Freshwater Tropical Fish
Why choose them for your tank?
A freshwater tropical fish aquarium is the most popular form of fish tank. If you have never kept warm water species before then consider the benefits of setting up a tank for these type of home aquarium fish.
The wide range of tropical fish species is bound to captivate all aquatic enthusiasts that have previously only kept marine or cold water aquariums.
The type of aquarium fish available for tropical aquaria can be as strikingly beautiful as saltwater fish while being as easy to maintain as a common goldfish.
There are substantially more fish species available for the tropical aquarium than their is for other types of aquaria.
Tropical Fish Aquariums
There are a range of fancy shaped aquariums available but for the beginner a standard rectangular model will be the best fish tank to start with. Tall hexagonal aquariums are stylish and look great with a few tropical cichlids, but the limited surface are area to volume ratio can create oxygen deficiencies. In such circumstances the number of fish that can be kept safely is diminished.
When considering the size of the aquarium remember that smaller aquariums will not necessarily be the easiest size to keep clean. A 10 gallon aquarium will be more prone to water problems than a 4 foot tank because of the smaller capacity for biological filtering. When there is more room for fish it always results in less stress on the closed environment and the beneficial bacteria can process the wastes more efficiently.
When comparing coldwater and freshwater aquariums the fish capacity is also altered depending upon temperature. Tropical aquariums can hold a greater number of fish than a cold water aquarium.
Your freshwater tropical fish aquarium will always allow new avenues for expanding your hobby. You can complement your live aquarium fish by adding some live aquarium plants. A tropical fish aquarium set up in this way will offer new challenges while providing a more natural environment.
Converting To Freshwater Tropical Fish
If you have a coldwater aquarium and are thinking of converting to a tropical tank then it may be even simpler to do than you might think. All that will be required in terms of equipment is an aquarium heater. The filters and other accessories used in coldwater tanks will be just as useful in your new tropical setup.
Aquarium plants may be another kettle of fish however. Most coldwater species will wilt and decay in the more temperate surroundings. These should be removed before the transformation begins.
If you already have a goldfish you would be best to find a new home for it with a friend, in a garden pond, or at your local fish shop. Goldfish can tolerate temperatures in the low 20's but should be excluded from the tank in favor of actual tropical fish species which will fare best.
Once the heater is added, raise the temperature by a degree every second day. This will give the beneficial bacteria a chance to keep up with the shift in water temperature. How high you should raise the temperature to depends on the tropical fish you hope to keep. All will have a preferred range and any fish communities should be selected from species with similar needs.
Further Aquarium Fish Pages
