Other Equipment

The best kind of light source for your aquarium is one that is built into the hood or cover that fits over the top of the tank. A hood is needed to keep fish from jumping out of the tank and to prevent cats and dust from getting in. It also minimizes evaporation and heat loss from the tank.

Although most aquarium hoods are equipped with fluorescent lights, there are now many kinds of high-output bulbs available to aquarists. The new bulbs provide brighter light with spectrums that aid plant or coral growth and intensify the colors of the fish.

Aquarists also have different kinds of thermometers to choose from. One of the most convenient to use has flat magnets mounted on its ends. It is placed against an inside surface of the aquarium and is held in place by another set of magnets on the outside of the tank. Sliding the outside magnets causes the inside magnets to move the thermometer, a feature that is particularly useful when you are cleaning the inside of the tank.

Aquarium gravel comes in many colors. Most aquarists prefer natural colors, but some like to use brightly colored gravel that you would never see in nature. When making your own selection, just remember that you want the fish to be the main attraction, not the gravel.

The rocks and plants for your aquarium should come from a pet shop, not from a streambed or a vacant lot. The wrong types of rocks can cause changes in the chemical composition of the water that are harmful to the fish. The wrong kinds of plants can introduce diseases and foul your aquarium water. Many aquarists avoid real plants altogether and decorate their tanks with plastic plants. These artificial plants are remarkably lifelike and make an excellent substitute for natural vegetation.