| Aquariums are good stress-relieving alternative; they | | | | information: monitoring the different levels of |
| give that soothing ambiance when you gaze at the | | | | impurities or composition of the water. There are |
| fish that swim about in the fish tank. Hobbyists often | | | | four general levels that you have to observe when |
| have a good time with their fish. Like with other | | | | maintaining your fish tank, and these are the |
| domestic pets such as cats and dogs, fish are even | | | | ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and the water's pH levels. |
| given names by their owners. Keeping an aquarium at | | | | Ammonia is beneficial ONLY during the startup cycle. |
| home is such a wonderful hobby that anyone at any | | | | In different circumstances it is quite toxic, and at |
| age can enjoy it, and we're going to give you a few | | | | uncontrolled levels it can instantly kill your fish. Nitrites |
| tips and some helpful freshwater aquarium | | | | are also quite toxic, and should be kept as low as |
| information to help you get started. | | | | possible to support marine life. Nitrates are a lot less |
| Big Aquariums = Easy Maintenance | | | | toxic than the other two, and are in fact the by |
| Small aquariums should never be used by beginners. | | | | product of algae breaking down the two previous |
| There are a lot of factors to consider when | | | | substances, but you can't keep too much of them in |
| maintaining the water in your aquarium suitable for | | | | your tank either. Water pH levels refer to the acidity |
| life, and small aquariums tend to spread the changes | | | | and alkalinity of water, and are mostly controlled by |
| in the water chemistry far too quickly because of | | | | applying the appropriate substrate to your fish tank. |
| the small volume that they have to cover, leaving a | | | | Most of the times, pH levels are controlled by your |
| very small room for errors. Thus, keeping small | | | | filtration system, although they are best managed by |
| aquariums is absolutely not recommended for | | | | controlling the substances in the water that cause |
| beginners. Big aquariums, however, tend to extend | | | | them to rise or fall. |
| the changes in water chemistry over a large volume | | | | Do a Full Maintenance of your Aquarium at Regular |
| of water, so these changes are actually "diluted", | | | | Intervals |
| making it easier for the beginner to observe and | | | | This is perhaps the most challenging, if not the most |
| maintain these water chemistry factors. | | | | tedious, thing to do when setting up your fish tank. |
| Make Fish Population proportional to Tank Size | | | | Filters need to be changed once in a while (around |
| Don't try to sardine-pack the fishes on a small space. | | | | 2-3 weeks at best), and if you don't do this, your |
| If you can't help having a large number of fish in an | | | | fish tank is in big trouble. Also, you need to change |
| aquarium, then try to purchase an aquarium that can | | | | the water of the tank periodically. Don't forget to put |
| surpass the overall "fish mass" of about 50% when | | | | your fish into hospital tanks before doing this. NEVER |
| the net water volume is measured. Otherwise, | | | | EVER use soap when cleaning the articles that you |
| reduce the number of fish that you plan to raise. This | | | | put on the substrate (such as decorative corals, etc.). |
| is very crucial, because you don't want to end up | | | | Instead, soak them in a tub filled with hot water |
| having to lose all of your fish in one day, just | | | | mixed with salt for a few hours, and scrub them with |
| because you didn't pay enough attention to the | | | | a clean sponge. If you need to change substrates, |
| space that the fish need. | | | | then you have to test them again for water pH level |
| Learn About Your Aquarium's Water Chemistry | | | | changes. |
| This is considered as the vital freshwater aquarium | | | | |