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.
When doing the maintenance, it will be important to check the parameters of not only the water in the tank but also replacement water. In the case where tap water is used, it should be checked for chlorine because such water tends to have high amounts of chlorine. Water that contains chlorine loses air really fast and will risk the lives of fish. This element is neutralized by the use of water conditioners. Nitrifying bacteria are use for the breakdown of ammonia in water.
Municipal water will also have other elements like iron, phosphates and a host of other heavy metals. The local water company should be contacted to find out the composition of the water that they distribute. The information will be important because the lives of fish should not be put at risk. If well water is to be used, it should be noted that it is harder than that from taps. However, it has no 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.
When doing the maintenance, it will be important to check the parameters of not only the water in the tank but also replacement water. In the case where tap water is used, it should be checked for chlorine because such water tends to have high amounts of chlorine. Water that contains chlorine loses air really fast and will risk the lives of fish. This element is neutralized by the use of water conditioners. Nitrifying bacteria are use for the breakdown of ammonia in water.
Municipal water will also have other elements like iron, phosphates and a host of other heavy metals. The local water company should be contacted to find out the composition of the water that they distribute. The information will be important because the lives of fish should not be put at risk. If well water is to be used, it should be noted that it is harder than that from taps. However, it has no 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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