Aquarium Equipment and Supplies List to Build an Aquarium

Essential Aquarium Equipment and Supplies List to Build an Aquarium.

Once you have selected the aquarium, you have to install a life-supporting system for the fish and purchase various items that can keep the fish alive. Some aquariums and sump tanks already come with heaters, lights, and filters, so all you have to do is decorate the aquarium, fill it with water, and plug it in. However, the important part of completely stabilizing the aquarium has not yet arrived.

You also need to make a list of equipment, which can let the retailer know the material, model, and size of your aquarium so that you can buy the right equipment.

Materials needed to build an aquarium

Shopping List! What equipment do you need for a fish tank? Must-buy.

Aquarium	Aquarium lid
Sump Tank	Filter – remove debris and contaminants from the water
Heater (required for tropical fish or marine fish)– heat the water and keep it at a certain temperature	Substrate
Light – illuminate the aquarium and make the fish more beautiful	Water quality test kit–test water quality
Dechlorination agent–to ensure that the tap water is safe for fish	Thermometer–indicates water temperature
Nitrifying bacteria–prepare a filter for the fish, so that the biological filtration can be established quickly	Decorations

What equipment is needed for an aquarium? Maintenance equipment

• Algae-removal magnetic brush or algae scraper
• Vacuum Cleanser
• Siphon
• Measuring cup
• Bucket

Integrated aquarium, assembled aquarium, or build-it-by-yourself Aquarium

Buying an aquarium now is different from the past. In the past, you walked into an aquarium shop, chose the fish and aquarium you wanted, and then bought the matching accessories. Many aquarium manufacturers have already integrated all the work, and some will even install it for you. In a complete set of aquarium equipment, the aquarium, lid, lighting, filter, heater, and some other equipment have been selected for you, and there is a package price for the aquarium.

This kind of aquarium sold as a complete set is very suitable for beginners, because you generally believe that the manufacturer will choose a heater and filter of the right size, and it is often equipped with other equipment, such as food samples, water stabilizers, and instructions for use. The advantage of buying a package is that it eliminates the risk of errors in building the entire system by yourself. Moreover, when you buy these devices as a whole, you will also have a discount.

Integrated aquarium

Integrated aquariums are becoming more and more popular. The integrated aquarium has a built-in aquarium lid, filter, and lighting equipment. The heater is usually included. Compared with the assembled one, the integrated aquarium is a simpler choice. Not only is the correct equipment selected for you, but the lighting system is also built-in, and the filter is also installed in the aquarium, so you will not have to install it. You don’t have to take the chance of installing them incorrectly.

If a heater is selected, it will be placed next to the filter. Some integrated aquariums even integrate all the circuits into a timer. You only need to decorate, fill the water, and plug in your aquarium. It is precisely because of the convenience of integrated aquariums that this type of aquarium is becoming more and more popular, and the price is continuing to drop.

Assembled aquarium

Not everything in life is that simple, or solved by an integrated aquarium. If you want to break the norm, then don’t choose an integrated aquarium. If you want to make the filtering system in the aquarium more powerful, you are going to need an assembled aquarium. You have to make a long-term plan based on your hobbies.

An integrated aquarium is very beneficial for beginners, including many basic accessories, and can also stock most of the ornamental fish on the market, but what if you want to raise some special species? For example, if you want to raise Betta splendens and want to artificially breed this fish, then you don’t need the filter in the integrated aquarium.

If you have a wide range of interests, it may be more cost-effective to choose equipment that suits your special requirements to build your fish-keeping system. For example, if you want to breed fish, you can ask retailers and experienced enthusiasts how to buy the equipment you need. If all your equipment needs to be purchased at one time, you can also enjoy a certain discount when you make the purchase.