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October, 2009:

Common Fish Tank Diseases

Nitrogen Cycle in aquariums. Legend: (1) Addit...

Nitrogen cycle breaks down ammonia. If it fails, fish get ammonia poisoning. Image via Wikipedia

You have to first determine the problem before you apply any medication to your fish. While some diseases have symptoms that look similar, they need different treatments obviously.

A good practise would be to keep a small quarantine tank on standby, in case you need it to treat your sick fish. Not all fishes are affected at the same time, so you need to separate the sick one from the rest as quickly as possible.

Another good practise is to keep common medications handy, so that you can apply them as and when you need to. Take care not to overstock and do check their expiry dates from time to time.

Here are some common fish diseases/problems. Learn to recognise these symptoms.

1. Ammonia poisoning. Fish are seen gasping for air at the surface of the water. This usually happens for a new tank setup. It’s part of the nitrogen cycle during which ammonia is converted into nitrates. Most fishes do not survive during the initial stage. (more…)


A Sure Way to Buy the Best Fish Tank for Your Money

Amphiprion melanopus and their Sea Anemone Het...

Image via Wikipedia

Buying a fish tank is the easiest and quickest way to start your own aquarium, but before jumping in there are several factors which will affect the size and shape of the tank you end up taking home. Make sure you have the adequate time, energy, space, and money to invest in your fish tank.

Large reef tanks are spectacular to look at, but can be extremely difficult, time consuming, and costly to care for-making a smaller tank or a freshwater environment a more appealing first option to some. (more…)


The Essentials About Saltwater Aquariums

Jelly Fish @ Vancouver Aquarium

Image by Antony Pranata via Flickr

While saltwater environments often require more work and dedication than their freshwater counterparts, they provide a substantially different appeal. The key to success, as with any pet, is planning ahead.

Before you jump into purchasing and filling your saltwater tank, you will need to do extensive research regarding the types of fish you plan on keeping as well as what type of habitat you hope to have. Here are some basics which need to be addressed for a saltwater tank: (more…)


Preparing Tropical Fish Aquariums Before Adding Fish

Gravel in a freshwater aquarium

Image via Wikipedia

Author: John Hubert

Owning tropical fish can be a fun and enjoyable hobby for anyone, especially those with children who want pets that they know aren’t going to growl or snap at the kids! They’re relatively easy to care for and don’t need to be walked, groomed, or scooped up after.

But as easy as they are to take care of there are some things you need to do in order to prepare tropical fish aquariums before you actually add any fish. Just buying one and filling it with water isn’t enough for your fish to be happy and healthy in any way. So what do you need to do to tropical fish aquariums for them to be ready for your new pets?

For one thing most tropical fish aquariums have been sitting around for some time or have been packed in boxes to get sent to your pet supply store. They’re usually pretty dusty or even dirty when you get them home.

If they’re used of course they’ll need to be cleaned under any circumstances. But one mistake that many people make with tropical fish aquariums is using harsh cleansers or bleach to get them clean. (more…)


The Responsibilities of Caring for Freshwater Fish

aquarium

Image via Wikipedia

Author: Freshwater Fish Care

Usually freshwater fish are considered the pets for people that are either lazy or don’t really want to take care of something. They may like the idea of a pet but perhaps one that you don’t have to interact with as often as others, underestimating the responsibility of freshwater fish care.

Well, fish can be the pet for you, but it is wise to understand that fish can’t just be tossed into a tank and then left until they die. This is not proper handling of fish and they do require that you actually know a little something about them.

Research is always a great idea when considering a pet—especially fish, as there are SO many types of freshwater fish to choose from. If you’re wanting more than one fish in a tank, be sure to find out whether they are aggressive or not, as some fish will literally kill others in the same tank. (more…)


Tropical Fish Aquarium and Plants

Javamoos.

Image via Wikipedia Java Moss

Author: Suzie Goldie

The home for your tropical fish should be as large as you can afford. Fish do better if they have plenty of space, besides, there are so many beautiful varieties that you’ll be sure to want to add more once you start.

But remember that the bigger the tank, the heavier it will be when full of water. Most aquariums come with a warranty against cracking and leaking, but that usually only holds good if they are on the recommended stand.

Since a stand of some sort is necessary to support the aquarium, so you must decide if you want it to be on a cupboard or table, or on a purpose built stand. If the table or other furniture used to hold the aquarium is not completely flat, it will stress the glass which may then crack and leak, causing a great deal of damage to carpets and flooring, not to mention the fish.

Make sure the floor is structurally strong enough to support the weight of the aquarium too. The neighbors won’t appreciate a fishy shower pouring through their ceiling. For optimum safety, be sure to read all the manufacturer’s instructions when setting up your aquarium. (more…)


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