Any person that owns an aquarium should consider their maintenance as an important aspect that is to be done on a regular basis. Beginners may have a few problems when they are doing maintenance for the first time. Examples of the steps involved in maintenance are washing the tank and taking the fish out. After cleaning the tank, fish are taken back in. There are various important details when it comes to aquarium maintenance.
The biggest factor that is considered is stability of the tank. As long as all things are running in a proper way and the fish are healthy, there will be no need for any major changes. This is even if the hardness or pH is slightly off range. When it comes to maintaining aquariums, only the very major changes in tank parameters will need to be considered. These will need to be attended to immediately.
One of the major practices for any aquarium is water change. Water should be changed after every fortnight. During this time, there will be no need to change the entire volume. Approximately 15 percent should be changed. A way to achieve this is extraction of water while vacuuming the gravel. All foods that were not eaten will be eliminated while also getting rid of other residues.
When doing the maintenance, it will be important to check the parameters of not only the water in the tank but also replacement water. In the case where tap water is used, it should be checked for chlorine because such water tends to have high amounts of chlorine. Water that contains chlorine loses air really fast and will risk the lives of fish. This element is neutralized by the use of water conditioners. Nitrifying bacteria are use for the breakdown of ammonia in water.
Municipal water will also have other elements like iron, phosphates and a host of other heavy metals. The local water company should be contacted to find out the composition of the water that they distribute. The information will be important because the lives of fish should not be put at risk. If well water is to be used, it should be noted that it is harder than that from taps. However, it has no chlorine.
The chemistry of water cannot be seen with the naked eye. It will thus be important to check water chemistry on a regular basis while checking such parameters as pH, salinity, nitrites and nitrates. A pH of around 6.5 to 7.5 is expected for the majority of the species. If it gets out of range, it should be adjusted.
Functioning of the filter is an important consideration as well. The inserts of the filter are supposed to get changed every four weeks. If the fish load is higher, the change is done after a shorter while. Particles that are trapped within the filter will decompose and thus affect its functioning.
Daily maintenance includes ensuring that all equipment is running well. In addition, the fish should be observed during feeding. Any changes in the behavior should be an indication of potential problems. Counting of the fish needs to be done every week. In the event of deaths, the smaller fish will tend to decompose faster. This introduces ammonia into the tank.
The biggest factor that is considered is stability of the tank. As long as all things are running in a proper way and the fish are healthy, there will be no need for any major changes. This is even if the hardness or pH is slightly off range. When it comes to maintaining aquariums, only the very major changes in tank parameters will need to be considered. These will need to be attended to immediately.
One of the major practices for any aquarium is water change. Water should be changed after every fortnight. During this time, there will be no need to change the entire volume. Approximately 15 percent should be changed. A way to achieve this is extraction of water while vacuuming the gravel. All foods that were not eaten will be eliminated while also getting rid of other residues.
When doing the maintenance, it will be important to check the parameters of not only the water in the tank but also replacement water. In the case where tap water is used, it should be checked for chlorine because such water tends to have high amounts of chlorine. Water that contains chlorine loses air really fast and will risk the lives of fish. This element is neutralized by the use of water conditioners. Nitrifying bacteria are use for the breakdown of ammonia in water.
Municipal water will also have other elements like iron, phosphates and a host of other heavy metals. The local water company should be contacted to find out the composition of the water that they distribute. The information will be important because the lives of fish should not be put at risk. If well water is to be used, it should be noted that it is harder than that from taps. However, it has no chlorine.
The chemistry of water cannot be seen with the naked eye. It will thus be important to check water chemistry on a regular basis while checking such parameters as pH, salinity, nitrites and nitrates. A pH of around 6.5 to 7.5 is expected for the majority of the species. If it gets out of range, it should be adjusted.
Functioning of the filter is an important consideration as well. The inserts of the filter are supposed to get changed every four weeks. If the fish load is higher, the change is done after a shorter while. Particles that are trapped within the filter will decompose and thus affect its functioning.
Daily maintenance includes ensuring that all equipment is running well. In addition, the fish should be observed during feeding. Any changes in the behavior should be an indication of potential problems. Counting of the fish needs to be done every week. In the event of deaths, the smaller fish will tend to decompose faster. This introduces ammonia into the tank.
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