A home aquarium can bring a touch of magic to your home. The beautiful fish are a great first pet for many children and the unique of the tank can really add an important element to your home’s décor. Aquarium can be pretty pricey if you’re not careful though. With the different types of water, accessories and various ailments you need to prevent, you could easily spend thousands on a tank if you don’t what to buy. There are many ways that you can set up an aquarium for next to nothing though. So, take a step back from the ideas you have about your tank and check out these simple tips before you make any major purchases. You’ll easily find more pleasure in your aquarium due to the lack of spending.
1. Be picky
When you’re ready to add some fish to your aquarium it is very important that you play the part of the picky customer. Although it may seem frustrating to act this way in a store it is important to look at every fish carefully before purchasing. Fish are very delicate creatures and if you’re looking for some new additions in a pet store then chances are you could end up with fish that are already sick, injured or near death. This is why looking at your future fish is incredibly important. Try to find fish that look strong and healthy. Usually you’ll be able to notice if there is something wrong with a fish while it is in the tank at the store. Typically if the fish is paler in color, swimming a bit off, or hanging out awkwardly at the bottom or top of a tank then there may be something wrong. If you do choose to pick a fish that looks this way you may want to keep it isolated from other fish until you’re sure it is healthy. Of course, you may want to avoid it altogether if the pet store doesn’t have a return policy, especially if the fish you are looking at is pricey.
2. Coral
Adding some coral to your tank can really give it a new life. Of course, there’s a lot you should know before buying coral. Just as there are different types of fish to choose from there are also different types of coral. Some coral is a cinch to take care of while other types are incredibly difficult. If you’re not interested in keeping a meticulous eye on your coral then you may want to make sure you get an easy to care for species. Coral is a great way to save money on your tank though because many types of coral will keep the tank cleaner while also adding some beauty to the aquarium. Another great aspect of coral is you can sell it off as it grows. Simply keep your coral trim and sell the trimmings off to anyone that is looking to start some coral off in their own tank. You may even be able to sell some of your coral to a pet store for store credit which will help your aquarium pay for itself.
3. Monitor Everything
The aquarium is a sensitive little ecosystem in your home, so it is incredibly important to monitor it to make sure everything is okay. You should always keep an eye on the way your fish are acting as well as their physical appearance. There are many diseases that start out with one fish that could be easily stopped from spreading if you catch it on time. You may also be able to stop a fish illness early, without casualties, if you manage to notice the symptoms and apply the proper medication before it gets too bad. The more fish you keep healthy and alive the better off your aquarium will be. You should also constantly monitor coral and sea plants in your tank. The health of these items can greatly affect the entire aquarium so by ensuring any problems that do arise can be fixed quickly you’ll be saving a whole lot of money. One of the major factors you should monitor everyday is the ph levels of your tank as this easy to fix factor can keep your tank thriving.
4. Avoid Salt Water
Salt water tanks have a lot of beautiful fish and plants that can really make an amazing piece for any home. However, salt water tanks are incredibly expensive and hard to maintain. If you’re not looking for a major dedication then you may want to skip out on the idea of a salt water tank altogether. Of course, anyone that does have experience with salt water may not have as much of an issue, but it doesn’t change the expensive nature of the tank. When you want to create a salt water aquarium you have to have a lot of extra parts for the basic tank. This alone can run your hundreds of dollars more than the typical freshwater tank. After you’ve spent the extra money to set up a salt water tank you’ll have to worry about the different types of fish you’ll need. Generally salt water fish can run a lot pricier than fish from a normal freshwater tank, which is another thing to consider when you make your decision. If you’re thinking about a cheap starter tank then salt water is probably not the direction you should be going in.
5. Know Your Fish
Buying fish is like buying any other type of animal for your home. You know you can’t buy a small bird if you already have a home with cats who love to hunt. Thus, you can’t go into a pet store and pick out fish you think look pretty. Before you choose any fish for your tank you should always spend a little time to read into what fish are compatible. This won’t just help save you money, since you won’t waste money on fish who are going to die right away, you’ll also save the feelings of the children in the home. If you’re unsure about mixing certain fish then you may want to talk to someone that works in your fish supply store. Usually the staff will have a general knowledge as to which fish work well with one another. Of course, if they aren’t sure they usually have resources that will point you in the right direction. If you do a lot of research you may be able to find fish that aren’t just compatible but fish that work together to make the aquarium cleaner and healthier for everyone.
6. Go LED
If you’re picking or upgrading your fish tanks light then you may want to check into the whole LED light option. A lot of tank lights are a bit too hot for some fish and if you forget to turn them off after an extended amount of time they could do some major damage to fish that are more fragile in nature. Leaving on typical aquarium lights may also cost you more on your electric bill due to their non-eco friendly design. A lot of pre-packaged tanks now already become with LED lights because of their more efficient nature, but if you’re piecing together your own tank or upgrading an old tank then you may want to consider this add on. The LED lights tend to run much cooler than the typically aquarium light and they use less energy. You might have to spend a touch more to initially buy the light, but it will be well worth once you’ve installed it permanently in your aquarium.
7. Get Creative
One of the more pricier aspects of a tank doesn’t have to do with equipment or fish at all. In fact, a lot of people spend more money on decorations for their tank than anything else. There’s a lot of ways you can save huge on tank décor though. For starters you can easily find decorations around the house to make the tank look better. From old vases and nick knacks to using some of your children’s old toys, the tank can look incredible without you actually spending a cent. Make sure you sterilize everything you decide to put in the tank though, so the fish won’t get sick. If you can’t find anything around the house to use then don’t go to pricey stores to look for items. Instead check out thrift stores or dollar stores to find something cheap and amazing for the tank. You may also want to print out your own backgrounds. This will save a lot of money and will allow you to change the look more often. Of course, if you subscribe to many magazine you may find some great pictures to use as well.
8. Marbles
You may notice that a lot of people who keep aquariums tend to use the tiny colored rocks to line the bottom of the tank. Although this tends to give the tank a colorful look it can really become a hassle to deal with when cleaning. The tiny rocks have to be sifted through frequently and often don’t last for more than couple of tank changes. If you’re looking for a cheaper option then you may want to looking into marble rocks, or simple marbles. These items can usually be bought for an incredibly low price and are simple to clean. Tank marbles can be found in craft sections as well as the tank area because they are becoming more popular with fish lovers. They tend to have a wide selection of colors so you won’t have to sacrifice your décor for price. When you change the tank the marbles are easier to clean and can go back in the tank as many times as you choose to use them.
9. Shop Around
Before you make a huge purchase for your tank you may want to shop around first. In fact, if you’re just starting out you may want to shop for around for a pre-packaged tank. A lot of the time you’ll be able to get everything you need for a lot less than you’d pay for the items individually. This will allow you to save even more money that go on the fun elements of the tank, like the fish. You should try to find new products as often as you can, but if you’re looking to save a lot then you may want to look locally for a used tank. If you have to do this then you should make sure to properly sterilize the tank before using as you don’t want your fish to catch an diseases the previous owner’s tank might have. Finding a store that sells fish food in bulk is also a must as it will save you big in the long run.
10. Real Plants
Using plants to keep your tank looking great is one of the most popular choices. Of course, if you choose to use plastic plants you may end up spending a bit more for items that don’t last very long. Real plants can be a cheap addition to any aquarium, and may even help keep your tank cleaner and your fish healthier. You should be able to find real plants at just about every fish store so make sure to ask about the different types to help make your decision easier. Your tank will even look better with the fresh look of a real water plant.
Keeping an aquarium in your home can make a great learning tool for children and well as a fun way to keep pets. There are many ways an aquarium to make an aquarium your own, but with these simple tips you should be able to afford an assortment of products to create your own personal aquatic world.
