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September 14th, 2009 by Guss Fitzgerald

The aquarium is your own version of the sea world. You want to make your fish live in harmony with its environment, even though they are out of the wild. You use aquarium lighting not only to add beauty to their world but to also for better living conditions. There are different types of lights to choose from, and having these lights would depend on what you want them to do.

Aquarium lighting serves a variety of purposes, and one of these is for aesthetics. Lights can be used to make the tank look better and to highlight certain areas of your aquarium. Another reason is enhanced visibility. With illumination, different types of the fish can be seen better. They also look better when viewed from outside the tank. Aside from that, it would be easier to spot abnormalities or problems with the fish when sufficient lighting is present.

With visibility, you also consider aesthetics, but it serves a more practical purpose. With more lighting, different types of fish are more visible and easier to observe. This makes it easier to see if the fish is acting strange or have a disease. This allows you to detect and address possible issues early on before they get worse.

The more important issue is the type of fish and creatures that you have on your tank. This is true if you have corals, reefs, and other invertebrates. Since these creatures need light of specific intensity and wavelength, having the right amount of light ensure that these will survive in your tank. You can also use aquarium lighting to reflect the natural environment of some types of fish. For example, you can use bright lights to simulate the heat of the sun for tropical fish. Though not really essential, this kind of lighting can help new tropical fish adapt to their new environment. Also part of the consideration is the number of fish you have and the size of your tank.

Other considerations would be the size of the tank, the number and type of fish you have in the tank. For example, you may want to put in lights that mimic sunlight for tropical fish. Now that you have an idea of some of the reasons for installing aquarium lights, here are the types of aquarium lights available for you. These differ in the lights that they provide, the purpose that they serve, and the advances in lighting technology.

Incandescent lights cost less compared to fluorescent lights. When setting up a fish tank for the first, these are the kinds of lights you’d likely consider because of budget considerations. The disadvantage is that these lights heat up fast, break down easily, and consume more electricity.

Speaking about better light and energy efficiency, fluorescent lights fit the bill. These lights last longer, consume less electricity, and give out brighter lights. Aside from that, fluorescent lights also come in different types so you have more choices for your aquarium lights.

New technology can offer better lighting and more durability together with energy efficiency. Power compacts are a good example of this. These lights are a level-up of florescent lamps. These also present the same advantages of fluorescent lamps, but gives out light of higher intensity. These lights are also energy-efficient, durable, and less costly to maintain. They usually come in U-shaped tubes, while you can also find models that have coils on them. There are different types to choose from, so you’re not limited in your selection.

Power compacts are considered upgrades from your fluorescent lamps. Power compacts produce light of higher intensity, and also have the durability and energy efficiency of fluorescent lamps. These lights also come in different types and wavelengths, so if you need a specific wavelength, you can find one for your needs. These lights are usually U-shaped, while you can also find some that are coiled.

Guss Fitzgerald is a hobbyist who has kept aquarium fish for many years. He has gained much of his knowledge of the various types of aquarium lighting from studying books and his own personal experience. To find out more about keeping a fish tank please visit MarineDepot.com.

August 25th, 2009 by John Stoner

If you have looked at Koi pond filtration systems lately you know there are many choices. Well it is no different when it comes to the filtration media that is available. I get asked all the time about what is the best media to use.

There are two types of filtering to be accomplished – mechanical and biological. All media performs one or the other or both. They are both required for your Koi pond so what do they do? Well the mechanical filtration media removes large particulate waste material. Biological filtration fosters the growth of beneficial bacteria that breaks down pollutants in the water.

For biological filtering Japanese matting is one of your best choices. It is made from thousands of tiny fiber strands formed into a sheet or mat. The only thing to remember is not to use for mechanical filtering. The large waste particles will clog it quickly. You end up cleaning it very often and it will finally fail.

Another good type of biological filter medium is bacballs. They are easy to work with and clean. Again, don’t use them in the early stages of the filter system as they too may become clogged and require cleaning often. Bioflow and flocor are plastic pieces that are light weight and easy to clean and good for biological filtering. Aquarock is another good media for biological filters.

If you don’t have a vortex chamber as your first stage of filtration, you will want to use brushes in the first stage to trap the large solid waste material. Brushes are easy to work with and clean. You can be sure they will need frequent cleaning depending on the waste load of your Koi pond.

So what is a good setup? Well the answer might be different depending on who you ask but here are some suggestions. If you have a pump-fed multi-chamber system without a vortex you would want to consider having brushes in chamber one, followed by flocor or bioflow in stage two, followed by Japanese matting in stage three. If you have additional chambers consider adding matting, foam or Aquarock.

Regardless of what your exact setup is, there are many options available. Do a little homework and see what is available. Alternatively the setup I have described will serve you well.

August 20th, 2009 by John Stoner

Have you ever wondered why so few Koi ponds are heated? Well heating a Koi pond was an expensive process and few Koi owners could handle the cost. Also Koi ponds were usually found only in the warmer climates where heating was never considered necessary. Today Koi are being exported to all parts of the world where heating is much more a necessity. In addition the cost of heating Koi ponds has become much less expensive and well within the reach of many more owners.

My advice to most Koi owners is unless you live in the warmest of climates, consider heating your pond. By heating we’re not just talking about keeping it ice free in the winter. You want to maintain a minimum temperature of 54 – 57F. This will reduce dangerous fluctuations in temperature and allow your Koi to feed all year long.

Remember that most of the fish that being imported into the colder climates have not been exposed to low temperatures in the cold months. Heating could prevent many problems and safeguard the health of your fish. You’ve made the investment, why not protect it.

There are basically two ways to heat your Koi pond. The simplest to install and most efficient is the in-line electric water heater. The heater is fitted into the return pipe after the external pump if one is used in a gravity-fed system. You should figure about one kilowatt of electrical power per 1,000 gallons of water. Depending on the ambient temperature of the water this might vary. I always suggest getting a heater a little more powerful than you need so that it won’t have to run continuously in the coldest months.

The other alternative is the heat exchanger. These are more expensive to put in but make up for it in operating costs savings. The heat exchanger is basically a radiator that that pond water is pumped through to warm. The radiator is fired by gas, oil, or electricity.

Whether or not you heat your Koi pond, it is always a good idea to cover it in the cold months. Just don’t make it to air tight. The best covers have zipped openings to allow gases that build up to escape and to allow access to the fish if needed. The Koi pond heater is fast becoming a very popular option for ponds. In fact, some would argue that it is no longer just an option but rather a necessity especially in the colder climates.

July 28th, 2009 by Bella Holly

Usually freshwater fish are considered the pets for people that are either lazy or don’t really want to take care of something They may like the idea of a pet but perhaps one that you don’t have to interact with as often as others, underestimating the responsibility of freshwater fish care. Well, fish can be the pet for you but it is wise to understand that fish can’t just be tossed into a tank and then left until they die. This is not proper handling of fish and they do require that you actually know a little something about them.

First before you buy any fish make sure that you do adequate research concerning the fish of your choice; but take your time, as there are many types of freshwater fish. Make sure you don’t put various types of aggressive fish in the same tank. This will lead to an early destruction of your tank. Also when researching the fish you want to make sure to understand what kind of habitat they need. Since we are doing a freshwater tank make sure the fish aren’t saltwater fish. This is another guaranteed way to end the life of the fish quickly..

Of course you should quickly develop a dependable feeding schedule for your fish. Always consult the company that you buy the fish from to fully understand the type of food needed and how often it should be given to them.. You don’t want to under-feed or over-feed your fish if you can help it. So again research is an adequate process here like other pets.

Cleaning the fish tank is a very important aspect of fish maintenance, yet one that doesn’t have to be done everyday. The general tip is that one third of the water in the tank should be changed out monthly to ensure that the fish have a clean, healthy environment. Remember–fish breathe through the water in the tank, and if it’s too dirty, they won’t be able to breath very well.

If you keep these tips in mind when tending to your freshwater aquarium fish, you are sure to have a wonderful experience with your new pet(s).

May 11th, 2009 by John Smith

One of the first pets that children would be eager to take responsibility for is the goldfish. Goldfish are easily the most common and rewarding of all pets for budding fish enthusiasts or little kids. Goldfish are very visually appealing and available in many colors, goldfish are very simple to take care of and raise, provided they are encased in a safe, healthy and comfortable environment. What people dont realize is that goldfish should not be housed in a bowl and that picking an aptly sized bowl is the key to proper and well delivered goldfish care.

When you decide to get a goldfish as a pet, it’s important to get a good tank for your new goldfish so your pet lives a long time. Your fish tanks size will depends on a lot of factors. Goldfish are a fish species that requires a large bowl for it to grow healthy. The main reason to buy a large tank is that it will carry large volumes of water and helps to lower ammonia made by your goldfish through their waste.

The typical rule to follow before you buy your goldfish bowl is to figure out how many fish will be in the bowl. For example, if you are going to buy four fish swimming in the tank, you would require a 36 gallon bowl to fit them all properly. Goldfish need a lot of room to swim around and if you don’t give it to them, they will die. Make sure you get a large tank and remember the fish will grow so you will need to factor that into your decision.

Once you have narrowed down your choice of a fish tank size that will suffice the water requirements of each goldfish, you then need to figure out the surface area of the tank which is crucial for fulfilling the oxygen needs of your fish. Goldfish are rather timid by nature and decorating your aquarium with hiding places and other colorful elements will make them feel safe and secure. Filling half of your tank with such attractive pieces will lure the fish into open swimming.

When getting lights installed with the intention of uplifting the colors of the goldfish and highlighting the aesthetics of the tank, make sure you don’t go over the top as goldfish don’t have eyelids and are sensitive to light. Goldfish can become stressed in your quest to give it a look of a lighted aquarium. Hence, once you have extensively researched on picking the apt tank size for your fish, thereafter indulge in a purchasing spree to ensure safety and security of your fish.

The proper goldfish tank will help ensure that your goldfish is alive for a long time as well as being comfortable in the bowl. Buying the right bowl is essential to a long and healthy life for your fish. Moreover, it is important to clean it regularly so the water stay cleans and your fish stays healthy.