Setup Your Tropical Aquarium
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Step #2 : The Equipment and Decorations
The four major pieces of equipment are the heater, filter, air pump, and hood (cover & light fixture). You will also want to add interest to your aquarium with decorations.
The heater...
Tropical fish require a steady water temperature of 76º - 78ºF/24º -26ºC. Goldfish prefer cooler temperatures and should not be mixed with tropical fish. Fluctuating water temperature stresses fish, making them more vulnerable to disease. High quality aquarium heaters minimize water temperature fluctuations. Select a RENA® Excel Aquarium Heater based on the size of your aquarium.
Purchase of a new aquarium is the beginning to an exciting and educational hobby. A properly set-up tropical fish aquarium will provide hours of enjoyment. The first thing that you must decide on is the size of the aquarium. Aquariums are available from 5 gallons to 55-gallons or larger. You will have to decide what best fits into your living space. There is an endless variety of sizes, colors and finishes that fit into any decor. The larger the aquarium, however, the easier it will be to care for your fish. That's because an aquarium is a self-contained aquatic world. The more water there is, the easier it is to maintain a stable environment. Larger aquariums can hold more fish and plants plus they put on a “wide-screen” display in your home or office.
SIZE OF AQUARIUM |
Heater Wattage Required |
| Up to 15 gallons/57 liter |
50 Watt |
| Up to 30 gallons/113 liter |
100 Watt |
| Up to 45 gallons/170 liter |
150 Watt |
| Up to 75 gallons/283 liter |
200 Watt |
| Up to 100 gallons/378 liter |
300 Watt |
The filter...
Another important component of your aquarium is the filter. Aquarium filters keep the water clean by removing suspended debris and harmful dissolved pollution. They also agitate the water surface which increases the oxygen level in the water. Three common types of aquarium filters are: external power filters, internal filters and canister filters. The external power filter hangs on the back of the aquarium. Internal filters are fully submerged inside the aquarium. Canister filters sit beneath the aquarium. Aquarium filters have cartridges or compartments that hold filter media, which keep the aquarium water clean and clear. All filters provide one or more of the following types of filtration. Mechanical filtration removes suspended particles like bits of uneaten fish food and other debris. Filter cartridges and sponge pads are examples of mechanical filter media. Chemical filtration removes dissolved compounds that cause odors and discolor the water. Activated Filter Carbon and Bio-Chem Zorb are examples of chemical filter media. Biological filtration uses bacteria to break down harmful fish waste (ammonia and nitrite). Bio-Chem Stars provide a specially designed porous network for bacteria to live in.
Canister filters can hold more filtration media than other types of aquarium filters. Rena Filstar canister filters can provide mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration. Filstar canister filters keep the water aerated and crystal clear.
The air pump…
Air pumps are used for bubbling ornaments, bubble wands, and air stones. When the bubbles agitate the surface of the water, oxygen is added to the water. For a very quiet and powerful air supply, use a RENA® Air aquarium air pump.
- For a 10-gallon/ 40-liter aquarium with several bubbling ornaments and air stones, we suggest the RENA Air 50 or RENA Air 100 pump.
- RENA Air 200 , RENA Air 300 and RENA Air 400 are ideal for larger aquariums.
The size of the pump is dependent on the number of ornaments and the depth of the water in your aquarium. Refer to the pump box to guide you in your selection.
The hood...
An aquarium hood should consist of a cover and a light fixture. The hood looks attractive and helps reduce evaporation of the water. It also reduces the chance of losing fish since it keeps them from jumping out. Select a hood that has a fluorescent light to illuminate your aquarium. Fluorescent lights generate less heat and are more efficient than incandescent bulbs. If you want to grow live aquatic plants you must use a fluorescent light. Plants require the high-quality full spectrum light that only a fluorescent aquarium hood can provide.
Decorations…
The pet shop has a variety of aquarium gravels and decorations. Plan on adding about one pound (about ½ kilogram) of gravel per gallon (4 liters) of water. If you plan on growing live plants you should use the finest gravel available. Avoid large pebble gravel when growing aquarium plants. First Layer™ Pure Laterite is a special planting media that is mixed into the gravel when first setting up the aquarium. The key to a successful planted aquarium is to select only true aquatic plants (not houseplants) and use a lot of them. One or two live plants generally do not grow well. It is best to fully “aquascape” the aquarium all at once. Some aquarists are content to use plastic plants. Decorations allow you to create a nice home for your fish. They can also provide a hiding place for fish. Having a place to go and relax is important for some varieties of tropical fish. Decorations help them to do that. The gravel and decorations you choose should come from a pet store to make certain that they are safe for your fish.