January 2010

Aquariums Specials


January 28, 2010

What Do I Need To Decorate My Fish Tank

Your tank should be decorated, your fish need places to hide in places to rest. Mainly though you will find a decorated fish tank much more pleasing to view.

Your dealer has a wide range and size of gravel they should be placed in the bottom of your fish tank. Your fish will look better in a darker colored gravel. You should use small gravel instead of larger pebbles but you can mix them if you want a good rule of thumb for the depth of gravel in your fish tank would be about 10 pounds per square foot of surface area. But be aware once you put all of your other decorations in your fish tank, you may not even see the gravel.

The background of a fish tank. The choices here are many. You can get scenes printed on a roll. 3-D backgrounds. Mirrored backgrounds, self sticking backgrounds, and painted backgrounds. The choice is yours.

You can use large rocks for building blocks inside of your fish tank, your fish will love them.

You are going to need to choose between live plants, or plastic plants. Whatever you decide they will provide hiding places, shade, and beauty to your fish tank.

Be careful if you decide to collect rocks and drift wood and stuff for your fish tank, because they could be contaminated and be a danger to your fish. Store-bought items, will be clean and safe for your fish tank.

You can also purchase air driven ornaments to go in the bottom of your fish tank. Like treasure chests that open and close, divers, and sunken ships. No fishing signs are cool also.

In conclusion a decorated fish tank is more comfortable for your fish, and much more pleasing to look at. Choose gravel that is 1/8 inch in colors that bring out the color of your fish. Backgrounds are attractive and hide electrical cords. Have fun decorating your fish tank.

Looking to find the best deal on fish tanks, then visit www.yoursite.com to find the best advice on glass fish tanksfor you.

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Filed under Aquariums by Benjamin Coombes

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Keeping Your Angelfish Healthy & Full of Vigor

Angelfish are numbered among of one of the largest families of vertebrates on the planet. The family Cichlidae is made up of over 1,300 scientifically identified species in 220 assorted genera. Previously undiscovered species are being classified to this family every year. It is highly possible that there could be as many as 3,000 individual species that fall within the scientific classification of this family. This family, more commonly known as cichlids, also includes oscars, discus and tilapias. Many sources will tell you that angelfish are endemic to the Amazon River. While this is in fact true, this species also inhabits both the Orinoco River and Essequibo River basins. Substantial populations of this species exist throughout Guyana, Venezuela, and Columbia in addition to Brazil.

Cichlids have become ever more popular with freshwater aquarium enthusiasts since they started being exported by the aquarium trade after the conclusion of WWII. Angelfish are inarguably among the most popular and easily recognizable freshwater fish in the world. Their unique triangular profile makes them one of the most exotic looking freshwater species on the market. Selective breeding has increased the assortment of angelfish available to the consumer. Angels come in a variety of colors, from white, silver, gold and black to striped, marbled and Koi. Their availability keeps their price exceptionally reasonable. They are a robust species that can thrive in a variety of environmental conditions. Freshwater angels are also the easiest species to care for. Their ease of care has undeniably added to their global popularity.

While angels will not grow anywhere near the size of an oscar or a discus, they are not a small species. The angels you see in pet stores are typically quite young. Angels normally reach six inches in length in adulthood. They can be kept in a rather small volume of water as juveniles. A mature angelfish will require a minimum tank size of 10 gallons. A 20 gallon aquarium is preferable.

Angelfish have mild mannered dispositions. They are fantastic community dwellers. A note of caution: They will instinctively deem smaller tank mates as a tempting taste treat. Do not house them with species like minnows, zebra danios or guppies. You will also want to avoid housing them with fish such as barbs or tetras. Both of these fish are fin nippers by nature. An angelfish’s full, billowing fins are appetizing tidbit, perfect for nibbling on.

This is an omnivorous species. They will thrive on virtually anything. Any good quality tropical fish food will work. Brine shrimp, tubifex worms and blood worms are excellent nutritional supplements and will help maintain your angelfish’s fit and vigor.

Angelfish are natives of the Amazon River basin. They thrive in slightly acidic water. A pH factor of 6.8 and temperatures between 72-86 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. Under premium conditions angelfish have an average life span of 10 years.

When it comes to parenting, all fish can be divided into two specific categories. There are those fish that will desert their unborn eggs or even consume them with no regard to parental obligations. Then there are the fish that express varying amounts of parental intuition. All cichlids fall in the latter category. Angelfish are most often referred to as open brooders. Open brooders lay there eggs out in the open as opposed to hiding them from potential predation by cleaning a flat surface like a rock or piece of wood in order to deposit their eggs on. A common trait among brooders is that they will guard over the brood until they hatch. Typically the male adopts the role as the protector by standing guard while the female tends to the eggs. After they are hatched, both parents will take an active role in tending their offspring.

Keeping a specific fish in a fish tank that is not large enough could have catastrophic results. A savvy aquarist wouldn’t think about attempting to keep an angel nano fish tank. To discover more fun filled facts on freshwater aquarium fish browse through my online fish guide.

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Filed under Aquariums by Stephen J Broy

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January 16, 2010

Popular Fishes In The Saltwater Aquarium Hobby

Saltwater fishes enthusiasts have several choices when it comes to fish selection. They all vary somewhat in size, color and shape from the hundreds of species collected for sale. Despite this, there are some fish that are steady best sellers all year round. Listed below are some of the most recognizable marine ornamental fish available today.

At number one, we have Amphiprion Percula in addition to Amphiprion Ocellaris. Both of them are unquestionably the most popular ornamental marine fish on the market. They have been the primary character in the animated movie that was immensely popular, finding nemo. Their common names are the true percula as well as the false percula.

The primary differences between the two species are the number of dorsal spines each fishes has. The cheapest species between the two is amphiprion ocellaris. Amphiprion percula commands a higher price and is less common than its recognizable cousin. They are a top choice for those just starting out as they adjust well to life in a saltwater aquarium.

The yellow tang plus the blue tang fill in the second spot. They are the poster child of the tang family with both of them normally featured on a selection of posters promoting some product or another. The blue tang also had some air time on the animated movie, Finding Movie. There, she was known as the clumsy Dory. Blue tangs are normally cheaper than yellow tangs as they are imported in huge quantities.

If treated for any diseases or parasites present, they are typically great choices for any saltwater aquarium. Like It must be noted however that all tangs are susceptible to lateral line erosion as well as particularly ich. In the wild they graze on algae plus this diet should be emulated in captivity.

Finally, four angelfish make up the last spot. They are the dwarf flame angelfish, French angelfish, emperor angelfish and the stunning queen angelfish. These four always get great demand from the marine community. They also make up the most expensive fishes in the list. Excluding the flame angelfish, the rest can go for a few hundred particularly if they are large plus in top condition.

Flame angelfish typically cost less than their larger sized brethren. They are the most popular plus recognizable member of the genus centropyge. They should be fed a well rounded diet that includes seafood as well as seaweed along with algae. They can nip and consume a variety of corals as well as clams so steer clear of putting them in aquariums full of corals.

For a especially thorough article concerning Amphiprion Ocellaris along with its close cousin Amphiprion Percula, do drop by the authors hubpage for reviews about a range of marine aquarium fishes plus corals.

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Filed under Aquarium Fish by Gabriela Desouyez

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January 15, 2010

Tips And Techniques For Cleaning An Aquarium

So, you have got an aquarium that’s in want of a smart spring cleaning, but you do not understand specifically how to go about it? Should you merely scrap the mess and begin over? Should you try cleaning is while not emptying it 1st? The answer is that tearing it down and utterly starting over can take away the bacterial colonies made within the aquarium that are useful to serving to eliminate wastes. Unless the tank is extraordinarily terrible, beginning over should not be your initial option; it should be a last resort.

You may want to own an algae scraper or pad, a razor blade (plastic for an acrylic tank), some bleach, a water siphon, a bucket, some lime remover and glass cleaner created specifically for aquariums, a filter media and a filter brush, some recent bathtub towels and paper towels. You must begin with the glass, move to the decorations such as rocks and plants and then clean the gravel. You ought to then move on to the outside of the glass and therefore the fixtures and end by cleaning or replacing the filter.

Provide the glass an intensive cleaning on the within using the algae pad. You’ll find a giant selection of scrapers and pads for algae; from a scrubber with a protracted handle to magnetic scrubs. The small magnetic scrubs are a private favorite, but simply about any algae pad can do the job. You want to purchase the algae pads at a pet store as opposed to buying one from the house wares department of your local store. They give the impression of being just regarding the identical, however the house wares pads can contain harmful chemicals or soap that might be lethal to fish. If the algae is extremely stubborn you may want to scrape it with the razor blade or plastic blade.

After you’ve got completely cleaned the glass, remove the decorations, artificial plants and rocks that have a vital build-up of algae on them. Don’t use detergents or soaps when cleaning them. Though you would possibly suppose you’ve got fully removed the soap, there might and most most likely would still be some residue. You’ll scrub them with the algae scrubber or scrape them clean, except for very powerful problems you’ll use a ten% solution of bleach. Soak them for concerning fifteen minutes and then scrub off the remaining residue. Rinse them well in running water and permit them to dry fully. Create sure the bucket you employ has never held any kind of detergent or soap. Vacuum the gravel while the other decorations are out of the tank.

Use a water siphon to vacuum away any debris within the gravel. You’ll opt for from a selection of siphons and every one of them work in very a lot of the identical manner. If you wish to eliminate the need for a bucket, strive the Python. There also are adapters that can enable you to filter the siphoned water into the tank.

Use caution when using glass and lime cleaners as they may contain ammonia that is toxic to the fish. A commonplace lime cleaner is even worse. Use vinegar whenever doable or cleaners that have been specifically designed for aquarium cleaning. Forever rinse completely and leave nothing to chance.

If you want to wash the filter, you must wait a few weeks to do it. From the cleaning you already completed you have disturbed the useful algae and bacteria colonies on the decorations, gravel and plants. You haven’t utterly destroyed the eco system as a result of the filter will still contain a number of these helpful bacteria. Merely permit the filter to run for a couple of weeks to revive the balance. Then you’ll clean it. If the filter is older than 3 weeks, replace it.

Roshelle Krung secretly likes to look through the medicine cabinets of her friends. Roshelle has written a site with reviews on wood medicine cabinet, as well as antique medicine cabinet.

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Filed under Aquariums by Roshelle Krung

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January 8, 2010

Setting Up A Tropical Fish Tank For Beginners

This will be a beginners guide to setting up a tropical fish tank. You will need to take your time and make sure not to add fish to the tank right away as this could kill your fish. You must understand that it takes a little time for the water to fully cycle so your fish can live a long time and stay healthy.

When you are selecting an aquarium to buy you must know what kind of fish that are going to be living in it and how big the fish will get. As a simple rule, for every inch of fish that there is there should be 1 gallon of water.

Some of the things you will need to set up a tropical fish tank will consist of the aquarium itself, a stand for the aquarium, filter pump, heater pump, thermometer, water conditioner, bacteria supplement. Some other additional options you can add to your fish tank would be a lamp, decorations and wall paper for the back of the fish tank.

Now that you have all the items you need next is to set up the stand and put the tank on it. Make sure you choose a good spot that will not be blocking anything you will need to get to later on like receptacles, air vents, etc.

The next thing that I would do is make sure that there are no leaks in the fish tank. Fill up the tank with water to the top, and just let it sit there for about a day, more if you want. Once that day is up check the surrounding area for any signs of water, once you know your tank is not leaking you can empty it.

What I would do next is I will fill up multiple gallons of jugs with tap water mixed with water conditioner, and then I will add bacteria supplement 15 minutes later depending on what the directions day. I will let the water sit for a couple of hours or longer, it is up to you.

Next you can start adding gravel, make sure that you rinse the gravel very good. Since the tank is still empty you can start putting in the gravel and decorations. It is very important to make sure that everything that you put into your fish tank is washed well, as it only takes a little bit of dish soap to kill fish.

Now add the premixed water into the tank, and turn on your filter pump or pumps, heat pumps, and overhead light if you have one. Let the tank cycle for at least a week before adding any fish, as it takes a tank time to complete a full cycle.

Once it has been a week and the water is cycled you can add a few starter fish to get the ecosystem of the aquarium started. Do not attempt to add any more fish to the aquarium for at least 4 weeks, the longer you wait the better off your fish will be.

The author has been setting up aquariums of all kinds for many years and has great knowledge on fish tanks. You can visit his store if you need to purchase a home aquarium. Cheap Fish Tanks

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Filed under Aquariums by James Conley

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