The most important thing in your fish’s environment is the water. If your fish tank has water that is too hot or cold, too acidic or alkaline, or unbalanced in any other way, your fish could die. In order to properly maintain your tank and keep your fish healthy and happy, you will need to test the tank’s water on a regular basis.

You should start by checking the aquarium’s temperature with a tank thermometer. It is important to check the temperature of your tank because if the temperature is too high or too low, it can leave your fish vulnerable to disease. Since temperature fluctuations are dangerous to fish, be sure to keep your tank away from any drafty areas, such as windows, doors or heater vents.

The ideal temperature for your tank depends on the kind of fish you have in it so make sure you find out what is ideal for your fish. When you change your tank’s water or add new water to your tank when the water level is a bit low, you should make sure the temperature is about the same as the temperature of the water already in the tank. If the water is too hot or too cold, it may shock the fish or even kill them.

pH is a way to measure the acidity of the tank’s water. Since pH test kits are inexpensive and it is very important to be sure your tank’s levels are right, you should make sure you have a kit on hand for frequent testing. A pH level of 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic and above 7 is alkaline. Most fish need the pH level to be around 6 or 7. Be aware that anything you add to the tank could change the pH of the water, so always run some tests to make sure the levels are ok after you add new plants, gravel or decorations.

continue reading "How to Test Your Tank’s Water"

You finally got that freshwater tank you’ve been wanting and brought it home. Now, you just dump in some water and some fish, right? Actually, there’s a bit more to the process of setting up a freshwater tank than that. You will need to consider the type of tank or aquarium and the type of filtration needed for that aquarium. You’ll also need to know what species of fish go well together to form a community and how many fish to put into your freshwater tank. You will also need to purchase equipment for the tank such as gravel, heater, decorations and a light.

There are a few things you should think about before you shop for the ideal aquarium. The freshwater tank has to be stable in terms of the temperature, the pH and the softness/hardness of the water. Acrylic aquariums are better insulators than glass aquariums and provide a more stable temperature. They are also clearer, which allows for more light than a glass aquarium. Acrylic aquariums are flexible and less prone to leakage, which means they don’t break or crack as easily as glass aquariums.

Some disadvantages of an acrylic aquarium are that it can cost two to three times as much as glass aquariums and can be easily scratched. Fortunately, many come with lifetime guarantees. If you can afford the higher cost, an acrylic aquarium is definitely the best choice for a first time fish owner.

Once you’ve decided on the type of tank you want, you will need to consider tank size. A larger aquarium is more stable and healthier for fish. However, if you’re only planning to add a few fish to the tank, then a smaller freshwater tank will be fine. As far as filtration goes, you should purchase a filter that include biological, mechanical and chemical filtration as this will make your tank easier to maintain.

continue reading "Setting up a Freshwater Tank"

Setting up your first freshwater fish tank can be a fun and rewarding experience. However, it also can be challenging, especially if you start off with fish that are difficult to maintain. Luckily, there is not a shortage of hardy, inexpensive freshwater fish species. Finding good starter fish for your first aquarium is relatively easy.

If you’ve never had fish before, you may want to start with guppies. These fish can sometimes be found as juveniles in feeder fish tanks, which means you can buy six to ten fish for as little as a dollar. Of course, they are quite boring to look at until they mature, but raising them is certainly a great way to get the experience you need.

Some feeder guppies grow into lovely adult fish. Of course, if you don’t want to wait, you can simply buy adult guppies. Guppies are very social fish and get along well with others. They are easy to feed and care for. In fact, guppies are so hardy and laid back that it isn’t unusual for new fish owners to find that their fish have produced several dozen offspring.

If guppies aren’t quite your thing, you may want to consider tetras. Tetras do well in a small school. Most of these fish species are on the small side and aren’t very colorful to look at unless there are several of them darting about together. They are happiest in groups of six or more. These fish are good community fish and rarely act aggressive.

continue reading "Good Choices for Your First Freshwater Tank"

Finally, you have the pond of your dreams, but things aren’t quite as perfect as you wanted them to be. How do you keep your pond in good shape? Here are some common pond problems you may encounter and how you can solve them.

Leakage

If your pond seems to be losing a lot of water at a rapid rate, do not mistake this for evaporation. You actually probably have a leak. If the leak is at the bottom of the pond, you will have to drain it and use a sheep’s foot roller to insert bentonite clay into the leak. Unfortunately, bentonite can be a bit expensive, so this is not a cheap fix. However, it is the best way to repair a leak.

Bentonite is effective because it swells to 12 to 15 times larger than its original size when inserted into the leak, creating a leak proof seal. It also allows nutrients to still be exchanged between sediments in the pond.

The problem may also be from a plumbing leak. In that case, while the pump is running, check the hoses for leaks and then fix the problem by replacing the section of hose that contains the leak.

Sometimes, water loss may be caused by water seeping over the liner edge. You’ll have to find out where the spot is by moving rocks and other barriers. When you find the low spot in the liner, readjust it to stop the leak.

pH

You will need to do a check of the pH, or acidity, of the pond water with a pH test kit. A pH reading of 7 is neutral, a pH reading that is higher than 7 is alkaline and a pH reading that is lower than 7 is acidic. The pH level should be around 7 to 7.5 in the pond.

It should never be below 6.8 or above 8, as low pH levels prevent effective biological filtration and cause stress on your fish. A high pH level makes it harder for plants to grow or survive and can also be harmful for your fish. pH levels may change due to acid rain, soil runoff and fish waste. So check regularly. If the pH level of your pond isn’t at an ideal level, you should purchase products that can change the pH levels in water.

Algae

A little algae growth is actually a good sign, as this shows your pond has the right nutrients and systems to support life. However too much algae can become a problem, since it can cloud the water and steal nutrients from plants and fish. If you don’t have any plants in the pond, the chance of algae growth is much higher, so it is a good idea to add plants to your pond.

Plants and algae need the same nutrients, but plants will receive the nutrients before the algae can, which keeps algae from forming. Overfeeding fish is a common cause of excess algae growth, as well, so be sure to feed your fish the proper amount of food.

To help prevent algae growth and maintain the quality of the pond water, you should consider installing a mechanical filter and ultraviolet sterilization. Ultraviolet sterilization is very easy to install and won’t affect the water, plants and fish since it works from the outside of the pond.

You may also need to change some of the water regularly to remove some of the nutrients algae feeds on.

Having a water feature in your yard can be so enjoyable and soothing. Of course, you’ll have some hard work ahead of you before you finish installing that new pond, but once you’re done, you’ll be glad you took the time to add a pond to your garden.

If you are planning on setting up a pond, there are several things you should consider. However, just like in real estate, the most important thing about a pond is location, location, location. Ponds are best located in sunny areas away from trees so that leaves don’t fall into them and create a slimy mess in the bottom or clog up your expensive filtration system. You really don’t want to have to clean 6 inches of smelly muck out of your pond several times a year. If you can’t find a spot for your pond away from trees, you should consider covering it with netting in early autumn to keep falling leaves out of the water.

Your chosen location should also be close to a garden hose to fill the pond and an electrical line to connect the filters. Ponds should also be located where they can be easily viewed or accessed so you can enjoy the view and easily maintain the pond. The best time to setup a pond is probably during spring, as wildlife will have enough time to settle in by winter.

The size of the pond depends on the number and what kind of fish you want in it, the kind of wildlife you’d like to attract to the pond and the types of plants you’d like to have in and around your water feature. Buy the largest pond you can afford to buy, because you will more than likely wish it was larger in the future.

continue reading "Setting up a Pond"

Bettas, also known as Japanese fighting fish, are so beautiful that they don’t look quite real. You’ve probably seen these fish housed separately in tiny bowls at your local fish store. This is because male betas will fight with each other until there is only one male left. However, this is not a good way to care for your betta once you bring it home.

When purchasing bettas for your aquarium, you should only buy one male fish. You can add several female betas to the tank if it is on the large side. Male bettas are known for the way they constantly fight aggressively with each other, so putting more than one of them in the same aquarium is a bad idea. Female bettas also fight amongst themselves, but not as aggressively as male bettas.

Bettas are able to survive in small spaces because they can actually take oxygen out of the air to survive, but it is still not a good idea to put them in an aquarium that is extremely small. The larger an aquarium, the better the environment will be for your fish. If you are not planning on buying more than one betta and want to house your fish in a small aquarium, a vase or a bowl, you should be aware of a few things. When fish give off waste, this small container will be filled with ammonia, which can be dangerous to the health of fish. The ammonia is then broken down by bacteria to form nitrates, which are also dangerous to the health of the fish.

continue reading "Caring for Bettas"

Koi are some of the most beautiful and graceful pond fish. These fish are quite intelligent and can become very tame over the years. With good care, they often live from 25 to 35 years and can live for as many as 200 years. However, the flashy Koi has some special requirements that make it a bit more challenging to care for than ordinary carp.

Koi need a lot of oxygen in their pond and they must have a high quality filtration system, especially if you’d like them to live for several decades or more. The best filtration system to use in a Koi pond to maintain excellent water quality is a biological system. Biological filters work by processing all of the debris and waste in the pond naturally so the water can be kept clean and clear.

Of course, it stands to reason that big fish need a big pond. In fact, if your Koi don’t have a big pond, they won’t grow very large. The ideal Koi pond should be able to contain 500 gallons of water. The depth should be at least 24 inches (60 cm), especially in colder climates. Since a major cause of death for Koi is being eaten by birds of prey and wildlife, the pond should have vertical walls to protect the fish from predators and to give the pond more volume.

In order to prevent your Koi from becoming ill you’ll need to take some precautions. Stress is the major cause of disease in fish. You should change some of the pond water regularly to maintain a good quality. You’ll need to use test kits at least once each season to make sure elements such as ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are in order.

You will need to check the pH levels as well, as the wrong PH could lead to low oxygen levels in the water. You will also need to check the hardness of the water regularly. The pH level of the pond should be around 7.2 to 7.4. To raise the pH you can change some of the water. To lower the pH you can use water softeners formulated for pond use.

continue reading "Keeping Koi"

A fifty five gallon freshwater aquarium is a good choice when purchasing a new tank, if nothing else, simply because of its size. These tanks are large enough to accommodative a variety of fish, but still small enough to keep in tight spaces in the home or office. Your local retailer can assist you with specifics in purchasing, but here are some suggestions for the basics. Purchase an acrylic tank, because they are lighter in weight and easier to care for than glass aquariums. Also the visibility is better in an acrylic tank. If you don’t already have a stand or a suitable replacement, keep in mind that you will need to purchase one. You will need a heater for temperature control, and a thermometer for checking the water temperature. It will take approximately five bags of rock or other substrate to line the bottom of the tank. Choose a bright color to add some interest to the aquarium.

In addition, you will need to purchase a filter for the tank. Filters can be complicated. Do a lot a research to find out what type of filter is suggested for the fish that you choose. There are filters that go beneath the substrate in the bottom of the tank, as well as filters that attach to the side of the aquarium. They also vary greatly in price. It is not necessary to buy the most expensive filter when setting up a basic freshwater aquarium.

The aquarium will also need lighting. Again, based on personal preference you can keep it simple or get very technical. Most fish will respond nicely to a basic light that is simply turned on for a few hours each day. An aquarium should contain some form of plants for added interest. The plants serve a place for the fish to seek refuge and feel safe. There are many varieties of freshwater plants that would work nicely in a fifty five gallon aquarium. Just be sure to purchase an aquatic specific species. If you don’t want the hassle of live plants, plastic is always an option. They have come along way with synthetic plants. In most cases the fish may not even notice the difference, unless of course they try to eat them.

continue reading "Fifty five Gallon Fresh Water Aquarium"

Anyone who has had an aquarium knows that algae is unavoidable. It is just one of the things that fish owners, both salt and freshwater, have to deal with on a regular basis.

There are four main variety’s of algae; green algae, brown algae, red-brush algae, and blue green algae.

Green algae is the variety of algae that most people are familiar with. Green algae thrives in any aquarium that receives an abundance of light. The two most commonly seen green algaes in aquariums are hair algae and hard “green dot algae”. Hair algae are long wispy strands of algae that are easily cleaned from the tank. The green-dot algae appears as green dots of algae on the side of the aquarium, it is very difficult and time consuming to remove green dot algae.

It is common for brown algae to appear when a tank that has just been started. It typically puts in an appearance within the first two weeks. Its appearance in established tanks means that the aquarium owner needs to test the nitrate and phosphate levels of this tank. Brown algae is unusual because it thrives in aquariums that do not receive a great deal of light. When brown algae appears in the tank the aquarium owner needs to clean the entire tank and increase the lighting. It is not unusual for brown algae to disappear when the tank conditions stabilize.

Red-brush algae is a variety of algae that loves aquariums that have a high PH. It is incredibly difficult to manually remove red-brush algae from aquariums.

continue reading "Saltwater Aquariums and Aquarium Algae-Prevention"

Aquariums are a delightful addition to any home, and they inevitably brighten up the scenery and delight young and old alike. Despite their many assets there may come a time when an aquarium owner is simply unable to keep their aquarium. It may be a matter of finances (even though the majority of expenses are associated with setting up the aquarium there are certain expenses associated with keeping it running, and repairs and fish food can accumulate to be an impressive sum as well) or there may a move taking place and the new home will not accommodate a large aquarium, or the owner may be traveling such a distance that it is impractical for them to take their aquarium with them. Whatever the reason, if an owner is unable to keep their aquarium one of the fastest and most painless ways to sell their aquarium is on e-Bay.

For those who are not familiar, e-Bay is an online auction house and one of the biggest sales venues in the country today. Every day hundreds of thousands of people visit e-Bay to view what is for sale and to list their own goods. The advantage of e-Bay over more traditional sales venues is that it allows competition to drive up the price of its products so that there is literally no maximum amount of profit a product can sell for. The name of the game is for buyers to outbid each other until one buyer finally makes a bid so high that no one else is willing to try to top them or the time for bidding has passed.

Registering to sell on e-Bay is simple. All a would-be seller needs to do is open a seller’s account, which can easily be done by following the instructions on e-Bay’s homepage, www.ebay.com. Once a seller account has been created the seller can begin to list their goods. It is free to establish a seller account; however, there are certain fees associated with selling on e-Bay, so it is necessary to determine if the potential profits justify the amount of these fees before committing to selling through this venue. Chances are the answer will be yes.

There are some steps which can be taken to make sure that the saltwater aquarium an individual is attempting to sell will sell quickly. Including a picture of the aquarium with the listing is important, as many novice aquatic enthusiasts will not recognize a written description of an aquarium. A picture will draw their attention. The one line description should include as much basic information pertaining to the aquarium as possible, as the attention span of most buyers is extraordinarily short and if it is not captured in a first glance their business will probably be lost. It is also important that the minimum bid be competitive with other, similar aquariums on e-Bay. It is free to search these listings, and it is not necessary to have an account to view them.

Selling an aquarium on e-Bay is an excellent way for a owner to recoup some of the money which they have invested in their marine life while at the same time assuring that their saltwater aquarium is going to a good home.