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Freshwater Fish Tank Cleaning

August 6th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Cleaning Your Freshwater Fish Tank

On of the most important tasks in aquarium maintenance is regular cleaning of the tank. And the main ingredient in freshwater fish tank cleaning is the regular partial water change. This is a routine part of maintaining a healthy environment for your fish. Approximately 20 per cent of the water should be replaced every three or so weeks. This keeps the ammonia levels from surging and helps control the waste and debris that accumulates in the tank bottom. Try to ensure that the temperature of the replacement water is close to the temperature of the aquarium water.

Use a wide bore tube to siphon off the old water. A vacuum system can be attached to the siphon to assist in removing detritus from under the gravel.

Algae growing an the glass of the aquarium can be removed with a magnetic algae scraper or a nylon scouring pad.

If you have live plants in your aquarium this is the time that you should remove any dead leaves.

Clean the filter regularly and replace the filter medium if necessary. Clean the aerator’s air filter.

Freshwater fish tank cleaning is neither difficult nor time consuming if performed regularly. Regular maintenance is imperative for your fishes health.

75 Gallon Fish Tank … The Perfect Size?

June 25th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Fish tanks and aquariums have always fascinated humans. It is quite easy to set up your own aquarium and enjoy a wide variety of fish. A 75 gallon fish tank is towards the larger end of the commonloy available aquarium sizes, but it does have advantages over other smaller fish tanks.

In many respects a 75 gallon fish tank can be easier to manager than a small tank, for example a 10 gallon fish tank. Because of the volume of the water constantly flowing through filters the 75 gallon fish tank can become a kind of self-sustaining ecosystem in its own right. Obviously there is more to it than this, and you will find a great resource in setting up an aquarium fish tank at The Goldfish Site.

A 75 gallon fish tank will also give you the option of having a freshwater or saltwater aquarium. A saltwater aquarium involves quite a bit more work than a freshwater aquarium, but you can keep astoundingly beautiful fish in it once you have the aquarium set up. A freshwater aquarium is probably the best option for a beginner. However, once you understand the basics and have researched saltwater aquariums, you can change your 75 gallon fish tank to a saltwater aquariumt instead of a freshwater one.

One thing you will need to take into consideration is the space that a 75 gallon fish tank will take up. They are quite large and extremely heavy when filled with water, so you will need a secure place to put the tank and a good, fish sturdy stand to put the tank on. One recommendation is not to place your aquarium in a position where it will receive direct sunlight as this will lead to excessive algal growth.

If you are just starting in the world of aquariums, a 75 gallon fish tank may not be the best starter tank due to its size. You might want to start with something a bit smaller until you are familiar with caring for an aquarium. A 75 gallon fish tank can be a masterpiece and almost a work of art when maintained correctly. Whatever size of tank you choose, you are certain to enjoy the new aquatic environment you’ve created.

DO YOU NEED A FISH TANK CHILLER?

May 27th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

If you live in an area where the summer temperatures regularly stay above 85 degrees F (30 degrees C) then you will need a means of cooling your aquarium. It can be much cheaper to run a fish tank chiller than to run the air conditioning all day – especially if you are running the air conditioner just to keep the fish tank temperature at the optimum temperature!

Even though a fish tank chiller can be an expensive item – prices range from several hundred dollars up to $1500 or more – it will quickly pay for itself if you don’t have to run the air conditioning for long periods of time if you are out all day or on vacation.

Fish Tank Chiller Alternatives

Good ventilation and air movement will assist in reducing the temperature of your aquarium. A hood fan can be added to extract the hot air from beneath the canopy. Using the lights for fewer hours in summer will also help.

Fish Tank Temperature

If you have a range of corals and fish from different tropical environments then maintaining a temperature in the range of 75 to 82 degrees F in a fairly safe choice. If you have cooler climate fish tank you may still require a chiller to lower the temperature to the required environment for you fish.

Fish Tank Stand Plan

May 25th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

An important aspect of your aquarium setup is the fish tank stand. Not only must it adequately support the tank itself, it can often serve a wider variety of purposes and needs. You definitely do not want to place your aquarium on a flimsy bookcase or table.

Fish tank stands are designed to hold the immense amount of weight they are subjected to. Each gallon of water weighs almost 10lbs. So, even for a 10-gallon tank, you’ll be looking at close to 100lbs pounds once the fish tank is filled with water. Adding gravel, equipment and decorative items adds even more weight.

The fish tank stand plan should have a minimum construction of 2″ x 4″ timber. Doors can be added to the design and can create useful storage areas for fish tank maintenance equipment.

Fish tank stand plans can be any height, width or depth you wish but the aquarium stand will require vertical supports 18″ apart. A sheet of 1/2″ of plywood should be installed on the top of the frame, with a 1/2″ sheet of polystyrene on top of that. This will give solid support to the tank, and distribute the weight evenly.

Tropical Fish Tank Temperature and Aquarium Requirements

March 27th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

There is far more to owning tropical fish than simply filling a tank with water, adding some fish and hoping that they will swim around happily and healthily from then on.

Whilst a variation of this will work quite well with cold water fish, tropical fish require more care, especially in the area of tropical fish tank temperature and water condition. (For information on setting up a fish tank go to the link at the bottom of this post.)

Water Balance For Tropical Fish

Tropical fish will tolerate a fairly wide pH level, however many varieties will prefer a more narrow range. A pH level of 7 is neutral. A higher number indicates alkaline water; a lower number indicates acidity. The partial water changes required to maintain you aquarium in healthy condition will also alter the pH level. The hardness of the water will also have an effect on the pH level, the harder the water, the more alkaline it generally is. A simple pH test kit can be purchased from a pet store so that you can test the water. Maintaining good fish housekeeping together with filtration and aeration will all assist in maintaining a healthy balance in your tropical fish aquarium.

Tropical Fish Tank Temperature

The temperature of the water affects the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. Cool water will hold more oxygen but that is not practical with tropical fish which will require a water temperature around 72 - 80 degrees Farenheit (22 -27 degrees Celcius). Many tropical fish will tolerate a wider range of temperatures, however, to thrive and to breed they will require a more narrow range. Aquarium heaters can be purchased quite inexpensively. More expensive models with added features won’t heat the water any better! A heater must be matched to the size of the fish tank and some large tanks may require more than one heater. Some heaters come with a thermostat, however this should never be relied upon. Always use an accurate thermometer to maintain your tropical fish tank temperature.

Filtration

Efficient filtration is required to trap the bulk of the waste and bacteria produced in the tank. The size of the filter will depend on the size of the tank, the number of fish in the aquarium and whether or not there are live plants in the tank. A planted tank will require less filtration. The amount of filtration should be stated on the packaging when you purchase it.

Read more about “how to set up your fish tank” here.

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