Basics

Fishkeeping Basics

There is a growing community of fishkeeping enthusiasts across the world. Appreciation of marine life and ample media coverage has drawn many people to get interested and therefore learn all about fishkeeping basics. Knowledge is half the battle won and so it is even in the field of flora and fauna. Here we give you a round-up of important information focusing on fishkeeping basics.

The keeping of marine organisms in aquaria has come a long way in a remarkably short time. If you are a beginner, you may be apprehensive that the marine hobby is difficult, requires special expertise and that only a select few can hope to become successful marine aquarists. However, all you need is a sound, commonsense approach combined with a desire to seek correct advice and act upon it.

• Lets look at tropical marine, a term commonly used when referring to aquaria housing tropical marine fish (even though an invertebrate aquarium may well be "tropical" in nature).
• The Aquarium Choosing a suitable aquarium is of critical importance. You will need to spend considerable time, effort and research before arriving at a decision. You must be aware that some of the aquaria which can be used for freshwater fish are not at all suitable for marine organisms. Go in for an angle-iron tank which has been coated in such a way that there is no direct contact between the metal and the water. PVC. is one such suitable coating, but there are others as well. If you really want a hard-working aquarium, invest in one made entirely of glass. The advantages are many, including ease of construction. This has been made possible by the development of silicone-based aquarium sealants which set in a few hours but can last, without leaks, for ten years or more.
• Aquarium Size No aquarium, as you will no doubt understand can hope to give the beauty and comfort of the natural environment to the marine life it houses. An interesting and important learning is that a smaller aquarium and therefore less water can suffer from serious pollution even with minimal overfeeding. In a large one, its effects are proportionately less and should, at least, give the aquarist the margin of safety required to remedy the problem before it really gets out of hand.
  
  It, therefore, makes sense to go for the largest aquarium possible from the start.
• Aquarium Covers There is plenty to choose from: simple covers to sophisticated, partitioned units designed to house lighting and other equipment. It is really up to the aquarist to decide which of the available models best suit his/her needs.
  
  Two points, though, are worth bearing in mind. First, it is essential that there are no exposed metal parts. The second point concerns evaporation and splashing of water. The easiest way to avoid these potential problems is simply by using a condensation or cover sheet.