Aquarium accessories

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AVAILABILITY AND MARKETING STATUS OF AQUARIUM
ACCESSORIES
INTRODUCTION
Aquarium accessories are crucial to enhancing the appearance of the tank and the overall
lifestyle of the fish. Using the right aquarium accessories, you can turn the aquarium into a fine
piece of decoration in the house. With the proper accessories, you can add to your fish’s habitat
and dress up the overall appearance. When selecting aquarium accessories, you first want to
identify the type of water and the type of fish you have.
For a saltwater aquarium, coral can be a great addition because of the elegance it adds. It will fill
the aquarium up nicely and make it look less dull. Rocks are another accessory that can suit an
aquarium perfectly. There is a plethora of different sizes, styles and colours of rocks are
available and also some options include rainbow rocks and carved lava.
A SHORT LIST OF AQUARIUM ACCESSORIES
 Filter
 Airline accessories
 Air stone
 Aquarium Backgrounds
 Aquarium Buckets
 Aquarium Cabinet
 Aquarium Cover
 Gravel Vacuum
 Canister Filter O Rings
 Hand net
 Magnetic scraper
 Worm feeder
 Aquarium gravel
 Silicon gum
 Submersible heater
 Aerator
 Toys

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 Plant
AQUARIUM FILTER
Aquarium filters are critical components of both freshwater and marine aquaria. Aquarium filters
remove physical and soluble chemical waste products from aquaria, simplifying maintenance.
Furthermore, aquarium filters are necessary to support life as aquaria are relatively small, closed
volumes of water compared to the natural environment of most fish. Animals, typically fish, kept
in fish tanks produce waste from excrement and respiration. Another source of waste is uneaten
food or plants and fish which have died. These waste products collect in the tanks and
contaminate the water. As the degree of contamination rises, the risk to the health of the aquaria
increases and removal of the contamination becomes critical. Filtration is a common method
used for maintenance of healthy aquaria.
MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL FILTRATION
The process of mechanical filtration removes particulate material from the water column. This
particulate matter may include uneaten food, feces or plant or algal debris. Mechanical filtration
is typically achieved by passing water through materials which act as a sieve, physically trapping
the particulate matter.[1] Removal of solid waste can be as simple as physical hand netting of
debris, and/or involve highly complex equipment. All removal of solid wastes involve filtering
water through some form of mesh in a process known as mechanical filtration. The solid wastes
are first collected, and then must be physically removed from the aquarium system. Mechanical
filtration is ultimately ineffective if the solid wastes are not removed from the filter, and are
allowed to decay and dissolve in the water. Dissolved wastes are more difficult to remove from
the water. Several techniques, collectively known as chemical filtration, are used for the removal
of dissolved wastes, the most popular being the use of activated carbon and foam fractionation.
To a certain extent, healthy plants extract dissolved chemical wastes from water when they grow,
so plants can serve a role in the containment of dissolved wastes.
A final and less common situation requiring filtration involves the desire to sterilize water-borne
pathogens. This sterilization is accomplished by passing aquarium water through filtration
devices which expose the water to high intensity ultraviolet light and/or exposing the water to
dissolved ozone gas.

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TYPE OF FILTERS
Power filters
Power or HOB (hang on back) filters, which are impeller powered, remove water from the
aquarium, usually with a long siphoning tube, which is then pushed (or pulled) through a series
of different filter media and returned to the aquarium. These are the most common type of
aquarium filter.[1] They are usually more effective and easier to maintain than internal filters.
Advantages of this type of filter are that they allow for a selection of different types of filter
media depending on the tank needs, and that they are easy to clean without disturbing the
inhabitants of the tank because they sit on the outside of the fish tank. Disadvantages of power
filters include their smaller capacity for filter media compared to canister filters, and that they
tend to be very noisy, usually resulting from vibrations.
Canister filters
Compared to filters that hang on the back of the aquarium, canister-style external filters offer a
greater quantity of filter materials to be used along with a greater degree of flexibility with
respect to filter material choice.[2] Water enters the canister filled with the chosen filter material
through an intake pipe at the bottom of the canister, passes through the material, and is fed back
to the aquarium through the return pipe. Water is forced to circulate through the filter by a pump
typically installed at the top of the canister. It is important to note that canister filters are sealed,
fully flooded systems, meaning that the aquarium, intake pipe, filter interior and the return pipe
form a continuous body of water. In this configuration both the intake and return path form
two siphons, which precisely counterbalance each other. Under these circumstances, the filter
pump does not have to spend any effort to lift the water back to the aquarium, regardless of how
high the latter is installed above the canister. The pump should only be powerful enough to push
the water through the filtering material as well as overcome the drag in the intake and return
pipes. This makes canister filter pumps virtually insensitive to the height difference between the
aquarium and the filter (although exceeding the manufacturer-specified height limit can lead to
leaks).
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Diatom filters
Diatom filters are used only for sporadic cleaning of tanks, they are not continuously operated on
aquariums. These filters utilise diatomaceous earth to create an extremely fine filter down to
1 µm which removes particulate matter from the water column.
Trickle filters
Trickle filters, also known as wet/dry filters are another water filtration systems for marine and
freshwater aquariums.[12] This filter comes in two configurations, one which is placed on top of
the aquarium (more rarely seen) and one which is placed below the aquarium (more common).
If the wet/dry filter is placed on top of the aquarium, water is pumped over a number of
perforated trays containing filter wool or some other filter material. The water trickles through
the trays, keeping the filter wool wet but not completely submerged, allowing aerobic bacteria to
grow and aiding biological filtration. The water returns to the aquarium like rain.
Alternatively, the wet/dry filter may be placed below the tank. In this design, water is fed by
gravity to the filter below the aquarium. Prefiltered water is delivered to a perforated plate (drip
plate). Prefiltering may take place in the aquarium via a foam block or sleeve in the overflow,
or weir siphon, or it may be prefiltered by filter wool resting on the perforated plate. The waste
laden water from the aquarium spreads over the drip plate, and rains down through a medium.
This may be a filter wool/plastic grid rolled into a circular shape (DLS or "Double Layer Spiral")
or any number of plastic media commonly known as Bio Balls. As the water cascades over the
media, CO2 is given off, oxygen is picked up, and bacteria convert the waste from the
tank into less harmful materials. From here the water enters the sump. The sump may contain a
number of compartments, each with its own filtration material. Often, heaters and thermostats are
placed in the sump.
AIRLINE ACCESSORIES
 Clearflexible PVC tubes
 3 or 4 way connectors to distribute air to 2 or 3 route
 Screw valves to control the flow of air along one route

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Fig: Airline accessories
AVAILABILITY AND MARKETING STATUS OF AIRLINE
ACCESSORIES:
Airline accessories are available in the market of Bangladesh. It’s market price around TK 50-
4000. Price varies with varieties of accessories of airline.
Air stone
An airstone, also called an aquarium bubbler, is a piece of aquarium furniture, traditionally a
piece of limewood or porous stone, whose purpose is to gradually diffuse air into the tank,
eliminating the noise and large bubbles of conventional air filtration systems, and providing
other benefits to the health of the fish. "Airstone" is also a brand name stone or brick veneer used
by homebuilders. Airstones are sold in a very wide variety of shapes, sizes, and levels of
coarseness – from extremely rough, producing larger (though still typically unnoticeable)
bubbles and letting in more oxygen – to very fine, producing minuscule bubbles. Airstones are
increasingly being made from bonded glass beads and synthetic products like fiberglass.
There is some controversy as to the efficiency of airstones versus the
conventional powerhead system. Arguments can be made in favor of both systems, and both
possess certain advantages and disadvantages. Among aquarists, the choice is very much a
matter of personal preference, quite often discussed in internet forums.

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Availability and marketing status of air stone:
Air stonesare available in the market of Bangladesh.It’s market price around TK 200- 800.
AQUARIUM STICKER
Another one of the optional aquarium supplies are aquarium backgrounds. Having aquarium
backgrounds are so much nicer than having a back-of-tank showing a blank wall and a bunch of
danging black wires. They can be elaborate colorful scenes made out of molded plastic, or
colorful scenes printed on glossy roll paper. Aquarium backgrounds can also be as simple as
colored wrapping paper or colored poster board affixed to the back exterior tank glass.
Fig: Aquarium sticker
Availability and marketing status of Aquarium Backgrounds:
Aquarium backgrounds are available in the market of Bangladesh. It’s market price around TK
100- 400.
Aquarium Buckets: One of the most often overlooked of the aquarium supplies are Aquarium
Buckets. They should be chosen wisely and be used exclusively for partial water changes and
tank maintenance. They should not be used for ordinary cleaning. Aquarium buckets should be
of the sturdy variety with strong handles and have an edge design that makes pouring easy.

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Availability and marketing status of Aquariumcover:
Aquarium covers are available in the market of Bangladesh.It’s market price around TK 300-
1500.
Aquarium Cabinet: An aquarium cabinet is one of the nicer, and more expensive, aquarium
supplies. An aquarium cabinet is more like a of a piece of furniture than a simple aquarium
stand, and it can really add beauty to a tank and to a room. An aquarium cabinet is also nice
because it has doors under the tank so all of the external filters, tubing and power cords can be
hidden from sight. Aquarium cabinets are made to match specific length and
width dimensions of a given tank size.
Fig-Aquarium cabinet.
Availability and marketing status of Aquariumcabinet:
Aquarium cabinets are available in the market of Bangladesh.It’s market price around TK 500-
6000. Price varies for the beautification, quality and others factor.
Aquarium Cover: An aquarium cover is one of the most needed aquarium supplies as it secures
the top of a tank. Its very important to keep a tank as covered as possible to protect aquarium
water from dirt, dust or other objects falling in. An aquarium cover is also necessary to
keep inhabitants in a tank from escaping, especially freshwater snails. Many aquarium start-up
kits come with an “all in one” aquarium hood and light combination unit. More advanced setups
have a hinged clear glass aquarium cover so more sophisticated lighting options can be added
above the tank.

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Fig- Aquarium Cover
Availability and marketing status of Aquariumcover:
Aquarium covers are available in the market of Bangladesh.It’s market price around TK 300-
1500.
Aquarium Fish Net: One of the most common of all the aquarium supplies is the aquarium fish
net. Hobbyists almost always have at least one on hand in case a tank inhabitant is lost. An
aquarium fish net can be purchased in many small, medium and large sizes, and the size of the
fish net generally corresponds to the size of the tank. Many fish keepers use a fish net size
proportionate to the size of the species being kept as well. Hobbyists may also keep a net that is
large for the tank size. A large net can be used as a tool to skim wide areas of aquarium water.
for excess floating debris.
Fig-Scoop net
Availability and marketing status of Aquarium fish net:
Aquarium fish net are available in the market of Bangladesh.It’s market price around TK 50-
300.
Aquarium Gravel Vacuum: An aquarium gravel vacuum is one of the most needed aquarium
supplies. Used to keep the buildup of organic matter in check, an aquarium gravel vacuum

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allows hobbyists to remove uneaten food, dead plant matter, debris and feces from the bottom of
the tank. If organic matter is not removed and is allowed to build up, hobbyists can experience
ammonia spikes, high nitrate levels and other water quality issues over time. There are several
types of gravel vacuums available. One type is a simple siphon cleaner with a wide aperture
plastic cylinder for dipping into gravel or substrate. The dipping cylinder is attached to long
narrow tube that siphons debris and tank water into an aquarium bucket. Another common type
of aquarium gravel cleaner is battery operated and filters water back into the tank while trapping
debris in a fine mesh net filter.
Fig- Aquarium Gravel Vacuum
Availability and marketing status of Aquarium vacuum:
Aquarium vacuum are available in the market of Bangladesh.It’s market price around TK 450-
4000.
Aquarium Gravel: After selecting a tank, one of the first decisions hobbyists make about
aquarium supplies is what to do about the bottom of the tank. Many new hobbyists purchase start
up kits that come with a small bag of aquarium gravel. Others just grab a couple bags on display
because they are a pretty color. But there is alot more to think about than just picking a color.
Aquarium gravel comes in many different sizes, and selecting the best size gravel for the type of
species being kept is something to consider. Another consideration is whether the tank will have
live plants. If live plants are on the horizon, it may be best to avoid common aquarium gravel all
together and graduate up to a quality, nutrient-rich plant substrate.
Availability and marketing status of aquarium gravel:
Aquarium gravels are available in the market of Bangladesh.It’s market price around TK 200-
1000.

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Aquarium Heater: An aquarium heater is one of the necessary aquarium supplies when keeping
a tropical tank. If keeping Goldfish, an aquarium heater is considered by many to be in the the
optional category. An aquarium heater keeps aquarium water temperate stable and within a safe
range. An aquarium heater is rated by watts for different tank sizes. There are many different
types and styles to choose from. Some are made of glass and some are made of plastic. Some
types are meant have their components above the water and other are submersible. And some
aquarium heaters use different colored lights to differentiate between heating mode as opposed to
when the set temperature is reached.
Fig-Heater.
Availability and marketing status of submersible heater:
Submersibleheaterare available in the market of Bangladesh.It’s market price around TK 400-
1500.
Aerator
Aerators are various devices used for aeration, or mixing air with another substance, such as soil
or water. These devices are used to add oxygen to the water.
Fig: Aerator
TOYS
Variouskinds of decorative toys either fixed or working through air supply are available in
market and fascinate aquarist.

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Fig: Toys
Availability and marketing status of toys:
Toys are available in the market of Bangladesh.It’s market price around TK 200- 1200.
Plants
Aquarium plants provide many services to the aquarium. Plants also plays a major role to keep
the aquarium clean. Aquarium plants may be divided into three groups-
 Floating plant
 Rooted plant
 Brunched plant
Fig: Aquarium plants
Availability and marketing status of aquarium plants:
Various types of plastic plants are available in the market of Bangladesh. One can use when
natural plants are not available.
Silicon gum
Silicon adhesive is currently used in fabricating at all glass glassaquarium.
Fig: Silicon gum

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Availability and marketing status of silicon gum:
Silicon gum are available in the market of Bangladesh.It’s market price around TK 200- 300.
Magnetic scraper
It is used to scrape off algae from glass surface. A magnetic scraper for manually cleaning
contaminated surface is disclosed. Two sharpened blades are positioned opposite one another
secured to a body portion. An elongated, extendable arm pivotally connected to the body portion
allows propelling the scraper blades either forward or backward in any direction over the
extended distances imposed by duct geometry. A magnetic base surface provides self position
maintenance of the body portion of the magnetic scraper. Precision dimensions over the length of
the scraper body portion and the angle of blade placement permits smooth manual degreasing
throughout the varying duct configurations.
Fig: Magnetic scraper
Availability and marketing status of magnetic scraper:
Magnetic scrapers are available in the market of Bangladesh.It’s market price around TK 200-
2000.
Worm feeder
It is very useful device for feeding worm to fishes. It consists of plastic perforated with slits.
Tubifex worm or chironomus larvae are placed on the basket. As the worm drop out of the slit
they are eaten by fish.
Fig: Worm feeder

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Availability and marketing status of worm feeder:
Worm feeders are available in the market of Bangladesh.It’s market price around TK 100- 500.
CONCLUSION
The typical hobbyist aquarium includes a filtration system, an artificial lighting system, and a
heater or chiller depending on the aquarium's inhabitants. Many aquaria incorporate a hood,
containing the lights, to decrease evaporation and prevent fish from leaving the aquarium.
Combined biological and mechanical aquarium filtration system are common.Filtration systems
are sometimes the most complex component of home aquarium. Aquarium heaters combine a
heating element with a thermostate, allowing the aquarist to regulate water temperature at a level
above that of the surrounding air, whereas coolers and chillers (refrigeration devices) are for use
anywhere, such as cold water aquaria, where the ambient room temperature is above the desired
tank temperature. In addition, some aquarists use air pumps attached toairstone or water pumps
to increase water circulation and supply adequate gas exchange at the water surface. Wave-
making devices have also been constructed to provide wave action. An aquarium's physical
characteristics form another aspect of aquarium design. Size, lighting conditions, density of
floating and rooted plants, placement of big woods, creation of caves or overhangs, type
of substrate, and other factors can all affect the behavior and survival of tank inhabitants.

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REFERENCES
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquarium_filter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airstone
www.wikipedia.com
www.aquariumcarebasics.com
www.amazon.co.uk/aquariums-accessories/
www.flipkart.com/fish-aquatic/aquarium-accessories/