Fish Tank Care

Everyone knows that fish in a tank need to be supplied with food, but what is less known is what are the best fish foods available. Certain fish are herbivores (plant eaters), others are meat eaters(carnivores) and some eat both(omnivores). Additionally, the where the feeding takes place within the tanks is also an important factor, as there are top, middle, and bottom feeding fish.

Which fish foods should you buy?

If you have distinct types of feeders in your aquarium, it would be essential to buy the appropriate type of fish food. Fish such as jack dempseys and bettas are meat eaters and will flourish on freeze dried worms and brine shrimp. Goldfish, ciclids, catfish, and the majority of other kinds of fish will be satisfied with the very common flake fish foods.

Where does your fish feed?

To the untrained eye, it may appear that aquarium fish strictly feed at the top of the tank. However, the position of a fish's mouth is the determining factor as to the feeding location within the tank. Indeed, for your top feeders, it is recommended to buy food that is in pellet form and doesn't sink. Certain flake foods do sink after a few minutes, so they would be satisfactory for all types of feeders, assuming you have the top feeders do not finish all the food first. Food that is in tablet or wafer form do sink quite fast and are, therefore, recommended for bottom feeders.

Herbivorous fish that normally feed at the bottom of the tank and are likely to enjoy algae discs, whereas the meat lovers in the bottom of the tank will love carnivore pellets of the Hikari kind. There are even food mixes that are available, such as Vivid Color Flake Food, which would help highlight the extravagant colors of any tropical fish you may have.

Common fish that are top feeders include mollies and bettas, middle feeders are silver dollars, whereas bottom feeders include coreys and Catfish.

Salt water fish tanks require additional time to set up when compared to fresh fish tanks but it well worth it.Setting up a saltwater fish tank involves 5 essential steps. Following these steps, together with proper maintenance, will assure you will have a wonderful fish tank experience.

1) Preparing the saltwater fish tank

The first step is to clean the tank using water only and a cloth or sponge that will not cause abrasion. Subsequently, you can apply a paper background to the outside back part of the aquariurm. Be sure to use tape throughout the top back of the background in order to stop any salt from showing up between the tank glass and the background. Another option for the outside back part of the tank is to paint it in a deep blue shade, giving an impression of depth.

The aquarium should then be taken to its permanent location, near an electrical plug, but sufficiently distant from the plug in case of a water leak. It is a good idea to place a pad under the fish tank for leveling and cushioning purposes. Now you can connect the heater, filter, protein skimmer and other equipment

2) Testing its system

This step is actually optional but would make any problematic issues that may come up in the setup simpler to fix. The test is done by loading in the solution of saltwater inside a bucket first or mixing it inside the tank directly. If white residue drops to the lower parts of the tank, the water ought to be discarded. Subsequently, the tank is to be turned on and run for a day, and in the meantime the owner can check to make sure that all the equipment is running correctly, determine the best temperature, and make salt balance modifications as necessary. It will not be possible to detect whether the protein skimmer is fulfilling it task since there is no waste, but you can still check for the production of bubbles.

3) Substrate and Quarantine

This depends on what type of soil and decorations you are using and can be done at this stage.You will need approximately 1/2 to 1 lb. of substrate per a gallon of water. For best results, use either live sand or an aragonite based sand or fine coral. Adding soil can be done by first mixing it in a bucket with the tank water and then adding it slowly to the bottom of the tank. As far as adding rocks, keep in mind that tiny animals live inside live rock, and can cause organic matter buildup as well as accumulation of harmful ammonia. As a result, it is important to cure the rock before placing it in the fish tank.

Live rock can be expensive but is the best form of biological filtration for your fish tank. Curing the rock can take from 1 week to 2 months, based on the initial condition of the rock. For curing, place the rock in the middle of the tank and rub it with a brush that has plastic bristles, such as an old toothbrush, for removing the debris. Do so every few days with the power off in the tank. Remove the dirty salt water and replace it with a clean supply. The curing process may cause the tank to exude strong smells and when it smells more like the ocean you will know that you are getting close to completion. Use your test kits to confirm that the tank is indeed cycled, with nitrite and ammonia reading at zero and a good amount of nitrates, as described below.

Also, you have to decide whether you wish to create what is known as a quarantine tank, which is separate from the main tank. Many fish experts recommend doing this in order to find whether you have a sick or contaminated fish before it is introduced to the entire aquarium environment. If you choose this method, the fish ought to be quarantined for 2 weeks and watched regularly prior to being added to the aquarium.

4) Cycle and Check water parameters

Before putting in the fish, complete cycling the tank and make sure the aquarium parameters are:

temperature: 75°F - 80°F (24°C - 27°C)
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 20 ppm or less (especially for invertebrates)
carbonate hardness: 7-10 dKH
specific gravity: 1.020 - 1.024
pH: 8.0 - 8.4

5) Add the fish

It is quite common for marine fish to be added safely only 4 to 8 weeks after you start the set up. Only add one or two saltwater fish at a time to lighten the biological load on the aquatic environment. When you bring a new saltwater fish, first dump it and the water in to a 5 gallon bucket, followed by a cup of aquarium water every 10 minutes for an hour. This will reduce the environmental stress on the new fish. You can then dump the contents of the bucket into the aquarium.

Your fish tank is now ready and is ready for routine maintenance, as described in a future article.

Setting up a fish tank will require some time on your part, but the work is absolutely worth the effort. A proper aquarium set up and a regular maintenance routine will ensure a thriving fish tank environment. While the maintenance phase is similar, fresh water fish tanks are easier to set up than salt water tanks. Follow the steps below and the whole process should be seamless and fun.

Besides a tank, fresh water fish require a hood, filtration, heater, lighting, and substrate(the soil). To begin with, it is recommended that you get the biggest fresh water fish tank that fits your available space and budget. This is because, a larger tank will hold more water which would lessen the likelihood of a drastic change in the tank's environment prior to you noticing it. To prepare the aquarium, use water in a bucket to wash the soil and items such as rocks that will be on top of it. Curing the live rock is highly recommended, and is done by brushing the rock with a bristled brush every day until the water doesn't have an odor and a test kit indicates it is within the correct parameters.

Next, position the tank in its designated area, on a stand if necessary, while verifying it can be reached by electric wires. Extra wire is needed so that it is distanced sufficiently from the tank in case of a water leak, wetting the floor without touching the electric outlet in the wall.

The hood has to fit well in order to prevent water from evaporating, therefore, keep this in mind if you are cutting it to make it fit. Place all of the equipment in the tank and connect everything inside, but still do not plug into the wall. Add regular water to the tank, for up to about an inch from the rim, and use a water conditioner, purchased from the pet store. When the tank is filled with water, you can plug in the electricity, and power the lights, filter, and heater.

The next step is called cycling the tank and it allows for the formation of a bacterial layer. This important layer acts to remove the ammonia generated by remaining food and fish debris that would cause the aquarium to be inhospitable. The ammonia will be taken in by the bacteria in the substrate and filters, producing nitrite which is also not fish friendly. Another type of bacteria will then consume the nitrite converting it into a related, but non-harmful, compound known as nitrate.

The cycling process commences by introducing the aquarium with just one or two rugged and inexpensive fish in order to naturally add ammonia to the tank. A test kit can be used to measure the nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia levels. When nitrite and ammonia levels are equivalent to zero, the cycling process is complete and a gradual addition of more fish can be done. It is crucial to add more rugged to less rugged fish, in this order, since the tank is less hospitable at first to certain sensitive fish. It is also important to be informed when purchasing the fish, so that you select ones that are compatible, not combative, with each other.

It is important to examine your fish tank from up close for the first few days after the set up to make sure it is functioning well. The high quality of the water is easily maintained in the aquarium especially due to bacteria, therefore it is important not to get rid of a large amount of the substrate or replace the filter too frequently. You will do your fish justice if you clean the algae every week and change a quarter of the water in the tank every month as well as change the cartridge for the filter at that point.

Owning a lively fish tank can add quality to your home or office, at a relatively low cost and a require a small amount of effort, compared to owning other pets. For most of the time, your fish tank will be self sustaining and will look wonderful, as long as you purchase the optimal tank for your location.

Fish tanks are being sold in numerous sizes, ranging from bowls to baby whale-sized 500 gallon aquariums. Selecting the right tank will make the maintenance job easy while keeping the fish healthy and vibrant. The following are the essentials for selecting the right fish tank you desire:

Fish Tank Location

The first requirement is location, since this determines the subsequent factors of tank size and shape. The typical fish tank is rectangular and would fit nicely against most walls, whereas, if you are trying to fill a corner, a pentagon, or similar shaped aquarium would look very attractive. For very small niches, such as a shelf, an ornamental tank is often ideal. It is also very important to factor in the tank's weight, plus the weight of the water, since a full tank would normally measure 12 pounds per gallon, therefore, a filled 20 gallon tank can exceed over 200 pounds. It could get messy if this aspect isn’t factored in.

Fish Tank Size

You may be surprised to know that the bigger the tank, the less work it requires, although it contains more fish in it. A large tank will have a diluting effect on contaminants and a greater surface area for the air and water to come in contact with. A small fish tank, containing a couple of fish and no filtration, will not survive very long unless you the water is being constantly changed. Clearly, an unrealistic chore.

Any fish tank cannot house more than a specific number of fish, otherwise the water quality will suffer. The accepted measure for fresh water fish is: 1 inch of fish for every gallon of water. This means that a 5 gallon tank should hold 2 to 3 fish and a 30 gallon tank up to 20 fish. Notably, saltwater fish are more sensitive to water quality and, therefore, it is necessary for the salt water tank to be at least 20 gallons in size. A Salt water fish tank should only contain about a quarter as many fish as a fresh water tank, therefore, a 60 gallon salt water fish tank will have the equivalent of 15 inches of fish (about 7 or 8 fish).

Fish Tank Shape

Fish tanks have quite a few shapes to them, ranging from the typical rectangular or round, but can also contain additional angles. The common rectangular aquariums are ideal for maintaining high water quality since the elongated shape creates a larger surface area, as explained above. Any other shaped tank will have a smaller surface, area, relative to its overall size, which would necessitate a solid filtration system and more vigilant monitoring.

Acrylic or Glass Fish Tank?

Keep in mind that the material used to construct an aquarium is an important factor as well. Glass does weigh more than acrylic, however, it is less pricey. Glass tanks are assembled using glass sealer, which can dissolve and end up as a leaky tank. However, additional sealer can normally be added to remedy such a problem, if it arises. Acrylic, on the other hand, can scratch more easily but, if maintained well, would appear even more beautiful than glass due to its seamless build. The acrylic material is 17 times stronger than glass, thus resistant to shattering, and is likely to outlast the glass version . Acrylic tank scratches can be polished off or brightened. Also, most acrylic aquariums are sold with a hood and lighting in place, which explains their higher cost.

It is essential to remember, when it comes to acrylic fish tanks, that cleaning it with ammonia is to be avoided since it will cause crystallization of the acrylic tank walls. In fact, cleaning any aquarium should be done with gentler compounds due to the delicate environment that your fish enjoy to flourish in.

Freshwater or Saltwater?

Choosing saltwater over freshwater tanks normally indicates that you can select from an array of fish that are more colorful, therefore costlier, as well as requiring more expensive equipment. Supplies, such as a good filtration, water test kits, and a protein skimmer, also means that a salt water tank is more expensive than a fresh water tank. Any added accessories and decorations, such as substrate and live rock, can additionally add to the total cost. After the initial setup process of a saltwater fish tank, the maintenance phase begins and should require no more time and effort than a fresh water tank. This would include a partial water change every month, and scraping of algae accumulations once a week.

Fish Tank Decision Time

When it comes to selecting a fish tank, you have to make a combined decision of: what fits, looks good, the type of required equipment and the price. Once you have considered all these aspects of setting up a fish tank as well as the rewards you expect to gain from it, you are ready to make an informed decision. Overall, it is recommended to get the biggest tank possible, based on your space and financial abilities. This would ensure that your fish are healthy and create a remarkable impression with anyone who sees your fish tank.

Fish tank care is a popular hobby, dating back to the earlier days of human history. As a matter of fact, the first evidence of fish as pets is documented by the breeding of gold fish in ancient China, over 1000 years ago.

Maintaining a fish tank is relatively simple, however, there is still essential knowledge and dedication necessary to make this responsibility into a truly rewarding hobby. There really are no shortcuts when it comes to proper fish tank care, requiring an ongoing plan for keeping a clean aquarium that your fish will thrive in.

Here are some of the basics, with more details discussed in future posts. Your first step is to make a decision regarding the size of the aquarium. It is actually true that the bigger the tank, the less maintenance work we'll be required for it, even though you'll have more fish in it than in a small tank. A 20-30 gallon tank would be ideal for a novice pet fish owner.

The filtration equipment you use is crucial as well. Filters are either mechanical, biological, or chemical, with the first two being essential. Chemical filters are needed only if you suspect the current water you are using isn't suitable for your fish. Additionally, the other components you will need is a matching hood and stand as well as a light fixture and a heater.

Prior to adding the fish to the tank, keep in mind that the tank has to cycle through and make sure the fish you choose are compatible so that they grow in the best environment possible.

This website will provide you with all of the essential details, using clear instruction for fish tank care and offering you the best results for your pet fish.