Many aquarium hobbyists start out with one ornamental tank and then decide to expand into fish breeding as a business. Once this decision is made, a fish room should be considered in order to set up the additional equipment necessary for breeding fish.
It is easier to keep everything together rather than having aquariums in every room of the house. It also cuts down on mess, saves time, and is less stressful on the fish keeper.
Aquariums Needed for a Fish Room
Tanks in a fish room do not have to be new or fancy. Shop around for used tanks, light fixtures and canopies.
For estimation purposes, the following types of tanks are necessary:
- Tanks for Breeding: These tanks do not have to be big unless the fish or breeding colony is large.
- Tanks for Fry: A floating trap or a large fish net is not extremely effective in housing the fry. It will stress them out so they need to be put in a separate small tank.
- Tanks for Juveniles: As the fry get bigger, they will need to be separated into additional larger tanks several times to ensure they have enough room to grow.
- Tanks for Quarantine: Newly bought fish should be kept in a quarantine tank for up to 30 days.
- Tanks for Sick or Bullied Fish: A hospital tank is needed in order to nurse them back to health.
Deciding on a Fish Room Location
Here are some factors to consider when choosing a location for a fish room:
- Temperature needs to be stable all year round
- Sufficient number of electrical outlets
- Plumbing in the room or within close proximity
- Easy access to the room for suppliers and customers
- Water resistant flooring
- Room to expand
Do it Yourself Fish Tank Racks
Patio brick and 2 x 8 planks of wood make very sturdy and inexpensive tank racks. The largest tanks need to be at the bottom and the smallest at the top.
It is recommended to draw out a plan in order to leave room for a middle column of brick.
For each row, it will require one 2 x 8 at the front and at the back as a platform for glass tanks. The wide part of the plank is parallel to the floor.
- Measure the exact full length of the platform and cut the wood accordingly. Cut the wood in half again. It is better to have two individual pieces of wood placed end to end in order to prevent bowing.
- Place one patio brick at each end of the rack location and another brick half way between the end bricks. At the back of the rack, place the first 2 x 8 over the end brick and half-way over the middle brick. Place the second 2 x 8 on the empty half of the middle brick and on top of the end brick. Repeat this for the front of the rack.
- Place the largest tanks on top of the platform, ensuring none of the tanks are placed on the brick columns.
- Stack up the patio brick at each end and in the middle to the desired height. Make sure there is at least a 12-inch access space above the tank tops. Fill the tanks with water in order to provide a stable base.
- Lay down planks for the second row in the same manner and place tanks. Fill with water for stabilization. Repeat for a third row, if desired.
With second hand equipment plus bricks and boards, setting up a fish room can be inexpensive.
Douglas DuHamel - I have been in the tropical fish/aquarium hobby for the past 47 years. Over the years, I have bred over 300 species of tropical fish ...
