Setting up a cheap aquarium doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby, in fact there is a huge range of aquariums available to suit every budget.

There are three main types of aquariums which you may choose from, they are fresh water, tropical and marine.

The most popular home setup is tropical, as the fish are naturally beautiful and require only a small amount of knowledge and maintenance.

Let’s take a look at the minimum equipment you need to setup a cheap tropical aquarium.

Tank

Fish tanks today come in just about every size and shape possible from the standard rectangular tube shape, corner tanks, curved tanks,  round tanks the choice is endless. Due to the advances in technology tanks are more commonly manufactured from high strength acrylic plastic, which is not only cheaper but safer should you have an accident. Also most tanks today come with a built in light in the

lid, which makes your tank very attractive in the evenings.

Heater

For tropical fish, the water temperature needs to be maintained around 25 to 28°c. A small glass tube heater which sticks to the side of the tank can maintain the temperature, they come with a built  in thermostat, so that once the water temperature has reached the desired temperature no further work is required.

Filter

A filter is quite essential especially if you plan of keeping fish in your tank. As you tank matures, it kind of develops its own eco system, however to maintain good water quality for the fish and plants a filter is recommended. There are many styles of filter available at varying costs.

The most common is the foam filter style which is usually placed in one corner of the tank. The water is drawn through a foam filter which collects the debris and muck and the fresh water is pumped out at the top. The advantage of this style of filter is that it provides a nice flow of water which your fish will enjoy and also helps maintain a regular water temperature throughout the tank. They are also relatively cheap, however require a fair amount of cleaning.

The second type of filter is the under gravel filter, again a very cheap option. It consists of a plastic tray with very small holes which sits on the bottom of the tank under the gravel. A tube to one corner rises to the surface which you place a air stone in. The bubbles that rise to the surface causes a very small suction through the small holes in the plastic tray. This causes the muck to be drawn to the gravel, where it can naturally decay. This type of filter requirs zero maintenance and can be effective when used in combination with a foam style filter. We wouldn’t recommend that you rely solely on a gravel filter to provide effective filtration for the whole tank.

The third type of filter is external box style filter.

Air pump / bubble maker

It’s not necessary to have an air pump, but we recommend you get one, because they are pretty cheap and provide a good additional source of oxygen for your fish rather than relying on the plants alone.

Accessories

Gravel

You’ll need a small quantity of gravel to place on the bottom of the tank, generally speaking, a minimum of 1 inch is required. Gravel is available in varying sizes and colours depending on your preference.

Note that gravel should be thoroughly washed in clean water prior to placing it in your tank.

Bridges / pots / houses

There are so many different types of features you can place in your fish tank, whether you buy them specially from your local supplier or use items from around the home. Its good to place a few items around the tank to give the fish some hiding places which help generally keep stress levels low.

Plants

Plants are a great addition to the fish tank for a number of reasons. They help maintain good oxygen levels for the fish, and also make the environment more natural. The disadvantages of plants are that some fish will eat certain types of  plant, and some plants can grow very quickly and take over the tank. Its best to seek advice from your local store to see what they recommend. Stick with the plants that work best for your tank.

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