Renske Buursma asked:

A freshwater aquarium can be a great idea. Fish are relatively easy to care for but there are a few things to bear in mind before deciding which fish to get. Remember, first of all, that your aquarium should be left running for two weeks before introducing any fish, to let the good bacteria in your filter mature to a safe level for the fish.

Fish should be purchased from a reputable dealer or pet store. Fish won at fairgrounds rarely last! If the fish in the dealer's shop tank look happy and there are no dead ones floating on the surface, they should be fine.

Try to get compatible fish. School fish tend to be compatible with one another. Examples include catfish, loaches, barbs, pearl and zebra danios, cardinal tetras or neons. A pair of catfish can control the algae but can also grow to be large fish, so ask in the pet store how big that particular breed can get. Also, they can be predatory and eat your other fish. Killifish can be hard to find but are good in a freshwater aquarium, especially for beginners. Oscars eat other fish and make a lot of mess, as do knife fish. Goldfish can suffer from many health problems and need a lower water temperature than many other fish so might be best avoided.

Some fish like a lot of greenery and plants so if your aquarium is to amuse a child, for example, it might be better to opt for the type of fish who prefer a few rocks, else you will not see much of the fish. They hide a lot.

Do not overcrowd your tank. Two inches of fish to every gallon of water is a good rule of thumb to bear in mind. Fish prefer square or rectangular tanks to spherical ones. Angel fish need a tank larger than ten gallons.

Do some research on the freshwater fish you prefer. You should find out about their special needs, whether chemical, temperature, compatibility-related or dietary.

You can get cold water aquariums, sub-tropical and tropical freshwater aquariums so make sure you know what temperature of water your fish likes and do not mix different species of fish if they like different temperatures.

Before adding a fish to your tank, you will need to quarantine it for a short period, to make sure it is healthy and not going to pass any illness to your other fish. Adding more than four fish at once can cause a chemical imbalance so add fish gradually, checking they remain healthy and settle in well, before adding more.

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Copepods Rotifers REEF SCIENCE PLANKTON chalice food    US $8.95

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Abhishek Agarwal asked:


Both salt water and fresh water fish are species of tropical fish. They only survive in water of the right temperature. Hence the aquarium has to be equipped with heaters to keep the water warm. If you have Goldfish, then you don't have to bother with heaters as goldfish survive in cold water. With the onset of winter, fish shops are inundated with frantic calls from people asking about the cause of the sudden death of their fish or sometimes about the ***** behavior of the fish. The reason for this is that they have forgotten to turn up their fish tank heaters! People do not notice their house getting cooler in winter. Consequently the water of the aquarium also becomes cool so it is imperative that the temperature is adjusted with the help of a heater at such times. The temperature factor is so critical to the survival of the fish that even if the mercury dips just one degree in twenty four hours, the fish get a disease called "ich" which could kill the fish outright!

You must consider all the options before you buy a heater. Very cheap heaters are of course available but they will probably not be reliable and could break, or the thermostat may not be working properly to regulate the tank's temperature or a heat setting may not be available. Most of the people go for mid priced heaters, as they often give you your money's worth. The heaters have thermostats which are semi decent and work reasonably well for about six months at least. After this period, you may have to change it as its heating element mostly won't function properly thereafter.

It is of utmost importance to check your heater once every two weeks and to check the water temperature of the tank daily. Only then can you rest assured that your fish are fine. If the water gets too warm, the fish will get boiled and if it gets too cold, it will freeze their blood. So the temperature must be regulated properly.

The heater must be positioned near a filter as this facilitates distribution of the heat. This protects your fish from cold or hot spots! Do take care to see that you are well prepared with heaters for your aquarium for seasonal change in temperature and provide the essential warmth for your beloved fish this winter!

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Rebeca Rambal asked:


A typical oversight of many beginner aquarists is the use of a heater in their tank, but just like the filters, heaters are a major component of a healthy environment for your fish.

One of the most important aspects of having a thriving tropical aquarium is to keep the water temperature at a good level. Both saltwater and freshwater fish do best in warm water with no drastic temperature variations. Only Goldfish are sturdy enough to handle colder temperatures.

A drop in temperature of only one degree over a twenty four hour period might affect the health of your fish, making them susceptible to diseases that might wipe out your whole tank population. Water temperature affects their immune system, wound healing and digestion. It is especially important to be vigilant of the water temperature during the change of seasons, particularly as winter approaches and temperatures drop. You might not think about it, but when the temperature in your home changes, your fish tank water changes temperature too.

Overheating can also be a problem. As the temperature rises, the oxygen saturation in the water tends to fall. But it's a lot easier to cool down the water than it is to heat it. You can turn off the lighting, float ice packs on the water, run a fan over the water surface or add cooler water on your water changes.

So the real problem is cold water.

The best way to avoid sudden drops in temperature is to have a reliable tank heater in your tank. There are many heaters in the market at various prices. The cheaper ones are more likely to break or malfunction, costing you more money in the long run, and they might not give you an accurate heat setting, which makes maintaining the right temperature in your tank quite difficult.

A mid priced heater will do a very nice job. Their thermostats are reliable and they are able to maintain a constant temperature without having to make many adjustments. Make sure you check your aquarium heater periodically and think about replacing it at least once a year.

Titanium heaters are highly recommended because they're durable and virtually indestructible. Some are designed to automatically shut off when the water level drops or they are exposed to air when plugged in. Most heaters will break when this happens. They are also resistant to corrosion both in salt and fresh water tanks.

Another good investment for your aquarium is a thermometer. You can get thermometers that stick to the outside glass of the tank, making it easier to monitor the temperature at a glance.

The best place for the heater is near the filter, that way the heated water can be distributed throughout the tank avoiding hot and cold spots around the tank. A heater is a very important part of any aquarium ecosystem and keeping the water temperature at a constant level will allow your fish to live happy and disease free for many years.

A minimum of 3-5 watts per gallon is recommended to keep aquarium water temperatures at an optimal level, so always get the right size heater for your tank. If you want to heat 20 gallons of water, you should buy an aquarium heater of 200-300 watts. If you own a large tank, you should consider using more than one heater. If one of your heaters goes, having multiple heaters in place safeguards your tank from crashing.

So, when planning your set up, take into account purchasing a good and reliable aquarium heater.

If you want to read more about keeping a fish tank in your home, visit me at http://www.thefishtankplace.com

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