Accessories For Your Aquarium
The beautiful activity of taking care of a beautiful fish tank may seem simple, but it requires certain specific knowledge and care, not only for the health of the fish, but also for an attractive environment.
First of all, it is essential to guarantee the conditions for the optimal development of fish, plants and other life forms. But it is also interesting to choose accessories for your aquarium that go beyond the basics and offer a plus of well-being to your fish.
The 8 best accessories for your aquarium
When we talk about accessories, we are not referring only to decorative objects. It is also about having some elements that can facilitate the heating and hygiene of your aquarium.
Filters for aquarium water
The first step will be to choose the ideal aquarium for your home: consider the species that will inhabit its interior. After this decision, it will also be important to pay close attention to your filter system.
Fish spend their entire lives under water, and it is there that they feed, reproduce and breathe. Therefore, the maintenance of this vital element is key for any aquarium.
Three basic types of aquarium filters are available in stores : internal, external and ‘backpack type’. The choice will depend on the type of aquarium and the volume of water inside.
Lighting items
Lighting is another essential aspect to preserve life inside your aquarium. Freshwater aquariums generally require LED lights. 0.4W are calculated for each liter of water ; in salt water environments, the ratio is altered to 0.6W per liter in LEDs.
Having chosen good lighting, it is important to regulate the intensity of the light inside the aquarium. In winter, light can help us fight the cold and prevent some species from going into hibernation.
In addition, plants need light to photosynthesize and survive; it is important that we can provide seven to eight hours of light on the coldest days.
With the arrival of summer, lighting can increase the temperature of the water and promote the growth of algae and pathogens. To avoid contamination, it is important to reduce the number of hours of light that we contribute daily to the fish tank.
In an analysis of the exposure time, it is advisable to respect a maximum of five hours a day of solar incidence to guarantee an optimal temperature.
Substrate for the aquarium bottom
Few people usually notice the bottom of an aquarium, as fish and plants often get all the attention. But this area contributes greatly to the beauty and balance of life in a fish tank; some specific care must be taken into account, such as choosing the ideal substrate.
The most popular substrates are sand and gravel, which can be found at pet stores that handle aquariums. For optimal placement, we must cover the entire bottom of the tank. Next, we also placed some substrate on the back, to create depth and enhance the aesthetics of the aquatic environment.
Landscape panels
Currently there is a trend to put landscape panels behind aquariums to complement the aesthetics of a three-dimensional aquatic environment. The result of this decoration allows to enhance the colors and shapes of the fish, in addition to improving the notion of depth.
Shelters for fish
Fish shelters are excellent accessories for your aquarium and are very attractive to fish. In the stores there are hiding places of various forms, such as caves, rocks and even archaeological figures. In addition to adding beauty to the environment, these elements provide the fish with a safe and quiet place to rest.
Plants: the lively and naturally beautiful accessories for your aquarium
Plants should not be considered only as an accessory for your aquarium. In reality, they are fundamental living elements for the balance of all aquatic ecosystems ; They bring enormous beauty to fish tanks, but they also require responsibility and specific care.
Before including plants in your aquarium, it is essential to take some precautions ; its physical characteristics and needs must be known: color, appearance, height, natural ecosystem, adaptability to pH, need for light, etc.
The knowledge of the plants that we use in the aquarium is important to guarantee that this vegetation will be able to adapt well and coexist with the animal life.
Finally, you have to know that simplicity is attractive, also in the decoration of our fish tanks. When choosing accessories for your aquarium, it is important to be careful not to overload the environment. It is always advisable to choose objects that combine well with each other and do not interfere with the locomotion of the fish.
