Most people have different interests, mainly for relaxation or just for good old fashioned fun. One wonderful hobby is keeping a small aquarium. Most people think that fish have short life span. This is not true, did you know that most fish (depending on its species) has life span of 3-7 years, sometimes longer? It is a fact that some golfish have lived for up to 20 years!

Most people like to begin small, when learning a new hobby.

Here is a beginners guide to keeping your small underwater world healthy and vigorous.

A small fish tank aquarium must have a decent stand of its own to bear its load. Dont just place it above a strong appliance or furniture, if it is filled, it has a heavy weight despite its small size. So better be safe than sorry. Start right.

Lighting is a vital part for plant growth in an aquarium. You cant put too much or too little light. Too much creates more algae, too little on the other hand, hinders the growth of plants, which are necessary for your aquarium fish to survive. Fluorescent lights are whats best and practical to use. Fluorescent tubes are available in the market to fit small tank aquariums, this artificial lighting has been proven to be energy efficient and can provide just the right amount of light fish need.

Fish tank aquariums should be maintained regularly with fresh water. Tap water, must be dechlorinated. Either artificially or by letting it sit for a few days in a container, letting it aerate. A 10-20 percent partial change weekly is usually sufficient.

Make sure the ratio of fih to tank size is adequate. If you get this wrong the water qualit will deteriorate very quickly. Keep a balance, with most of the fish being one species. You should only keep a small quantity of fish in the cleaning department.

Check your tank daily, look for signs of bad health. Most behaviors of an unhealthy fish are obvious. Such as gasping, lurking, or drifting. Stick to the manufacturers instructions when changing your filter media. If if not looked after properly, your filter media will not be able to handle the toxins therefore flushing some back into your aquarium. Do not ever let this happen.

Of course this is only a basic guide to keeping your fish healthy. You must take into account many other factors. When you love your little underwater world you will make sure it is kept in good health and well looked after. Even a small tank can be emotionally and physically rewarding.