A Practical Guide to Setting Up Your Tropical Freshwater Aquarium

by Sandford, Gina; Sanford, Gina

• ISBN13: 9780764152665
• ISBN10: 0764152661
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-04-01
• Publisher: Barrons Educational Series Inc

Summary

Volumes in this brand new series present aquarium enthusiasts with virtually all the facts they need to create beautiful and healthful environments for fish and other aquatic life. Dazzling color photographs with detailed, informative captions and step-by-step instructions will quickly turn beginners into capable aquarium hobbyists, while providing advice and ideas that will inspire experienced fish keepers to add variety and interest to their tanks and ponds. Handsomely laid-out pages present essential information at a glance. This volume tells how to choose a suitable tank, select gravel and other substrates, select plants, manage water filtration and aeration, introduce fish into the tank, and maintain correct lighting and heating. Explanations are easy to follow for beginning hobbyists. More than 200 stunning color photos.

Table of Contents

Setting up the aquarium	p. 6
Choosing a tank and stand	p. 8
Placing the tank	p. 10
Installing the tank	p. 12
Choosing and preparing substrates	p. 14
Choosing an internal power filter	p. 16
Heating the water	p. 18
Choosing and preparing wood	p. 20
Choosing and cleaning rocks	p. 22
Adding the water	p. 24
Running the system before adding plants	p. 26
Planting the aquarium	p. 28
Preparing the hood	p. 34
Fitting the condensation tray and hood	p. 36
Choosing a background and maturing the tank	p. 38
Adding the fish	p. 40
Options and continuing care	p. 43
Using an external power filter	p. 44
Undergravel and other types of filters	p. 46
Other types of tank decoration	p. 48
A selection of tropical aquarium plants	p. 50
Using plastic plants in the aquarium	p. 54
A selection of fish for your first aquarium	p. 56
Foods and feeding	p. 62
Breeding your fish	p. 64
Health care	p. 66
Regular maintenance	p. 70
Index and credits	p. 76
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