Cold Water Fish Tanks & Stands

Cold water fish can be less expensive and easier to care for than tropical fish, and they are still very attractive. Cold water fish do require more oxygen than tropical fish, and therefore a good filtration system is essential. Cold water fish need to have more water space per fish than tropical fish, so ensure that you do not overstock your tank.

Types of Cold Water Tank

There are quite a few cold water tanks available on the market that have been designed for children. These often come as a starter kit for keeping goldfish. It is important to remember that larger sized tanks are actually easier to look after than smaller tanks. This is because the larger tanks contain more water and any problem with the water will be diluted, and the correct water balance will be maintained more easily. Novelty cold water tanks are available in different themes, complete with picture backdrops and decorations.

Many different shapes of fish tank and fish tank stand are available. Fish bowls are well known for housing goldfish, and tall cylindrical stands can display the fish bowls well. Common shapes of tank include rectangle, square, pentagon, and hexagon. Some tanks have a semi-circle of curved glass for enhanced viewing of the fish. Triangular tanks have been designed to fit into the corner of a room. Many tanks are sold with wooden cabinets, as these are strong, look stylish in the house and provide additional storage space. Acrylic fish tanks can come in modern designs with colourful acrylic sides, and some tanks have coloured cabinets as stands.

Setting up a Tank

The first step in setting up a fish tank is to decide where to place it. Do not rush this stage, as it cannot be easily moved once set up as the tank will be very heavy. Due to the weight of the tank, it needs to be placed on a strong surface – preferably a specially designed tank stand. The floor upon which the stand is placed should be level, as the fish tank will need to be level or it may crack or leak.

The cold water fish tank will need to be positioned in a way that shows off the fish. The tank should be in a high enough position that you can appreciate watching the fish. The tank must be situated away from direct sunlight as this can cause lots of algae to grow. The fish tank should also be kept away from sources of loud noise such as televisions, but it is a good idea to have power points close to the tank as there will be appliances that need plugging in. The temperature of the tank must stay consistent, and so it is not a good idea to place the tank near to heaters or cold drafts.

Once you have your cold water fish tank perfectly positioned, you can begin setting up the tank. First you will need to clean the tank, and do this without any contamination from detergents. It is recommended that you use a new cloth and bucket to clean the tank with warm water. Next you can clean the substrate, which is the gravel or sand that you will use for the bottom of the tank. Once rinsed, add the substrate to the tank.

It is best to slowly add the water in order to avoid disturbing the gravel or sand too much. Part fill the fish tank with water, and then add the plants, rocks or other decorations that you are using. Real or fake plants or a combination of both can be used. The rest of the tank can then be filled with water. Now the tank, or the lighting and filter appliances can be switched on. Add the water treatment and allow the tank to run and to settle for a while before introducing the first fish.

Fish Tank Suppliers - Cold Water

Visit these recommended stores for the best selection of tanks and aquariums for cold water fish species.

PetPlanet

A huge range of cold water and tropical fish tanks from PetPlanet. Browse the selection now.