wall aquariums

Wall aquarium give a dramatic and elegant look to any room. Some of the newer wall fish tanks come as kits with all the accessories and mounting fixtures needed so that the filters, pump etc. are easily concealed.

Fish tanks can be very heavy when filled with water so you need to be sure that the wall and studs can bear the weight. You also need to decide whether you are going to hang the fish tank or build it into the wall.

The next thing to do is to measure the area where you are going to place the fish tank and make sure you allow some space for accessories such as lights, pumps and filters. The pump can be placed some distance away from the wall aquarium, such as in another room, and water brought to the tank through pipes. One of the problems with wall aquarium is that they tend to be narrow so they have a smaller surface area than rectangular fish tanks.

Once your tank is installed it will need to be treated just like any other fish tank by cycling the tank before you add the fish. Once you have cycled tank you can start to add your fish and plants if you are using them.

A very dramatic effect can be achieved by making a saltwater tank with colorful saltwater fish and corals, but this is, perhaps a project for more experienced fish keeper.

The wall aquarium hangs like a framed piece of art but encompasses live fish. Some color options for finishes are natural grain, mahogany, cherry, red walnut, oak, black and stainless steel.

Wall aquariums are sure to please any level of experience from a fish hobbyist to an active fish keeper. An important advantage of wall mounted from a regular tank is if you have small children or pets they are mounted out of reach. You can purchase fresh water and salt water aquariums. The advantage here is fresh water tanks. Salt water fish colors are beautiful, but they usually are large and this becomes an issue with this type of tank.

I would suggest you consider having a professional install the wall mounted aquarium. With steel brackets securely fix and level your aquarium then carefully slide onto the brackets. Once the aquarium is mounted you can fill it right away with lime free water.

The aquarium comes with water treatments that will condition the water. The wall aquarium limits your fish selection to smaller fish. The fish size is limited to the width of the tank.

There are numerous companies that have websites online devoted to selling wall mounted aquariums.

Please also check out my other guide on: aquarium plants

fish aquarium accessories

Having an aquarium can be much more than just a place to put the fish. Using the right aquarium accessories, you can turn the aquarium into a fine piece of decoration in the house. With the proper accessories, you can add to your fish’s habitat and dress up the overall appearance.

When selecting aquarium accessories, you first want to identify the type of water and the type of fish you have. Also, some accessories are not good for various types of fish.

For a salt water aquarium, coral can be a great addition because of the elegance it adds. There are several different kinds of coral to choose from giving you options to decorate the aquarium.

Rocks are another accessory that can suit an aquarium perfectly. There is a plethora of different sizes, styles, and colors of rocks to choose from. Some options include rainbow rocks, lace rocks, and carved lava.

If you have a freshwater aquarium, there are just as many options to choose from to spice up the tank. As with saltwater, you can opt to place all different kinds of rocks with no problems. An accessory that is only suitable for freshwater is driftwood. Driftwood comes from swamplands and sinks naturally to the bottom of the tank. This will keep it from tangling up and injuring the fish.

You also must remember that there are several items that every fish tank needs. There are three mandatory things that just about ever fish tank needs and these include a filter, a heater and lights

Once you have those three things taken care of how you choose to accessorize your fish tank is up to you. This is a personal decorating choice because for the most part any fish tank accessory you add is there to decorate the tank; they do have a few benefits to the fish.

If you have a community tank with different sized fish it makes sense to provide accessories that provide hiding areas for the smaller fish. With the right selection you can set up your fish tank much like your fishes natural habitat. If you are setting up a Cichlid tank then you need to be aware that many Cichlids do not take kindly to to much decoration. They will push rocks around, dig holes in the gravel, and tear up plants that you may put in their tank. If you insist on putting accessories in a Cichlid tank just be forewarned that it may be redecorated the next day.

Finding the right fish tank accessory or accessories is all up to you and what you want your aquarium to look like. Keep in mind that a more natural look will enhance the fish you have and their ability to live like they would in their natural habitat.

I thought You could be interested in this article: plants for your aquarium

aquarium decor

You’ve got the aquarium tank, now it’s time to decorate. The theme you select for your aquarium decor is a matter of personal choice. There are many different aquarium decorations out there. Coral, driftwood, gravel, plants, artificial plants, rocks and ceramic decorations are just a few types of aquarium décor.

Soap, bleach and other “cleaning products” are harmful for fish tanks. The tank décor and ornaments should be cleaned once a month using a cleaner made especially for cleaning fish tanks and aquariums. Cleaning aquarium decorations on the average is very low maintenance. Aquarium decoration is more than just ornaments and decorations in your tank. It can be used to disguise some of the unsightly plumbing of the fish tank, and more importantly, provide necessary shelter for the sea life thriving in your aquarium.

Rocks and other structures used as aquarium décor often become territorial boundaries for some of the fish in the tank.

Aquarium decoration takes time to properly arrange in the tank because with it, you can create hiding places for the fish as well as natural borders. This makes the aquarium more like a natural environment. Creating natural borders with a unique aquarium decoration can help to control the aggression of some fish in a tropical aquarium.

For tropical fish that are primarily cave dwellers, they especially need to have some elements of aquarium decoration that will create places for them to get away from other fish.

Tank decorations that create crevices, caves and holes are particularly important for these kinds of fish. Plants are one type of aquarium decoration for your tropical fish tank that play a bigger role in the tropical aquarium than simply adding beauty. Aquarium plants are able to bind carbon and they oxygenate the water, helping to keep the water in better condition for the fish. If there is a sudden problem with the quality of the water in the tropical fish tank, the plant will die.

Some aquarium enthusiasts even go so far as to research the actual habitats of their fish and then try to replicate the look and feel in their tropical fish tank, by adding plants and rocks that come from specific fish habitats.

In addition to the type of aquarium decoration that brings a sense of nature into the tropical fish tank, there is also a huge array of aquarium decorations that would not be found in natural fish habitat settings.

I thought you could be interested in this article: freshwater aquarium

By richard gilliland

aquarium kits

Each aquarium kit is rather expensive, although it’s possible to save some money if you purchase a master test kit.

How do aquarium test kits work? The process is very easy - all you have to do is dip the strips in a test tube containing your aquarium water, and compare the color on the strip to the information cards that come with the package.

Another type of aquarium kit comes with liquid droppers containing a solution you drip into a test tube of sample water. Then you just shake and wait a few minutes for the results. Again, match the color in the test tube to the color on the card to find out what the results mean.

For Saltwater aquarium kit , the master test kits look for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and even alkalinity.

Ammonia builds up in a saltwater aquarium from fish waste and leftover food that has begun to rot. It’s extremely important to keep your tank free of ammonia, as it’s the main reason why fish die. Readings should always be 0.

Nitrite develops when bacteria present in the tank feed off ammonia. In new tanks that have not been cycled, nitrite levels are very high. Nitrite is toxic to fish just like ammonia. To remove nitrites from the water you have to conduct a water change. Bacteria in the water and filters eventually transform nitrites into nitrate. A nitrite reading must be 0.

Nitrates are produced, as mentioned above, during the natural cycling process. While not as toxic as nitrites and ammonia, nitrates can cause your fish stress in high amounts. A partial water change will get rid of nitrates, which should be less than 20 ppm. Reef tanks should have a reading closer to 0.

pH refers to a water’s acidity or alkalinity. The pH scale is between 0 and 14. Zero is the most acidic, seven is neutral, and fourteen is alkaline. Water changes can raise or lower the pH level, as does the addition of specific chemicals to the water. The right pH level depends on the type of fish you have in your tank.

Another aquarium kit like an alkalinity kit tests the stability of your water in regards to a changing pH level. Essentially, this type of test specifically looks for your aquarium’s capabilities for stabilizing the pH in the water. The reading in saltwater tanks should be between 7 and 12 dkH.

Testing the water in your aquarium is an important part of maintaining the tank and keeping your fish safe and healthy. Regular maintenance will ensure your aquarium continues to run smoothly, but you always have to double check by carrying out the required tests.

Please also check out my other guide on: freshwater aquarium

freshwater tropical fish aquarium

There is a large variety of freshwater tropical fish that you can add to your fish tank but my two favorites are Mollies and fancy guppies.

Mollies

A Molly is a great fish for a beginner hobbyist. There are two general types of Mollies to choose from the Sail fin and the short finned. other fish that will coexist good in a fish tank with mollies include the Plecostomus, Swordtails, Angelfish, Corydoras, Catfish, Silver Tip Tetras, Red Serapes and Black Skirts. If given the proper environment and care Mollies can grow to be five inches long and live to be five years old.

Fancy Guppies

The male fancy guppy is beautiful freshwater tropical fish with a long flowing tail light comes in a variety of beautiful colors - golds, greens, blues, Reds, blacks. On the whole, guppies are pretty easy to keep that you can feed them floating flake food supplemented with frozen brine tramp or freeze dried blood worms.

You can also keep freshwater tropical fish like Neon Tetras, ghost shrimp, glass fish, gouramis, dwarf frogs and catfish. Both mollies in guppies will do better if you add a little bit of marine salt to your freshwater fish tank - just one tablespoon for every 5 gallons should do. You might be able to keep them in a fish tank together but just be aware that the larger mollies can attack the guppies.

The Blue Gourami, sometimes also called the 3 Spot Gourami is a popular freshwater tropical fish for aquarium keeping. The Gourami type of fish itself comes in several colors, the blue which you often see in pet stores, gold and opaline as well as a few other rear of varieties. These fish can grow very large and are best suited for larger aquariums.

The Blue Gourami is a fairly easy freshwater tropical fish to keep and will exist fine on floating flake food that you probably feed to the majority of the other fish in your tank. If you buy a Gourami fish that is very small you might be able to start them off in a smaller aquarium but eventually you going to have to get a 50 gallon or larger as the fish grows.

The Blue Gourami enjoys the company of the other varieties of Gourami. You could keep Gold, Blue and Opaline Gourami together peacefully in the same aquarium. Oddly enough, if your tank has only one variety of Gourami with other species of fish, the Gourami will gang up on the other fish. When you keep a mix of Gourami in the tank among other fish species, the Gourami tend to focus on their own type and leave the other fish alone. The Gourami can get along in the tank with other freshwater tropical fish of the same size and can live peacefully with Barbs, Clown Loaches, Bala Sharks, Danios, Rainbow Sharks, Red Tail Sharks and Rainbows.

Please also check out my other guide on: freshwater aquarium

fish aquarium how to

Aquarium how to - Cleaning Your Fish Tank

1. Empty 20-30% of the water in your fish tank (using a siphon)
2. Now you can carefully take out your tropical fishes. You can either use a dip net or a small bucket, depending on the size of your aquarium, just make sure you won’t hurt the fish along the process. Now put the fish in a smaller container where it can stay for the next time.
3. As you are emptying the water, make sure to siphon through the gravel to get the dirt and debris out.
4. Take out the rocks and plants - scrub them with a sponge or just run under warm water to get the grime off
5. Clean the filtration system itself. If you decide to disassembly the machine, be sure you know how to put it together again! If your filtration system contains more then one filter, clean only one at a time - otherwise you will lose important biological bacteria cultures which are useful for your fish tank. Clean one filter now and the second one a few weeks later.
6. Place your rocks and aquarium plants back into the fish tank - either where you had them or in another place, it’s your call (By taking out the rocks and plants you will “trick” the fish into thinking they have a new home)
7. Put everything together again. Check every piece of equipment - are heater, filtration system and light working perfectly? If not, use this chance to fix them. Even a short time without proper temperature, filtration or light can harm your fish to the point of no return!
8. Now this step can be one of two things - You can either add the fish or add the water. It will not matter. I like to add the water first, then add the fish.
9. Add water to your fish tank, fill so it is about 1 inch from the top of your fish tank. Make sure you dechlorinate the water once you add it to your fish tank.
10. Smooth out any gravel that might have been shifted during the addition of the water, and fix any plants and rocks that might have moved as well.
11. Add your top back to your fish tank, clean the excess water from the sides of the fish tank, and turn on your lights

These easy steps will help you to get the idea, but every tropical fish species and aquarium needs special care and the requirements may differ. While the procedure will lead to a clean fish tank in one case, in another one it might endanger your tropical fish because they might need to be handled in some special way!

Please also check out my other guide on: Saltwater Fish

gallon fish tank stand

A small fish tank with 10 gallon capacity will hold about nine gallons of water when filled. This small 10 gallon tank will therefore weigh at least 100 pounds!

Sourcing Your Fish Tank Stand

There is a wide variety of fish tank stands available. Fish tank stands can seem rather expensive items; however, there is little option but to purchase one. An advantage of fish tank stands built for a specific sized tank is that they appear more unobtrusive than sitting the tank on an unused piece of furniture. Some fish tank stands include a matching hood which can further enhance the look of the aquarium.

Once your stand is in place you will be able to install your new fish tank and follow the instructions for setting up the fish tank and stocking it with fish.

Purchasing a top quality fish tank stand can help ensure that your investment doesn’t accidentally get knocked over. Choose the fish tank stand that is designed for your aquarium and suits your home’s style, and you will feel confident in establishing your fish tank.

Fish tank stands are just as important as the actual tank itself. You can buy a brand new fish tank stand, and make your aquarium setup the center piece of your room. Fish tank stands come in many different sizes, styles, and colors. You can find a fish tank stand for any room of your house if you know where to look.

Fish tank stands do not have to cost tons of money either. If you know what you want and where to look, you will definitely be able to score yourself a high quality, decorative fish tank stand.
Fish tank stands are made of many different materials. Metal stands can even match the decor of a room that is decorated in wood.
Both metal and wood stands come available in different heights and styles. You can find fish tank stands at your pet store, at a furniture store, or online. You may wish to look online at Ebay or do a google search on “fish tank stand”. Also, if you are looking to find discounted fish tanks stands check out your local flea market.
Fish tank stands can turn an ordinary aquarium extraordinary.

I thought You could be interested in this article: salt water fish

freshwater aquarium tropical fish

Because of the many different types of freshwater aquarium fish, this tends to be the most popular choice as a starting point for this wonderful hobby.

There are two types of fish from which to choose, coldwater and tropical. Some of the more popular types of freshwater aquarium fish for coldwater tanks are goldfish, koi and some of the tetra fish species.

But of the types of freshwater aquarium fish, the most sought after by far are tropical fish. These colorful and beautiful fish need a heated aquarium to survive and therefore cost a little more to maintain, but the sheer beauty of some of them make the expense worthwhile.

Selecting the proper species of fish is essential to the success of your aquarium. The types of freshwater aquarium fish for the tropical tank should be hardy and able to withstand variations and fluctuations of ammonia and nitrite as your aquarium becomes established.

Some recommendations for the types of to start off your tropical tank with include Tetras, Danios, Barbs or Cichlids.

When choosing tetra fish for starting up your aquarium, choose those with round; large bodies over the thin, torpedo shaped ones such as neon tetras as these tend to be hardier.

• Danios are an excellent type of freshwater fish. They include zebra danios, leopard danios and giant danios.

• Barbs are a good choice of tropical fish for the beginner although you have to be careful about the fish you put them in with as they can a bit temperamental and nip the slower moving fish.

• Cichlids are a very large and diverse group of tropical fish and African cichlids are an excellent choice for starting a new aquarium, but should not be kept with other fish, as they can be aggressive.

• Guppies prefer water temperatures of about 22 C (72 F) for reproduction. Guppies can live in a wide range o . Guppies are often bred for their natural colour, so over the years the domestic guppy has grown weaker.

• Angelfish, gouramis, and dwarf catfish (Corydoras ) can also work well, though angelfish at least are predatory and will eat very small fish such as neon tetras . Angelfish are considered by many to be the most beautiful fish associated with coral reefs. Many members of this family, known scientifically as the Pomacanthidae, grow too large for small and medium-size home aquariums.

• Tetra’s do quite well feeding on regular dried or freeze-dried aquaria in foods and some frozen brine shrimp now and then. Tetrahymena is a teardrop-shaped ciliate ( Figure 4 ) that moves along the outside of the host. The presence of Tetrahymena on the body surface in low numbers (less than five organisms per low power field) is probably not significant.

Having freshwater aquarium fish is a very rewarding experience, I highly recommend it.

I thought You could be interested in this article: aquariums fish tanks

marine aquarium fish

Marine Aquarium is a type which has to be decorated with marine plants and animals. This again can be further subdivided into the following types;

• Fish Only (FO)
• Fish Only with Live Rock (FOWLR) and
• Reef Aquaria

The major components of a Marine Aquarium are;

• An Aquarium, made of glass or acrylic
• Filtration Equipment
• Proper Lighting
• Aquarium Heater and Refrigeration Devices

Marine Aquariums - Guide no.1

The constraints on buying an aquarium are the size of the space you can allot to it and your budget. The recommended starting size is 55 gallons, but you can successfully keep your creatures alive in an aquarium larger or smaller than 55 gallons. The general shape chosen for tanks is a rectangle. Also having a relatively low tank also allows you to keep more light hungry corals in invertebrates closer to the bottom.

Marine Aquariums - Guide no.2

The filtration set up of a marine aquarium is much more complex compared to other freshwater aquariums and includes physical, chemical and biological filtration as well. The most commonly used filtration equipments are; Wet and Dry Filters and Protein Skimmers. A Protein Skimmer is a device which is used to remove organic compounds from the water before they are further broken into nitrogenous wastes. Protein skimming is an important process of filtration as this is the only method of filtration where the organic compounds are removed physically before they are decomposed - thus improving the water property. Some of the marine aquariums also contain a Refugium or a Sump.

Marine Aquariums - Guide no.3

For the fish-only aquarium, standard fluorescent tubes would be fine. However, if you want to keep a mini-reef, lighting plays a crucial role. The most common fixtures are power compact fixtures, which are more intense than normal fluorescent, and metal halides. Some people use hang on tank filters, but they steal some of the natural beauty of the aquarium. Other options are canister filters, and under gravel filters. Under gravel filters are losing popularity in the marine aquarium hobby because they require a coarse bottom, so that the plate doesn’t get clogged, and many people like the tropical island look of fine sand. Many people also choose to use only live rock and sand as their filter.

Marine Aquariums - Guide no.4

The ideal temperature for the water that contains coral reefs is between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The bigger of a tank, the higher heater wattage you’ll need. Once you have your aquarium set up, you will be ready to buy live rock. Live rock is chunks of coral that break off of a reef or are aqua cultured. They contain millions of beneficial organisms that are crucial for the marine environment. After you partially fill the aquarium with mixed salt water, according to the instructions on the box, you can add the sand or other substrate, then live rock. Be sure to keep the live rock wet so you don’t kill the creatures living in it. Once the tank has finished cycling, then you can add your first fish.

Please also check out my other guide on: saltwater fish

aquarium stands

Fish aquarium stands can be a great way to show off your fish. They are styled to complement featured tanks in a range of sizes on this site. Aquarium stands of the prior art perform only two functions: they support the aquarium above the ground and add a decorative element with storage to the aquarium display. However, if the form and function of the aquarium support system is contemplated it becomes obvious that there is so much more function and form that is possible with the aquarium stand.

A few things you should be aware of:

Glass overflow boxes will not warp like plexi glass boxes have been known to do. Glass tanks don’t need extra support; they won’t bow under pressure.

Metal aquarium stands were used a lot more in yesteryear, nowadays it is mainly wooden types, usually in cabinet form. Having a wooden one usually fits in better with the home decor, as the finish is available in all sorts, from matt black to light pine.

Wood aquarium stands are available in a variety of styles and finishes, which makes it easy to find one that will match the furniture in your home or office.

Moisture resistant, black powder coated finish. Moisture can cause warping therefore losing structural integrity. The flooring underneath the stand must also be protected (in case of splashing.) Base mats are a good idea to protect your flooring.

Aquarium stands are generally of two kinds: open stand and close stand.

Open Stands

Open stands are simple and weigh lighter. It is made from iron cast. Stands of this type are specifically made for small aquariums which contain a maximum of 40 gallons The aquarium is placed directly of the rectangular frame since there is no solid portion on the top. Glass aquariums are ideal for open stand because only the four bottom corner edges necessitate support.

Stands made of metal are good alternatives of choice. They are of a strong kind, lightweight, and long-lasting. Normally, metal stands provide to house two tanks, this way the fish lovers can maintain additional aquariums. It is very important to keep in mind that metal stands feet can eventually produce rust stain; a piece of wood or anything can be put underneath to prevent any staining in your flooring.

Close Stands

On the other hand, closed stands are crafted using pressure-treated lumber. This is essential since untreated woods will rot after several times due to moisture exposures.

Closed stands have both a top and bottom portion. The bottom area extends a few inches beyond the wall to ensure stability, while the top platform is also extended somewhat further away from the wall. Electrical wirings and filter tubing connections can be installed without any difficulty.

Closed stands are made for medium-size to huge-size aquariums that can hold a minimum of 50 gallons. Filtering accessories of different kinds can be properly hidden and assembled beneath the tank.

Please also check out my other guide on: saltwater fish