Essential Aquarium Supplies For A Clean And Healthy Fish Tank
In order to have a beautiful aquarium it is important to keep it clean and tidy. When your aquarium is clean, the fish and other aquarium inhabitants inside will be healthier and happier. Whether you have a saltwater aquarium or freshwater aquarium, there are some important aquarium supplies you need in order to keep your tank clean and your fish healthy.
While there a lot of aquarium products out there that can help keep your tank tidy and fish happy, in this article we are going to cover some of the essential aquarium supplies you need to ensure the job is done right.
Aquarium Filters
Cleaning your fish tank can be an exhausting and bothersome chore. However, by having a filtration system in place, you can keep your tank fresh and clean for your fish. Fish release waste as they swim. This waste, along with excess food, decaying organic matter, free-floating particles, and dangerous chemicals need to be removed or they create a toxic environment that cannot sustain life. There are multiple types of filtration options: mechanical, chemical, and biological. Ideally, your aquarium filter should offer all three stages.
Mechanical
A mechanical filter is the most basic setup for aquarium filtration systems. It physically removes free-floating particle, decaying organic matter, and other waste from the water.
Chemical
Chemical filters remove organic matter and other pollutants from water that other filtration systems can miss.
Biological
Biological filters use bacteria to break down the dangerous toxins and pollutants in an aquarium. Through a biological process, these toxins are converted into nitrates and less-toxic nitrates.
Fish Tank Water Heater
In order to keep your fish happy, you need to monitor the aquarium’s water temperature, making an aquarium heater an important fish tank supply. Heaters are mostly needed for tropical fish but certain fish have requirements for water temperature. Plus, rapid and significant temperature changes, as well as frequent temperature changes throughout the day, are stressful for fish. An aquarium water heater will help maintain a set water temperature, while preventing it from dropping below a certain point. Heaters are recommended in fish tanks that are located in certain areas where the temperature drops below what is recommended. There are both internal and external aquarium heaters.
Lights
Aquarium lighting is essential for two reasons. One, it brightens the aquarium for your aesthetic enjoyment of the inhabitants and decorations, and it provides functional light that is essential for photosynthetic life in the tank. Plus, lighting can directly affect a fish’s behavior. Efficient and vibrant lighting can improve the overall health and well-being for the fish, plants, and the entire aquarium. There are different lights you can choose from, but some of the most common types for fish tanks are LED, fluorescent, and compact fluorescent. When choosing the lights for an aquarium, consider whether you have a freshwater or saltwater aquarium, what type of fish you have, and if there is plant life inside.
Aquarium Gravel and Plants
Gravel and plants are more than just decorations, they also enhance the atmosphere and filtration process. Instead of having an empty tank of water, adding gravel, plants, and other decorations can be both functional and appealing for the aquarium. These items also complement the aquariums by creating a stimulating atmosphere. Artificial plants look real, are easy to maintain, and provide fish and other inhabitants places to hide. Live aquarium plants, on the other hand, have benefits such as the ability to absorb carbon dioxide and ammonia and act as a natural food source and produce oxygen. Lastly, gravel helps with the filtration process in an aquarium as bacteria attaches to the gravel, preventing it from floating freely throughout the tank.
Aquarium Net and Bucket
An aquarium net and bucket are likely the most basic fish tank supplies you can purchase, but they can really come in handy when it comes to cleaning and caring for your aquarium. No matter if you have a saltwater aquarium or a freshwater aquarium, you will eventually need to clean the water and the tank itself. This means removing the fish, plants, decorations, and other items and inhabitants inside. A simple fish tank net will help you safely and easily remove fish from the tank without harming them, while a bucket filled with water can be used to keep your fish while cleaning out the tank. Before removing the fish, be sure to first fill the buck with some water from the tank. This helps fish transition from the aquarium to the bucket. This is a big environment change for the fish, as they can become
extremely stressed when moved from its surroundings, so they shouldn’t be kept in there too long.
Purchase Aquarium Supplies Online or In-Store!
At Melbourne Tropical Fish, we carry a wide variety of aquarium supplies. From aquarium filters and pumps to aquarium decorations and lighting, you are sure to find everything you need at our store. If you need aquarium supplies in Melbourne, VIC stop by our aquarium store! If you’re not local, no worries! We sell all of our fish tank supplies online! To learn more about the right supplies for your aquarium, contact one of our specialists today!
Contact Us
Melbourne Tropical Fish
Factory 2/41-43 Sinclair Rd
Dandenong VIC 3175
(03) 9792 5513