tips for caring for your pets through winter

Many pets need expensive veterinary care, require constant companionship, and create a lot of mess. An aquarium avoids these concerns and enables people to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of fish. Installing an aquarium does not need to become a costly endeavor. Here is how to create a stunning setup for less.

Choose Affordable Tanks

Buying secondhand is not the only option for obtaining an affordable fish tank. Many pet stores offer discount aquariums that are easy to set up and look beautiful. A secondhand tank always poses a risk. A used tank may hold water initially but have a damaged seal that could leak anytime. The result could cause the owner to lose their fish and damage their home.

Getting a tank not made for fish is another risk when buying secondhand. Some glass tanks can look like aquariums but are for reptile use. The appearance can seem identical, but reptile tanks have thinner glass. Once filled, the pressure of the water could break the glass.

Keep It Simple

There is no denying the beauty of saltwater fish but establishing and maintaining a saltwater tank requires a lot of time and money. Freshwater tanks are an equally attractive but affordable option.

Inexpensive freshwater fish include goldfish, guppies, mollies, and more. The benefit of choosing these fish is how easily many propagate. Owners can keep their tanks filled without additional investment. Many also have a wide tolerance for tank size and water temperature.

Spend When Necessary

Affordable fish and a discount fish tank help to keep costs lower, but investing a little extra in certain items upfront will reduce long-term costs. Buy a high-quality pump and heater from the pet store to ensure it works efficiently and lasts longer. Investing in LED lights will also reduce overall costs because they last longer and use less electricity than traditional bulbs.

Use Live Plants

Fake plants add color and interest, but adding live plants adds elegance and increases the nutrients in the water. Pet stores offer live plants, but it is possible to find many for free outside. Learn about cleaning and quarantining transplants before using any natural aquatic plants.

Add Found Decorations

Decorate the tank with found items like a plain terracotta pot. The pots must not have any glaze or paint to use safely in an aquarium. Drill a hole in the side or top to create a privacy/breeding cave. Interesting rocks found in nature also look beautiful in fish tanks. Use only rocks not containing metal and boil them for sterilization purposes before use.

The versatility of aquarium options enables people to spend as little or as much as they want on their hobby. It is easy to assemble a stunning tank or several tanks with a minimum investment and modest upkeep. Discount aquariums can look as attractive as any expensive setup and provide an equally safe and comfortable home for fish. 

For more information, contact a company like Northeast Aquariums.