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Use these tips to start your very own aquarium at home

WALLY NELSON

By Laurie Denger, Staff Writer Updated 3:49 PM Monday, April 13, 2009

Having recently re-discovered the joys of owning fish, it doesn't surprise me that it continues to grow as a popular pet hobby.

Did you know fish keeping began with the Sumerians more than 4,500 years ago and that the first public display aquarium opened in London's Regent's Park in 1853?

According to the American Pet Products Association, there are twice as many pet fish in this country as there are dogs.

Now, research is suggesting that pet fish make owners smarter and lower their blood pressures.

Of course, having lost two whole tanks of goldfish lately - one in September when I lost power for 11 days and one after a vacation - I am not so sure about the lower blood pressure and stress relief part of the equation anymore.

But there are many new innovations to make life easier for fish owners these days. If you are looking for a chance to get back or just get into owning an aquarium and some fish, Python Products, which makes tons of fish products, has some advice.

Do your homework. Research whether you want fresh water or salt water fish and compare the costs of both.

Stay close to nature. Always try to match fish with plants and other aquatic life found in the same habitats. Use live plants instead of plastic ones.

Start at the rock bottom. The best gift for a new aquarist is a cup of gravel from an existing healthy aquarium. The gravel from another aquarium gives the new one a healthy bacterial base to start with.

Bigger is better. A bigger aquarium is not a scary thing. Every time you double the size of your aquarium, you cut your maintenance and problems in half.

Less is more. Smaller, more frequent water changes result in a healthier aquatic environment. These smaller amounts of fresh water will not shock the delicately balanced ecosystem within the tank. Beginners should change 5 percent of the tank every week with fresh water.

For more information, visit www.pythonproducts.com.

If you want to dabble just a toe into fish keeping, how about getting a betta?

A new product from Rolf C. Hagen called the Marine Betta Kit allows you to put the five-inch cube on the wall like a piece of art. It comes with natural gravel, betta food and water conditioner to create a healthy aqua environment.

Hagen also offers a Marina Desktop Goldfish Kit, available in 2.65, 3.7 and 5.5 gallons.

According to the Dive In! Aquarium Fish Program Web site, children who have fish as pets get better grades, and high school students who keep fish have higher grade point averages than those who did not have pets. Also, students who own fish scored higher on the math and verbal portions of their SAT tests.

For more information on the Hagen products, visit www.hagen.com.

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