Starting a Freshwater Aquarium
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Establishing Feeding Your Fish Biological Filtration It is best to feed your fish only enough food Starting a that it can eat in five minutes. If food is sitting Biological filtration is simply the action of on the bottom of the aquarium or bowl, the beneficial bacteria in the aquarium consuming fish have been overfed. Overfeeding Freshwater fish waste. Fish release urine, ammonia, and promotes fish waste (ammonia) to build up to solid waste into the aquarium water. This fish a harmful level, and is one of the major Aquarium waste can build up, especially during the first causes of fish loss. few weeks of starting a new aquarium. Fortunately beneficial bacteria convert fish waste into harmless nitrate. This bacteria Cleaning Your Aquarium takes time to develop. If too many fish or too much food are added at one time, the Dirty aquariums not only look bad, they are also unhealthy for fish. By following a few ammonia and nitrite levels will reach simple maintenance steps your aquarium will poisonous levels. To help start the process, always look beautiful. we suggest adding beneficial bacteria to the aquarium. Weekly Ammonia and nitrite levels should be tested Test the pH, ammonia, and nitrite levels. twice a week after the first fish are added. Regular water testing is the only way to monitor water quality in the aquarium. The The levels will rise and fall as the biological filter develops. As the biological filter grows pH level may shift over time and require an adjustment. The ammonia and nitrite levels it will convert the ammonia to nitrite and then should always be zero. to nitrate. Once the biological filter is established, ammonia and nitrite will remain at zero levels. It usually takes about four Monthly weeks for the biological filter to become Clean the filter and add new Activated established. Carbon. Change about 20% of the water. Partial water changes remove excess A few days after fish are added to the pollutants and algae-promoting nutrients. The easiest way to make a partial water change is aquarium, the water may turn cloudy. This is normal and happens to most new aquariums. with a gravel siphon. Gravel siphons remove In a few days, the cloud will disappear as the debris from the gravel while removing aquarium becomes established. Make sure to unwanted pollutants from the aquarium. only use the light in your aquarium a When adding new water, be sure to use a maximum of 12 hours per day, as it will cause water conditioner and test the pH level before algae to develop. adding to the aquarium. Clean the inside of the aquarium with an algae scraper. As soon as the biological filter is established, more fish can be added. Add only one or two Do right by your pet. fish per week since the biological filter will Do right by our environment. need to multiply to consume the additional Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council Don't release unwanted pets. fish waste. www.pijac.org Visit Habitattitude™ on www.pijac.org Starting Your Aquarium Hood. The hood reduces water evaporation Choosing Your Fish and minimizes the risk that the fish will jump When starting a new aquarium, the first few When choosing fish for your freshwater out of the aquarium. Adding a light fixture to weeks are always the most challenging. The aquarium, consider the following: the hood will enhance your viewing 1. What do they fish eat? three most common problems are making tap experience. water safe for fish, adding fish too quickly, 2. How big do the fish get? and overfeeding. With a little knowledge and 3. Does the fish want friends? guidance, these problems are easy to avoid. What Else Do I Need? The following will provide the basic Decorations. Adding decorations to your information necessary to have a successful aquarium provides a hiding place for your Adding Fish to aquarium. fish during times of stress. You should only an Aquarium use decorations, such as gravel, ornaments, Once your aquarium has been cleaned, and plants, designed for use with fish. Selecting Your Aquarium decorations added, water conditioned, pH Your first decision is to select an aquarium. levels tested and/or adjusted, and the correct Aquarium Cleaner. Household cleaning Available in a variety of sizes and shapes, a temperature has been established, you are products are harmful to fish so make sure you larger aquarium allows you to have a greater ready to add your fish. Only add a couple of purchase aquarium cleaner. number of fish, more diversity, and keeps the fish until the natural balance of the tank has water chemistry more stable because of the been established. Add fish in order of least larger volume of water. Water Conditioner. Tap water can be full of aggressive to most aggressive. dangerous chemicals that can harm your fish, such as chlorine and chloramines. These are Whenever fish are netted and handled, their The Equipment poisonous to fish. Water conditioner will protective slime coat is rubbed off. When You will need four major pieces of instantly neutralize the chemicals in tap adding fish to any aquarium, be sure to add equipment. water, making the water safe for your fish. additional water conditioner to help relieve stress. The best method to add new fish is to Heater. Tropical fish require a steady water Aquarium Salt. Electrolytes are essential for float the unopened bag of fish in their new temperature of 76º to 78ºF. Fluctuating water the uptake of oxygen and release of carbon home for 10 minutes to allow the fish to temperature stresses fish, making them more dioxide and ammonia through the gills. Without adjust to the water temperature. Then, open vulnerable to disease. High quality aquarium the proper amount of electrolytes, fish cannot the bag and gently release the fish into their heaters minimize water temperature breathe properly, making them more vulnerable new home. The bag water may contain fish fluctuations. The heater wattage required will to disease. Aquarium salt adds the important waste (ammonia), so try to avoid adding the vary depending on the size of your aquarium. electrolytes fish need to help them breathe bag water to the aquarium. easier and remain active. Filter. Aquarium filters remove debris and harmful pollution while adding oxygen to the pH Test Kit. Tap water may not have the water. The larger the filter, the less often you right pH for tropical fish. A range of 6.5 to will need to perform maintenance. Select a 7.5 is acceptable for a community aquarium. filter that has a good flow rate and a large Research the pH level of the fish you wish to area to hold filter media. include in your aquarium to ensure they will thrive. In addition to a pH test kit, make sure Air Pump. Air pumps create bubbles that to purchase products to adjust the pH level. agitate the water’s surface, adding oxygen to the water. And of course, don’t forget the fish food! .