Fish wish? Setting up an aquarium for the first time can be daunting for the novice fish friend. Or maybe you haven't had a fish tank in many years, and you long to return to the magic and mystery of having a small ocean or pond in a box in your home. These are basic tips and guidelines to help make your fish heather and promote a more enjoyable, fun experience with your aquarium - hopefully for many years to come.
Water:
Start out by treating your water. This is one of the most important elements of your tank. Don't take the water for granted. Use a tap water conditioner, which can be bought in most any pet supply store like PetSmart or PetCo. This will get rid of many of the unhealthy elements in the tap water. Don't ever change 100% of your aquarium water. The most you want to change is about twenty percent. Change the water about once a week.
Food:
Fish always seem to be hungry and feeding changes the water. So be careful that you don't over feed them. Feed them about once every other day. Overfeeding your fish will increase the ammonia level in your tank, which is damaging to them. You can feed treats to your fish as an occasional treat, just don't overdo doling out snacks. For example, blood worms and brine shrimp are good, nutritious treats. They aren't too pricey to buy and stock up on regularly.
Lighting:
You can turn your overhead tank light on for several hours a day to promote a 'day cycle' for your fish, and shut it off at night. As much as you may be tempted to place a fish tank near the window to exploit natural sunlight - DO NOT. This will promote algae growth because of exposure to sunlight.
Decorations:
It's great to have live plants, they help with the oxygenation of the water. Use several plants for maximum efficiency and to construct a nice, comfortable environment for the fish. Use common sense - don't crowd the fish in too much with too many decorations or props or crowd up their living space with lots of animated things which open and close. This may scare the fish into thinking the toy is some threat.
It's great to have live plants, they help with the oxygenation of the water. Use several plants for maximum efficiency and to construct a nice, comfortable environment for the fish. Use common sense - don't crowd the fish in too much with too many decorations or props or crowd up their living space with lots of animated things which open and close. This may scare the fish into thinking the toy is some threat.
Filter Maintenance:
Keeping a clean tank is essential for a lively and healthy aquarium. If you keep the water clean with regular changing, you won't overwork your filter. It will usually be a filter cartridge that can actually be rinsed and cleaned off in the sink and placed back into aquarium use. Eventually, you'll have to replace the filter, but by maintaining it well, it will last a long time.
Keeping a clean tank is essential for a lively and healthy aquarium. If you keep the water clean with regular changing, you won't overwork your filter. It will usually be a filter cartridge that can actually be rinsed and cleaned off in the sink and placed back into aquarium use. Eventually, you'll have to replace the filter, but by maintaining it well, it will last a long time.
Other
Heaters are used more for tropical fish. You really don't need one for goldfish. Never put your heater near your filter - they should be separated. The heater won't work as well if you place it next to your filter. The filter should be on one side, the heater should be on the other side of the tank.
Don't think this is just some animal that you can ignore. In many ways and for many reasons, they actually need more focused attention and loving care than many other pets. Fish are enjoyable to a family and can live long, but it takes more than just sprinkling some food and turning on the light each day to look after them.
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