How To Build a Good Community Tank For Your Fish

In my previous post, “Are You Building a Good Aquarium Community?”, I highlighted the importance of selecting compatible species of fish for a community aquarium and providing conducive living conditions for each species.

Today, we are going look at how to build a good community tank for your fish.

One important factor for successfully recreating a mini-replica of your fishes’ natural homes is the water quality, that is, temperature, acidity, hardness, and chemical make-up.

Another factor, perhaps the most interesting and challenging, is the use of decorative items. Fishkeepers should acquire a working knowledge of what decorative items can be used to create the ideal habitat for the fish, and how to use them.

But before you start exploring ways to stretch your creativity in setting up your aquarium décor, bear in mind these…

5 Rules of Building a Good Community Tank

1. Meet Your Fishes’ Needs: Nocturnal, Schooling or Territorial

Take note on the habits and particular “natural setting” needs of your fish, for example, whether they are nocturnal, schooling or territorial species.

2. Plan Ahead: Putting Design in Print

Check out the displays in aquarium shops to pick up ideas for your own aquarium. Planning and designing your aquascrape on paper before doing the actual setup will save you time, effort, and money.

3. Lay the Groundwork: Substrate, Sand or Gravel

Apart from performing the functions of anchoring plants and harboring good bacteria, the substrate can contribute considerably towards beautifying an aquarium. However, aside from aesthetics, the possible side-effect of the substrate you intend to use must be considered.

Should you use sand or gravel? This will depend on the types of fish you keep. It’s best to use sand when you have substrate-digging bottom feeders like catfish which can hurt their barbells and bellies when foraging in coarse gravel with sharp edges. And though a substrate comprising large particles or pebbles may be great for creating a textured aquascape, it allows food particles to sink into it, out of reach, and eventually decay and pollute the water.

These days, you can find gravel in many different colors. While colors like electric blue may give your aquarium a unique look, bear in mind that this color is inconsistent with the fishes’ natural environment in the wild.

A dark color substrate will be ideal for fish that thrive in low-lit habitats. Pure white substrates may give a clean look but they reflect more light and may make the environment too bright for comfort for some species.

4. Make Rock Solid Decisions: Rocks and Driftwood

Unless you know a lot about rocks and driftwood, do no randomly pick up such items from the beach, garden or park for decorating your aquarium. This is because they may harbor undesirable elements like minerals and micro-organisms that are harmful to the fishes’ health.

It’s best to acquire them from a reputable aquarium vendor, who can also advise you for the type of fish you keep.

5. Avoid Toxic Elements: Keep Fish Out of Danger

Anything metallic, oily, water-soluble or dirty has no place in an aquarium. Ignorance is not an option, protect your fish by keeping them out of danger.

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