Technical Stuff (7)
Better understand the fish tank and its requirements.
pH | Nitrogen Compounds | Phosphate | Silicate | Chlorine Water Hardness General Hardness (GH) GH primarily measures calcium and magnesium ions. It is important for breeders (some species require very soft water, which is hard to maintain, requiring constant monitoring for maximum success). Other then choosing the right fish for the existing conditions, the GH is not all that important for the average hobbyist. Common measurements use ppm and the equivalent mg/l. The conversion…
The correct aquarium lighting depends on the individual set-up and the light requirements of the tanks inhabitants. Lighting influences the growth of your plants, corals, and invertebrates as well as the behavior of your fish. Incorrect lighting will result in many problems, as it is directly related to photosynthesis, CO2, and nutrients.
All living organism contain phosphorus. Phosphorus is an important element of life as a component for cell membranes, as an energy source, and for other bio-chemical processes. Phosphorus is a very reactive component making it readily absorbed and generally available in aquatic environments as either an organic or inorganic phosphate. Phosphates (PO4) can be created within the closed aquatic system or imported from the outside. Phosphate as a by-product of mineralization of dead matter such…
Oxygen is an aquarium subject that is not often discussed or taken under consideration. Obviously, fish need oxygen to breathe, plants need oxygen at night and the beneficial bacteria need oxygen to break down (oxygenate) waste. Basically everything that dies off or decays in the aquarium requires and therefore depletes oxygen. Unhealthy or dead plants, decaying live rock and live sand, and uneaten food just to name a few. Organic acids, proteins, and carbohydrates can…
The Classic Approach When setting up an aquarium, buy some cheap, hardy fish and get the cycle started. These fish have been given names like starter fish, suicide fish, disposables, and so on. The purpose of starter fish is to provide ammonia through respiration, fish waste, and decaying food. The ammonia allows the first set of nitrifying bacteria to colonize, and initiates the cycling of the tank. During this time of cycling, ammonia and nitrites…
Aquarium substrate has various functions and should be chosen according to the type of tank, i.e. freshwater, planted, fish-only, reef, etc. In general, the substrate provides the fish with an orientation. Glass bottoms can irritate the fish, especially if the light is being reflected from the fixture on top of the tank. Next to “orientation” and a more natural look, the substrate is breeding and colonizing grounds for the beneficial bacteria and other microscopic life…
Next to food and maintenance products, the biggest cost of maintaining an aquarium is the energy consumption required to run the equipment. Filters, lights, powerheads, heaters, protein skimmers, air pumps, water pumps, uv-filters etc., more or less constantly consume energy. General Consumption Based on a freshwater fish only aquarium at about 72 F, the total consumption for a small tank (10 Gallons) is about 150 kWh a year. A medium tank (30 Gallons) will run…
