Aquarium Basics (12)
A wide variety of articles for fish keeping basics.
One should think, starting out with a new hobby is like learning by trial and error, or better, learning by doing. Unfortunately a certain amount of knowledge is required to start the hobby of fish keeping. The understanding of what is going on inside the tank, as you can't see, feel or smell pH, hardness, ammonia and such. Pouring in one load of chemicals after the other and trusting this will solve problems overnight, will…
If you are thinking about setting up an aquarium for the first time, here are our two cents on what to consider: The first thing you should do is get it out of your head that an aquarium might be too much work. The people that usually make this claim have probably attempted an aquarium once in their lives and most likely failed to succeed due to a lack of one thing: Knowledge. If you…
A description of the most common algae species found in the aquarium Hair Algae Hair algae (aka, filamentous or thread algae) is generally light green in color but also appears in dark green to green brown colors. It grows in strings (filaments) and can attach to almost every surface. While its growth rate varies, it is mostly very rapid. This species is a hitchhiker and mostly imported by plants, snails, fish, driftwood, etc.The most common…
Tank / Aquarium Selection An aquarium is a closed replica of a natural ecosystem. The smaller the copy, the more difficult it is to maintain. A common misconception is that small tanks are ideal for beginners. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Ideal beginner tank is around 30 Gallons. The cost of a 10 Gallon tank compared to a 30 Gallon tank may initially seem somewhat substantial, however the money spent trying to…
Any aquarium owner would immediately have to say yes! Bigger is better. And we do not intend to say otherwise. In reality a small 10 gallon aquarium should only be attempted by a seasoned hobbyist due to its delicate balance. So why are there so many small aquarium owners? The answer must be price! Buying a complete ‘aquarium kit’ seems not only practical, but also sensible since the total cost appears to be the sticker…
What about 1, 2, 5 and 10 Gallon aquariums? Can these be successfully maintained? Of course they can. In this article we discuss several key issues for the successful “mini” fishhabitat. Not included in this article are “fish bowls”. A small aquarium is likely to be cheaper than a bowl and can be equipped with the fundamentals that are essential for successful fish keeping. If you decide on a smaller tank, you will have to…
The rule of thumb for aquarium stocking rates is commonly considered one inch of fish for every 2 gallons of freshwater; and one inch per three gallons of saltwater. This rule is based on small bodied fish such as neon tetras and similar sized fish. A wide spread misconception about stocking an aquarium is that fish growth is depended on the size of the aquarium. Fish will grow to their potential, and while stunted growth…
Feeding your fish an improper diet is as common a mistake as overfeeding. Providing the correct diet is essential for fish growth and health. Dietary deficiencies will not only shorten the lifespan of fish and cause many diseases, but will also contribute to a deteriorating water quality by polluting the water. The diet of fish varies based on their individual nutritional needs. Some require meaty foods (carnivores), some plants (herbivores) and some a combination of…
Overfeeding results in the accumulation of waste simply because your fish may not be able to eat all the food and/or because of increased amounts of waste produced by your fish by eating more then they really need. Human beings are hot-blooded, meaning we have to get energy in form of food in order to maintain and stabilize our temperature. Fish are cold blooded, and their temperature is controlled by the environment they’re in. The…
Brackish habitats can be found in nature throughout the world where river deltas meet the ocean. These environments are known as estuaries, mangrove forests or swamps. The brackish aquarium is home to many popular fish in the hobby such as the dog faced puffer, monos, scats, shark catfish, mollies, gobies, spiny eels and killifish to name a few. The set up for this type of aquarium is not different to the common saltwater tank. The…
Early cultures such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans are known to have kept fish other then for the purpose of consumption as food. Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) started documenting the science of fish (Ichthyology) by writing about habits and defining local fish species. The most important contributor to the popularity of keeping aquariums and ornamental fish nevertheless, is the Goldfish, which was first documented in 960 during the Sung Dynasty in China. Ponds stocked with…
Most aquarium fish today are commercially bred. Not only does this save time and cost, but it also leaves the natural habitat undisturbed. Further advantages are hardier fish, and higher availability. Breeding Fish in captivity has opened the hobby in a broad range. The fish listed below only represents an overview of some of the more popular species. It is by no means all inclusive. Since the instincts of the fish are inherited it does…
