AQUARIUMS
What You Need To Know About Healthy and Organic Aquariums
By Clifford Woods
An aquarium is an environment that is artificial, it needs intervention from the owner. This intervention is needed especially during the initial period of set up; it is hard to be certain about the quality of the water. In most of the cases, water that is used is from the local water source might contain chemicals that are harmful to the fish, so it is imperative to pay attention to water quality at the source.
Other than toxic chloramines and chlorine, the source water might also contain phosphate, nitrate, calcium, iron, silicate, and other chemicals in different quantities. This is not the water to use for healthy and organic aquariums.
While the majority of aquarium fish are able to regulate water that is less than ideal, some species are so sensitive that they need precise conditions to flourish. So, knowing what is in the source water is very important, as action may be needed.
Phosphate and nitrate are major plant nutrients. Increases in these chemicals not only lower the quality of water, but can also affect aquarium health. The presence of these elements in high amounts often means high levels of organic material that is decaying, which is not suitable for healthy organic aquariums.
Waste materials in excess not only contaminate aquarium water, but also affect the pH of the aquarium. Some inhabitants of an aquarium are really sensitive to low amounts of nitrate. The precipitation of magnesium and calcium ions can lower abilities to buffer and eventually disturb aquarium pH or make it difficult to keep the pH stable.
Dissolved calcium can also make it hard to reach desired pH levels for freshwater fish that need conditions that are acidic. There is water conditioner that is multipurpose and can detoxify nitrate as well as ammonia, chlorine, and chloramines in the water, making it an enormously beneficial aquarium accessory to have around.
When the concentration of iron is high and dissolves in your tap water, it may tinge the water and give it a reddish and cloudy condition. This condition is more noticeable in aquariums, with oxygen content that is high. Iron that dissolves not only defaces the look of the aquarium, but also lowers the quality of the water.
For the best means of eliminating dissolved items from tap water, a purification system can be used on the tap water. A “reverse osmosis” unit is the best filter you can buy. This filter powers water to go through a semi-permeable film that removes 90-99% of impurities from tap water. The result is water that is free of contaminants as well as minerals and makes water suitable for healthy organic aquariums.
One of these filters can be obtained for the aquarium itself. The major purpose for weekly or monthly maintenance is to remove organic matter from the aquarium. Generally, there are 2 types of organic wastes – dissolved and particulate. Particulate organic matter is the stuff that can easily be seen developing on the filter pads and in the gravel. Simply remove the filter pad, rinse it well and also wash the rocks.
The 5 Most Important Fish Aquarium Maintenance Routines
By Clifford Woods
Below is a list of the five most significant things you will need to do in order to keep your aquarium in good condition, according to the experts. These quick clean ups are not that difficult, particularly if you do them at the same time each month. If you cannot in any way do these basic things, then owning a fish tank may not be for you.
Task: Test Water
When: Monthly
Whenever your aquarium is initially established, make sure to test the pH of the tank water every couple of days. Get an examination kit from your local pet store. Following that, check the water every week for the first couple of months. Following those two months, you can examine the water once a month, unless of course your fish are displaying irregular behavior. You can find out what the correct ph balance should be for your aquarium from your local fish shop.
Task: Change Water
When: Weekly
Swap out your fish tank water once a week if you can, however you may also do it every other week if you have to. You will just need to change about twenty percent of your tank's water. The easiest way to do this is to remove the water with a pipe.
Find a hose or fish tank tubing, place one end of the pipe into your fish tank, and then suck on the opposite end of the hose, with the hose lower than the water level of the fish tank. Make sure to have a suitable container prepared, since the water will come flowing out. Allow the water from the tank to flow into the container until about twenty percent of the water is taken out of your aquarium. Then add new water.
Task: Change Filter
When: Depends on Filter Model, Check Instructions
There are numerous fish tank filter systems available today. Therefore, the only guidance here is to take a look the guidelines and they will tell you when to switch your filter. Occasionally it can be every three or four weeks for non reusable filters. At times, it is every six months before they need to be replaced. There are types that you can clean yourself, so simply keep close track of them and thoroughly clean them as per the instructions that come with the filter.
Task: Vacuum
When: Weekly
Make use of a gravel vacuum machine to draw out the waste materials, harmful toxins and outdated food items in the bottom of your fish tank. Aquarium vacuums are generally great for removing waste substances and are available in all kinds, shapes and sizes based on the capacity of your fish tank. All of them work just a little bit differently, so be sure to check the directions that are included with them. All of them are quite simple to work with.
Task: Remove Algae
When: Monthly or as needed
Nothing appears more severe than algae creeping up the edges of your aquarium. On that subject, almost nothing looks better than a clear and clean fish tank that you can easily see through. You can buy algae scraping tools as well as various other tools to get rid of the algae from the aquarium. They are generally simple to use. Simply pick one that you like and use it frequently. An all-natural solution can also be purchased to get rid of algae.
Look for one that offers both aerobic and anaerobic beneficial microorganisms as it is the best type of product for the job.
What Kind of Equipment Do You Need for Saltwater Aquariums?
By Clifford Woods
Unfortunately, on the subject of owning a saltwater fish tank, it is definitely NOT a simple task of carrying the fish tank home and putting your fish in it. You need to be qualified about how exactly to put it together properly, along with learning about how to take care of your aquarium when you have it all set up.
Lighting and Temperatures for Saltwater Tanks
One of the most common types of heating unit used in fish tanks that support saltwater fish are the underwater heaters that are regulated by a thermostat. These specific designs of heating units are offered for your aquarium to help sustain the water at a temperature that the fish find satisfactory.
Just about all species of saltwater fish would rather be in water that is at a temperature of close to seventy-five to eighty degrees Fahrenheit. These types of conditions are definite for the saltwater fish in your aquarium as this is the temperature range they came out of in the aquariums at the fish store where you bought them.
In case you have one of the massive sized aquariums, then it is crucial that, instead of buying one heating unit, you purchase two. Both of these need to be set up at either ends of the fish tank to ensure that the water is warmed up to an appropriate temperature range regularly. Also, it is recommended that you own a thermostat that can you can use to regularly check the temperature inside of the tank.
Lighting is essential in any fish tank not only for visual appeal, but you will also discover that it is vital to the overall health and wellness of the fish within. With the use of the perfect lighting system, the correct eight to ten hour light cycle can be generated, which will then replicate the surroundings of life in nature for the different types of fish that you get for your saltwater tank.
You will have a choice about whether it is better to install fluorescent lights within your aquarium or go for a LED system. LED systems are one of the best to have as they can replicate natural lighting much better than fluorescent. Metal halide lights are also an option.
A good light source will help boost the growth of algae that the coral needs to be able to flourish. However, if your algae problem become too much to handle be sure to purchase an all-natural anti-algae product that has the proper ingredients necessary, ideally beneficial microorganisms, to control the algae completely.
Substrate and Other Accessories
One more important bit of equipment you will want for your fish tank is a substance to cover the bottom of the aquarium with. There are two main options to choose from. Typically the majority of people who have a saltwater aquarium in their house want to have both ocean sand and live rocks within it.
Unfortunately, ocean sand alone is not preferable for fish tanks. Instead, gravel is used as it performs better and is more helpful in the maintenance of the aquarium and it also makes sure it continues to be safe for the fish within.
The gravel, in fact, has their own microorganisms residing on them which helps with the filtration of the water in the aquarium, and reduces the amount of ammonia. Sea sand and live rocks can be used in saltwater and coral reef fish tanks in addition to the gravel.
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Top 3 Freshwater Aquariums Plants
By Clifford Woods
They not only enhance the appearance of your aquarium, but also help with the all round natural stability of your tank's environment.
Much like plants above water, they help in the removing carbon dioxide and increase oxygen. Furthermore, they also assist in sustaining the chemical harmony of your tank's water by decreasing nitrate quantities.
Needless to say, proper care needs to be taken when adding any new component into a fish tank. With vegetation for freshwater fish tanks, exceptional care must be taken in the decision process to make sure that there are absolutely no unwanted effects to the fish, other plants, or the purification system due to their introduction.
To guarantee the best selection, get your plant life from a reliable supplier like a local fish shop; preferably one you know well. The plants should seem healthy at first glance. Any sort of wilting or abnormal browning may be indications of an incorrectly maintained plant or even a contaminated plant.
There are a few main types of plants that you can get for freshwater fish tanks. They are as follows:
- Ferns and Moss: Ferns and moss can thrive with no need for a complicated root system. Therefore they are able to attach themselves to specific things like stones, decorations and practically any substrate present within your aquarium. These are non-blooming and supply great cover leaves for fish searching for a hiding place.
- Stem Plants: Stem plants are a type of flowering plant; however they have a tendency to grow in a far more vertical manner than rosette plants which will be discussed below. These stem plants are ideal for setting up a forest-like background for your fish tank. It is advisable that you put them to the back of the aquarium, providing a beautiful background without hindering your view into the fish tank.
- Rosette Plants: Rosette plants are thought to be great decorative plants. Varieties within this group will exhibit a fantastic array in colors. These will require special focus in the way they are attached into your substrate, as their root system is far more extensive than the roots of ferns. With this kind of plant life you should make sure you have a double layer of substrate in your tank. A two inch base level needs to be applied specifically to deal with the nutritional requirements of this type of plant.
Laterite is a red tropical soil and is extremely ideal for plants with extensive roots. Over the nutritional level of the substrate, a one inch covering on top of the substrate, of your preference, can be used.
Regardless of the variety of vegetation that you choose to put in your fish tank; you should supply sufficient illumination for their photosynthesis procedures to easily take place.
Furthermore, it is advisable to be on the lookout for algae breakouts as algae compete with your vegetation for nutrients. Be sure that you eliminate any algae development from the sides of the aquarium. If algae are located on the plants themselves, softly scrub the afflicted plants to get rid of the algae. A probiotic aquarium solution with beneficial microorganisms would be a good option for algae control and will not harm your plants.
Finally, if the plants are growing out of your aquarium, do prune them to keep them at a controllable and decent size.
Plants for freshwater fish tanks do not need to be frustrating to deal with as quite a few beginner fish tank fans often consider them to be. With a little research and using the basic maintenance guideline as above, anyone can take pleasure in the visual elegance and environmental assistance which only live plant life can offer.
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