5 Steps to a Better 10 Gallon Fish Tank
The most popular size fish tank in America is the 10-gallon. With so many sold, they are also the cheapest fish tank sold and, when sold as a kit, quality equipment is often swapped out for cheaper equipment to be more price competitive. This guide will help you get your 10-gallon fish aquarium up and running in five easy steps.
1. Modern fish tanks come with LED lighting. Unfortunately to keep the cost down, these lights are only enough to illuminate the aquarium. Upgrading to an aftermarket LED light, such a 20-inch Finnex Stingray, will allow you to get great color out of your fish as well as grow live aquarium plants. Make sure you grab a glass top for your aquarium so you can let your new light shine through.
2. Proper filtration is important. A 10-gallon fish aquarium will typically house smaller fish so we recommend something with slower flow. There are many choices for fish tank filters. We prefer to use small, hanging back filters like the AquaClear 20 or a sponge filtration that is powered by an air pump. Having a filter on your aquarium will not only collect the waste fish produce but help break down toxic chemicals such as ammonia and prevent them from harming your fish.
3. Heating When people think of an aquarium they often think of brightly colored fish. These are tropical fish and require temperatures ranging from 74 to 84 degrees. A fish tank heater is required to heat the water above the house’s temperature. The more powerful your heater, the colder your house will be. A 100-watt heater is sufficient for most situations. It will work well with a 10-gallon fish aquarium. It will be a great investment. The heat rises and leaves water through the top of the tank unless the glass is sealed.
4. Get the right chemicals Most fish stores carry an overwhelming amount of chemicals that can go into a fish tank. The essentials every aquarium owner must have are a dechlorinator to remove chlorine and chloramine from your water to make it fish safe and a test kit to monitor how the water is doing. All agree that these essential items are essential. After that things like bacteria additives, plant fertilizers, and medications are good to have on hand, but you’ll want to know how to use each one and to choose the right ones. Right? Don’t give up on your fish tank!
5. Decorating your fish tank is a great way to make it more fun. Choose the type of fish tank that you prefer. Is it a princess themed tank with a castle, or is it a natural aquarium with wood, rock and live plants? Live plants have the benefit of helping passively clean your aquarium when paired with a good light that you bought in step 1 and fed with plant fertilizers you may have picked up in step 4. No matter how pretty your tank may be, ensure that it is safe for all the fish you plan to put in it. This is a FISH tank so it should be set up properly for them. Don’t use stones, sticks, or fake plants that are sharp. Try to find decor with rounded edges, instead of plastic plants, use silk. We believe that to really bring your fish tank to life add some real aquarium plants.
You now have the basics for a 10-gallon fish aquarium. Don’t be afraid of doing more research, especially about the care of your fish. Seek out a good local shop who will provide you support. Not all fish stores are created equal. There may be differences in knowledge among staff members even within the same store. My last word of advice is to research everything before you buy it. You should always research everything that is being recommended to you. Below is a playlist that will guide you on your journey. This is a great starting point for your own research for what kind of fish tank you want to set-up and enjoy!