Aquariums are beautiful additions to your home.  Aquariums consist of mainly two types of setups that are fresh water and salt water setups. Freshwater aquariums are considered easier to keep and are often recommended for beginners since there is more margin for error in freshwater aquariums. This article will elaborate on the different types of freshwater aquariums that can be kept in your house.

Freshwater aquariums consist of fish that are originally from rivers and streams and can be kept in normal tap water with some minor alterations to suit the fish. Freshwater aquariums consist mainly of two types of setups that can be classified as tropical aquariums and cold water aquariums.

Tropical aquariums are meant to house fish that are found in warmer climates such as the lakes of Africa, Asia and America. Fish that are suitable for tropical aquariums include Tetras, Barbs, Rasboras, Cichlids, Anabantoids, Livebearers and certain species of Catfish. Since these fish live in warmer climates these fish require water temperature ranging from 74 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. So heaters are required to artificially heat the tanks in order to meet the fishes  requirements.

The décor in tropical aquariums can include driftwood, bogwood, freshwater plants and rocks depending on the natural habitat of the fish. Live plants and fake plants are beneficial for Tetras, Barbs, Rasboras, Danios and other shoaling fish that like soft cover to hide in. Bogwood and Driftwood is beneficial to nocturnal fish that like to hide in the wood during the day and swim at nights. Rocks are best suited for Cichlids that are rock dwelling fish and require rocks to spawn in. Artificial decorations are available in various types and colors and if you prefer artificial decorations then it is possible to get decorations for different types of aquariums that will mimic the original purpose of the natural decorations.

Cold water aquariums are meant to house fish that stay in colder climates and fish that are suitable for cold water aquariums include Gold fish and Kois. Cold water fish prefer unheated aquariums provided the temperature of the water does not go below 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

Goldfish are herbivorous fish that will most likely eat live plants so it is recommended to choose artificial plants such as silk plants and plastic plants for your aquarium. Cold water aquariums that house fish such as Goldfish require pebbles or smooth gravel that cannot be consumed by the fish since Goldfish have a habit of trying to eat the gravel.

Thus we can conclude that freshwater aquariums consist of tropical aquariums and cold water aquariums and tropical aquariums require heated water while coldwater aquariums require unheated and cooler water.