| Every day at feeding time, you should do a quick | | | | with dechlorinated water at the correct temperature. |
| count of heads to make sure all your fishes are | | | | Ensure that you turn your aquarium equipment is |
| accounted for. It's very important that dead fish are | | | | turned of whilst you carry this out for safety, and |
| removed as soon as possible, as these will begin to | | | | that you remember to turn it all back on once you're |
| decompose in the water very quickly, leading to | | | | finished. You should clean and replace your filter |
| pollution and spread of disease. Have a quick look | | | | media as necessary. It is not advisable to change all |
| around to ensure all your fish look healthy. Any signs | | | | of your filter media at once, however, as you need |
| of illness should be heeded immediately. It's | | | | to keep a good population of bacteria in your tank |
| imperative that disease is nipped in the bud as early | | | | for biological filtration. |
| as possible to avoid it spreading to other, healthy fish. | | | | If you have a sandy substrate, you should give it a |
| Have a quick look at the temperature gauge to | | | | stir when you change the water. It is vital that this is |
| make certain the heater is working properly. Check | | | | done because, with sand, toxic bubbles of gases can |
| that the air pump (if you have one) is functioning, | | | | build up underneath. A rummage with your fingertips |
| along with the filtration system. These are the heart | | | | is all that is needed. You should always wait for the |
| and lungs of your aquarium, after all, and without | | | | sand to settle before turning the filter back on. |
| them oxygen levels in the water will quickly deplete | | | | Otherwise grains might become lodged inside the |
| leaving your fish gasping for air. A tell tale sign is fish | | | | powerhead and break it. |
| gasping at the surface. | | | | And that's really the basics of taking care of your |
| Ensure that your plants haven't been uprooted. Angel | | | | tropical aquarium and the key to healthy, happy |
| fish can be major culprits! Any loose leaves floating | | | | inhabitants! Keeping tropical fish is a fascinating hobby |
| around in your tank should be scooped out with a | | | | for all, especially children, and a well maintained tank |
| net, as these too will begin to break down and | | | | makes a beautiful focal point to any room. So, for |
| compromise water quality. | | | | you and all of your tropical tanks, here's to many |
| Every fortnight or so you should carry out at least a | | | | years of pleasure and success. |
| 20% change of water, replacing what you remove | | | | |