FRESHWATER AQUARIUM FISH: A GUIDE TO KEEPING THEM Freshwater fish are one of the most popular of all tank-suitable fish. They are fairly easy to keep, and are great for beginners. Freshwater fish divide into two sections - coldwater and tropical. In this article we shall be looking just at one section - freshwater fish. If you are looking up marine fish, then try Marine Aquaria. Before you rush out to buy a fish tank, you must consider several things... So let's get started... we'll begin with a guide to the equipment needed. And the most important thing you'll need will be a filter. There are several forms of filter: an internal filter, an external filter, and an undergravel filter. The undergravel filter was popular in the 80's, but now is rarely used because it does not filter powerfully enough, and is difficult to maintain. However, some fishkeepers like to use it in conjunction with other filters. The internal filter is the most popular type: It is usually a small box with foam cartridges in it.

The water is sucked in through the grills, gets filtered through the foam, and exits from the nozzle at the top. These are fairly easy to maintain, and many have extra features such as metres indicating when cleaning is due, venturi valves (to let oxygen into the water), and carbon or polyester filter pads. These filters are tough and durable: They should last you a long time. Finally, the external filter: these are usually very expensive (£50-£150), but are by far the best to get, especially if you have lots of fish and plants, and are much easier to clean and maintain. Once you have chosen a filter, you can decide which heater to buy. If you are getting coldwater fish such as goldfish, you will not need one, but these are a must for any tropical tank. They help keep the water at the right temperature for your fish-too cold and your fish might die, too hot and there won't be enough oxygen in the water for them to breathe. Once you've chosen your heater, think about a tank.

Make sure the heater and filter are the right size for your tank: if you want a large or small aquarium you may need to change the size of your equipment. fish tank shop fittersGet some gravel, some ornaments, maybe a few plants, and anything else which your local shop might recommend. tips for buying aquariumDon't forget to buy a test kit, to monitor the health of the water, and some water treatment: you don't want your fish being killed by untreated tap water.aquarium fish and coral for sale When you get home, rinse the gravel in a bucket to remove any dirt and gently pour it into your tank. cheap fish tanks belfast

Fill the tank up about halfway with water. Put the plants and ornaments in at this stage.where to buy aquarium fish in atlanta Next, fill the aquarium up the rest of the way. top 10 lucky aquarium fishWhen you have filled up to the level stated by the manufacturer, add your filter and heater. Follow the instructions in their boxes to make sure you don't do anything wrong. Finally, when all this is complete, add in your water treatment. This will remove any dangerous chemicals from your tap water which may stress or kill the fish. Some places have water that is not typical and before simply following the istructions on the water treatment container, get advice on the correct rate for your area. Just when you're thinking "Phew! After all that I can finally add the fish!" , stop yourself.

DO NOT ADD ANY FISH YET! You have to leave your tank running for two weeks (Or a few days if you use a product such as Bactozyme or Cycle) to let the good bacteria in your filter mature to a safe level. After this time, test your water using the test kit you should have bought earlier. When your water parameters are OK, you can add your first fish. Build up your stock slowly, week by week, so your filter doesn't have too much to cope with in the early stages. It is a good idea to start with a few hardy fish like Danios or White cloud mountain minnows, so they don't put too much strain on your filter. I hope this article helps! Don't forget, if you have any concerns ask at your local pet shop. Albert B. Ulrich III About Best Sellers in Fish & Aquarium Care These lists, updated hourly, contain bestselling items. Here you can discover the best Fish & Aquarium Care in Amazon Best Sellers, and find the top 100 most popular Amazon Fish & Aquarium Care.Good aquarium maintenance practices will lead to a healthy aquatic environment and thriving fish, providing years of joy for the hobbyist.

Jump to routine maintenance guide! Expensive and time-consuming problems can be prevented by spending thirty minutes on maintenance every other week. The biggest factor for maintenance is tank stability. As long as everything is running properly and your fish are healthy, there is no need for any major change, even if the pH or hardness seems to be slightly out of range; only increases or decreases of the major aquarium water parameters will need your careful but immediate attention. A key part of aquarium maintenance is the water change, which should be performed about every two weeks. In most cases, 10-15% of the tank volume is sufficient. A good method is to replace the water extracted while vacuuming the gravel, which will eliminate uneaten foods and other residues that settle on the substrate. It is highly recommended to check the water parameters of both the tank and replacement water. Most tap water (city water) contains either chlorine or chloramine. Chlorine will air out rather quickly (kept in an aerated bucked for twenty-four hours);

chloramine (chloramine = chlorine + ammonia) will not. Using a water conditioner will neutralize the chlorine in both cases, but ammonia will still be present in the latter. It has to be broken down by the nitrifying bacteria present in the aquarium. This may take longer than your fish can tolerate. Other elements of municipal water may be phosphates, iron, and other heavy metals. To find out about your tap water chemistry, call your local water company. Well water is usually harder than tap water, but is chlorine/chloramine free. Filtered water should also be checked on a regular basis and should be considered part of your aquarium maintenance routine. The filter membranes could be damaged or may require replacement prior to the expiration date. Water chemistry is not visible; therefore, it is vital to check it on a regular basis. The best way to make this a routine is to check on the tank chemistry while changing the water. The vital parameters are pH, nitrates, nitrites, and carbonate hardness (salinity for marine tanks).

Stability is the main factor with pH. pH in the range of 6.5 – 7.5 is suitable for most species, but they can adjust if slightly out of range. KH (carbonate hardness) is the indicator of pH stability. It should be kept under close observation if it comes close to 4.5 dH (degree hardness) or 80 ppm. You must take action if it decreases any further. Half a teaspoon of baking soda per twenty-five gallons of water will raise the kH by about 1 dH (17.8 ppm). Nitrites should be undetectable at all times (except during cycling). If you detect nitrites make sure you check on ammonia as well. Nitrates should be kept below 10 ppm in freshwater and 5 ppm in marine and reef (preferably 0 ppm). The proper function of the filter is essential. Filter inserts (floss, Algone, activated carbon) should be changed at least every four weeks. A high fish load may require shorter periods. Trapped particles will decompose in the filter as they would in the tank. The filter should also be cleaned once a month (do not touch the bio-wheels, if present) by using the water extracted from the tank during the water change.