Wondering Which Accessories Go In Your Aquarium
Deciding which accessories to put in an aquarium can be a daunting experience. There are different types of fish, plants, and other items that could go into your tank. With so many options available it’s difficult to know where to even start.
There are necessary accessories and others that just help with the aesthetics. Well, if you’re wondering what accessories should go in the aquarium, here is a list of the most common aquarium accessories you will need for any type of tank.
Air Pump
An air pump is an absolute necessity for any tank. It is what pumps the oxygen into the tank for your fish and other aquatic friends such as snails or shrimp.
You will also need an air stone to go along with it, which provides surface agitation that helps bubbles rise to the top of the tank and break the surface tension. This in turn provides better gas exchange between water and air. Essentially, the air pump provides the oxygen needed in the water to allow your fish to breathe.
Sea Stones
They are large round stones that have small holes throughout them, providing many little crevices for your fish to explore. Instead of using rocks, some people also choose to use sand as an alternative, which is often much easier to clean, especially when it gets dirty. Nevertheless, sea stones are still better for fish.
Filter
A filter maintains proper water quality by removing impurities and collecting debris on different types of filters. The most common filters are canister and internal. Canister filters typically sit outside the tank, while internal ones sit inside the tank.
Don’t worry about which filter you get, because all aquariums need a filter. There are many types of community-specific tanks you could go with, but generally it’s a good idea to have an external or internal filter depending on what type of tank you decide to keep.
Water Conditioner
Water conditioners are used to turn chlorine in tap water into chloride so that it can’t burn your fish when you add it to the tank. It also removes chloramines and helps with any damage caused by copper in drinking water.
Don’t forget this one, because it could quickly kill all the fish in your tank if you don’t treat your water before adding it. Think of it as the oxygen of the tank’s water, if there’s anything like that.
Cleaning Tools
Scrubbers will help you scrub algae off of decorations and hard-to-reach surfaces, as well as from the glass of your aquarium. Some of them even come with a magnetic back to easily remove the algae from the scrubber.
Scrapers work like scrubbers, however, they are made specifically for glass surfaces and can be used in place of your finger to scrape away any hard-to-reach deposits on the sides or bottom of your tank. Brushes work pretty much the same way, except they can be a bit more thorough and a little less harsh on your decorations.
You might also want some plastic tubing to siphon debris from the bottom of your aquarium. Be sure to have some activated charcoal on hand, as well as poly pads for the inside and outside of your filter. These cleaning tools will make it easier to clean your tank and keep fish waste from building up too quickly.
Lighting
Many people like to choose live plants for their tank, and while they’re a good option for a community tank, they won’t flourish without proper lighting. You can go with compact fluorescent bulbs or LED lights that don’t get too hot to handle. Just make sure you have the right lighting for your plants.
Depending on what kind of plants you get, you might also want to have a fertilizing solution on hand for your plants.
Nitrates and pH
The nitrate test kit provides an accurate reading of nitrates in your aquarium by testing both ammonia and nitrite levels. The pH test kit allows you to monitor the acidity of your aquarium by checking the pH levels. Generally, you should aim for a slightly acidic water level.
Don’t forget about these kits, because they will help you monitor the health of your fish and ensure that they live in safe water conditions.
Thermometer
A thermometer is used to check the temperature in your tank. You can usually find it attached to your filtration system or hidden in the gravel. You’ll want to make sure that the water in your tank is within the right temperature range for your fish, so remember to have a thermometer in there along with the right heater.
The aquarium industry has changed so much in the last decade that it can be difficult to keep up. That’s why we created this post about what accessories you need for your fish tank, including cleaning tools and lighting options. With these tips, you’ll have everything you need to know before getting started on building a successful aquatic ecosystem!
