| cal or reef aquariums are both beautiful and a source | | | | stocked tank replacing 25% to 50% of the water |
| of enjoyment and fascination to both adults and | | | | once a month should be adequate. For a more |
| children. A well placed, and healthy aquarium filled with | | | | heavily stocked tank water may need to be changed |
| highly coloured fish and live plants is an attractive and | | | | once a week. Vacuum the gravel with a siphon tube |
| therapeutic addition to any home. | | | | at the same time and remove some of the |
| For the beginner just starting their first tropical | | | | decorations for cleaning. Never remove everything |
| aquarium here are some points that will make it | | | | for a clean. It will destroy the beneficial bacteria that |
| easier to set up and maintain a beautiful and healthy | | | | you took the time to cultivate when you cycled your |
| aquarium. | | | | tank. |
| Before you Start | | | | 3. When the water level drops replace with tap |
| Before you even begin to set up your aquarium | | | | water treated to remove any chlorine and chloramine. |
| research is needed to choose the fish. A community | | | | If there is no chloramine in your water supply you |
| tank contains different species chosen to live | | | | can leave a covered bucket for a day pr two to |
| peacefully together. There are many fish to choose | | | | allow the chlorine to evaporate. |
| from, including Guppies, Hatchetfish, Lyretails, Platys, | | | | 4. Keep a small tank prepared as a quarantine tank in |
| Neon Tetra and Penguin Fish. Guppies are a popular | | | | case any fish develops signs of disease. This will also |
| community fish that are very easy to breed. Avoid | | | | be useful for keeping newly purchased fish away |
| aggressive fish such as Tiger Barbs and Rosy Barbs | | | | from your main tank until you can be sure that they |
| that may appear to be peaceful when young but | | | | are healthy and disease free. |
| grow up into bullies. You should also check how large | | | | 5. At least once a week test the water for ammonia, |
| the fish will grow and avoid placing too many larger | | | | nitrite and pH so that a problem is not allowed to |
| fish in a small tank. The more fish you have in the | | | | build up. If these levels are not optimum perform a |
| tank the more maintenance you will need to do. | | | | partial water change. This will usually fix the problem |
| Once your tank has been cycled and stocked follow | | | | without the use of chemicals. |
| the points below to keep it healthy. | | | | 6. Lastly find a local fish hobbyist group and join in. |
| 1. Avoid overfeeding. Food left in the tank decays | | | | You will learn a lot from talking to other enthusiasts |
| and produces toxic chemicals. Only feed as much as | | | | and have fun. |
| the fish can eat completely within about three | | | | Keeping fish is a great hobby and an endless source |
| minutes. Twice a day feeding should be plenty. If the | | | | of fascination to you and you family. Enjoy your |
| fish do not come to the surface when you feed then | | | | aquarium and with a little care your fish can enjoy |
| they are being fed too much. | | | | happy and long lives! |
| 2. Never replace all of the tank water. For a lightly | | | | |