included ceramic rocks as substrate.  As per usual, the filter should be run for a few days and the water should be tested before fish are introduced.  Always introduce fish into your aquarium slowly, no more than one or two at a time.  For best results, allow up to a month to pass before adding another pair.  Repeat this process until your tank is stocked to capacity or to your desired level.

For beginner aquarists or those living in apartments or dorms, a BiOrb fish tank will house your freshwater fish in a compact, easy to care for aquarium.

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As more and more people are keeping aquariums, the number and variety of fish tank fish available for purchase has exploded.  Some beginners decide to begin an aquarium because they have fallen in love with a particular species or region while on a vacation or visiting a major aquarium.  Others have certain colors in mind, but have not yet settled on the specific composition of a tank.  Whichever camp a new aquarist falls into, there are a number of resources online and through pet stores and books that can guide the search for the perfect fish.  First time fish owners should focus on docile, hearty species, while those with more experience may wish to make a single species, more exotic tank.

Freshwater fish tanks are most common; the fish that can be stocked within them can be purchased through almost any pet store, regardless of the size.  Most freshwater fish tank fish are sold with a guarantee, so customers can be assured that they are purchasing high quality fish that are in good health.  When deciding whether or not to purchase fish from a particular store, take the time to look through their tanks.  If there are a number of dead fish in any of the tanks, if the water appears cloudy or poorly maintained, or is the fish seem overcrowded, it may be best to choose another supplier.  If, however, when inspecting the fish at a store they appear to be active, healthy, and in well-lit environments, this is a good sign that any fish from this store will survive.

Tetra Fish

There are a number of species of Betta and Tetra fish that are good for beginner tropical fish tanks.  These fish tend to be hearty and resilient, and are available in a number of brilliant colors.  Before choosing the specific type of fish to add, be aware that there are species of both Betta and Tetra fish tank tropical fish that are known to be quite aggressive, and should be kept alone in a quarantine tank.  Others may double or triple in size as they approach maturity, and may outgrow a tank.  Before adding a new species to a tank, speak with a knowledgeable fish store representative about the expected growth of the fish and its personality traits.

Betta Fish

Catfish are also common in freshwater tanks.  They tend to dwell near the tank’s floor, so when keeping catfish of any species it is necessary to ensure that gravel is regularly cleaned and that fish food is reaching them.  Though catfish are generally considered to be dully colored, there are a number of species that are quite bright and vibrant.  Catfish tend to live long lives, and will often grow to be many inches in length.  Remember when stocking catfish that the full volume of the tank is not the limiting factor in the number that a tank can house, but rather the surface area of the bottom.  These tropical fish tank fish are rarely aggressive and can thrive under most temperature or lighting conditions.

Catfish

Salt water fish tank fish are generally more difficult to care for and more expensive to purchase.  Because their health is so dependent on perfect water conditions, many pet stores that carry salt water fish will not offer the same warranties that they do for fresh water species.  Clownfish are a great salt water starter fish for people who are used to tending a freshwater fish tank.  They are among the fish most easy to acclimate to a new environment, and are unlikely to outgrow most tank sizes.  Most clownfish available for purchase in the United States have been bred in captivity, and do very well in artificial environments.  A new salt water tank should always be inaugurated with clownfish, as they will help test whether the water, temperature and lighting conditions are correct.

Clownfish

Angelfish are popular, but expensive additions to salt water tanks. These fish are known for their unique, iridescent colors and their impressive size when they have reached maturity.  Given the investment they represent, it is important that they only be added to a tank whose conditions are stable and whose owner is confident in their ability to care for fish.  In addition, these and other exotic fish that may have been caught in the wild and sold to pet stores can arrive in poor health or may not be correctly acclimated to their new environment.  Customer reviews of fish retailers are of the utmost importance when purchasing salt water fish, and should be consulted anytime a fish is being added to a tank.

Angelfish

To maximize the lifespan of any fish tanks fish, whether fresh or salt water, one should follow the steps to introduce a fish to its new home properly.  Drastic changes in water temperature, pH levels or lighting will quickly lead to a fish’s death, and can be avoided through a slow introduction to the conditions of your tank.

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