Fish are probably the easiest companion animals to get: they don't need to be walked, they don't eat much, and they don't take up much space. In addition, aquariums add life and color to any room; When properly cared for, they are essentially living art for your home. But if you think that maintaining an aquarium only requires a weekly water change, think again: cleaning and maintaining an aquarium is not as easy as it sounds. So before you buy a full aquarium setup on a whim, read on to learn everything you need to know about proper aquarium care (with a step-by-step guide to cleaning it up. A).
The establishment
When thinking about where to park your aquarium, there are a few things to consider. For one, water can be quite heavy (almost 10 pounds per gallon!); Therefore, an aquarium must rest on a very solid surface or underlay. Even the smallest protrusion can cause the container to crack or break under excessive pressure.
Second, you shouldn't place your aquarium in direct sunlight, as this can encourage algae growth. (Algae are plants that thrive in places that are rich in light, water, and nutrients. So having a lot in your aquarium can mean exposing the contents to too much sun and overfeeding your fish, meaning more than one. pinching up to twice a day or not topping up the water often enough).
Choose a location near a grounded outlet, as most aquariums need electricity to operate (and to make water changes easier, choose a location not too far from a sink). Last but not least, to maximize viewing pleasure, you should choose a place where you spend a lot of time.
The most important snack for aspiring aquarists? "Don't assume one size fits all," says Hess. "Different types of fish need different tank sizes and have different water requirements. Consult a water specialist to make sure your fish are in the right environment.
How to clean and maintain a fresh water tank
materials
- A water changer or a gravel extractor (plus a five-gallon bucket if you 're using a siphon)
- A water purifier (to remove chlorine from tap water)
- A test kit that checks pH, ammonia, and nitrate / nitrite levels
- An algae scraper
- Filter medium (mesh bag, activated carbon, filter fiber and filter pad)
- Beneficial bacteria (for new reservoirs)
- A towel
Step 1: remove algae
Use a long-handled brush or cleaning pads to remove algae buildup from the sides of your aquarium. Gently scrape the algae off living plants with your fingers to make sure you don't damage them in the process. (This is also a good time to prune any dead plant leaves.) Remove any decorations that have seaweed on them and use a toothbrush and warm water to clean them.
Step 2: change the water
Regularly changing the aquarium water is essential to reduce waste by-products (such as ammonia and nitrites) and to ensure that the pH remains within safe limits. "Keeping the water clean helps keep the water quality within the recommended settings," says Dr. Laurie Hess, Petco's director of veterinary medicine.
Use a water changer or pebble trap (combined with a bucket) to replace 10-25% of the water in your tank every two to four weeks. Point the vacuum tube up and down and let it gently pick up the gravel and shake it so that debris (fish droppings and uneaten food) migrates through the tube and out of the tank. (Note that if your aquarium contains sand, you cannot use a water exchanger or siphon to clean the bottom bed as fine grains will only get stuck in the pipe.)
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Lift the pipe to release the suction and let the gravel fall. Shake the vacuum tube gently and repeat the process until the entire aquarium is cleaned. Do not move the vacuum tube back and forth as this will loosen dirt in the water and make it difficult to remove.
Add chlorine-free water to your tank and make sure it is the same temperature as your existing water. Do not let the temperature of your tank fluctuate by more than two degrees within 24 hours so as not to disturb the sensitive ecosystem. "A drastic change in temperature can endanger the health of the fish," warns Hess.
When you've replaced 20-25% of the water in the tank and haven't worked the gravel through, stop and refill the tank. Then wait two weeks before treating the rest (since over-cleaning the gravel can kill beneficial bacteria).
Step 3: add additional additions
Mix in any extras like live plant food or freshwater salt (which stimulates gill function).
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Step 4: change the filter
Replace your tank filter once a month. (Follow the product manufacturer's instructions as these vary.)
Step 5: clean the area around the aquarium
Use a towel to buff up any stains or spilled water. Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling your tank to avoid contamination.
How to clean and maintain a salt water tank
Additional materials for a salt water tank.
- Premixed salt water (or aquarium salt combined with deionized water through reverse osmosis)
- A five-gallon bucket
- A refractometer or hydrometer (to measure salinity)
- An immersion heater
- A bowl with a power head (to circulate the water)
- A protein skimmer
Follow step 1, but for step 2 follow below:
Pour chlorine-free water into a clean bucket and set the immersion heater to match the temperature of the water in your tank. A power head in the container helps mix the salt and facilitate gas exchange. Hydrometers are sensitive to temperature when measuring density (or specific gravity), so it is important to minimize fluctuations in degree.
Add sea salt according to the manufacturer's instructions for how much water to replace in your tank. Pre-mix the salt water the day before a water change and make sure the density of your pre-mix matches that of the water in your tank. Never allow the specific gravity of water to vary by more than 0.001 in a 24 hour period. "Always make sure that the salt is completely dissolved before you put the water back in the aquarium," says Hess.
The expert also recommends investing in a protein skimmer, an additional device that filters out harmful chemicals and organic waste. The practical tool deposits all dirt in a collecting container, which has to be cleaned weekly. Follow steps 3 to 5 as described above.
Keep your aquarium in top condition and your fin friends will thank you and your guests will be delighted.
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