Tank Cleaning Equipment
You will also need something to skim off your tank water for routine water changes. Never completely empty the water from your tank in order to clean it. The fish need the bacteria in the water in order to survive so you should not remove more than 10% to 25% of your tank water. You can hand-bail your tank water into a pail and then add clean water. There are inexpensive hand siphons available which have a nozzle that go down to your gravel for cleaning. The dirty water goes into a pail and then you empty it. You then add the clean water by hand. There are more expensive siphons that attach to your tap. They extract the water and fill your tank. Again, your budget, physical abilities and tank size will determine your choice.
I want to take a brief break in this article to advise you that once you have bought all the above-mentioned equipment, you are now able to set up your tank. Do not buy any fish or plants for at least one week. You need to allow your tank to cycle in order to build up bacteria in the filter and gravel. Fish and plants need bacteria to survive.
Plants
Plants will grow well only in established tanks. Determine what the plant is being used for. Is it for decoration or is it going to provide a hiding place for young fish fry? Let your requirements dictate what to buy. Plants perform some useful functions in aquariums besides their aesthetic value. They consume ammonia (fish waste) and help to keep the water cleaner. With sufficient plants, an aquarium may be cycled on its very first day. Plants provide hiding places for fish particularly for young fish or fry.
Many nervous fish can be made to feel much more comfortable, simply by providing some plants in which they may hide
Most plants fall into 3 categories -- floating, rooted or bunch. Floating plants are not planted but float in or on top of the water. Rooted plants require individual planting and are sold with roots. Bunched plants are sold without roots but are planted in the gravel where roots will form.
Avoid plants with lots of brown or discolored leaves. It is wise to disinfect your plants with alum (aluminum sulfate) in order to get rid of leeches, snails and other pests. Pick off the small snail casings before soaking. Use one tablespoon per gallon and soak the plants for no more than an hour. Rinse plants in cold fresh water. If desired, quarantine the plants for a week in a spare tank of jar of water. Leave the aquarium light on for about 10 to 12 hours a day. Use full spectrum or daylight tubes (moderately priced) or higher priced specialized tubes.
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