| Owning your own aquarium is great fun, and I have | | | | and starting with one species is probably simplest. |
| been maintaining my own with love for many years! | | | | Next, I'd get a good book about basic aquarium care, |
| There's over 60 million of us "aquarists" worldwide, | | | | and read it before you get started! |
| and if this is a hobby you're interested in, it's worth a | | | | Then, start collecting your tank and equipment. You'll |
| little time to learn what it's all about before you start. | | | | want to look for a sturdy aquarium that's big enough |
| So what's an aquarium? In the simplest terms, it's a | | | | to give you room to add fish as your experience |
| transparent container where you can keep, nurture, | | | | grows. Practical home fish tanks range from about 11 |
| observe and enjoy live fish. The goldfish bowl with a | | | | liters (3 U.S. gallons) up to about one cubic meter |
| single fish in it counts, but what most people mean | | | | (300 U.S. gallons) in size. |
| when they talk about aquariums is a large fish tank | | | | You'll need gravel, or another substrate, for the |
| (usually rectangular) with several different types of | | | | bottom of the tank. You'll need a filtration system, to |
| fish and aquatic plants living in balance with each | | | | remove waste and phosphates from the water, and |
| other. | | | | a heater or cooler mechanism to keep the water |
| There are two basic types of aquarium environment | | | | temperature right. You may need an air pump to |
| – fresh water and salt water. Fresh water is | | | | oxygenate the water, depending on your tank setup. |
| definitely easier for people who are new to the | | | | Also ask about a small chemical kit for measuring and |
| hobby, as the salt water (or "marine") tanks take a | | | | correcting the pH balance in the water. |
| great deal of attention and skill to keep the fish alive. | | | | You'll want to investigate the plants, rocks, and other |
| So your next step is probably to find out what types | | | | "aquarium furniture" that goes into the tank. Choose |
| of fish you like. If you're lucky, you have fishy friends | | | | carefully, because the wrong materials can be harmful |
| you can ask questions of, but even a trip to your | | | | or even poisonous to your fish! |
| local pet store or specialty fish store will get you lots | | | | Get your tank set up, and make sure that the water |
| of good advice from the sales clerks. Tell them | | | | temperature and pH balance is correct BEFORE you |
| you're a beginner, and that you want to look at | | | | go back to the store to get your fish! If you've done |
| freshwater fish, and they will give you lots of | | | | everything correctly, your fish will be healthy and |
| choices! Finding the one fish that calls out to you will | | | | happy, and you'll have a fascinating new hobby to |
| tell you what temperature your tank needs to be, | | | | learn and love! |