Aquarium Equipment for Freshwater and Saltwater Tanks

Choosing the right aquarium accessories is one of the most fun parts of the hobby. However, researching which equipment is best for the fish in saltwater or freshwater tanks may be daunting. But the effort is worth it for a healthy and happy aquarium in years to come. 

There are so many supplies available today that choices and options seem endless. Some are essential to all setups while others are optional depending on the type of habitat you want. This article covers the tools that most setups need to provide a safe environment for the fish.

What Equipment Is Needed For An Aquarium?

Seasoned aquarist or new to tank keeping? Having the right fish aquarium equipment is key to the ecosystem’s success. Let’s check out the accessories for setting up freshwater and marine tanks.

Saltwater Aquarium Equipment

When planning habitat, you might not need all these items listed below. Consult with a dealer to see what exactly you need to build the tank of your dreams.

Marine Tank: Pick a model from 50-500 liters to start, but get a 300 liter and 120cm long minimum to adjust Tang fish.

Aquarium Filter Carbon: Coral reefs have clean water in nature, so use carbon to absorb any impurities in the water. Change it every thirty days.

Lighting: Good light is essential for live corals and anemones. Choose high powered controllable LED that mounts to the tank rim. Reef Spec LED lighting makes some coral colors pop and glow neon.

Marine salt: Not just any salt, marine salt has dozens of extra elements in it to keep corals healthy. Buy enough to fill the tank and have some spare for regular water changes.

Substrate: Live sand or aragonite is suitable for reef aquariums to provide a base for corals and beneficial bacteria. The substrate also plays a part in nutrient cycling and pH buffering in the tank.

Phosphate Remover: Bright light means lots of nuisance algae so use phosphate remover in a reactor to absorb phosphate and starve algae.

Algae Magnet: Algae grows on the glass daily so wipe algae while keeping your hands dry with an algae magnet.

Refractometer: This is a must-have for measuring salinity in marine aquariums, especially reef aquariums where water parameters are critical for corals and other marine life.

Aquarium Test Kits: Testing for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate is important if you just want Nemo. But for a full-blown reef habitat with live corals, get test kits for KH, Calcium, Magnesium, Nitrate, and Phosphate.

Heater: They are important for tropical setups where the water temperature needs to be higher than the room temperature the tank is in. Go for the best and get a Titanium heater and a separate temperature controller.

Thermometer: It is handy to check the water temperature (a good digital thermometer is recommended). These will help check the accuracy of the thermostat on the heater (some can be a little off, but it’s worth checking). Make sure the heater is in the right spot for even water temperature.

Gravel Siphon: Use this to vacuum the sand but also to siphon water from the main tank during water changes.

Protein Skimmer: An extra pre-filter used by 99% of reefkeepers. Choose a top-notch protein skimmer that can filter a double tank’s volume.

Wavemakers: The water is always moving on coral reefs and corals use water flow to feed and clean themselves. Choose a controllable wavemaker with variable flow.

Coral Sand: This is the foundation of every marine aquarium. Add enough to get a thin layer, 3cm deep on the bottom of the enclosure. Vacuum regularly to keep it clean.

Rock For Reef Tanks: Choose dry rock to shape the aquascape before filling it with water. Make the structure open to allow for good water flow.

Biomedia: Biological media is needed to break down ammonia and convert it into less harmful substances. Choose ceramic media to undergo the bulk of the biological work.

Bacteria Additive: They break down ammonia into nitrite and then nitrate. Bacterial additives are most commonly used during the initial setup and the cycling process. Add bacteria to the system and it’ll be ready for fish.

Algae Magnet: Algae grows on the glass daily so wipe algae while keeping your hands dry with an algae magnet.

Freshwater Aquarium Equipment

Done selecting the tank location? Now get the following supplies for the freshwater aquatic habitat.

Fish Tank: Research the basic needs of your new pets and choose the right size and shape for them.

Water Conditioning Chemicals: Stock up on the water conditioner before setting the aquarium up and running it. Such chemicals remove chlorine and chloramine from tap water.

Bottled Nitrifying Bacteria: Good bacteria keep the pet fish in the tank alive. They remove organic waste from fish waste, food leftovers, and decaying plant matter in the aquatic water and turn it into ammonia and nitrite.

Water Test Kit: Testing the water parameters regularly is crucial for fish to live in a safe environment. Water test kits allow you to monitor the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels and the pH of the water.

Water Filter: Aquarium filters can trap debris (mechanical filtration), keep the tank water toxin-free (chemical filtration), and promote the ongoing Nitrogen Cycle (biological filtration).

Heater: The water temperature in such aquarium setups is adjusted by heater between 75°F to 80°F (23.9°C to 26.7°C).

Thermometer: Even if your heater has a built-in thermometer, use a separate thermometer to compare readings.

Substrate: Most freshwater species will need some sort of sand or small gravel in their setup. Some species of small aquatic snails will hide in the substrate during the day and come out at night time.

Lightning: It is important for the sleep cycle of pet fish, growing aquatic plants, and the aesthetics of the tank.

CO2 System: The plants in the tank will grow faster, denser, and with more color if supplied with adequate CO2.

Airstone: An airstone will create small bubbles in the water column, providing oxygen to pet fish.

Air Pump: This fish-safe plastic tubing is great for connecting an air pump to an airstone, an under-gravel filter, or an aquarium ornament.

Decor: Adding these ornaments and decorations will keep the stress of fish as low as possible.

Gravel Vacuum: It helps maintain a natural balance in the aquatic environment and cleans debris from gravel for a pristine habitat.

Essential Tools For Aquarium Cleaning

You can’t ignore tank cleaning and maintenance. Get perfect tools for hygiene, water changes, and fish handling.

Siphon hose: Siphoning is the easiest way to remove water from a tank. For large tanks, using a “water python” or other long hose means you can ditch the bucket and siphon water directly into a drain or outside garden. When siphoning water, try to clean or “vacuum” gravel. Many “water changing” hoses have a gravel cleaning attachment. The idea behind them is to attach a wide-mouthed tube to the end of the siphon hose that can be used to stir up the gravel. The gravel is too heavy to get sucked into the hose, but stirring it up frees up detritus which is light enough to be siphoned out. Note the “dirty” water of the tank has nitrates which make great fertilizer for flower or veggie gardens.

Scouring Pad: To remove algae from the side of the tank, a plastic non-soapy scouring pad can be used. If you have an acrylic tank, be careful the pad isn’t too hard and scratch the side. Many types of algae can be wiped free with the floss inserts made for whisper filters.

Razor Blade: Some of the slower-growing algae can’t be removed with a scouring pad without a lot of work. A razor blade is best at this point. Buy a scraper that has a long handle with a razor blade on the end. It can be used to remove anything from the side of a tank but can scratch glass if you’re not careful.

Magnet Cleaners: A scraping block on the inside of the tank is held in place by a magnet on the outside of the tank. Moving it moves the scraping block, removing algae without putting your entire arm in the tank. The best magnet cleaners are those with a strong magnetic field and work best on smaller tanks with thinner glass.

Toothbrush: A toothbrush is one of the best tools for removing algae from plastic tubing.

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Like any other pet, fish need care, consistent love, and cleaning. Regular cleaning of fish tank is an important part of keeping your fish happy and healthy. This includes minor changes like slight water replacement and water testing, which you can do at home. Figuring out the easy way to clean a fish tank? Follow our step-by-step guide on how to clean a new fish tank and get to know more about the importance of keeping your aquarium clean.

What To Use To Clean Aquarium?

All set to purify your dirty tank? Gather cleaning supplies, like:

•       Algae scrubber— a champion against green pests.

•       Syphon tube and gravel vacuum— the powerful pair for dirt removal.

•       A perfect bucket dedicated just to collect fishery water

•       Water conditioner—the key element for happy fish.

•       25% water change with fresh water.

•       Plain white vinegar—the natural marvel for eliminating residue.

•       New filter media—a stroke of fresh air for fish tank.

•       Old towels and paper towels.

•       An old toothbrush—for deep purification (optional)

•       Water test kit for the quality control expert (optional).

•       And your favorite comfy sweeping clothes, since things may get dirty!

Now let the cleaning fun begin!

How To Clean A Fish Tank?

Sounds easy enough? Do it properly and with the least stress! Here are all the key steps in cleaning a fish aquarium:

Step 1: Don’t stress out tank fish!

When washing the fish tank, you may assume it’s a good idea to remove the fish, but it’s best to leave them alone! Handling or moving your fish can be quite stressful for them, so you might leave them in their fish habitat while you remove dirt. Plus, you won’t replace all the water, so they’ll be safe. Clean around their area and leave them be; they’ll love the subtle atmosphere!

Step 2: Scrub Your Hands Thoroughly!

Before getting into tank cleaning, thoroughly wash your hands and forearms up to the elbow area. Remove any lotion, aroma, or soap residue, which might damage fish. You want to keep these watery fish safe, so keep your hands sanitized and free of harmful chemicals.

Step 3: Clean The Inside Of The Glass

Regular maintenance is a must for glass inside of the aquarium. Light and water combine to create algae, which quickly turns clear glass green. An algae pad is your greatest friend here—scrub away the green with some scraping, and almost all of that algae will be removed.

Be cautious, however! Gravel, sand, or dust between the pad and the glass might result in scars that are not covered by warranties. Skilled algae wipers inspect the pad for dirt and rinse it if necessary. Can’t make it to the bottom? Choose an algae pad with a grip for taller tanks. Ready to keep the tank glass bright?

Step 4: Take Out Decorations And Large Rocks

Those pretty decorations in an aquarium, such as coral, plastic plants, and rocks, require a good cleaning every few weeks. A little bloom of algae might look lovely, but it shouldn’t take over! To refresh the fish tank decorations, remove them and soak them in a tub of warm water. Scrub them well with an algae scraper.

If they are still unclean, avoid using soap since it might hurt your fish. Instead, place them in a mix of 10% bleach and 90% water for 10-15 minutes. That should do the magic cleaning! Don’t put them back just yet; you have more steps to take!

Step 5: Pull Out The Gravel Siphon

Using a gravel vacuum makes it easy to clear the rock, gravel, or sand in the tank. It eliminates any loose particles from the bottom. Bust out 25-50% of gravel regularly, particularly during extensive scrubbing. Do you frequently vacuum your gravel? It’s best to do this while decorations are out since debris tends to accumulate behind them. Keep the aquatic tank fresh and your fish happy!

Step 6: Clean Aquarium Filter

In this step, rinse the filter medium in a bucket of old fishery water. If you use different water, you risk removing the beneficial microorganisms that the tank needs. It’s an important step of how to clean a fish tank filter. Keep those beneficial bacteria alive to provide a healthy habitat for fish! While you’re at it, be sure to clean your aquarium pump as part of ongoing disinfection plan.

Step 7: Add Fresh Water To The Tank

Replace the water that has been removed, but do not simply throw any old water into the tank; this can be deadly. Don’t forget to check the quality and temperature first. The freshwater should have the precise same temperature as the tank water. Most packed spring water or well water is good for fish, but always test it before putting it in the tank. Knowing how to clean a dirty fish tank properly means making sure that the newly added water is safe for fish.

Step 8: Reinstall The Aquarium Decorations

Almost finished cleaning a sand aquarium! If you removed any fish or ornamental elements, now is your chance to reattach them. Gently put fish in their happy tank area, together with dust-free decorations. Try to ensure everything is safe and sturdy so that fish can swim freely. You’re done; the inside fish tank feels gleaming!

Step 9: Cleaning The Outside Glass

Once the whole thing is back in fish tank, you may need to clear away any spills or water stains. Use a glass cleaner designed exclusively for fisheries to avoid mistakenly introducing hazardous chemicals. Spray it into a cloth and wipe down the outer glass to remove water stains, mineral dirt, and fingerprints for good vision.

Own a fish tank made of acrylic? Use a cleaner specifically designed for acrylic, as ordinary glass cleaners can make it look foggy. Don’t forget to wipe up any splashed water around tank or on the floor. Your fish and marine life are going to love their newly spotless home! Cleaning an old aquarium has never been easier, right?

How Frequently Should You Clean Aquarium?

The frequency with which you replace the water in aquatic habitat is decided by two key elements. This depends on the kind of water change you are doing in aquarium and how many fish you have in it. You can replace the water tank every two to three weeks, or more often if you have a crowded fish tank. A full aquarium water change should be done selectively and only when 100% necessary. Full fish tank water changes can affect the tank’s pH levels and other factors while also being distressing for fish.

However, if you notice that fish tank walls are becoming clogged with algae, a magnetic tank cleaner can be attached to the glass walls to remove the algae off the tank’s sides. This can be done as often as you want because it causes no harm to fish. Have you recently checked your fish tank? Is it time to replace water?

Why Is Regular Fish Tank Cleaning Important?

Clean your fish tank on a regular basis to ensure fish’s health. Over time, tank may build hazardous bacteria and nitrates, which can harm your fish. Keeping the marine aquarium dust-free promotes a healthy atmosphere and provides its aesthetic look. Got a small or large fish tank? Both demand equal amounts of attention. If you have a smaller tank, you may need more frequent cleaning to keep the water safe for marine fish. Maintaining the proper mineral balance in tank water is critical for the health of your fish. Regular scrubbing and proper water changes are essential to maintaining this balance and providing a healthy aquatic environment for fish.

ABOUT US

Founded in Gisborne April 2017, EasternMarine Aquariums has grown to become the largest marine livestock importer in New Zealand.

CONTACT US

VISIT OUR STORE
Unit 21, 114 Wiri Station Road Auckland 2104 New Zealand

Phone: 0800 102 444
Store Email: info@stg-emanz-431.uw2.rapydapps.cloud

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