Any person that owns an aquarium should consider their maintenance as an important aspect that is to be done on a regular basis. Beginners may have a few problems when they are doing maintenance for the first time. Examples of the steps involved in maintenance are washing the tank and taking the fish out. After cleaning the tank, fish are taken back in. There are various important details when it comes to aquarium maintenance.
Almost all essential details of maintenance are bordered on stability of the tank. The most important thing is to ensure that the fish are healthy and all things are running efficiently. This will mean there is no need for any major changes. Even in instances when hardness or pH are slightly out of range, this can be assumed because it will have no negative effect on the well being of the fish. Only changes that are major need to be attended to at once.
Changing tank water is one of the main practices. It is done after every two weeks or so. During this process, it is not a must that all the water in the aquarium be changed. A change of ten to fifteen percent of the water will suffice. This is done by extraction of the water as you vacuum the gravel. This eliminates food substances that are not eaten and also gets rid of residues which settled on the substrate.
It is advisable that one checks the parameters of not only the tank water but also the replacement water. If tap water is to be used, it should be remembered that it is likely to contain chlorine. The disadvantage of water that contains chlorine is that it airs out really fast. The use of water conditioners neutralizes chlorine. For the breakdown of ammonia from the water, nitrifying bacteria come in handy.
Water from the municipality also has various other elements like phosphates, iron and heavy metals. To find out the composition of the water in the locality, the local water company should be contacted. This information helps to prevent fish from being exposed to dangerous chemicals. Well water is harder than tap water but is devoid of chlorine.
The chemistry of water cannot be seen with the naked eye. It will thus be important to check water chemistry on a regular basis while checking such parameters as pH, salinity, nitrites and nitrates. A pH of around 6.5 to 7.5 is expected for the majority of the species. If it gets out of range, it should be adjusted.
Functioning of the filter is an important consideration as well. The inserts of the filter are supposed to get changed every four weeks. If the fish load is higher, the change is done after a shorter while. Particles that are trapped within the filter will decompose and thus affect its functioning.
You should check daily that all components are running just fine. The fish need to be keenly observed as they feed. Potential problems are indicated if there are changes in behavior. As a weekly routine, fish need to be counted. Dead fish will decompose and increase ammonia composition.
Almost all essential details of maintenance are bordered on stability of the tank. The most important thing is to ensure that the fish are healthy and all things are running efficiently. This will mean there is no need for any major changes. Even in instances when hardness or pH are slightly out of range, this can be assumed because it will have no negative effect on the well being of the fish. Only changes that are major need to be attended to at once.
Changing tank water is one of the main practices. It is done after every two weeks or so. During this process, it is not a must that all the water in the aquarium be changed. A change of ten to fifteen percent of the water will suffice. This is done by extraction of the water as you vacuum the gravel. This eliminates food substances that are not eaten and also gets rid of residues which settled on the substrate.
It is advisable that one checks the parameters of not only the tank water but also the replacement water. If tap water is to be used, it should be remembered that it is likely to contain chlorine. The disadvantage of water that contains chlorine is that it airs out really fast. The use of water conditioners neutralizes chlorine. For the breakdown of ammonia from the water, nitrifying bacteria come in handy.
Water from the municipality also has various other elements like phosphates, iron and heavy metals. To find out the composition of the water in the locality, the local water company should be contacted. This information helps to prevent fish from being exposed to dangerous chemicals. Well water is harder than tap water but is devoid of chlorine.
The chemistry of water cannot be seen with the naked eye. It will thus be important to check water chemistry on a regular basis while checking such parameters as pH, salinity, nitrites and nitrates. A pH of around 6.5 to 7.5 is expected for the majority of the species. If it gets out of range, it should be adjusted.
Functioning of the filter is an important consideration as well. The inserts of the filter are supposed to get changed every four weeks. If the fish load is higher, the change is done after a shorter while. Particles that are trapped within the filter will decompose and thus affect its functioning.
You should check daily that all components are running just fine. The fish need to be keenly observed as they feed. Potential problems are indicated if there are changes in behavior. As a weekly routine, fish need to be counted. Dead fish will decompose and increase ammonia composition.
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This article collected, selected and written by: Author Van Hoc
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