| If you have finally decided to take the plunge and | | | | going to learn more about balancing the water. Speak |
| own an aquarium there are certain things you should | | | | to pet shop employees or go online to get extra tips |
| do before plucking down any of your money. First, | | | | to maintain the proper water conditions. |
| make a list of everything you want and the type of | | | | When you first get the freshwater aquarium, set it |
| fish you want to own. You can do this by browsing | | | | up and let it run for at least 24 hours before adding |
| the Internet and seeing what is available. You can | | | | any fish. This is the time to regulate the water and |
| also go to a pet shop and check the selection. Once | | | | get it under the right conditions. During this period, |
| you have decided on what kind of fish you want, do | | | | set up the filter and any plant life you want in the |
| some research to make sure you aren't buying fish | | | | tank. (Live plants are a great way to reduce |
| that like to eat each other. You also need fish that | | | | ammonia). Check the ammonia and nitrate levels. |
| enjoy the same type of environment (water and pH | | | | When you do finally add fish to the tank, start small. |
| level). When exploring different options you will find | | | | Only put three to four fish. You want to wait about |
| freshwater fish are better to sustain than saltwater. | | | | a month before you put anymore in for a couple of |
| Freshwater fish are hardy and handle changes in | | | | reason. First, you want the fish to get used the |
| water conditions better. | | | | environment because with too many the fish might |
| As a beginner, you might think tropical saltwater fish | | | | get stressed. Second, there is an incubation time with |
| are pretty and these are the fish you want. Let's | | | | diseases. You want to ensure the fish are healthy |
| consider the basics of fish first and see why | | | | before contaminating others. Monitor the |
| freshwater fish are better for beginners. A fish needs | | | | temperature, pH, ammonia and nitrate levels. |
| water to live. We all know this. Freshwater fish | | | | Feeding freshwater fish is relatively easy. You only |
| absorbs water through its body. However, saltwater | | | | need to feed them twice a day. However, be careful |
| fish have to drink it because the body's fluids leave | | | | of overfeeding. This is a common rookie mistake. Put |
| the skin by osmosis. Salt is excreted through the skin | | | | small amounts of food in the tank. These should be |
| in the form of urine. | | | | gobbled up within five minutes. Any extra food, |
| Freshwater fish also have a large range when it | | | | scoop out because it will cause debris in the tank and |
| comes to water temperature sometimes up to ten | | | | possibly add toxins to the water. |
| degrees. Many saltwater fish have little room for | | | | When it comes to the filter, you want to follow the |
| error. They tend to need temperatures that can only | | | | manufacturer?s specs on replacing it. The filter is |
| fluctuate two to five degrees. | | | | important because it keeps the water clean for the |
| If you are just starting out, maintaining the right | | | | fish. Without a good, clean filter the fish won't thrive. |
| water level is going to be hard. Just be patient and | | | | These are some basic tips for caring for your |
| keep at it. Eventually you will figure out the tricks to | | | | freshwater aquarium. If you have other questions |
| keep the water regulated. If the freshwater fish do | | | | speak to pet shop workers or get some books from |
| happen to pass while under you care, don't take this | | | | the local library. There is plenty information available |
| is a failure. They are sensitive creatures and you are | | | | to help care for freshwater aquariums. |