Maintaining their tank at the same level when it was first setup is the main issue for owners. They have got it set up but all sorts of unexpected things can happen!
Dirty Water.
Fed up with dirty water? Your fish are as well.
A power filter is worth trying because it effectively makes the tank almost entirely self cleaning. It makes use of chemicals to filter out odours and dirt and remove discolouration and general impurities. If you can put up with changing the filter every three to four weeks then you should be very happy. The filters are usually disposable, so there’s no hassle and no leaning over a sink for hours hoping that it gets clean.
Algae.
Algae is a problem in many tanks, it is so obvious that we tend to see it to the exclusion of everything els including the fish.
The quickest, most practical and easiest answer is simple. Buy a Plecostomus. Often called an algae eater, this fish isn’t going to win any beauty competitions any time soon – but he will keep your tank clean of algae. Whatever his looks he has a great personality!
Without the help of an ‘algae eater’ you will have to remove it by hand. There are numerous tools you can use, and they vary by cost. Bear in mind that algae thrives in sunny conditions! A tank in sunlight for two or three hours each day is going to have a bigger algae problem compared with one in the shade.
Strong Scents.
Strong scents can hurt your fish so you should change your filter more regularly to prevent it. They simply can’t live in those conditions.
Unclear Water.
Overfeeding is the usual cause of this. Don’t give your fish more then what they can eat in 3-5 minutes in one sitting, and only feed them 2-3 times a day. This should eliminate the problem. If it doesn’t, try using bottled drinking water or distilled water. It only costs about 70 cents a gallon at most grocery stores.
Change The Water
Use a siphon to remove about 25% of the water every week or at least every two weeks. Basically, you put one end of a hose in the tank, put the other to your lips, and suck. Once water starts flowing, put it in a bucket and let some of it drain out. Then just put some fresh water back in the tank. Once a month, you’re going to want to clean your aquarium tank – part of the experience many people hate.
Using a sponge, you can scrub the insides of the aquarium glass gently to get anything that’s stuck on there off. You will scratch acrylic aquariums with a scraper but they’re fine with glass.
Decorations should be cleaned by soaking them in hot salt water and scrubbing them with a sponge. You should never use soap. The residue will kill your fish very quickly.
Many people use a gravel vacuum to clean the dirt and old food that’s been left down there. There are various sizes for various tanks, and you should always follow the instructions that came with the gravel vacuum to use it properly.
When You Refill Your Tank.
Water used to refill the aquarium when changing its water should be at the same temperature. Using a kitchen sink and a garden hose attachment, you can get the water right and go from tank to tank (If you have more then one) and make sure that everyone is happy. Fish keeping and tap water do not go together. Heating a 5-10 gallon bucket of distilled water is often a better option then using tap water!
John A Thomson is a freshwater aquarium maintenance expert. For more information on freshwater aquarium maintenance visit www.freshwateraquariumsecretsonline.com.