Original story at Swell UK
Looking to buy an aquarium? There’s no need to worry, here’s our handy guide to setting up for first aquarium and keeping fish.
You may feel a little out of your depth when it comes to keeping fish for the first time, but fishkeeping can be a rewarding hobby and a great way to unwind at the end of the day.
Unlike other pets, fish don’t need walking, they don’t bring home nasty surprises for supper like a cat will and they don’t make noise. They’re also great if you suffer from fur allergies.
Planted aquarium featuring Australia and New Guinea rainbowfishes at the 2003 ANGFA Convention in Brisbane.
Owning a cat or dog can be a bit of an ordeal when you go on holiday but making sure your fish stay fed doesn’t have to be a problem with the help of automatic fish feeders.
Fish can make a great first pet for children and can be really educational – teach the kids about the discipline that is needed to keep a pet alive through feeding it every day and cleaning the tank when necessary. If you’re looking to purchase an aquarium specifically for the kids, take a look at our selection of small aquariums which are ideal as a start off point and a beautiful accessory in the children’s bedroom.
Decoration
Aquariums are relaxing and exotic living art works. A fully furnished aquarium can light up a dark room and create a stunning centrepiece and talking point of any living room.
Aquariums are fun and easy to customise. You can either purchase aquariums ready-made or mix and match the decor yourself, using your creativity to add a personal touch and tailor it to suit your own tastes. The fish themselves can also of course add to the beauty of the aquarium. With an endless choice of fish to collect, you can fill your tank with a variety of beautiful colours and patterns. Bear in mind that some fish need to live in different environments to others and have different needs.
Aquatic plants are another addition which can make an aquarium even more luxurious, a beautiful haven which you won’t be able to take your eyes off. They also create a gorgeous tropical sanctuary for your fish to explore. For many, the fishkeeping hobby is a start off point for many other creative ventures – photography and painting are just two hobbies which some Swell customers claim to have taken up since collecting fish.
Cost and maintenance
The costs of starting an aquarium need to be considered. There is more to it than simply choosing a big tank, filling it with water and throwing in a few pretty fish. Filtration and lighting need to be taken into account. Running costs are usually relatively low – a tropical aquarium won’t usually require vast amounts of electricity to keep the water heated as long as the house itself isn’t cold.
Feeding fish can be an interesting process. There are a vast array of fish foods to keep your fish going and it can be fun to try different ones until you find which is best. Flakes, tablets, granular or pelleted foods are all options to try – different fish require different foods.
Maintenance doesn’t have to be taxing. You only have to devote a couple of minutes a day to feeding your fish and an hour or two each fortnight to ensure that your aquarium is in tip top condition. Fish have three vital needs – space, light and food. It’s important to give your fish adequate space to move around and enjoy their surroundings . They will be happiest if they aren’t located right next to a door, facing a window or next to a television which you use regularly. Your aquarium of course needs to be located near an electrical power outlet and it’s handy to have a relaxing sofa nearby so that you can admire the beauty that is your aquarium.
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