Freshwater Aquarium Maintenance - A Beginner's Guide

A clean aquarium is the best habitat for allthe water as frequently as it should.
freshwater aquarium fish. Your fish and plants will liveMany aquariums experts recommend cleaning the
a longer, healthy life in a clean aquarium, providingornaments and the fish tank glass every two weeks.
you with years of enjoyment. The best system toThis will prevent algae from building up on them. If
keep an aquarium healthy and sparkling is a regularthe aquarium is made from acrylic, it should be
system. Freshwater aquarium maintenance is simplycleaned weekly.
having a regular schedule of activities that you followWhenever you are cleaning your aquarium, check
faithfully is the surest way to have clear water andyour mechanical items and make sure they are
healthy, active fish.functioning properly. Your air pump is important to
It is vital that you use the proper equipment toensure the water of your aquarium is adequately
maintain your aquarium. Fish and other aquatic animalsoxygenated. Your filter needs to be circulating the
and plants are sensitive to changes in theirwater through it in order to keep the water clear and
environment, and it is important that you followthe toxins out.
some basic principles.The most important freshwater aquarium
Never use household cleaners to clean your fish tank.maintenance you can do to keep your tank clean and
These are deadly to your fish. No matter how wellyour fish healthy is to perform scheduled partial
you rinse, these chemicals leave a residue that iswater changes. This is vital for the health of your
toxic to aquatic life.ecosystem. An aquarium is a closed ecosystem.
One tip for keeping your aquarium clean is to keepWhatever is put in to it stays in it until you remove it.
the water supply clean. A dirty pump is not going toWaste and toxins do build up and the only way to
fill your aquarium with clean water. A good, cleankeep the environment safe and healthy is to change
filter is vital to the life of your aquarium's ecosystem.the water and vacuum the gravel or sand to remove
However, a clean filter does not mean a spotlessexcess waste.
filter. Your filter media contains good bacteria thatWhen you replace the water in your tanks, whether
help to break down toxins and waste in yourduring partial water changes, or just adding new
aquarium. Removing all of the bacteria can allowwater to replace what has evaporated, always use a
harmful levels of things like ammonia to develop inwater conditioner. Water conditioners not only
your water. Gently rinsing your filter media on aremove chlorine from tap water, but they will also
regular basis should be all it needs. Your filterhelp remove other impurities such as excess
manufacturer will provide a suggested maintenanceammonia. Remember to read the instructions on
schedule for you to follow. This will prevent you fromevery product you use.
cleaning it too often and harming the bacteriaMake sure you keep a regular maintenance schedule,
balance, or too seldom, allowing to great a build up oftreat your aquarium with love and it will flourish.
waste in the media, which will prevent it from cycling