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By Fish-Keeping Tips, July 24, 2009 3:30 am

Goldfish fry need to be cared for delicately. Beginners need to know a few things before trying to care for fry. They are very fragile, so you can easily cause harm. This article will give you a few tips on how to take care of a goldfish.

Food

After they hatch, you don’t have to feed them for a few days. For a few days after being born, they feed on their yolk sac. This lasts for about two days at which time they will start swimming around looking for food.

Strained egg yolk is their main food for about two weeks. Brine shrimp are suitable after two weeks or so. You should never let them be without food. The water should never be dirty for too long. It can easily be fatal to the fry.

Size

You should never have fry in the same tank as adult fish. Goldfish will eat anything, including small fry. Some fish will get bigger than the others. You will need to keep them in a separate tank.

Water

When they’re born, they measure about 1/8 inch and are very fragile. It’s important that the water level not be above six inches. Water over six inches deep may put too much weight on the fry and crush them. Also, you should maintain the temperature at 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

These are a few tips on caring for goldfish. Beginner’s should definitely click here to read even more about keeping goldfish. You’ll definitely how to keep your fish disease-free and happy.

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By Fish-Keeping Tips, July 22, 2009 1:02 am

Aquarium paraphernalia
To set up fish tanks you will need the following equipment: filter, heater, lighting, gravel, plants and décor. You will also want replacement filter media and aquarium test kits to examine water parameters and monitor the nitrogen cycle. I firmly advise buying complete system fish aquariums which come with all the necessary aquarium equipment. This means you are not bewildered as to what precisely you need for starting your fish tank or baffled by the range of various types of equipment on offer. Buying fish tank aquariums with everything you need gives you peace of mind and relieves a lot of pressure!

Setting up your aquarium
Before acquiring an aquarium you need to decide on the room you have available and research the adult size of the fish you would like to keep, both of which will indicate the size and shape of aquarium that would be appropriate. Considering all this has been carefully planned and your ideal aquarium is there with all the necessary equipment ready to be set up, you can follow these steps to stress-free successful aquarium setup.

1. Position aquarium (on a stand, if required) in an area away from direct sunlight, heat and draughts, as these change the light and temperature of the tank. Also make certain that the floor is able to carry the full weight of the aquarium when filled with water (approximately 10 pounds per gallon of water).

2. Wash out the tank with water as hot as you can tolerate. Do not use detergents or soaps as residue will be harmful for tropical freshwater fish.

3. Position the under-gravel filter in the bottom of the tank (if your aquarium comes with one), following the instructions given.

4. Rinse the gravel thoroughly in hot water using a sieve to take out any dust or fragments. Add the gravel to the tank, covering the under-gravel filter. Create a gentle slope of gravel, deepest at the back.

5. Clean all artificial decorations and plants in hot water and arrange in the aquarium.

6. Fasten the aquarium heater to the inside of the tank with its suction cups but do not plug it in for at least 30 minutes until the thermostat has adjusted to the water temperature, otherwise the heater may break. Obviously, you need to have researched the species you intend to keep to learn about specific temperature needs.

7. Set up the aquarium filter following the instructions given, putting the filter media inside.

8. Rest a dish on the bottom of the aquarium to break the power of the water and fill the aquarium with water that is at room temperature. Add de-chlorinator to the water if you are using unfiltered tap water. Check for any rare leaks as you fill the tank. (They are easily repaired with aquarium silicone).

9. Unless the aquarium lighting is previously fitted underwater, put the light on top.

10. Plug in all the equipment and ensure that everything is working properly. Make sure there is a dip in the cord before it reaches the electrical outlet, known as a ‘drip loop’. This ensures the water drips off onto the floor and does not pass directly into the electrical socket.

Your aquarium is now functional in its self but is still not ready for supporting tropical freshwater fish. Good bacteria needs to be established first, and the aquarium environment then needs to change as new fish are gradually added.

How to continue after initial aquarium setup
Allow the tank to settle and the water stabilize for some days. Throughout this time you should keep monitoring the water parameters using aquarium test kits to make certain they are suitable for the fish you propose to have (temperature, ammonia, pH, hardness, ).

Nitrogen cycle
You will then have to begin the nitrogen cycle so your aquarium will be ready to sustain healthy freshwater fish (see linked article ‘Setting-Up Tropical Freshwater Fish Tank Aquariums: The Nitrogen Cycle’ at ezinearticles.com).

Aquarium care
When the nitrogen cycle is finished and you start adding fish to your aquarium, you need to set in motion a maintenance schedule. On a daily basis check that fish are healthy, particularly during feeding times, and make sure that the filters and heaters are operating well. Clean your tank every one to two weeks and perform 25% water changes once a month.

Copyright © 2009 Jill Kaestner @ Kaestner Marketing LLC

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By admin, July 21, 2009 12:15 am

“Keep a vibrant aquarium and enjoy a tranquil home”
Anonymous

Aquarium Maintenance

I often wondered why countless people continued to question me on how to
set-up and maintain an aquarium. I mean, it is apparent that there are
numerous books available claiming to be the ultimate reference book on
aquarium maintenance. The realization eventually dawned on me when I
understood that many books are both, overcomplicated and difficult to
follow.

There was a definite call from budding aquarists for a more simplistic guide
dedicated to maintenance at a professional level. Few people seem to have
the time to source and read an array of text books in the hope to find the
solution to their ongoing challenge in keeping their aquarium maintenance
straight forward.

This book is designed as an easy read, and yet includes information to
equip hobbyists with all the information needed to successfully install and
maintain an aquarium to the highest standard. The 10 Rules will assure
success when followed and applied properly. In fact, these Rules must be
adhered to should you wish to benefit from a healthy aquarium displaying
vibrant fish.

You could say that the book “Take Charge of Your Aquarium” is unique in
the fact that it follows a logical process, and keeps running-an-aquarium
as easy as possible without any unnecessary fuss. Whether you decide to
read the entire story, or simply refer to the 10 Rules for guidance (page 14),
it will definitely make your fishkeeping a lot easier.

Welcome to hassle-free Fish-Keeping.

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By admin, July 4, 2009 8:04 am

Cloudy Fish Tank Water – remedied with Optimal Filtration

Aquarium filters are being constantly updated and quickly becoming highly sophisticated. The options are varied and probably slightly overwhelming for hobbyists starting-out. It is beneficial to select a filtration unit which is suitable for the size of your tank as-well-as the number of fish being introduced. A word to the wise, choosing the best possible filter will greatly aid you in keeping your aquarium water clean and healthy, so preparation is a key factor.

The internal filter is the simplest of filters and is often referred to as a foam filter. These are small and adequate for small tanks with tiny fish. They are also strong enough to service a small dedicated quarantine/hospital aquarium. An internal filter is positioned inside the aquarium and usually allow for mechanical, chemical and biological filtration.

Internal power filters are differ from the simpler internal filters in that they are positioned further near the bottom of the tank and filter sediment before it accumulates on the marine gravel (substrate) on the bottom of the aquarium. These air-powered filters ensure good filtration in small aquariums and are fairly inexpensive.

Power filters are favoured by hobbyists because of their ease of use and overall effectiveness. They are attached by hanging off the rear of the aquarium and work extremely well. Power filters suite the small to medium sized aquariums and produce good mechanical, chemical and biological filtration. Inexperienced aquarium hobbyists choose these filters for their easily replaceable filter cartridges which facilitate keeping maintenance easy.

Substrate filters or gravel filters are positioned underneath the aquarium substrate. The under-gravel type filter is highly effective at filtering water through the substrate and thereby keeping it clean. These filters may prove unsuitable for the planted aquarium due to the fact that they may remove the highly desirable nutrients from the plant gravel. The biological filters feature a replaceable cartridge and work well at dissipating cloudy water in the aquarium. These filters suite fish tanks with lighter fish colonies.

Canister Filters are an all time favourite because it features a highly sophisticated mechanical, chemical and biological filtration capability. This filter is highly suited to the larger aquarium or an aquarium with a higher fish density. These filters make it far easier to maintain optimal water quality and work amazingly well in planted aquariums as well as salt water aquariums or reef tanks. The canister filters are designed to incorporate several media types layered on top of each other and can therefore accommodate a significant amount of media. These filters involve more work in maintaining and yet, despite this, are still revered by experience aquarists who enjoy the superior filtration power.

High Tech Filters are slowly becoming more popular by aquarists who keep salt water aquariums and reef tanks with delicate corals. They are expensive to purchase and this prohibitive cost often deters most hobbyists from going down this avenue. These come with numerous gadgets which regulate the filter for optimal filtration and are often customable for particular requirements. These filters are occasional referred to as Wet/Dry external breather filters. The wet/dry technology of this external canister filter replenishes and empties the canister on a regular basis. This process ensures the biological media is highly oxygenated and the purification process is very effective. The wet/dry filters provide the ultimate cleanse and are suited to large aquariums.

http://www.keeping-aquariums-easy.com