What Kind of Aquarium?

Keeping an aquarium can be very simple; an extremely attractive home that will keep its inhabitants happy for many years is desireable for fish and aquarist alike.

Basic Ingredients

Water, and a container. Thats it. An aquarium can be as simple as that, and in most cases the earliest aquariums were just that. This does make certain assumptions though, about stocking levels and temperature. The simplest aquariums today (Goldfish bowls) are just that, but this is as much a testament to the hardiness of the simple goldfish, as to the desireability of a goldfish bowl. Killifish keepers also regularly keep a pair or more fish in a small unheated, unfiltered tank, though they generally carry out more water changes than the goldfish get!

Most aquariums today use filtration and heating to make water changes less of a chore, and to ensure the occupants get optimal water conditions. Likewise many are planted, and need a gravel or sand substrate to allow good plant growth. Of course plants need light, and therefore flourescent lighting is normally added too.

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