According to a study done by the American Pet Products Association, approximately 13.1 million American homes have fish as pets.
That makes fish the third most popular pet behind cats and dogs. If that comes as a surprise to you, it certainly shouldn’t! Fish are fascinating and beautiful creatures which can not only bring life to your home, but a sense of art and tranquility as well.
If you are thinking about bringing an aquarium into your home and adopting some fish into your family, there are some very important things that you should make yourself aware of.
While you will likely want to do a good bit of research on your own, we’ve also done a good bit of work to breakdown the major considerations that you should keep in mind as your prepare to purchase your Fish Tank.
Pick the Right Aquarium
This is the first consideration you should make, as you are going to want to have your aquarium set up and ready to go before you head to your local pet store to actually buy the fish. The size of your aquarium largely depends on the type of fish you want to purchase, so keep that in mind.
It is important to add some habitat so that the fish feel comfortable and at home. Stones, aquatic plants, places to hide and more are great installments to consider. You also want to get the right size to avoid overcrowding, which can lead to low oxygen levels in the water.
Establish Optimal Water Conditions
Regardless of what kinds of fish you want to purchase, you need to make sure that you are establishing the right water conditions for their health and survival.
- To make sure that the water itself is in good condition, use a dechlorinating agent along with a biological aquarium supplement.
- Maintaining proper pH levels is crucial. pH is an indicator of acidity or alkalinity of your tank water. It’s as simple as buying a pH test kit to check the pH levels. You will also want to check your water regularity and make necessary changes to optimize your pH. A change greater than .3 in a 24-hour period can create considerable stress to your fish.
- You will also want to be sure that you can stabilize the water’s temperature. Changes in temperature can be incredibly unhealthy to fish. Never put the aquarium in a place that gets too much sun, or near a heating or cooling vent. Typically, fish will be happy and healthy within a window of 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keep an Eye on Your Fish
Once you actually purchase your fish and introduce them to your fish tank, make sure to keep an eye on them on a regular basis. Don’t just feed them and leave them, see how they are swimming, and look for changes in their appearance, behavior and appetite. That way, you’ll know if any changes need to be made.
Good luck!
