Aquarium Equipment – Essential Aquarium Equipment For Freshwater Or Marine Aquariums

The right equipment can make your aquarium hobby easier and faster. Whether you’re setting up a freshwater or marine tank, there is an abundance of aquarium equipment available to suit your needs. Some of the equipment is essential to a certain type of set up, while others are just “Nice to Have” items that can help you solve problems or may be of use if you are already an experienced aquarist.

A good quality filter is an absolute must have. It filters water using a combination of mechanical and biological techniques to remove fish waste, plant matter and other particles from the aquarium. Filters work by establishing a colony of bacteria that converts toxic ammonia to less dangerous nitrates which your fish can eat.

Choosing the correct filter for your aquarium can be tricky as there are so many different types and sizes on offer. It’s a good idea to read up on the different types and their benefits before deciding which one to buy.

Internal filters are often included with an aquarium purchase, but can also be purchased separately if you prefer. These filters sit inside the tank, attached to the back of the glass by suction pads. They operate on mains power and use a range of media including sponges, ceramics and a mix of both.

External filters are similar in design to internal filters but are larger in size and usually come with a range of additional accessories like spray bars. They are popular for larger aquariums as they have a larger surface area to hold the filter media.

They are also more commonly used for messy fish who produce a lot of waste and need a bigger capacity to provide a home for the bacteria that cleans their waste.

Air pumps are another important piece of aquarium equipment that keep oxygen flowing between the air and water in your aquarium. They can be installed at any point in the aquarium but are most common at the front or back, where they create a waterfall to ensure gas exchange.

Thermometers are a must have accessory to your aquarium as they allow you to monitor the temperature of the water. They are usually installed as far away from the heater as possible to prevent ‘hot spots’ forming and uneven water temperatures.

Algae scrapers are a necessity for keeping the walls of your aquarium clear and tidy, they’re useful when doing full water changes, gravel changes or adding new driftwood or decorations.

They’re also great for removing sick fish to quarantine tanks.

There are lots of different types of thermometers available, from simple electronic ones that can be programmed to measure the water temperature over a period of time to manual models that require you to touch the aquarium glass and read a dial.

It’s also a good idea to get a thermometer that can be connected to your aquarium controller to allow you to monitor the temperature of the tank from the comfort of your computer.