Top 10 Freshwater Aquarium Products

Freshwater aquariums provide a soothing presence, and are a great way to decorate and add visual interest in a room. Fish tank ecosystems help children learn about biology and the cycle of life. If you live in a small space and cannot have dogs or cats, aquariums let you experience the joy of pet ownership.

Although aquariums are beautiful and fun to watch, it takes work to maintain a clean tank and a population of healthy fish. If you want to begin keeping freshwater fish as a hobby, the list below will help you set up a complete aquarium system. Just click on the images to learn more about each item. These supplies also make great gifts for friends and family who own fish.

	Aquarium Set Up & Understanding the Nitrogen Cycle The most important thing an aquarium owner needs is knowledge--knowing how to set up the aquarium, how to feed and care for fish, how to manage waste, and how to clean the tank. Since a freshwater fish tank is a closed ecosystem, keeping the environment clean and full of the right nutrients and bacteria is important. Before you can add fish to a freshwater aquarium, you must prep the tank by starting the nitrogen cycle. Most of the waste products released by fish and aquatic microorganisms are nitrogen based. Establishing the nitrogen cycle is important because otherwise your fish will be exposed to high levels of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Starting the nitrogen cycle is quite easy, all you need is time and patience. These essential aquarium guides will take you through the process of tank set up and proper fish care. These books will also teach you how to mix and match different varieties of fish and plants. Different species require different temperatures and pH conditions; not all varieties of freshwater fish can cohabit.
	Fish Tanks Freshwater aquarium tanks come in several standard sizes: 3-gallon, 5-gallon, 10-gallon, and 12-gallon. For reference, a tank that is 10 inches by 18 inches by 12 inches can hold 9.35 gallons. The size you need depends on the number of fish, plants, snails, and shrimp you keep in the tank. Many tank sets come with lights and filters. You can save money by purchasing a kit rather than individual components.
	Water Conditioner Before you add fish to a tank filled with tap water, you must condition the water with natural biological materials. Tap water and distilled water lack the balance of nutrients and bacteria that are essential for fish health. Adding conditioner helps simulate a natural environment.
	Test Kit Aquarium owners must periodically test the levels of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, as well as the pH of the water. A pH level below 7 indicates acidic conditions, a pH above 7 indicates alkaline conditions, and 7 is neutral. Different species thrive best in different pH ranges.
	Filter A water filter is essential to keep the tank clean and prevent the buildup of harmful compounds. Filters are either battery-operated, or powered by connection to an electrical outlet.
	Aerator Fish tank aerators help circulate oxygen in the water. They also keep the water moving so that the filter can do its job more easily. When the aquarium water is too stagnant, it is harder to filter.
	Heater Some varietys of freshwater fish can only live in warm water. Depending on the species you keep, you may need to keep the tank water temperature above room temperature. There are many brands of adjustible heaters with thermostats; most take up little space.
	Fluorescent Lighting While fish tank lights are not a necessity if you keep your fish by a window, a fluorescent light can bring out the vibrant colors of many tropical fish.
	Rocks and Gravel Tank gravel is necessary to filter waste and anchor plants. Many fish and non-fish creatures like to burrow in the bed of pebbles. You can opt for natural colors or bright neon colored rocks.
	Algae Scrapers To keep the sides of your aquarium shiny and clear, use and algae scraper to remove the gunk. Since algae is a plant, it needs light to grow. If your tank is exposed to light for more than 8 hours a day, you will have to be diligent about removing buildup.