Aquariums are magic. They’re tiny universes holding a gorgeous underwater world in your own home. But they can also be intimidating for interested beginners. There’s so much to know and do. How does one even get started? Hayden Sims, general manager of Las Vegas aquarium and fish store Artistic Oceans (6820 W. Sahara Ave. #3, 702-405-6732, artisticoceans.com) shares his expertise about this uniquely rewarding hobby.
Study up before you buy. Sims advises all prospective fish owners to do some online research, even just watching YouTube videos, before buying anything. “Look at what everyone else is doing to contribute to keep an aquarium alive, happy and healthy,” Sims says. “It’s not as easy as filling up a tank, putting a filter on it and adding fish. There’s many things that go into it.”
Learn as you go. The same way some houseplants are more delicate than others, not every fish tank is created equal. Beginners should start with a relatively easy freshwater tank, and then potentially graduate to a saltwater tank. Once you’ve mastered what Sims calls “one of the most challenging hobbies there is,” you can delve into the world of keeping coral.
Good starter tank size: 40-50 gallons “It’s enough water volume to keep things stable,” Sims says. “But not enough to worry about it cracking a stand or anything like that. You can literally stick it on the countertop
and it’ll be completely fine.”
Starting price range: $500-$750 “It’s not the cheapest hobby,” Sims says. “But we try to do everything we can to make sure you are taken care of. If you are on a budget, certain companies will even do leases and payment plans in order to help get more people in the industry.”
Utilitarian species Some creatures lives in your fish tank to keep the whole system healthy. For example, peppermint shrimp help keep the tank clear of pests, while other species help remove algae.
Cool creatures for your aquarium • Clownfish • Flashing Tilefish • Pipe Fish • Big Pintail Fairy • Radiant Wrasse • Australian Harlequin Tusk • Longhorn Cowfish • Desjardini Sailfin Tang • Lee Nudi • Achilles Tang • Emperor Angelfish• Golden-striped Butterfly • Molly Miller Blenny •
Maintenance Time: 2+ hours a week Sims recommends picking one day each week for regular maintenance. If you’d prefer to pay a professional, expect to pay about a dollar per gallon, per month.
Creating an ecosystem A fish tank isn’t just a holder for your fish; it’s an entire ecosystem. The goal with an aquarium is to create the most stable and healthy ecosystem possible. In that vein, Sims recommends going for a more naturalistic look for the aquarium and letting the actual fish and inhabitants draw the eye rather than plastic plants.
Glow in the dark Though most fish don’t naturally glow in the dark, coral does. “It’s a bright, fluorescent color; it’s not glow in the dark in the sense that you would think it’s a glow stick,”
Sims says.
Caution with coral “Coral is not for everyone,” Sims says. The creatures need precise conditions in order to thrive. He advises against getting coral for aesthetic reasons or with profit in mind. “You should want to be inclined to take care and grow out this coral to be healthier and happier than it’s ever been before.”
Warning! If you decide you can’t take care of your fish anymore, do not dump them in a local creek or pond. Simply return them to any fish store. Dumping any creature into the wild introduces invasive species and can harm the local ecosystem.
Get social Meet other fish-minded friends on the Facebook groups Reefs of Las Vegas and Las Vegas Coral Exchange.
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