Setting up fish tank is one of the most fun hobbies many fish enthusiasts love. Many find it therapeutic to place decor, arrange different plant types, and change their fish tanks’ layouts. Plus, some believe that changing their aquariums’ interior design adds a refreshing look to their homes and a change of environment for their aquatic pets to live and grow.

You might think of setting up your fish tank that will suit your chosen fish and design; however, there are a few steps to be considered before building a conducive aquarium environment for your swimmers. Plus, you will need these five electronic gadgets to keep your fish alive and healthy in their glass habitat.

Heaters

If you plan to raise tropical fish such as tetras, guppies, mollies, and gouramis, then an aquarium heater is crucial for your fishes’ survival and health. Heaters help regulate the temperature of your fish tank, especially when the place you live in gets too cold. For your tropical fish, a temperature of 25.5°C is advised. Installing a heater keeps your fish from freezing, especially if your home is air-conditioned. Developments such as Discovery Primea Residences may add fish tanks with heaters in their amenity area to add color or an under-the-sea ambiance to their main amenity areas.

Submersible and external heaters are the two most suitable heater options for your fish tank. External or hang-on heaters are placed inside a plastic or metal case and hung at the back of your fish tank. They are easy to use and can heat tanks that can hold up to two gallons. More oversized hang-on heaters can heat tanks that carry 100 gallons.

If you want something more lowkey, then choose a submersible heater. They have suction cups that cling to the inside of your glass tank. Like what their name suggests, you can submerge them under the water and hide them behind your water plants, decoration pieces, or corals. Submersible heaters are perfect for fish tanks in cozier spaces or fish owners who want a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing aquarium appearance.

Thermometers

Thermometers help you check if your aquarium gets too cold or hot. You wouldn’t want your fish to go stiff frozen or toast from the heat. Use your thermometer to monitor the temperature of your fish tank. A temperature range of 24-27°C is recommended for most aquarium fish species. You may use a digital thermometer to read your fish tank’s temperature easier. You can adjust the settings of your heater or chiller if your water’s temperature goes beyond the recommended range.

Lighting and Hood

Hoods keep your fish from jumping out of the water. It also seals your fish tank and prevents water from evaporating from your tank. Two things you wouldn’t want are dead fish out of water and your tank drying out.

There are various hood types you can choose from. For example, full hoods already have fluorescent light bulbs. They are perfect for highlighting your fish’s colors and growing plants. However, not all bulbs are suit for growing healthy plants in your fish tank. Since most fish don’t like super bright lights, you might want to get a bulb that isn’t too bright and still suitable for growing aquatic greenery. Full-spectrum bulbs are a great option as they reproduce the sun’s full spectral range without producing too much heat that may harm your fish and plants. You may also get specialize plant bulbs to help nurture various fish tank plant types in your aquarium.

Auxiliary Fan/Chiller

After choosing which light you will place under your hood, it’s time to select an auxiliary fan or chiller for your tank. Your lighting system may potentially radiate heat that may harm your fish and plants. Placing a chiller or auxiliary fan in your tank may help counteract the heat from your light. A fan drives away the hot air from your tank, while a chiller cools your water and prevents it from overheating.

Filters

Clean water is crucial for the health of your fishes and plants, which is why you need to place water filters in your fish tank. Filters help cleanse your aquarium’s water and keep it sanitized from bacteria and potential algae growth.

Fish tank filters vary depending on their purpose and size. Some are external pumps that offer a three-stage filtration process and are powerful enough for larger fish tanks. But no matter the fish tank size, three filtration types are crucial for keeping your fish and plants alive: biological, mechanical, and chemical.

Biological

This type of filtration is essential for all fish tanks as it breaks down the toxic ammonia your fish produce as waste products. It also converts the nitrite content into compound nitrites, which are less toxic for your fish.

Mechanical

Perhaps the most well-known, a mechanical filtration system involves using machinery that sifts out solid particles from the water by circulating it and transporting it to an aquarium filter. It also helps remove solid particles such as free-floating waste products before they decay into toxic substances.

A mechanical filtration system works best with your biological filtration system. Both will help keep your tank clean and your fishes healthy.

Chemical

If you want to amp up the filtering process of your fish tank, use chemical filtration. Additives such as zeolite and activate charcoal are beneficial for filtering out dissolved particles from your fish tank water. They help clean and sanitize every nook and cranny of your aquarium, making your fishes’ habitat a paradise for them.

Combining these three filtration systems will create an excellent environment for your aquatic life to thrive. Keep in mind that they are not maintenance-free, so make sure to replace their filtering media to maintain their optimal function.

As a whole, these five essential gadgets help you build the ideal environment for your fish and marine plants to grow healthily and happily. Choose which heaters, lighting systems, and filters work best for your planned fish tank setup, follow these tips, and get started on your journey towards becoming a better aquarium owner.