July 2009

Aquariums Specials


July 28, 2009

A Guide To Freshwater Fish Care

by Bella Holly

Usually freshwater fish are considered the pets for people that are either lazy or don’t really want to take care of something They may like the idea of a pet but perhaps one that you don’t have to interact with as often as others, underestimating the responsibility of freshwater fish care. Well, fish can be the pet for you but it is imperative that you understand that fish do require a little bit of maintenance, although not as much as a cat or dog.

First before you buy any fish make sure that you do adequate research concerning the fish of your choice; but take your time, as there are many types of freshwater fish. Make sure you don’t put various types of aggressive fish in the same tank. This will lead to an early destruction of your tank. Also when researching the fish you want to make sure to understand what kind of habitat they need. Since we are doing a freshwater tank make sure the fish aren’t saltwater fish. This is another guaranteed way to end the life of the fish quickly..

Make sure that you understand the feeding requirements of your fish before you bring them home. Some fish require certain types of food, as well as particular feeding schedules. You should be particularly careful about not over-feeding or under-feeding your fish, as well. If you are undecided about how much food you should give them, don’t hesitate in calling the store or person you bought the fish from–they will most definintely be happy to assist you.

Another job that needs to be done semi regularly is the cleaning of the tank. It is usually recommended that 1/3 of the tanks water is changed monthly. This is to guarantee that the fish are getting a fresh tank to live in.

If you keep these tips in mind when tending to your freshwater aquarium fish, you are sure to have a wonderful experience with your new pet(s).

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Filed under Aquarium Fish by Bella Holly

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Requirements For Testing Water In A Freshwater Aquarium

by Anika Woods

Testing of water in a fresh water aquarium involves two steps, the first is when you first start an aquarium and the second stage is when the tank has already been established and you have fish in them.

Fish thrive or die, depending on the water quality, so it is imperative for their health that you understand the sort of conditions and the quality of water that your fish need to live healthily. This is not uniform for all fishes, so a bit of study is necessary.

Procedure for a new fish tank:

You first need to establish that the nitrogen cycle has taken place. This is important because after this cycle has occurred it is safe to add fish. Fish waste and undigested food lead to an ammonia spike. This is the first stage of the nitrogen cycle and you can detect this by an Ammonia test. After this friendly bacteria called Nirosomonas start to breed, causing a nitrate spike. This is the second stage of the nitrogen cycle.

The third stage occurs when nitrospira bacteria breed converting the dangerous nitrite into less harmful nitrates. Once this occurs it is safe to add fish. Add the fish gradually, testing the water every couple of days, partially changing the water if there is too much ammonia or nitrite in it. This cycle takes place over a few weeks so it is important to keep testing the water so that you know which stage of the cycle you are on.

There are three test kits that are a must for any fish tank owner, to monitor the nitrogen cycle, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate testing kits. You also need a pH testing kit to check the water for acidity. This is important because if there is too much of a difference in the acidity level of the tank they lived in before you bought them, they may die of stress or shock.

Once your tank is established you do not need to keep on testing all the time. However, you still need to check the water for nitrates. Even though nitrates are not as harmful as the nitrites and ammonia, too much nitrate can also be detrimental to the health of your fish. To avoid any kind of problems, make it your habit to check the water quality and carry out regular water changes so that your fish are healthy and active. You can control the nitrate build up by adding plants and nitrate eating fish to your tank and monitoring the quality of water.

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July 26, 2009

The Responsibilities of Caring for Freshwater Fish,Some Things You Should Know About Freshwater Fish Care

by Bella Holly

Some people may be of the mind that freshwater fish care is a seemingly non-existent process. However, freshwater fish should not be thought of as a pet that can easily be set up and forgotten about. Fish require a certain amount of care, and as with any pet, only those who are willing to take on the responsibility for another life should entertain the idea of a pet. However, you should consider the fact that pets can be excellent pets for both busy and laid-back lifestyles.

First before you buy any fish make sure that you do adequate research concerning the fish of your choice; but take your time, as there are many types of freshwater fish. Make sure you don’t put various types of aggressive fish in the same tank. This will lead to an early destruction of your tank. Also when researching the fish you want to make sure to understand what kind of habitat they need. Since we are doing a freshwater tank make sure the fish aren’t saltwater fish. This is another guaranteed way to end the life of the fish quickly..

Make sure that you understand the feeding requirements of your fish before you bring them home. Some fish require certain types of food, as well as a particular feeding routine. You should be especially careful about not over-feeding or under-feeding your fish, as well. If you are unsure about how much food you should give them, don’t hesitate in calling the store or person you bought the fish from–they will likely be happy to assist you.

Cleaning the fish tank is a very important aspect of fish maintenance, yet one that doesn’t have to be done everyday. The general tip is that one third of the water in the tank should be changed out monthly to ensure that the fish have a clean, healthy environment. Remember–fish breathe through the water in the tank, and if it’s too dirty, they won’t be able to breath very well.

If you keep these tips in mind when tending to your freshwater aquarium fish, you are sure to have a wonderful experience with your new pet(s).

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July 24, 2009

The Essential Roles Of Quality Aquarium Filters

by Darren Bradley

Anyone can easily set up a fish aquarium for a hobby or for decorative purposes nowadays. Fish supplies like fluorescent lighting and aquarium gravel are easily available, with many fish tank suppliers setting up shops on the Internet. As much as starting your own fish aquarium at home or in the office is simple, you need to make sure that you get the best fish tank supplies available.

Under gravel filter is one of the more popular aquarium filters around. Although power filters and canister filters are the more recent types, under gravel filters are still in use today. These filters are simple to set up and the maintenance is fairly easy.

Nonetheless, you might want to consider other types of fish tank water filters if you have a large fish tank. Most under gravel filters provide restricted water follow and movement and may not cover the entire length of a huge tank. Also, if you use sand for your aquarium, it is better to choose power or canister filters. Under gravel filters also create a lot of noise unlike most canister filters.

Power filters are those which are typically found hanging at the back of fish tanks. Power filters are ideal for any size of tanks which is why they are more preferred by those who keep aquariums. Also, these filters may also be used with other types of filters. For fish tanks that make use of sand and not gravel, the power filter is not an ideal option. You also have to put up with some noise with most power filters.

To make sure that your fish remain comfortable inside the tank, you have to secure the right water pump, water filter, and lighting supplies. The water pump maintains the right levels of oxygen in the tank, while the water filter keeps the water clean from waste and other particles. Many aquarium hoods come with fluorescent or incandescent lighting.

Lighting is especially important if live aquatic plants are used in your aquarium. You also need plant care supplies, to keep the live aquatic plants inside your tank healthy. However you should choose products that do not pose any health risks for your fishes. By using aquarium plant food and supplements, your aquarium will have a more natural look, creating an ideal place for your fishes.

You need to find aquarium filters that fulfill the requirements of your fish tank as well as those of your fish. Some filters can be very expensive, while others can be affordable, such as most under gravel filters. However if you are looking for more sophisticated features, you need to be prepared to pay more. A top quality water filter is an excellent investment in the long run.

Water filters are essential for a number of reasons. Filters keep the fish tank water clean from impurities. They also provide aeration to the aquarium. In order to keep ammonia and metal traces from accumulating in the water, filters are needed. With the importance of water filters, every aquarium owner should be careful in choosing fish tank water filters.

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Filed under Aquarium Fish by Sunny Emmerwitz

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Setting Up a Freshwater Fish Aquarium

by Lisa Mautag

Buying a new freshwater fish aquarium may seem like an easy task. But actually there is a lot of planning and research that goes into buying an aquarium. You have to choose the right freshwater fish aquarium. The perfect aquarium should be one that is within your budget and also a place the fish can live happily.

Before you purchase your first freshwater fish aquarium, you have to figure out the details that go into owning an aquarium. The aquarium needs to be the right size for your fish. You also have to learn how to clean the aquarium.

First and foremost you have to set a budget and find out what freshwater fish aquarium will fit in your budget. Then from there you have to pick the right sized aquarium. The size of the aquarium needs to be enough for the fish that you are buying. But equally important is whether your aquarium can fit in your room. Make sure you take down measurements.

Do some research and pick out some items you want to put in your freshwater fish aquarium to make it look fancy. You can put things like a toy castle or some plants. These should help make your aquarium look good.

Find out what type of freshwater fish you plan on putting in your aquarium. Some fish are predatory and may eat other fish that you have in your tank.

Figure out how you will clean your freshwater fish aquarium. Algae will grow in your aquarium so you will need to take care of that when it grows. One method of getting rid of algae is putting algae eating fish in the tank.

Another way you can clean the tank is by putting in plants. Not only will the plants help make the freshwater fish aquarium look good, but it will clear out the nitrates in the tank.

A lot of planning needs to go in to setting up a freshwater fish aquarium. Do some diligent research beforehand and you can save a lot of money.

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Filed under Aquariums by Jason Mills

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