Once you have decided to buy and set up your aquarium, you must do some maintenance every now and then. This is to keep the aquarium pleasing to the eye and also to maintain the healthy environment inside the aquarium.
It is important that you keep the water at optimum temperature for your fish. Maintaining an ideal temperature will prevent growth of algae in your tank. It is recommended that the water temperature should be around 77 80 F. It is important that ideal pH for your fish is maintained and checked every now and then. The pH of the water is determined by ammonia and nitrate levels. High levels of these elements can produce a not so pleasant odour in your tank, and can also be quite toxic for your fish. Every week, you may need to change the water in your tank to regulate the levels of these chemicals. It is not necessary for you to change the entire water; doing so will only disrupt the established ecosystem in your tank. Removing and replacing a quarter of the water in the tank is just enough to prevent shocking your fish. It is also advised to invest on a good filter for your aquarium. The filter should work good enough to keep the water in your aquarium clean from any debris. You can clean the filter once a month, but not too much for there are beneficial bacteria living in the filter that can help maintain your tank.
No matter what fish type you have, aquarium maintenance is a must. It may be tedious, but it’s better compared to buying new sets of fish every now and then.
Adding Plants:
Plants are beautiful additions in your tank. The right plant in your tank will help produce the perfect biotope for your fish. Setting up fresh water plants and taking care of them is just easy and need no special way to maintain them.
When you choose the type of plant you want to grow in your tank, consider first your tank size. Small tanks would naturally require small species of plants. There are some plants that are highly beneficial by acting as food for your fish or as nitrate and ammonia regulators in your tank.
Before introducing the plant in your tank, it is safer to quarantine the plant for several days before you put it inside your main tank. Plants are just like fish and can carry some unwanted guests such as parasites, snails, shrimps, and even bacteria that can harm your fish. Carefully inspect the plant after quarantine before putting it inside the tank.
Lighting is also essential for plant growth. Each breed of plant would require various levels of lighting conditions. Some plants will do well without artificial light if you have enough sunlight filtering from your window. If not, a good daylight would be a good and cheap source of lighting for your plants. Do not, however, put your tank under direct sunlight as it would heat up the tank and cause excessive algal growth.
Make sure that your plant is entirely submerged. Some plants would want required to be tied to a bed of rock before the roots become established. Other plants do not require to be placed deep into the substrate; it is just a way of keeping them still when your fish becomes agitated or aggressive.
The best way to determine the type of plants that you can put in your fresh water tank is to see what biotope is best for your fish. Consider the natural habitat of your fish in the wild and you will have a general idea on what type of plant would be best suited.
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