14 DAY TRIAL // Fish tanks and fish bowls are the kind of hobby most of us would like to have, but somehow never manage to get round to. As I kid, I remember gaping at the huge, softly lit aquarium that took the better part of a friend's living room and swearing I would get one of those for myself one day. I have a feeling there are many of you out there who can relate to this particular feeling - however, it's perhaps a good thing that I never got round to getting myself a fish tank - or even a fish bowl - because such hobbies require dedication and constant attention to a thousand small but significant details that I, for once, would never have managed to get right. For those of you in search of a few beginner's tips about what setting up your own fish tank involves, here are some basic rules.
First of all, even though they can't bark or meow when they're being mistreated, starved or left too long without cleaning, fish are actually living, breathing beings that require a lot of attention and responsible handling. A fish tank involves the same type of long-term commitment that should stand behind getting a dog or a cat. It will involve a series of expenses, research and weekly cleaning. The fish will have to be fed at least once a day, so if you're traveling around a lot and you live on your own, it's probably not a good idea to get a fish tank in the first place. On the other hand, a fish tank is a good way to educate yourselves by means of a nice, rewarding hobby that will increase your sense of responsibility towards having a pet - or pets - and add a touch of exotic color to your living room.
There are two basic types of aquariums: freshwater and saltwater ones. As a rule, freshwater fish tanks are easier and less expensive to maintain, but they're also more susceptible to subtle changes, such as water temperature and light. Saltwater tanks are more difficult and expensive to set up, but once the ecosystem is up and running, it will require less maintenance work than the freshwater variant. There are lots of things that you will need to consider before actually going to the local pet store and buying a fish - or several. From fish tank setup to proper acclimation techniques, water quality information and fish profiles, do your homework before embarking on such a project. And remember, a fish tank is relatively easy to get right, but without proper care, all your hard work can fall to pieces even faster. Good luck.
