set up an aquarium

Now we “only” need the fish tank and some fish. ;-)
It’s not only that we have the space, but we already wanted an aquarium for some time now and even considered this when we had the house built. So there’s that hole in the wall for the cables to go through into the room under the stairs. This little room is supposed to host the filters and equipment a faucet for warm water… It looks ridiculous, but will be helpful to fill and clean the aquarium…once we have it.

Such a relaxing thing to have in one’s environment. Maintenance requires a bit of a time commitment but if you are up for that, it’s worth it!

I was fanatical about it for the first year or two, then the regular water changes became a chore.
If you’re going to start a tropical community tank, make sure you get some clown loaches. They’re highly amusing fish, aptly named really.

I just set up a ten gallon, partioned tank for my bettas. I’m out of town a lot for work and my friends don’t really understand about over feeding and water changes. I was sad when my first betta, Fatah, died. Now Hamas, CPL Gilad Shalit, and Supreme Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini swim around happily in their non-crowded tank. There is even a 4th empty compartment for another buddy.

There is a great website for DIY dividers here:
http://www.petfish.net/articles/Do-It-Yourself/tank_dividers.php

I did not silicone the dividers in place, they are well anchored by the gravel. I got a filter and a lid, so they cannot jump into each others compartments. I want to add plants, but I need to wait until the bacteria is established in the gravel.

This was a pretty easy project, and cost less than 75 bucks to set up.

is going to be used for some highland nepenthes (my carnivorous plant collection). Sorry fish.

I have a nice tank and setup for a freshwater aquarium. Now where did I put it…

It’s very expensive to set up a saltwater aquarium, but if you think you’re going to do it, make sure to get the halogen lights that will help corals grow. It’s worth it! On the cheap, a fish-only tank will do, but you will have problems getting the vegetarians like the tangs to live.

I even found an old aquarium in the cellar! No excuses now…

But I think I’d like to get a bigger one at some stage. At the moment I have a freshwater tropical aquarium with a community of fish … 2 clown loaches, an angel, a black ghost knife, a single tetra (not sure what kind), a speckled corey cat and a kuhli loach that I hardly ever see, he seems to live under the gravel. I have tried to introduce other fish from time to time but it seems like my existing fish have all staked out their territories and tend to make minced meat of any newcomers. So I think a larger tank is going to be the only way. Plus my clown loaches and Angel are getting BIG. I also have a male betta (Siamese fighting fish) in a separate small tank. I did once put him in the community tank but it was clear he was not going to last 5 minutes against the angel so he came straight out again.

I’m glad I did it! What an excercise in patience it was, but it was worth it in the end. It relaxes me to watch my aquarium – very meditative, calming, soothing.