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December 13th, 2009 by Linda Marshall

In their natural surroundings, it is common for fish to eat only when they are hungry. Whenever there is an abundance of food, fish eat much food however, when there is not much food they can go for several days without eating. This trend has made fish to become opportunistic in that whenever they get much food they make sure they have eaten to their full.

Food given to fish usually depends on their nature, whether they are omnivorous, carnivorous or herbivorous. Before you get the fish, it is wise to find out seek information regarding their type from the supplier.

In case the fish look like a catfish, then most probably they are in the fresh water category and this means that their choice of food entails algae pellets, wafers and fish flakes. Saltwater fish favor veggie clips and sea weed because of their herbivorous nature and therefore these will have to be bought and put inside the tank. Some plankton and emerald entry form can be used to supplement the diet which is herbivorous.

Carnivorous fish species require different types of meat which should be chopped up into small pieces. This includes chopped fish, shrimp and clams. Frozen food can also be given to the carnivorous fish such as mysis and brine shrimp. All of these foods can be purchased from various pet stores.

Immature fish like mollies or guppies require baby fish food, which is also available in pet stores. This food is small enough to fit inside the mouths of these minute fish. If fed with flakes they have to be crushed to reduce their size.

The diet favored by goldfish is very specific and it includes flakes or pellets of high quality as well as veggie diet consisting of zucchini, cucumber green peas, water lettuce, shrimp pellets, bloodworms and duckweed. Tropical fish should not share an aquarium with goldfish.

A reason for this is they have different kinds of diet which do not complement the different nutritional needs they have. Gold fish are also known to release ammonia in high amounts which tropical fish cannot handle. To establish the amount of food to be eaten by the fish try and find out the amount they can handle within five minutes and this will give you the needed amount.

There is no set frequency for the feeding of the fish but they may be fed up to five times a day. It is important to note that it is not just the amount but also the quality of food that matters for fish.

Learn more about fish tanks. Stop by Linda Marshall’s site where you can find out all about fish tanks and what they can do for you.

December 2nd, 2009 by Linda Marshall

Keeping of aquariums in homes is gaining popularity and people have various reasons for doing so. One popular reason for keeping aquariums is to beautify the place. One important aspect of successfully keeping fish is lighting, which is quite challenging for those keeping fish for the first time.

The reason for this challenge is due to the availability of different types of lighting that can be displayed in the aquarium. The various lighting available are normal fluorescent lights, metal halide, VHO fluorescent, compact fluorescent, high fluorescent and Light Emitting Diodes (LED).

The type of lighting needed for one’s tank is determined by what will be kept in the tank. If one intends to keep only a few fish, they can use a single lamp for their lighting. Regardless of what type of lighting is needed, one should keep in mind that the fish in the tank will need the light only at certain times.

This is because too much light will be intolerable while too little of it will make them lose their color and feel listless as well. One should also go for lamps that with the ability to give out more red tone lighting that is the best option for illuminating the fish. Incandescent lighting is the best for this type of aquarium as it offers various bulb strengths and colors.

The depth of the fish tank is important factor to consider when choosing the proper lighting needed. Deep aquariums require more lighting compared to shallow tanks. The perfect light for these tanks is metal halide. Deep tanks can also be fitted with compact bulbs, which are affordable and are long lasting. Those having fish plants should exercise caution when they are deciding the appropriate light for their fish tank.

The reason behind this is that fish plants are affected by light and if the lighting is poor the plants will grow poorly or cease from growing. When deciding on the right lamp to use, make it a priority to purchase lamps that have red wavelength emissions. The next factor to consider is the cost of the aquarium lighting; the prices of the lamps will vary depending on the lighting selected. Keep in mind that plants and fish tend to be healthy when in a properly lit environment. Furthermore, the aesthetic appeal of the fish tank is enhanced.

Learn more about fish tanks. Stop by Linda Marshall’s site where you can find out all about fish tanks and what they can do for you.

November 22nd, 2009 by Leonard Boyler

Deciding what kind of fish you want is just one of the first steps in setting up an aquarium. Your local pet store will offer a myriad of choices inside all those colorful tanks lined up on their wall. The question is, which to get?

If you are new to fish keeping, this can be an overwhelming task. But before you choose what particular fish you like, consider these three important questions. One, exactly how big can this fish get? Two, what quality of water does the fish require? And three, will the fish peacefully coexist with the others I want?

You can choose to get small fish, about an inch or less, usually called community fish. Many fish keepers prefer to populate their tanks with several groups of community fish like Platies, swordtails, guppies, and dwarf Gourami. Refrain from putting different varieties of fish in one tank unless you have it on good authority that they will get along well together. Community fish are used to swimming in schools, so remember to buy more than one so they don’t get lonely. A gallon of aquarium water for an inch of fish is the rule of thumb for small fish.

Most other species of fish will grow much larger, anywhere between six inches and several feet. With a few exceptions, these are best kept alone, as they will attack smaller or weaker fish. If you do select one of these larger species, you’ll need an aquarium size to match. Keeping one of these species in a ten gallon tank is possible when they are very young, but you will need to upgrade eventually.

It will be better to just purchase the aquarium that can accommodate their adult size, when you first get your fish. Once you’ve selected the kind of fish you want, find out the maximum size they will grow to, then buy the appropriate aquarium.

A few varieties of fish can live in almost any water condition. The most popular of these is goldfish. They are known to be almost indestructible, and will probably survive even without lights or a filter on the tank, although this is not recommended.

The slightly more picky tropical fish need a narrower water temperature range, as well as high-quality water. To achieve the water quality these fish need, test your water frequently, use a good filter on the aquarium, and consider products like the EcoBio-Block, which improves your aquarium water quality and reduces maintenance. Some fish need a specific pH, or have other water quality requirements. Be sure to do your research so that the fish you choose have similar water requirements.

The last category of fish includes saltwater or marine varieties. These are tricky to keep, and are best left until you have fishkeeping experience with freshwater fish. In addition to temperature, light, and water quality requirements, you must also keep an eye on the salt levels in the aquarium. These beautiful fish require a lot of work to keep them healthy, and you cannot mix freshwater fish with saltwater varieties.

And lastly, examine every fish closely before you buy them. Check that they have healthy bright eyes, intact tails and fins, no missing scales or injury of any kind. Observe if they have healthy appetites and a high level of activity. Choose only bright and healthy looking fish.

As you can see, choosing your fish is an important factor when creating your aquarium and good choices will mean many years of enjoyment to come.

Leonard Boyler has been keeping fish for more than two decades. His favorite products make aquarium care and maintenance so easy from start up to clearing up cloudy fish tanks. To find out more about keeping the water clear and having healthy fish, please visit ONEdersave.com.

November 7th, 2009 by Lane Jordan

An aquarium is designed to replace the fish natural habitat allowing them to be displayed in homes, offices or other places for purposes of decoration. Prior to buying a fish tank, there are some factors that must be considered.

The fish type that the tank is to hold is one factor that must be considered. Keep in mind that some fish will need a spacious space that can only be provided by a large tank. On the contrary, small fish will live comfortably in small aquariums. Make sure that the fish tank purchased is able to accommodate the required quantity of fish.

The available space in the home is another important factor that must considered. For an individual intending to start keeping fish as pet, it is good to choose a fairly small aquarium, for instance a five gallon fish tank. Those having limited space ought to consider keeping a small number of fish.

They should not use a fish bowl since the maintenance involved is restrictive. The shape of the tank is also considered when obtaining the fish tank. The most common shapes of fish tanks are the rectangular and hexagonal. One can also find bubble tanks that are round in shape and coffee table tanks as well as slender fish tanks that can fit through walls.

It is important to keep in mind the location where the tank will be placed when considering which shape of tank to buy. The location chosen should be ideal. Rectangular shaped fish tanks are ideal for ensuring the fish live in a healthy environment and the water stays fresh. This is because the surface area in these tanks is wide and this allows for proper circulation of air inside the aquarium.

The rectangular aquarium permits gases to be exchanged freely within the fish tank allowing the tank to remain healthy. On the other hand, hexagonal tanks do not support proper aeration, while at the same time they are quite hard to maintain. These tanks also support a limited quantity of fish.

The location where the tank will be kept should also be considered when determining the tank to acquire with regard to the weight of the tank. The weight of the tank will tend to dictate the location selected for the tank since it should be able to support the weight and still retain stability.

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October 19th, 2009 by Leonard Boyler

If you are setting up an aquarium and you don’t yet have any decorations or plants, you may notice that your tank looks incomplete. In fact, plants aren’t just decorative, but a necessary addition to your aquarium. Aquarium plants provide hiding spots for your fish, making them more comfortable in the tank.

There are two main choices for aquarium plants: real and fake. Keeping real plants alive requires specialized care, above and beyond keeping your fish alive. Plastic plants, on the other hand, are easy to care for, even if it’s your first aquarium.

Plastic plants are more durable and require very little maintenance. They only need the occasional cleaning with a brush. Plastic plants come in wonderful colors that are sometimes even more vibrant than real plants. Just remember to choose colors that will not stress your fish. Some fish will automatically adjust their color to blend in or to appear less conspicuous to avoid attracting predators.

Another kind of fake plant that you can buy is the silk plant. They are more realistic but admittedly, more expensive than plastic plants. Just be sure to buy those designed for aquarium use and not the ordinary craft store variety, which might be unsafe to put in aquariums.

Fresh plants will give your aquarium a more realistic environment. However, like some of your fish, they survive only in specific pH levels or water temperatures. Determine first the needs of your fish, and then find the plant that will thrive in the same environment.

Besides being more realistic, there are additional benefits to using real plants. Some fish will only breed in a planted tank. Fresh plants also help in the nitrogen cycle by using nitrates, and add oxygen to the water. Live plants are eaten by many fish varieties, and for these herbivores, fresh plants are the most natural food source.

Despite their benefits, fresh plants can be hard to care for. Many varieties require specialized fertilizers or lighting. No plants can grow in the dark; lights are necessary for photosynthesis, which happens in aquatic plants just like in your garden plants. Some aquarium plants require more lighting than others. Many require special aquarium-specific plant fertilizers. Never use your garden fertilizer on your aquarium plants, because doing so will likely kill your plants and your fish.

Unlike fake plants, cleaning fresh plants must be done in the aquarium where they are planted. Over time, dead and decaying leaves will accumulate on the bottom of your tank and will reduce water quality. You can prevent this by pruning the dying parts of your plant and by using a special product like EcoBio-Block. This product can provide the beneficial bacteria needed to convert the organic wastes, such as decaying plants, into safer by-products that will keep your water clean and healthy. With proper care and maintenance, real live plants will really give your aquarium the ideal natural habitat that your fish need.

Leonard Boyler has been keeping fish for more than 20 years. His favorite products make aquarium care and maintenance really easy from start up to clarifying cloudy fish tanks. To find out more about how to keep your water clear and your fish healthy, please visit ONEdersave.com.