They provide much needed peaceful moments of distraction from the day to day, and the opportunity to engage in the success of a tiny ecosystem. While the benefits of aquarium ownership can be vast, so too can the headaches associated with the declining health of your tank due to disease and poor water conditions. For the novice aquarist, these issues can often lead to the owner's frustration and eventual disassembly of the tank. With a few simple rules of thumb, the worst of these problems can be mitigated and many times avoided entirely.
Beginning with the initial set-up of your new aquarium, remember that the location of your tank can influence the amount of maintenance you aquarium will need. For instance, algae, or the slimy green substance found invading every surface within the aquarium, are of the plant family, and plants need sunlight to grow successfully. Therefore, placing your tank in direct sunlight will radically increase algae production. The second thing that encourages plant development is fertilizer. And fish waste is an incredibly efficient form of manure.
Consequently, the more fish food your fish receive, the more waste they're sure to produce. And all the flakes and pellets that fall uneaten to the tank floor, begins to decompose and fertilize the algae still further. The idea is, feed your fish only what they are able to consume in a 5 minute period, once a day, without excessive food falling to the base of your tank. Also, no matter how diligently you avoid over-feeding, aquariums with a large number of fish will obviously produce more wastes. Be sure to place only the amount of fish your habitat can support efficiently. As if that weren't enough to worry about, waste produces ammonia, which of course, is toxic. These small, but significant practices, will not only impede algae growth, keep toxins to a minimum, but keep your water clear from decomposing food and debris.
If you've ever gone fishing, then you'll know how slimy a fish can be. While not especially pleasant to touch, this “slime” provides a crucial barrier from parasites and other contagions. The slimy film is produced by bacteria. Yes, not only can bacteria be a good thing, it's critical to health of your fish. Therefore, freshwater should be treated with a liquid (found easily in places that sell aquatic supplies) that will promote rapid bacterial growth.
This being said, when cleaning your aquarium, be sure to remove only small portions of the existing water, usually no more than 30 percent. This will decrease the amount of healthy bacteria removed from your aquarium. On that same note, if you decide to use an aquarium vacuuming device, avoid cleaning the substrate (rocks) too stringently. This too will remove necessary bacteria.
It's a good idea to pay close attention to the species of fish you decide to place inside your aquarium. Not all fish get along in a civilized manner. Not only can more aggressive fish attack and kill your more peaceful residents, but the mere presence of an aggressive species can be enough to stress your other fish to point of death. This small habitat functions very similarly to our own much larger environment. When we are stressed, the effectiveness of our immune system diminishes, leaving us vulnerable to whatever viruses or parasites that are present. Something as simple as the introduction of two incompatible species can cause enough stress to sicken and eventually kill an entire tank of once healthy fish.
This brings me to size. When purchasing new fish, be sure to note the size the fish will potentially reach. Just because the cute little fish is small now, doesn't mean he won't reach mammoth size eventually. Overcrowding is a real possibility when buying several fish that will grow to giant proportions. A good rule of thumb when deciding on potential occupants for your aquarium condo, is 2 inches of fish per gallon of water. To break that down, let's assume you have a 55 gallon aquarium. This aquarium can only support 110 inches of fish. Therefore if you purchase a 2 inch fish that will reach 8 inches at maturity, you must assume his eventual size when calculating the number of fish your tank can support. It's that simple.
Water condition is another real headache for beginning aquarist. At first it will seem necessary to have a master's degree in chemistry to achieve optimal water conditions. But this too can be simplified by either having your water tested by your local pet store until you feel more confident, or by purchasing a small water test kit to use at home. These kits are pretty reliable and convenient. The real trick is to decide what conditions are “optimal” for you particular fish species. Most pet stores will have a label identifying the species of fish, their temperament, food preference, pH levels, ideal temperatures, and size. These are there for a reason, so pay attention. If you find that you can't recall the specifics, there are tons of books and internet information on fish species. These often prove invaluable when a problem arises.
Needless to say, aquarium habitats can become progressively more complicated if done improperly. However, these few tips can help you to avoid some of the more troublesome issues that can arise. Pay attention to your fish. Notice their eating habits, the rhythm of their movement, and the condition of their bodies. Any changes in these things can indicate a problem. Caught quickly enough, these too can be effectively handled with a little advice from your local pet experts.
