Getting Started With Home Aquariums
Home aquariums are fun and entertaining. Decorating and maintaining the tank becomes a hobby. Home aquarium fish become loved pets. Getting started with this pastime is easy. Tiny species may be kept in bowls. Betas are sometimes kept in small bowls because they fight with and eat other species. Tanks are larger and typically rectangular in shape. Other shapes are available. The corner-shaped design is popular especially as a space saver. Bowls are cleaned by transferring the fish and plants to another container. Special cleansers are available from pet shops to use for this purpose. The water in large tanks is continuously cleaned using specialized apparatus. Occasionally it may be necessary to empty the tank in order to clean away algae. Species referred to as algae eaters help reduce the build-up. Bowls and tanks are typically made of glass, although acrylic is available. Tanks of unusual shapes are composed of acrylic. The bowl-front tanks are examples. Acrylic is stronger and lighter in weight, but scratches more easily. Kreisel tanks are specifically designed to hold delicate species. There are no objects or decorations and the pumps are kept separate in order to protect the animal.
Home Aquarium Filtration & Temprature
Most home aquariums come with a filtration system already in place. Lights and heaters are also included in most packages. The ideal water temperature depends on the species. 
Tropical and coldwater species are popular home aquarium fish. It is not possible to keep both in the same tank. The filtration system is used to remove waste from the water and recycle it. This reduces the need to completely empty the tank and change the water. Filters should be replaced according to the manufacturer’s directions. Home aquariums can be placed on any table or cabinet that is sturdy and level. The tank will eventually leak if the table is not level. Use a carpenter’s level to ensure that the stand does not lean in one direction or the other. Stands and cabinets are available to mix in with the décor of the room. A special stand may be needed if the tank is an unusual shape. Sometimes a stand is included in the package for this reason. Corner-shaped tanks usually come with a stand.
Choosing Home Aquarium Fish
It is important to do a little research about the species before you buy it. If you were unaware that betas will fight and kill other species, you might end up with a large tank and only one fish. Home aquarium fish that need saltwater to survive are probably the most difficult to keep alive. The salinity and pH must be perfectly maintained. Most tropical species are relatively easy to care for as long as you keep the tank warm. They can live in fresh tap water that has been treated to remove chlorine or chloramines. Remember that there is a limit to how many total fish can inhabit home aquariums. The best recommendation is to add a few species at a time. Monitoring their behavior and the water quality will help you learn the maximum capacity for the tank.
