May
31
Choosing a Fish Tank Heater
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Andrew Bicknell asked:
Aside from the condition of the water there is probably nothing as important to properly maintaining a fish tank then keeping the temperature of the water at a set level. Both salt water and fresh water fish thrive best in warm water that stays constant. They are after all tropical fish. Gold fish on the other hand are cold water fish and can handle fluctuation in temperature.
The temperature of the water is important for the health and welfare of your fish. If the temperature drops by one degree over a twenty four hour period it can leave many fish susceptible to diseases such as “Ich”. If not caught soon enough it can create irreversible damage and kill any and all the fish in a tank. This is why it is doubly important to keep a close eye on the water temperature during the change of season, particularly as winter approaches and temperatures drop.
There are a variety of different fish tank heaters on the market and depending on how much you are willing to spend will determine how functional the one you get may be. The cheaper ones may save you money but they are more likely to break or malfunction, thereby endangering the investment you have made in your fish. Many times the cheap heaters also do not have an accurate heat setting, which makes dialing in the temperature difficult.
For most people a mid priced heater will do the job they are looking for. Their thermostat controls are reliable and they maintain a constant temperature without having to make adjustments all the time. It is important to check your fish tank heater periodically to make sure it is operating correctly and after about a year of use there is a good chance that it may need to be replaced.
The best way to make sure your fish tank heater is working properly is to invest in a thermometer. These days you can purchase thermometers that stick to the outside glass of the fish tank. This makes it easy to monitor the temperature because it is always in a conspicuous spot. You can use the type that float around inside the fish tank but they are not always as easy to read and more often then not they float behind a filter or some other obstruction making it impossible to see what the temperature is.
Once you have your heater it is best to place it near a filter. This allows the heated water to be distributed throughout the tank keeping hot and cold spots to a minimum. A heater is an important part of any fish tank ecosystem and by keeping the water temperature at a constant level your fish will be disease free and entertain you for many years.
ERVIN
Aside from the condition of the water there is probably nothing as important to properly maintaining a fish tank then keeping the temperature of the water at a set level. Both salt water and fresh water fish thrive best in warm water that stays constant. They are after all tropical fish. Gold fish on the other hand are cold water fish and can handle fluctuation in temperature.
The temperature of the water is important for the health and welfare of your fish. If the temperature drops by one degree over a twenty four hour period it can leave many fish susceptible to diseases such as “Ich”. If not caught soon enough it can create irreversible damage and kill any and all the fish in a tank. This is why it is doubly important to keep a close eye on the water temperature during the change of season, particularly as winter approaches and temperatures drop.
There are a variety of different fish tank heaters on the market and depending on how much you are willing to spend will determine how functional the one you get may be. The cheaper ones may save you money but they are more likely to break or malfunction, thereby endangering the investment you have made in your fish. Many times the cheap heaters also do not have an accurate heat setting, which makes dialing in the temperature difficult.
For most people a mid priced heater will do the job they are looking for. Their thermostat controls are reliable and they maintain a constant temperature without having to make adjustments all the time. It is important to check your fish tank heater periodically to make sure it is operating correctly and after about a year of use there is a good chance that it may need to be replaced.
The best way to make sure your fish tank heater is working properly is to invest in a thermometer. These days you can purchase thermometers that stick to the outside glass of the fish tank. This makes it easy to monitor the temperature because it is always in a conspicuous spot. You can use the type that float around inside the fish tank but they are not always as easy to read and more often then not they float behind a filter or some other obstruction making it impossible to see what the temperature is.
Once you have your heater it is best to place it near a filter. This allows the heated water to be distributed throughout the tank keeping hot and cold spots to a minimum. A heater is an important part of any fish tank ecosystem and by keeping the water temperature at a constant level your fish will be disease free and entertain you for many years.
ERVIN
May
28
Gasteropelecidae Fish Upkeep - 3 Useful Facts!
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Abhishek Agarwal asked:
It is a proven fact that investing in an aquarium is more than just a hobby or passing phase for real fish lovers and knowing which to buy depends largely on whether you intend keeping marine (sea fish) or non-marine (freshwater fish) in the tank. The lucky part about modern living is that now we have tanks fitted with switches that enable one to change the temperature of the water contained in it so a dim or intense tank light makes for for comfortable surroundings inside.
Besides temperature control, modern tanks can also benefit from the huge variety of purification systems available for filtering out toxins and debris from the tank environs, helping keeping the water oxygenated and clean for the inmates. Some are mechanical while others are electronic in nature; however, more than these, the innovation in fishcare for aquarium owners comes by way of an automatic food distribution *** fertilized dosage system that takes the hassle out of remembering to feed the fish and when to do so!
Fish owners today are spoilt for choice when it comes to buying aquariums as so many different sizes, materials and advanced electronically-aided tanks are available in the market for keeping piscean pals and botanical buddies in them; of course, researching the 22,000-odd species and their preferences when it comes to keeping fish healthy in a tank is sure a task, but an enjoyable one for those that love the hobby. Learning about coldwater or tropical fish as opposed to simply freshwater and marine creatures is important for tank hygiene and fish health besides learning which are the dangerous species and should not be kept in captivity i.e Piranhas.
1. There are fish that fly, Gasteropelecidae, include the Hatchetfishes and these are found mainly in South America’s northern reaches, known for their distinctly deep figures. They are referred to as flying fish because of their affinity to raising the chest fins and attempting a float in the sky; for this reason, tank owners are advised to keep a hood on the aquarium with flying fish in them to prevent them from escaping like they are prone to doing - at least 15 feet away from the tank!
2. Another species similar to the first are the Carnegiella Marthae, also known as Blackwing Hatchetfish that have their roots in the Amazon areas, Peru and Venezuela. They typically grow to only an inch or a quarter more in size, boast a black chest, ridge and keel and do better in peaceful waters and others closer to their species. A calm temperament and easy food habits are advantages of keeping this variety of fish that prefer soft waters and breed in a fashion much like that of Hyphessobrycon.
3. The Silver Hatchetfish or Gasteropelecus Levis originate from the lower Amazonian regions, growing to an inch more than the Blackwing variety with a silver body and blue-black tinge of parallel stripes and are generally non-fussy about sharing a tank with other fish, provided they are kept in a clean environment. Its breeding habits, much like the Blackwing variety is currently under study and not much is known about them breeding in tanks.
Besides this family, that of the Cyprinidae, which covers Carps and other similar fish, is of interest; these fish tend to have big bodies and bones and are generally found across North America, Europe and some parts of Africa and Asia. Their pharyngeal bones also double up as teeth and few of them have barbel fins, which make up for adipose fins - 8feet is a normal size for them. The Indian version is named the Mahaseer and is among the largest Carp breed found in freshwaters, sometimes boasting round scales, soft fins and toothless jaws in the minnow variety used for baits, much like the Carps.
LEO
It is a proven fact that investing in an aquarium is more than just a hobby or passing phase for real fish lovers and knowing which to buy depends largely on whether you intend keeping marine (sea fish) or non-marine (freshwater fish) in the tank. The lucky part about modern living is that now we have tanks fitted with switches that enable one to change the temperature of the water contained in it so a dim or intense tank light makes for for comfortable surroundings inside.
Besides temperature control, modern tanks can also benefit from the huge variety of purification systems available for filtering out toxins and debris from the tank environs, helping keeping the water oxygenated and clean for the inmates. Some are mechanical while others are electronic in nature; however, more than these, the innovation in fishcare for aquarium owners comes by way of an automatic food distribution *** fertilized dosage system that takes the hassle out of remembering to feed the fish and when to do so!
Fish owners today are spoilt for choice when it comes to buying aquariums as so many different sizes, materials and advanced electronically-aided tanks are available in the market for keeping piscean pals and botanical buddies in them; of course, researching the 22,000-odd species and their preferences when it comes to keeping fish healthy in a tank is sure a task, but an enjoyable one for those that love the hobby. Learning about coldwater or tropical fish as opposed to simply freshwater and marine creatures is important for tank hygiene and fish health besides learning which are the dangerous species and should not be kept in captivity i.e Piranhas.
1. There are fish that fly, Gasteropelecidae, include the Hatchetfishes and these are found mainly in South America’s northern reaches, known for their distinctly deep figures. They are referred to as flying fish because of their affinity to raising the chest fins and attempting a float in the sky; for this reason, tank owners are advised to keep a hood on the aquarium with flying fish in them to prevent them from escaping like they are prone to doing - at least 15 feet away from the tank!
2. Another species similar to the first are the Carnegiella Marthae, also known as Blackwing Hatchetfish that have their roots in the Amazon areas, Peru and Venezuela. They typically grow to only an inch or a quarter more in size, boast a black chest, ridge and keel and do better in peaceful waters and others closer to their species. A calm temperament and easy food habits are advantages of keeping this variety of fish that prefer soft waters and breed in a fashion much like that of Hyphessobrycon.
3. The Silver Hatchetfish or Gasteropelecus Levis originate from the lower Amazonian regions, growing to an inch more than the Blackwing variety with a silver body and blue-black tinge of parallel stripes and are generally non-fussy about sharing a tank with other fish, provided they are kept in a clean environment. Its breeding habits, much like the Blackwing variety is currently under study and not much is known about them breeding in tanks.
Besides this family, that of the Cyprinidae, which covers Carps and other similar fish, is of interest; these fish tend to have big bodies and bones and are generally found across North America, Europe and some parts of Africa and Asia. Their pharyngeal bones also double up as teeth and few of them have barbel fins, which make up for adipose fins - 8feet is a normal size for them. The Indian version is named the Mahaseer and is among the largest Carp breed found in freshwaters, sometimes boasting round scales, soft fins and toothless jaws in the minnow variety used for baits, much like the Carps.
LEO
May
27
Aquarium Fish Food Tips
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Luke Czachor asked:
A balanced diet for your aquarium fish is essential to their survival. Most of the commercially available dry fish foods are almost always unbalanced. In many cases, the vitamin content will gradually decline at room temperature and since majority of the dry food for tropical fish commonly used will only keep for about three months, it is always advisable to buy fish-feeds in many small packs rather than in one large pack.
The feed could preferably be kept absolutely dry in a refrigerator. However, all fish appreciate a change of diet and will thank you for your consideration with more interesting behavior, better colours, and greater readiness to breed and better general well -being. This change of diet should be supplemented with live food; majority of which now come in irradiated freeze dried forms to make sure that they are disease free.
I will mention a few that could be found handy in some major aquarium shops and I will group them into two. And they are flake foods and freeze-dried foods.
Flake foods
Most popular and highly recommended brands are Aquarian, Tetra, and Wardley, Omega One, Ocean Nutrition. They are varying in cost and quality. Wardley is the least expensive among the three. However, the Aquarian and Tetra are richer in specialty flakes compare to Wardley.
Freeze-dried foods
You will also find freeze-dried foods available in aquarium stores. They are favorite foods for aquarium fish. They have single animal-ingredient like mosquito larvae, blood worms and Tubifex worm each. Aquarist should note that freeze-foods are not in themselves complete diet but they can be combine to flake food or other type of freeze-dried foods. We shall discuss more about Tubifex as a popular freeze-dried food.
TUBIFEX - This is a traditional favorite food relished by most fishes. They are small red worms that live at the bottom of streams and rivers particularly where large amounts of organic matter are present. Therefore, it is difficult for the aquarist to collect them life from their habitat. It is therefore preferable to buy Tubifex from pet shops where they are already clean, freeze-dried and concentrated into cube forms.
From personal experience, Tubifex tubes could probably be the most exciting feed to use for fishes. The cube can be stuck to the front inside wall of the aquarium. The fishes in the tank will immediately come forward and bit off pieces of worms excitedly until satisfied.
You need not bother to remove the rest worms since they seldom pollute and in most case fishes return to the feed for further fill.
DESMOND
A balanced diet for your aquarium fish is essential to their survival. Most of the commercially available dry fish foods are almost always unbalanced. In many cases, the vitamin content will gradually decline at room temperature and since majority of the dry food for tropical fish commonly used will only keep for about three months, it is always advisable to buy fish-feeds in many small packs rather than in one large pack.
The feed could preferably be kept absolutely dry in a refrigerator. However, all fish appreciate a change of diet and will thank you for your consideration with more interesting behavior, better colours, and greater readiness to breed and better general well -being. This change of diet should be supplemented with live food; majority of which now come in irradiated freeze dried forms to make sure that they are disease free.
I will mention a few that could be found handy in some major aquarium shops and I will group them into two. And they are flake foods and freeze-dried foods.
Flake foods
Most popular and highly recommended brands are Aquarian, Tetra, and Wardley, Omega One, Ocean Nutrition. They are varying in cost and quality. Wardley is the least expensive among the three. However, the Aquarian and Tetra are richer in specialty flakes compare to Wardley.
Freeze-dried foods
You will also find freeze-dried foods available in aquarium stores. They are favorite foods for aquarium fish. They have single animal-ingredient like mosquito larvae, blood worms and Tubifex worm each. Aquarist should note that freeze-foods are not in themselves complete diet but they can be combine to flake food or other type of freeze-dried foods. We shall discuss more about Tubifex as a popular freeze-dried food.
TUBIFEX - This is a traditional favorite food relished by most fishes. They are small red worms that live at the bottom of streams and rivers particularly where large amounts of organic matter are present. Therefore, it is difficult for the aquarist to collect them life from their habitat. It is therefore preferable to buy Tubifex from pet shops where they are already clean, freeze-dried and concentrated into cube forms.
From personal experience, Tubifex tubes could probably be the most exciting feed to use for fishes. The cube can be stuck to the front inside wall of the aquarium. The fishes in the tank will immediately come forward and bit off pieces of worms excitedly until satisfied.
You need not bother to remove the rest worms since they seldom pollute and in most case fishes return to the feed for further fill.
DESMOND
May
26
Fish Tanks Require Love and Care
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Tony Hartmann asked:
From small one-quart bowls to 55-gallon aquariums and numerous sizes in between, these fish tanks all need proper care to keep their inhabitants alive and well.
However, the success of your foray into fish tanks will depend on one thing; the amount of time and effort you are willing to put into them.
The entire thinking about fish tanks has changed over the past few years with some aquariums now referred to as aqua furniture or aqua art. There are aquariums made to be recessed into a wall, or designed to fit into a corner.
Fish tanks can even be special ordered in most shapes to fit your needs. Those in the wall, framed by wood, may appear to be a living painting. Materials used in fish tanks also changed over the years.
Clear, molded acrylic is gradually replacing glass as the primary material since it has been developed not to become cloudy over time. This also reduces the danger of breakage that exists with glass and can add years of enjoyment to you fish tanks. Necessary Accessories Depend On Hobby Having one or two small gold fish in a bowl does not require a huge investment. Food for the fish and the willingness to change to the water when needed will usually keep the fish alive for the duration of their life span. Planning to raise more or bigger fish will require more accessories for your fish tank. With fish tanks holding ten gallons or more of water, you will need a water pump and filter set to keep the water clean and moving. Without them the water will need to be changed frequently as it begins to get dirty.
An air filter will also be required to keep air flowing through the water. Fish require oxygen to survive and without fresh air being introduced, they may suffocate. Fish tanks also will need a light, usually a fixture that attaches to the top and provides light into the water to keep the fish from sleeping all the time.
A heater is also a good idea for fish tanks as it will help maintain the water at a constant temperature ensuring your fish won’t be cooked if it gets too hot or lethargic if it is too cold. Bigger fish tanks will require bigger accessories, and if you have fish tanks special ordered in unusual shapes, the manufacturer of the fish tanks will most likely be your only source for accessories such as the bottom filter and lamp hood.
WESTON
From small one-quart bowls to 55-gallon aquariums and numerous sizes in between, these fish tanks all need proper care to keep their inhabitants alive and well.
However, the success of your foray into fish tanks will depend on one thing; the amount of time and effort you are willing to put into them.
The entire thinking about fish tanks has changed over the past few years with some aquariums now referred to as aqua furniture or aqua art. There are aquariums made to be recessed into a wall, or designed to fit into a corner.
Fish tanks can even be special ordered in most shapes to fit your needs. Those in the wall, framed by wood, may appear to be a living painting. Materials used in fish tanks also changed over the years.
Clear, molded acrylic is gradually replacing glass as the primary material since it has been developed not to become cloudy over time. This also reduces the danger of breakage that exists with glass and can add years of enjoyment to you fish tanks. Necessary Accessories Depend On Hobby Having one or two small gold fish in a bowl does not require a huge investment. Food for the fish and the willingness to change to the water when needed will usually keep the fish alive for the duration of their life span. Planning to raise more or bigger fish will require more accessories for your fish tank. With fish tanks holding ten gallons or more of water, you will need a water pump and filter set to keep the water clean and moving. Without them the water will need to be changed frequently as it begins to get dirty.
An air filter will also be required to keep air flowing through the water. Fish require oxygen to survive and without fresh air being introduced, they may suffocate. Fish tanks also will need a light, usually a fixture that attaches to the top and provides light into the water to keep the fish from sleeping all the time.
A heater is also a good idea for fish tanks as it will help maintain the water at a constant temperature ensuring your fish won’t be cooked if it gets too hot or lethargic if it is too cold. Bigger fish tanks will require bigger accessories, and if you have fish tanks special ordered in unusual shapes, the manufacturer of the fish tanks will most likely be your only source for accessories such as the bottom filter and lamp hood.
WESTON
May
25
Buying Safe Pet Products For Fish
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Jim Brown asked:
One of the first pets that a child will ask for will be a fish and buying safe pet products for fish might require the help of a seasoned professional. There are so many tropical fish varieties and fresh water varieties in a store that some pet products for fish are not suitable for some species of fish and might even kill them instantly if the wrong pet product is used.
Some fish are considered aggressive and do not tolerate any other fish in their tank. Many pet stores will label the tanks of fish with simple words that a novice might not understand. When buying safe pet products for fish, it helps if fish owners identify which tanks contain aggressive fish and which are filled with non-aggressive varieties. If not, a new fish owner might place a non-aggressive fish in with some that will kill it within a matter of days, if it is lucky enough to live that long.
Some pet products for fish are meant to ensure that their skin is healthy. These fish conditioners are generally offered in liquid form and can be added to the water in a very easy and convenient method because the bottle will come equipped with a built-in dispenser that will only allow a drop at a time to be dispensed. Some fish conditioners are not suited for tropical fish but can be used on goldfish.
There are pet products for fish that are made strictly to protect babies. One of these pet products is a divider wall that will allow babies to swim in the same aquarium with their parents but are separated with the clear plastic barrier to ensure that the parents and other fish in the aquarium do not eat them. There are breeding pods that can be used in the tank and they will serve as floating incubation chambers until the children are old enough to fend for themselves.
There are many decorative pet products that will make owning an aquarium a very delightful hobby. Some of the pet products fish use every day to hide in are chests, reefs and any other man-made shape that provides dark areas that fish love. Some fish are loners and prefer these quiet areas to spend their day and to use when they want to hide from larger fish predators in the tank.
There are floating grasses in natural and plastic form that will help give the fish a realistic undersea world environment. The sea greens will sway in the current caused by the water filter in the tank. The sea grass will cause algae to grow in the tank so it may be necessary to add a few algae eating fish to keep the tank clean.
MARCELINO
One of the first pets that a child will ask for will be a fish and buying safe pet products for fish might require the help of a seasoned professional. There are so many tropical fish varieties and fresh water varieties in a store that some pet products for fish are not suitable for some species of fish and might even kill them instantly if the wrong pet product is used.
Some fish are considered aggressive and do not tolerate any other fish in their tank. Many pet stores will label the tanks of fish with simple words that a novice might not understand. When buying safe pet products for fish, it helps if fish owners identify which tanks contain aggressive fish and which are filled with non-aggressive varieties. If not, a new fish owner might place a non-aggressive fish in with some that will kill it within a matter of days, if it is lucky enough to live that long.
Some pet products for fish are meant to ensure that their skin is healthy. These fish conditioners are generally offered in liquid form and can be added to the water in a very easy and convenient method because the bottle will come equipped with a built-in dispenser that will only allow a drop at a time to be dispensed. Some fish conditioners are not suited for tropical fish but can be used on goldfish.
There are pet products for fish that are made strictly to protect babies. One of these pet products is a divider wall that will allow babies to swim in the same aquarium with their parents but are separated with the clear plastic barrier to ensure that the parents and other fish in the aquarium do not eat them. There are breeding pods that can be used in the tank and they will serve as floating incubation chambers until the children are old enough to fend for themselves.
There are many decorative pet products that will make owning an aquarium a very delightful hobby. Some of the pet products fish use every day to hide in are chests, reefs and any other man-made shape that provides dark areas that fish love. Some fish are loners and prefer these quiet areas to spend their day and to use when they want to hide from larger fish predators in the tank.
There are floating grasses in natural and plastic form that will help give the fish a realistic undersea world environment. The sea greens will sway in the current caused by the water filter in the tank. The sea grass will cause algae to grow in the tank so it may be necessary to add a few algae eating fish to keep the tank clean.
MARCELINO
May
25
Shy Fish In The Tank
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Iszuddin Ismail asked:
It can be one of the more frustrating things about adding a new fish to your tank. You treat your new baby with care, ensure that it has the right temperature and pH and food and everything else, give it a few days to adapt – and STILL it remains hidden in the back of the tank, behind the rocks, where no one can appreciate your fine new addition.
All fish get a little nervous about new surroundings, and most aren’t very happy about the shocks and indignities of travel, so it’s normal for a new guy to go into hiding for a day or two as it gets used to its new home. However, if it’s still being shy after a few days, that tells you there’s something else wrong. Until you figure it out and fix it, your friend isn’t going to come out.
The most frequent problem is when your new fish is of a breed that normally travels in schools. Very powerful instincts tell this type of fish that he’s not safe if he’s alone, or in a group that is too small, and even long familiarity with a tank that’s predator-free isn’t going to overcome that instinct. With a bigger school, they’ll all feel safe and spend a lot more time in the open. If you do your homework before buying, you’ll know which breeds you need to buy in groups of four or five or more.
Your next step may seem a little counter-intuitive: add more hiding places to your tank. A nervous fish can be made calmer by providing a safe place he can go. Since even non-territorial fish may each want to have a place of their own to run to when evil threatening kids tap on the glass, the more fish you have, the more nooks and crannies you should provide. More hiding places = more security = more time spent out in the open.
Just decorating the tank in general will make your fish feel less uncomfortable. Prey animals in a nearly empty tank are easily stressed because they feel exposed and vulnerable, which can compromise their immune system and make it harder for them to resist disease and heal from injury. Adding plenty of rock and plant cover, or even neon-pink bubbling treasure chests, will ease the stress, which can help immensely.
Fish that are comfortable in your tank are more likely to display healthy color and natural behavior, and they’re going to spend more time out of hiding and be more lively and entertaining to watch.
HUGO
It can be one of the more frustrating things about adding a new fish to your tank. You treat your new baby with care, ensure that it has the right temperature and pH and food and everything else, give it a few days to adapt – and STILL it remains hidden in the back of the tank, behind the rocks, where no one can appreciate your fine new addition.
All fish get a little nervous about new surroundings, and most aren’t very happy about the shocks and indignities of travel, so it’s normal for a new guy to go into hiding for a day or two as it gets used to its new home. However, if it’s still being shy after a few days, that tells you there’s something else wrong. Until you figure it out and fix it, your friend isn’t going to come out.
The most frequent problem is when your new fish is of a breed that normally travels in schools. Very powerful instincts tell this type of fish that he’s not safe if he’s alone, or in a group that is too small, and even long familiarity with a tank that’s predator-free isn’t going to overcome that instinct. With a bigger school, they’ll all feel safe and spend a lot more time in the open. If you do your homework before buying, you’ll know which breeds you need to buy in groups of four or five or more.
Your next step may seem a little counter-intuitive: add more hiding places to your tank. A nervous fish can be made calmer by providing a safe place he can go. Since even non-territorial fish may each want to have a place of their own to run to when evil threatening kids tap on the glass, the more fish you have, the more nooks and crannies you should provide. More hiding places = more security = more time spent out in the open.
Just decorating the tank in general will make your fish feel less uncomfortable. Prey animals in a nearly empty tank are easily stressed because they feel exposed and vulnerable, which can compromise their immune system and make it harder for them to resist disease and heal from injury. Adding plenty of rock and plant cover, or even neon-pink bubbling treasure chests, will ease the stress, which can help immensely.
Fish that are comfortable in your tank are more likely to display healthy color and natural behavior, and they’re going to spend more time out of hiding and be more lively and entertaining to watch.
HUGO
May
24
Tips On Feeding Your Aquarium Fish
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Rob Mellor asked:
I have already talked about selecting great fish and how to transport them home and settle them in to there new surroundings. Today I’m going to tell you about the correct way to feed your aquarium fish because it is one of the most important factors of keeping tropical fish.
Overfeeding aquarium fish is the most common cause of death in tropical fish. I know this may be difficult to believe that something so easy could cause more problems and deaths of your aquarium fish than disease but overfeeding causes problems with water quality which is where problems seem to start. It is often not seen as important and therefore, notice is not taken.
You need to make sure you don’t give your aquarium fish too much food. Just a sprinkle should do however you do need to make sure you don’t underfeed them and cause stunted growth. Here are a few tips on how you should feed your new tropical fish.
1, Try to feed often but sparingly. This will decrease the uneaten food that will turn into ammonia that could be harmful to your aquarium and even kill your fish.
2, Observe your fish at feeding times and look out for how much they can eat within three to five minutes. You should then feed no more than that. This again will create less waste food.
3, Try feeding other foods that don’t pollute the aquarium water as much. Only feed meaty foods twice or three times a week as these tend to create the most ammonia.
4, Look into buying a more powerful filter or even a second filter. If you overfeed then, the extra waste won’t cause a strain on your existing filter. You could also do more water changes to keep ammonia levels down.
5, Buy some catfish or pleco’s. These bottom feeders eat the waste food that is missed by the other fish and will decrease the end waste. Pleco’s also eat algae and keep the tank glass cleaner.
Please look into using a few of these techniques above to try and avoid overfeeding and water quality problems caused by food. If you do use them then I’m sure you will see an improvement in your results and less fish deaths if you’re having problems with ammonia and nitrate levels in your tank water caused by overfeeding.
RICH
I have already talked about selecting great fish and how to transport them home and settle them in to there new surroundings. Today I’m going to tell you about the correct way to feed your aquarium fish because it is one of the most important factors of keeping tropical fish.
Overfeeding aquarium fish is the most common cause of death in tropical fish. I know this may be difficult to believe that something so easy could cause more problems and deaths of your aquarium fish than disease but overfeeding causes problems with water quality which is where problems seem to start. It is often not seen as important and therefore, notice is not taken.
You need to make sure you don’t give your aquarium fish too much food. Just a sprinkle should do however you do need to make sure you don’t underfeed them and cause stunted growth. Here are a few tips on how you should feed your new tropical fish.
1, Try to feed often but sparingly. This will decrease the uneaten food that will turn into ammonia that could be harmful to your aquarium and even kill your fish.
2, Observe your fish at feeding times and look out for how much they can eat within three to five minutes. You should then feed no more than that. This again will create less waste food.
3, Try feeding other foods that don’t pollute the aquarium water as much. Only feed meaty foods twice or three times a week as these tend to create the most ammonia.
4, Look into buying a more powerful filter or even a second filter. If you overfeed then, the extra waste won’t cause a strain on your existing filter. You could also do more water changes to keep ammonia levels down.
5, Buy some catfish or pleco’s. These bottom feeders eat the waste food that is missed by the other fish and will decrease the end waste. Pleco’s also eat algae and keep the tank glass cleaner.
Please look into using a few of these techniques above to try and avoid overfeeding and water quality problems caused by food. If you do use them then I’m sure you will see an improvement in your results and less fish deaths if you’re having problems with ammonia and nitrate levels in your tank water caused by overfeeding.
RICH
May
22
Fish Tank Sand Pros and Cons – Should You Use Sand or Gravel?
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Josh Spaulding asked:
Fish tank gravel is what most people use to cover the floor of their fish tanks. While gravel is a popular choice, there is also aquarium sand available at pet retailers and online fish supply stores. Aquarium sand can give your aquarium a tropical look, but fish tank gravel is economical and easier to use. The best decision for your tank can only be made after you weigh the pros and cons.
Gravel is the easiest fish tank floor covering to use. It comes in many different colors that you can use to customize the look of your tank. You can have everything from neon green and pink to natural looking grey and brown stones.
Gravel is also easier to clean. You can use a gravel vacuum during the cleanup process to **** up small bits of debris and waste. The vacuum will eliminate the tiny pieces while still leaving the gravel intact on the fish tank floor.
On the other hand, gravel shifts a lot more than sand does. If you plan on using live plants in your aquarium design, you may find that they will become disheveled and unplanted over time. It can also display pockets and needs to be smoothed out from time to time.
Aquarium sand is a bit trickier to use. You must turn off the filter on your tank when you first start to use the sand. It is very cloudy to begin with and you have to give it time to settle. You also may need to get an upgraded filter that won’t get stuck on the tiny sand particles. Debris shows up much more clearly with sand than it does with gravel.
On the positive side, live plants root well in the sand surface. Sand gives a much more professional look to your tank. It’s also an aesthetically pleasing choice if you have a tank with tropical fish.
NEAL
Fish tank gravel is what most people use to cover the floor of their fish tanks. While gravel is a popular choice, there is also aquarium sand available at pet retailers and online fish supply stores. Aquarium sand can give your aquarium a tropical look, but fish tank gravel is economical and easier to use. The best decision for your tank can only be made after you weigh the pros and cons.
Gravel is the easiest fish tank floor covering to use. It comes in many different colors that you can use to customize the look of your tank. You can have everything from neon green and pink to natural looking grey and brown stones.
Gravel is also easier to clean. You can use a gravel vacuum during the cleanup process to **** up small bits of debris and waste. The vacuum will eliminate the tiny pieces while still leaving the gravel intact on the fish tank floor.
On the other hand, gravel shifts a lot more than sand does. If you plan on using live plants in your aquarium design, you may find that they will become disheveled and unplanted over time. It can also display pockets and needs to be smoothed out from time to time.
Aquarium sand is a bit trickier to use. You must turn off the filter on your tank when you first start to use the sand. It is very cloudy to begin with and you have to give it time to settle. You also may need to get an upgraded filter that won’t get stuck on the tiny sand particles. Debris shows up much more clearly with sand than it does with gravel.
On the positive side, live plants root well in the sand surface. Sand gives a much more professional look to your tank. It’s also an aesthetically pleasing choice if you have a tank with tropical fish.
NEAL
May
19
Silver Dollar And Black Tetra Fish Care - Tips To Create Ideal Acquarium Conditions
Filed Under Pets | Comments Off
Abhishek Agarwal asked:
Silver dollar fish are popular, great looking tropical, freshwater fish and have been a hit with aquarium owners for years. These fish come from South America and only grow to five or six inches. As you can imagine, they get their name from their look. Silver Dollars are flat, silver fish with extremely round bodies. They resemble a silver tea cup saucer, or a silver dollar.
There are different types of silver dollar fish. One that many fish aquarists enjoy is the spotted silver dollar (metynnis lippincottianus).
Spotted silver dollar should be kept in a school of three or more. While generally peaceful fish, the spotted silver dollar will be uncomfortable and could get scared if not in a school. They tend to be a little hyper. If you come up to the tank too quickly or make any sudden movements near the water, the fish will dart wildly around the tank. For their sake, have safe aquarium decorations. But, don’t put live plants in the tank unless you don’t want it. These fish are herbivores and will demolish any live plants.
Feed these fish a steady diet of green vegetables, flakes and occasionally live food. A healthy diet will go a long way in their car.
Aquarium conditions: Even though these are smaller fish, they prefer a very large tank. Give them room to swim. The water should be around 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Only venture two degrees in either direction from this. They enjoy soft, acidic water. The pH level needs to be around 6.0 to 7.5.
There are silver dollar fish (metynnis hypsauchen) without the spots. These silvery fish are skittish as well. Don’t make any sudden movements near the tank or they will freak out. They require many of the same environment conditions as the spotted silver dollar and make a good communal fish.
Silver dollar aquariums can be a lot of fun with these tiny fish darting around. Give them many hiding places with a larger tank and fake, plastic plants. The real kind will get eaten up.
Aquarium conditions: Keep the water temperature between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. These tropical freshwater fish like it warm. The pH should stay between 5.5 and 7.0.
If silver dollar fish are not what you’re after, you may want to look around the pet shop for other types of fish. There are so many different fish to choose from that if you don’t like one kind there will probably be six other species you will fall in love with. Go through the aisles of the pet shop or search the Internet to see if there are any fish that catch your interest. One fish you might want to consider is the Black Widow Tetra (gymnocorymbus ternetzi). The fish have black dorsal and **** fins with black stripes across its body.
It’s one of the most popular tropical freshwater fish for its friendly personality and unique look. It’s a great community fish, so it will add flavor to any aquarium. There are different varieties of this fish, which makes them interesting. You will find this fish is some different colors such as the petticoat (light pink). Black tetras enjoy most foods. Give them a variety of foods to ensure a healthy diet. Try flakes, live food, worms and frozen foods.
Aquarium conditions: These fish are easy to care for, which makes them a big hit for tropical freshwater aquarium lovers. They like hard, acidic water. The pH level should be between 5.5 and 8.5, which is a very large value. The temperature of the tank should be between 75 and 79 degrees. These conditions allow the fish to enjoy a variety of conditions with many other fish.
LESLIE
Silver dollar fish are popular, great looking tropical, freshwater fish and have been a hit with aquarium owners for years. These fish come from South America and only grow to five or six inches. As you can imagine, they get their name from their look. Silver Dollars are flat, silver fish with extremely round bodies. They resemble a silver tea cup saucer, or a silver dollar.
There are different types of silver dollar fish. One that many fish aquarists enjoy is the spotted silver dollar (metynnis lippincottianus).
Spotted silver dollar should be kept in a school of three or more. While generally peaceful fish, the spotted silver dollar will be uncomfortable and could get scared if not in a school. They tend to be a little hyper. If you come up to the tank too quickly or make any sudden movements near the water, the fish will dart wildly around the tank. For their sake, have safe aquarium decorations. But, don’t put live plants in the tank unless you don’t want it. These fish are herbivores and will demolish any live plants.
Feed these fish a steady diet of green vegetables, flakes and occasionally live food. A healthy diet will go a long way in their car.
Aquarium conditions: Even though these are smaller fish, they prefer a very large tank. Give them room to swim. The water should be around 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Only venture two degrees in either direction from this. They enjoy soft, acidic water. The pH level needs to be around 6.0 to 7.5.
There are silver dollar fish (metynnis hypsauchen) without the spots. These silvery fish are skittish as well. Don’t make any sudden movements near the tank or they will freak out. They require many of the same environment conditions as the spotted silver dollar and make a good communal fish.
Silver dollar aquariums can be a lot of fun with these tiny fish darting around. Give them many hiding places with a larger tank and fake, plastic plants. The real kind will get eaten up.
Aquarium conditions: Keep the water temperature between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. These tropical freshwater fish like it warm. The pH should stay between 5.5 and 7.0.
If silver dollar fish are not what you’re after, you may want to look around the pet shop for other types of fish. There are so many different fish to choose from that if you don’t like one kind there will probably be six other species you will fall in love with. Go through the aisles of the pet shop or search the Internet to see if there are any fish that catch your interest. One fish you might want to consider is the Black Widow Tetra (gymnocorymbus ternetzi). The fish have black dorsal and **** fins with black stripes across its body.
It’s one of the most popular tropical freshwater fish for its friendly personality and unique look. It’s a great community fish, so it will add flavor to any aquarium. There are different varieties of this fish, which makes them interesting. You will find this fish is some different colors such as the petticoat (light pink). Black tetras enjoy most foods. Give them a variety of foods to ensure a healthy diet. Try flakes, live food, worms and frozen foods.
Aquarium conditions: These fish are easy to care for, which makes them a big hit for tropical freshwater aquarium lovers. They like hard, acidic water. The pH level should be between 5.5 and 8.5, which is a very large value. The temperature of the tank should be between 75 and 79 degrees. These conditions allow the fish to enjoy a variety of conditions with many other fish.
LESLIE
May
19
Betta Fish Water
Filed Under Pets | Comments Off
Rafael Marquez asked:
Chances are you got your betta fish at a pet store of somekind. If you had the typical experience, you got a person that told you nothing about the water requirements for your betta or anything else about betta fish care. They may or may not have told you that you needed to change the water, but gave you no guidance. Actually, when you got home and got a good smell of the water your betta was in, you decided to change the water out.
You may be inclined to think that any water will do. Most clean water looks, smells and tastes the same, unless it came out of a toilet bowl or something like that, right? Seriously though, different sources of water produce water that has many different characteristics. There are many invisible, and hard to distinguish factors that can have a bad effect on your betta. These invisible things could actually kill your betta.
Here are a couple of water parameters that you should keep in mind when taking care of your betta:
Water pH.
Without getting into a chemistry conversation, pH is a measure of the acidity of the water. If you think about what acid does, you’ll understand the importance of keeping an eye on this measure. The range goes from 0-14 and the lower the number, the higher the acidity. A pH of 7 is a neutral reading, meaning that the water is neither acidic nor basic.
The thing with the pH level of water, is that it’s tied closely to the source of the water.
Typically speaking, if your water comes from an underground source and has been seeped through lots of different rocks, it probably has a lot of dissolved minerals in it. Water with a lot of minerals dissolved in it is called “hard water”. Water from lakes or ponds, where maybe there was a lot of decaying materials etc. usually has more acidity to it but is called “soft water.” In some places, the rain water collects so many chemicals as it makes its way through the atmosphere that by the time it reaches the ground it’s called “acid rain.”
Lots of mineral in suspension = hard water = high pH. The opposite is also true, less minerals = soft water = low pH.
The only way to tell if your water has high or low pH is to measure it with a pH test kit. The test kits are cheap, but you must have one in order to test the acidity of the water. Most water in the US will test between 6-8, but hardly any water will test at the magical 7 without being treated.
Most tropical fish, such as bettas need water that has a neutral pH, meaning the water should test at a 7. To adjust the pH of the water, you need to add “pH up” or “pH down” depending on the case to the water, until it tests at a 7.
VERY IMPORTANT
Any adjustments to the pH must be done gradually. Bettas, like most fish, are very sensitive to sudden fluctuations in their water environment. Only add a few drops at a time of either solution to keep the change as gradual as possible.
Water Temperature
Fish are very sensitive to the temperature of their water.
Tropical fish like water temperatures between 75F and 82F. You may need to get a heater to keep the water within that temperature range, specially if you have a large tank. When it comes to water heaters for your fish tank, you really do get what you pay for, so get the best quality heater that you can afford. You do not need a heater if your tank is smaller than 5 gallons since you may end up cooking your fish.
Regardless of the size of your tank water temperature, is something that you can’t see, so you’ll need to have a thermometer for your tank. Just use one of those that stick to the side of the tank and you should be fine.
If you’d like to learn more about what kind of water to use and learn more tips about betta fish care, click here to continue.
Visit bettafishguy.com for more information about betta fish care
MARCEL
Chances are you got your betta fish at a pet store of somekind. If you had the typical experience, you got a person that told you nothing about the water requirements for your betta or anything else about betta fish care. They may or may not have told you that you needed to change the water, but gave you no guidance. Actually, when you got home and got a good smell of the water your betta was in, you decided to change the water out.
You may be inclined to think that any water will do. Most clean water looks, smells and tastes the same, unless it came out of a toilet bowl or something like that, right? Seriously though, different sources of water produce water that has many different characteristics. There are many invisible, and hard to distinguish factors that can have a bad effect on your betta. These invisible things could actually kill your betta.
Here are a couple of water parameters that you should keep in mind when taking care of your betta:
Water pH.
Without getting into a chemistry conversation, pH is a measure of the acidity of the water. If you think about what acid does, you’ll understand the importance of keeping an eye on this measure. The range goes from 0-14 and the lower the number, the higher the acidity. A pH of 7 is a neutral reading, meaning that the water is neither acidic nor basic.
The thing with the pH level of water, is that it’s tied closely to the source of the water.
Typically speaking, if your water comes from an underground source and has been seeped through lots of different rocks, it probably has a lot of dissolved minerals in it. Water with a lot of minerals dissolved in it is called “hard water”. Water from lakes or ponds, where maybe there was a lot of decaying materials etc. usually has more acidity to it but is called “soft water.” In some places, the rain water collects so many chemicals as it makes its way through the atmosphere that by the time it reaches the ground it’s called “acid rain.”
Lots of mineral in suspension = hard water = high pH. The opposite is also true, less minerals = soft water = low pH.
The only way to tell if your water has high or low pH is to measure it with a pH test kit. The test kits are cheap, but you must have one in order to test the acidity of the water. Most water in the US will test between 6-8, but hardly any water will test at the magical 7 without being treated.
Most tropical fish, such as bettas need water that has a neutral pH, meaning the water should test at a 7. To adjust the pH of the water, you need to add “pH up” or “pH down” depending on the case to the water, until it tests at a 7.
VERY IMPORTANT
Any adjustments to the pH must be done gradually. Bettas, like most fish, are very sensitive to sudden fluctuations in their water environment. Only add a few drops at a time of either solution to keep the change as gradual as possible.
Water Temperature
Fish are very sensitive to the temperature of their water.
Tropical fish like water temperatures between 75F and 82F. You may need to get a heater to keep the water within that temperature range, specially if you have a large tank. When it comes to water heaters for your fish tank, you really do get what you pay for, so get the best quality heater that you can afford. You do not need a heater if your tank is smaller than 5 gallons since you may end up cooking your fish.
Regardless of the size of your tank water temperature, is something that you can’t see, so you’ll need to have a thermometer for your tank. Just use one of those that stick to the side of the tank and you should be fine.
If you’d like to learn more about what kind of water to use and learn more tips about betta fish care, click here to continue.
Visit bettafishguy.com for more information about betta fish care
MARCEL