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January, 2010:

Salt Water Fish: Fish Tanks and Maintenance

Jan 8th, 2010
by Aquarium Lover.
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So you’ve decided to purchase those saltwater fish, but where do you go from there? The planning and preparation for your new fish shouldn’t be taken lightly or made on a whim. Caring for salt water fish is relatively easy; however, you’ve got to make sure that you’ve prepared the ideal living environment first.

Fish Tanks

Before investing in a tank for your fish, you’ve got to think about the type of fish you want to put in it. Some salt water get very large and you’ll want to have a tank large enough to accommodate your fish.

Once you’ve purchased your tank, make sure that you have a good place in your home for it. It should be kept away from direct sunlight, which can raise the internal temperature significantly.

Also make sure that you have a quality stand for the tank. A 25 gallon tank can weigh as much as 250 pounds and you certainly don’t want that to spill.

Setting the Tank Up

Once you’ve filled your tank with water, add the premixed salt mixture to the tank and allow it the settle for a few days before adding your fish. Then set up the plants and decorations you would like to use. Allow them to acclimate to the environment for a couple of days. (more…)


How to Clean Your Large Fish Tank

Jan 6th, 2010
by Guest Blogger.
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A giant grouper at the Georgia Aquarium, seen ...

Image via Wikipedia

The downside to owning a large fish tank is that it is more work to clean it every week (preferable.) If you want your fish to live a long time and your tank to look clean and clear and free from algae overtaking your habitat then you’ve got to properly clean your tank. Here are the basics.

Siphoning

At least once a week you should siphon out 20% of the water from your tank into a giant bucket and then replace that old water with new tap water that has been properly treated to remove the harmfull acid and iron from the water. When siphoning make sure you dig around into the rocks to get all the waste and leftover food out that has fallen to the bottom.

Don’t worry about scaring your fish they should be fine with your sticking your hand and siphon into the tank and going over it thoroughly. When you put the new water into the tank don’t just pour it in which can upset the landscaping but use the siphon to slowly filter the new water into the tank.

Algae scraper

These tools are cheap and effective. Use a squeegee like algae scraper to clean up the walls of your tank from being overrun with algae which not only looks bad but can be harmful to your tank. If you are looking for an easier solution invest in buying an algae eater fish like a pleco which will roam around your tank at night and help to keep it clean and free from algae.

Don’t overfeed

The amateur mistake of first time fish keepers…don’t overfeed your fish as it can lead to waste buildup in your tank. Feed them a small amount of flakes or pellets about twice a day to keep them healthy and satisfied. Remember that it is always more safe to underfeed than to overfeed.

Alan McGee is a freelance writer from MN.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/how-to-clean-your-large-fish-tank-1671316.html

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