Unlike human beings and other mammals, fish do not create their own internal heat. They do not regulate their own body temperature, but depend upon their environment to do that for them. This is why regulating the temperature of a tank is so important.

Most fish have a relatively small range of temperatures they can thrive in. While room temperature may, at times, be the perfect temperature, at other times it may be just a little too cool or slightly to warm for less hardy fish.

Start with learning about the temperature range recommended for your type of fish. This will help you identify what kind of tank heater you should get. Heaters can be set to different levels, to help you get the temperature right.

Some heaters are submersible and others hang on the side of the tank. Perhaps the most efficient solution is a heater filter, which actually heats the water as it passes through the filter, helping to keep the temperature constant throughout the water of the tank.

In order to measure the heat on a daily basis, you can purchase an inexpensive tank thermometer that has a range guide for basic types of fish. For example, tropical fish are the most common fish purchased for in-home aquariums. These fish tolerate only temperate waters of 74-80 degrees Fahrenheit. And a good tank thermometer will indicate that acceptable range by a shade of green.

If the water is getting too hot or too cold, the thermometer will indicate that with first a yellow warning range and then a red range, showing that the fish are in peril if the tank water is not brought back to proper temperature in time.

If you are still unsure about regulating the temperature of your tank, speak to a knowledgeable salesperson in the fish department at the pet store. They should be able to point out to you which heaters would work for your tank and help you find a thermometer that fits your needs.

Aquariums need daily filtration. Fish create waste that gets distributed throughout the tank. Excessive feeding also leaves food deposits around the inside of the tank. Without filtration, these deposits of waste and excess food would raise the ammonia content to a toxic level.  The biorb service kit helps to keep ammonia levels under control

Furthermore, algae buildup is a problem for maintaining a healthy aquarium system. Much of the algae produced in fish tanks is eliminated through filtration, before it can attach to the surfaces inside the aquarium.

The most effective filtration system involves more than one type of filtration in one aquarium. For example, bio filtration is the use of live plants and/or rocks to help filter the water naturally. As long as proper current is maintained around live rock, it can be a helpful means of purifying the water.

To provide the extra current, another aid for filtration is an air pump, one that releases air at the bottom of the tank, causing bubbles to rise continually to the surface. This helps move the water for filtration systems and re-oxygenates the water because of the gas exchange that occurs at the surface.

Finally, the last and most important type of filtration is mechanical filtration, involving the use of an actual plug-in filter, attached to the side of the tank. It is best to change the filter cartridge every month or more, depending on recommendations for the type and size of tank. An additional consideration is to look for one with battery backup, in case of a power failure.

Combining two or more of these forms of filtration is not only beneficial for the fish, but is also very helpful for the owner of the aquarium. This is because the better the filtration is, the less frequently the tank will require manual cleaning.

1)    Seahorses may not be the same as other fish, but that is what makes them so popular. Seahorses are one of the most desired and most enjoyed types of saltwater fish, because they are unique and fun to watch.

2)    Surgeons are called that because their tail spines are “scalpel-sharp.” These tail spines are used to defend and protect territory. They are also very colorful and can have beautiful patterns.

3)    Angels have always been popular because of their beauty, although they are delicate and will fight other angelfish.

4)    Boxfish and trunkfish are challenging to keep. They look box-shaped and can release toxins when upset.

5)    Basselets are another colorful fish that comes in red, purple, yellow or orange. They can live in smaller reef tanks.

6)    Lionfish are some of the most impressive saltwater fish, with surprising colors and long elegant fins. However, they are aggressive, so live food is required to keep them happy. Their long spines are also poisonous and can be dangerous.

7)    Mandarins are incredibly beautiful with swirling patterns of blue, orange, and purple. They are non-aggressive and get along well with other fish.

8)    Butterflyfish get along well with each other, but eat coral, anemones, and invertebrates in the wild. So, if you have these things in your tank, this is not the fish for you.

9)    Triggerfish are called that because they have a dorsal fin they can lock into position to keep from being pulled out of a hiding place. They have sharp teeth that point out, for eating sea urchins and invertebrates.

10)    Clownfish were popular before “Finding Nemo” came out, but now they are even more popular as every parent and grandparent is begged for a little Nemo for the tank.

All of these fish can be beautiful and exciting additions to a saltwater tank, as long as you are careful to select those that will get along well with each other and not eat the live plants you have chosen.

1)    Beta fish stem from Southeast Asia and are one of the most popular freshwater fish, because the males have beautiful and colorful fins.

2)    Tetras come in neon colors and are probably the most popular freshwater fish. They are easy to care for and get along well with other fish.

3)    Angelfish are enjoyed for their beautiful and graceful bodies, narrow, round, and decorated with bold stripes.

4)    Kissing Gourami fish end up in most freshwater tanks, eventually. They are very peaceful and come in soft colors. The males lock lips in territorial disputes, giving them the “kissing” name.

5)    Fantail Guppies are cute little rounded fish. The females are rather dull and brown in coloring, but the males come in a variety of flashy colors.

6)    Oscar fish are usually peaceful, but have been known to gobble up a smaller tank-mate, now and then. They enjoy rock ledges in the tank and like to dig.

7)    Mollies are fish that come in a variety of colors, including dalmation coloring (black with white spots and white with black spots). Mollies will eat some of the algae that forms in the tank and like a little salt in the water.

8)    Swordtail Platies are a favorite from Mexico and Guatemala, known for their bright red coloring. Males have the extended “sword” tail, but the females do not.

9)    Jack Dempsey Fish, in spite of their Americanized name, come from Guatemala and Honduras. They are aggressive and destructive, so should be kept separate from non-compatible fish.

10)    Zebra Danios are native to Eastern India and can be aggressive. The males come in pretty blue and silver stripes. They are also easy to keep.

All of these fish are freshwater fish that are kept in numerous homes across the nation. However, it is important to not only choose the fish that you like best but to research enough to make sure the different types you choose will be compatible.

Fish aquariums are a great addition to any home or office. They provide a feeling of peace and tranquility that studies indicate can benefit emotional well-being and even cardiovascular health. For example, small fish tanks with goldfish, which were placed in rest homes, helped increase the appetite of poor eaters and improve the morale of the remaining residents.

But, when it comes down to it, the choice between fresh water and salt water tanks leaves many people wondering which is best for their purposes. It is well known that salt water fish are more exotic and beautiful, in general, than freshwater fish.

It is also well known that saltwater tanks take a special kind of maintenance and can be more costly to set up. But looking at the facts can help someone sitting on the fence to make an educated decision about whether or not to invest in the saltwater tank, vs. the fresh water tank.

Initial set up costs for the fresh water aquarium, starting with a $50 tank, will average about $270 total. For a saltwater tank, that includes live rock and a protein skimmer, the cost will go up to about $635 after everything but the fish. Reef tanks cost even more, averaging, with all needed accessories like a reverse osmosis filter, around $1,270.

Then there are the fish. Saltwater fish usually cost a good deal more than freshwater fish. And, because many are fresh caught from the wild, getting them to eat is a challenge. They may even be on special diets for awhile.

On the other hand, once the tank is set up, the fish are done with quarantine, and they have begun eating aquarium food appropriate to their type, saltwater tanks can actually be lower maintenance, in the long run, as the live rock helps keep it clean and the protein skimmer takes out what the rock leaves behind.