Fish Tank Accessories
There are some great fish tank accessories on the market these days and it is just a matter of trying to find what you want at the best price. One of the best ways to do this is to look at as many different suppliers sites that you can find. This will help you to get the best value for money that you possibly can. It will also ensure that you find the right fish tank accessory for your tank. Some of these items are simply extras that will make your tank look better and others are needed in the day to day maintenance of your tank. It can be a lot of fun adding new things to your fish tank that will not only make the tank look better but give your fish new places to explore. Below is some information on the more common types of accessories.
Accessories for Maintenance and Cleaning
Algae Scraper: this wonderful device will let you keep the inside of your tank clean without having to put your hand and arm into the water. It is best to choose one that works on both acrylic and glass in case you end up changing tanks in the future. Some of them are even magnet controlled which helps to ensure that you get to all of those hard to reach places.
Fish Tank Lights: these are a must for anyone who wants to see in their tank (who doesn’t!). Some care must be taken when choosing a light for your fish tank as they are not always going to be a welcome addition. Some lights will put out a lot of heat which can in turn greatly increase the temperature of the water. This can be bad for fish that are susceptible to sudden temperature changes. Ensuring that the bulb is specifically made for fish tanks is another question you must find out.
Minerals: it is important that the water in your fish tank has enough nutrients and supplements to provide your plant with the food it needs to grow. This is especially so in marine fish tanks with coral. Some of the special additives include kalkwasser (calcium), strontium and iodine. These minerals will help to increase the beauty of rocks and will help to encourage the growth of a pink algae called coralline.
Live Sand: this will help the bacteria your fish tank to convert nitrate into nitrogen. A thickness of about 3 – six inches should be sufficient and it can be used as your substrate.
Heaters and Thermometers: these are really important for tropical fish that need a constant temperature in a tank. The heater can be used to regulate the temperature and ensure that the water never gets too cold. A thermometer is also a great idea because heaters are not perfect so regular manual checking of the water temperature is required.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter: this nifty little device will stop any electricity flow. It is a specially designed item that stops electrical power to help increase the safety of your fish tank.
Power Heads: these are submersible water pumps that help to increase the oxygen flow around your tank. Any aquarium should have a couple of these to ensure that there are no stagnate, low oxygen level areas of the tank.
Fish Tank Ornaments and Extras
There are some really wonderful and unique fish tank extras that can be put into your tank to create amazing looking environments. Below is a small list of just some of the ornaments that are on the market today.
Artificial Plants: these are great for beginners who want a natural looking fish tank but do not want to hassle of looking after plants. They can also be used to hide any unsightly equipment that your tank requires. There are many different styles and designs and there will surely be something that will suit your tank.
Genuine Driftwood: these ornaments range widely in shape and colour. This can be a beautiful addition to your tank and help to create depth and realism. There are some types of fish that will nibble on the driftwood and use it as sustenance. The beauty of driftwood is that you can find it yourself at most beaches. It needs to be treated before being placed in your tank but this can be achieved by simply boiling the wood for 1-2 hours or soaking it in dechlorinated water until it is water logged. If soaking the drift wood, ensure that you change the water a few times until it stays clear.
Aquarium Ornaments: there is a large selection of lovely ornaments on the market these days which will help to add character, style and uniqueness to your tank. Fish love to have structures to swim around and explore so the more options that you give them, the more active and happy they will be.
Fish Tank Stand: having a correctly fitted fish tank stand can be a great accessory to your fish tank. It will add some flair and style whilst providing a secure base for your fish tank to rest on.