Three Things to Consider When Buying Aquarium Tanks

April 5th, 2010

When purchasing aquarium supplies, the first thing that comes to mind is the tank. The tank is the main equipment that houses your fish. You can think of a fish tank as a glass condo unit for your swimming friends. When you go out shopping for tanks in aquarium supplies stores, there are a few things that you should consider.

First, you should take into account the size of the tank. Make sure to choose a moderate size or even a larger tank to begin with. Why? Because it is far easy to create a stable environment for the fish with a bigger tank. You’ll have more water to start with and it is easier to correct mistakes when you work on large volumes. A big plus, of course, is that your fish will have more room to swim in.

Next, you should consider the shape of the tank. It is recommended that you go for shapes that will give you a wider surface area. A wider surface area on the mouth of the tank is necessary because this is where gas exchanges are taking place. Thus, a more appropriate shape is the rectangular tank. It may not be the most stylish shape but it’ll give your fish a nice and adequately aerated home.

Finally, you should think of the make of the tank. Tanks can either be made from glass or acrylic. The most common, however, is the glass tank. Glass tanks are cheaper, easy to clean and resistant to scratches. The acrylic tank, on the other hand, gives a clearer view. It is lightweight but by far is stronger than the glass tank. What’s best with acrylic tanks is that they come in so many shapes.

Replicating An Aquatic Environment Complete With Waves

March 22nd, 2010

The time when replication of an aquatic environment means recreating an underwater world that is most realistic and faithful to the real thing. Aquarium hobbyists try their best to come up with realistic concepts that will bring out the closest semblance of a living aquatic environment. They pool supplies like place plants and rocks to complete their designs. They also choose the right specie of aquarium fishes to fit the make believe marine environment. Fishes which are shark like or whale like adds to the realism of the underwater world set up. Some hobbyists add miniature sunken ships and treasures to add fanfare. Some even add realistic mood lighting to perfect their underwater world concept.
Nowadays, advances in technology have given aquarium hobbyists new and exciting options in replicating their make belief aquatic worlds. This is made possible by “wavemakers” that simulate wave conditions in the real ocean. These wavemakers create randomized “wave”-like currents inside an aquarium. Aside from the wave-like effect brought about by this innovative accessory, the random currents created also flush and eliminate wastes that accumulate on the water surface inside the aquarium.

Randomized flow currents that create these “miniature waves” throughout the aquarium are made possible by switching on and off powerheads. It can also be done by oscillating the water return line from the return pump and by placing submerged wavemakers inside the aquarium which pulls in and pushes out water. With the growing popularity of these wavemakers, there are a number of reliable aquarium supply brands which now carries wavemakers in their line-up.

Food and Feeders

February 12th, 2010

It is of paramount importance that we keep our fish tanks healthy. This entails regular cleaning, changing the water after the fish has become ill, and maintaining the aquarium filters. More importantly, like any other pet, the fish has to be fed properly. This means finding the right type of fish food, and feeding your fish the right amount thereof. Without proper diet, you will find that your fish is not as colorful or as energetic as you want them to be.

Choosing the right fish food is a big factor in the health of your aquarium. Most hobbyists learn the hard way that fish may be carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore. It is important to determine to which type your fish belongs. SuburbanReef.com carries a wide variety of premium quality fish food. Its extensive line of nutritious fish food is sure to please every dietary requirement. Arranged by type or product label, selection is made easy. Choose from flakes, granules, pellets, plankton, veggies, shrimp, and the like. SuburbanReef.com also carries vitamins for healthy and happy fish.

After finding the right type of fish food, the next step is determining the correct amount and interval in feeding your fish. Even with the correct food, wrong feeding may result in fish illness. At SuburbanReef.com, feeding is made easier and hassle-free with the different kinds of fish feeders available for sale. Feeders may be automatic or manual. Automatic feeders guard against overfeeding and take care of feeding your pet fish when you’re away. Manual feeders, on the other hand, are ideal when you’re using live or leafy fish food. They also keep the tank clean by preventing excess food from floating around the tank. SuburbanReef.com carries a line of quality feeders. You’ll be sure to find one that fits your aquarium needs.

Essentials Every Aquarium Needs.

July 14th, 2009

Many times, people think that as long as there is a bowl and faucet that they can keep pet fish. This is never the case. No fish or plant can survive very long without their basic needs. That is why I am going to tell you the real essentials so that you can be on your way to becoming a pro. So, what are aquarium essentials? For starters, you will need a suitable sized aquarium, water, water purifier to make tap water safe to breathe for fish, filter, and decorations. Again, these are basics but very necessary no matter what kind of aquarium you will be keeping. Each of these items can be found at any pet store that carries aquatic products. But even once you have your tank set up how you like it, you must wait at least 24 hours for the water purifier and filter to work together to make it safe. Follow these general guidelines, never be afraid to ask questions, and your aquarium will be set up in no time.