Fishkeeping 101: Preparing to Keep Fish as a Hobby?

An aquarium can provide hours of soothing relaxation. Watch fish swim around in a healthy habitat is a wonderful way to relax after a long day at work.

But before you rush off to buy that tank and fish, sit down and consider how much space you have, how much money you want to invest in your aquarium, and how much time you have to be a responsible pet owner.

Fish need to be fed, and their tanks cleaned and monitored constantly. Besides removing chlorine, pH (acidity or alkalinity) levels of the water need to be adjusted and you have to take care of the fish when thy get ill.

Having a successful aquarium means healthy fish that live a long time, quite likely even breeding and having babies. Success also means having a tank that looks nice without a lot of maintenance (e.g. constantly battling excessive algae growth or constantly changing the pH value of the water).

Things to Consider Before Picking Up Fishkeeping As A Hobby

• How many fish are you likely to have? Make sure the tank can support your fish when they are fully grown.
• For one or two small fish, a large tank that holds a gallon (about four liters) of water is fine as a start.
• Most experts recommend a long and wide tank. A wide tank gives your fish more room to swim, while a tall, thin one forces your fish to swim up and down. In a wide tank, there is also more surface area for the absorption of oxygen from the surrounding air.
• A glass aquarium is a lot heavier than a plastic one, so your will need to set it one something that will hold more weight.
• Glass doesn’t scratch as easily, so it looks better.
• Keep your aquarium away from windows. Direct sunlight may cause unsightly algae or overheat the tank.
• Allow enough room behind the aquarium for hang-on-the-back filters or other equipment. Make sure there’s an electrical outlet nearby to supply power (but don’t plug anything in until everything has been assembled.)
• Never use soap—it kills fish. Use a damp paper towel, with perhaps a bit of salt, to clean the insides of the tank.
• Buying a tank, setting it up and filling it with fish all in the same day, while possible, is a sure road to disaster. In fact, setting up and fully stocking your first tank could take weeks. Wait 24 hours before you introduce your first fish. That way, you can check for leaks and if water conditions are optimal.

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