My Aquarium Secrets

Abhishek Agarwal asked:


Once you have gathered all the materials required for an aquarium, you must first learn how maintain your aquarium that is taking care of your fish and keeping aquarium clean.

Before purchasing the materials required for the aquarium you must search the market well and gather as much information as possible.

Some of the materials required for making an aquarium are:

a. Container or the Aquarium

b. Filters

c. Heaters

d. Gravel

e. Floss

f. Buffers

g. Food

h. Fish, etc.

In order to help you better maintain the fish and the aquarium here are some helpful tips:

Heaters

1. These are quite necessary to maintain the tropical fish.

2. However, before purchasing the filters and heater you must check on their size and that they perfectly fit in to your aquarium.

3. They must not capture any unnecessary space.

4. In case your tank is too small to fit in these, you would surely require a larger tank.

Materials Required

An aquarium calls for several other purchases as accessories and for apt maintenance. Some of these items are: plants, gravel, food, ornaments, test kits, water treatment, etc.

Al these items have different purposes to solve like gravel maintains the natural resources in the fish tank, ornaments provide for a lively décor, fish feel at home with the plants and food is necessary for your fish to survive. The test kit keeps a watch on the water quality. Water treatment becomes a must as the tap water that is usually used in the aquarium is not pure enough in most of the areas.

Here follows the procedure of making the aquarium:

1. First of all fill a bucket of water and rinse the gravel washing of the dirt, grime and germs.

2. Then add water to your tank, once the gravel is purified.

3. Further add half of the water actually required for the tank.

4. Next add the ornaments & plants to your aquarium.

5. This makes the job of additives completed for the aquarium.

6. Now finally add the tank with the water in full quantity required.

7. Now use the manual that you have received with your tank. Follow the outlines mentioned in this manual to fill your tank properly.

8. Next move to placing the heater & filtration systems in the tank.

9. In order to fit in the heater and filters safely and properly, follow the instructions mentioned in the manual you have received with these equipments.

10. Finally you add the water treatment system to the tank. This purifies the harmful chemicals form the water like metal, copper, metal and other related elements.

11. Now before adding the fish to the tank either make use of the specialized products that enable you doing that safely, else we recommended you to wait atleast a few weeks prior to adding life to your tank.

12. A tank filled with water has some natural bacteria that produce naturally. These bacteria must be filtered out of the water so as to keep your fish healthy and safe. So once the water in aquarium is settled, use your test kit to check if the water is perfectly clean or not, it must also be checked that the water has the right temperature and all the chemicals in it are balanced.

13. Now after the final verification of the water in the tank, add your fish in small quantities.

Know your fish

Here are some types of fish that we recommend you to place in your aquarium:

1. The most recommended one is damsel – it is a salt water fish.

2. Remember, the aggressive fish would always devour the passive fish. Hence, is salt water we recommend you to place some aggressive fish, to be precise, only two of one type, and you can add more slowly and gradually.

3. In case you opt to keep some fresh water fish, it is advisable to choose out of the passive fishes.

4. However, you cannot have both the salt water fish and the fresh water fish in one tank, so in that case you must consider having two separate tanks.

5. For the starters we suggest fishes like white cloud mountain minnow, gold fish, danio, etc.

6. Further you can try having a bristle nose that is type of passive fish. It grows approximately 5.5 inches.

7. Similar to the bristle nose, the otocinclus is another type of passive fish; this grows around 2 inches. An otocinclus loves to live in the rocks & plant areas.

8. Plecostomas, another passive fish, grows around 24 inches, and lives in & around rocks & plants.

9. Veitail and Marble are other varieties of passive fishes. These both grow approximately 6 inches and love to live in & around plants & rocks.



Charlotte

Jeanie Smith asked:


When starting a new aquarium it is important to understand the nitrogen cycle. Many new aquarium owners jump into the hobby of fish keeping too quickly. Before purchasing fish, the aquarium must be cycled. This could take anywhere from twenty four hours to four weeks. In an established aquarium there are certain bacteria that help the breakdown of ammonia to nitrates, but they are not present in a new tank because they are generated from existing fish. If there are no existing fish, then there are no good bacteria.

The basic principle of the nitrogen cycle is this. Fish eat food and generate waste. That waste along with excess food and plant debris become ammonia in the aquarium. Ammonia is toxic to fish and needs to be broken down. That’s why the nitrifying bacteria is important. This bacteria, turns the ammonia into nitrites which are more tolerable to fish than ammonia. Next, different nitrifying bacteria will turn the nitrites into nitrates, which are even less toxic to the fish and other aquarium life. The nitrates are collected and minimized by filters; however they will eventually accumulate in the tank. Regular water changes are required to remove the nitrates from the water. 

It is important to set up and run an aquarium before any fish are introduced into the environment. Wash the tank and any substrate and decorations thoroughly with water. Don’t use any soap. Fill the tank with de-chlorinated water and attach filters and lighting. Allow the tank to cycle until the water is no longer cloudy and sufficient P.H and water temperatures have been established. 

Now it is time to purchase the fish! Buy hardy fish such as danios, barb, gouramis, and live bearers. They should be able to withstand the high nitrite levels and ammonia in the new aquarium. Only introduce about four fish at a time. Float the fish in the bag in the aquarium for about fifteen minutes before adding them to the tank. This will help the fish become acclimated to the water temperature in their new home. When adding the fish, be careful not to allow the water from the bag into the aquarium. It may be contaminated, or will at the very least, throw off the temperature and P.H. Allow the fish about two hours to become acclimated before feeding.

Only feed an amount that can be consumed in the first two to five minutes. Overfeeding is a common problem in an aquarium. It is important not to overfeed, because excess food will become debris adding to the ammonia levels. This is especially important in new aquariums that lack nitrifying bacteria. Test the water P.H. every day within the first month. Watch the tank for cloudiness; if the aquarium becomes cloudy, it may be necessary to add a clarifier. Monitor the fish for signs of stress or illness. A healthy fish will be swimming regularly. Lethargic fish will usually hover near the surface of the aquarium. After about a week change approximately ten percent of the water and begin regular maintenance.



Viola

Abhishek Agarwal asked:


As a beginner first learning the ins and outs of keeping an aquarium healthy, things can get a bit overwhelming. There is so much terminology and equipment, it is enough to make anyone’s head spin. Learning it all a piece at a time is recommended. Patience is key in many things relating to keeping aquariums. A fish often recommended to beginners is the goldfish. Commonly available, and quite pretty when healthy, the goldfish is one of the easier fish to keep healthy and happy. Be prepared to do some reading, however. There are terms and procedures to become familiar with.

The aquarium is absolutely critical to being able to keep healthy fish, no matter what kind of fish it is. Proper care and maintenance of your aquarium is necessary, and there are daily and weekly procedures that must be followed. The first step in keeping a goldfish is choosing the aquarium. While you may see goldfish in bowls and other small containers on television and even in real life, this is really a bad idea. While a goldfish can live for a while in a small bowl like that, they will never really thrive, and will be more susceptible to disease and death. A 10 gallon minimum aquarium with filtration should be the minimum you consider for keeping a goldfish. The filter running into the aquarium agitates the surface of the water and provides more oxygen to the water, which in turn means the fish has plenty of oxygen and is healthier. More room to swim, and even some currents from the filtration, make sure that the goldfish stays happy and in shape. Don’t forget to take the number of goldfish into account! More than one goldfish will require more space.

Ask the guys at your local pet store or aquarium shop (recommended) what they recommend. Don’t buy too much tank at first though. Try to keep it small and simple. Tell them how many fish you intend to keep, and whether you would like to add fish later. Always do some research before buying a product you are not familiar with. There are a ton of accessories and products associated with aquariums and fish. Doing some research beforehand can keep you from buying products you don’t need.

Unless you have access to well water, your tap water probably contains chlorine or ammonia. These substances are very harmful to your goldfish, and can even kill them if you have particularly chlorinated water. There are products available that you simply mix thoroughly into your tap water after filling the aquarium. They usually remove chlorine as well as adding things to the water to help your fish form its slime coat and fight off ick (a small parasite that is extremely common on fish that are stressed). If you would rather use distilled or reverse osmosis purified water, there are other additives that restore needed minerals into these too-pure waters.

Make sure you check the filters once a week, and rinse them out with dechlorinated water of some type. It is okay to use distilled water for this. It is common to get snails living on your filters. Try not to crush them, and remove them during your weekly cleaning. It is not recommended that you put these types of snails back into your aquarium, because they tend to over-breed and eat every bit of plant matter in your aquarium.

It is also necessary to keep the aquarium at a fairly constant temperature. An aquarium heater can be used to control the water temperature with some precision. You should also have an aquarium thermometer to verify the water temperature.



Cody

Cole Carson asked:


There’s nothing more soothing or beautiful than a glowing blue fish aquarium. There are such a huge variety of aquariums, decorations and fish out there that having your own customized aquarium can be extraordinarily easy. Of course though, as with any pet comes responsibility, and different species of fish require different care than others. Any new fishkeeper needs to make sure that they choose their aquarium carefully. Different fish have different cleaning requirements, require different foods, different temperatures, and even different aquarium sizes! – And when choosing fish for the first-timer, it’s a good idea to look for species that are healthy and hardy, clean and easy to keep, and don’t require a massive tank. Here we’ll talk about some great fish species that are ideal for the beginning aquarium keeper!

There’s no easier to keep fish than the White Cloud Mountain Minnow. These energetic little fish are not only fun to watch while zipping around the tank, they’re extremely hardy, and great for the cool-water aquarium, preferring temperatures between 55-75 degrees Fahrenheit. They are schooling fish, meaning you should have at least three or more, and a small school can be kept in an aquarium as small as four gallons. They are not picky at all about what they eat, so flake food is a good choice, but they do love the occasional bloodworm for a treat. Fortunately these are also clean fish, which means that they don’t need as much cleaning of the tank as other species to ensure a healthy aquarium and clean water.

Siamese Fighting Fish, or bettas as they’re most commonly known, are also a perfect fish for any beginner. Not only are these fish hardy, they’re one of the most beautiful fish you can buy, with brilliant colors and long, flowing fins. Bettas are probably best known for the fact that they can be kept in rather small aquariums, making them perfect for a child’s room or an office desk. Though the aquarium size a betta can be humanely kept in is fiercely debated, a single betta can be safely kept in a tank from 3-5 gallons. One important thing to note though is that bettas are aggressive fish, and that when keeping a male betta, you should never, EVER keep them with another male betta, as they will fight to the death. They also do require warmer water temperatures to make sure their immune system stays in peak condition.

The Corydoras Catfish happens to be a popular favorite among aquarium enthusiasts. Also known as Cory cats or simply Corys, these small catfish are active, playful, friendly, and are loaded with personality. They love to explore and play, and best of all, are a great fish for beginners. They’re simple to take care of, and can be added to any existing aquarium because they get along with most all other fish. Getting a school of three or more is recommended due to their social nature, and as such, you’ll want at least a ten gallon aquarium to fit them all comfortably. You’ll also need to invest in a heater – these fish like tropical temperatures, above 72 degrees and below 82. You won’t have to worry about food very often – as bottom feeders, Corys are content to stick to the bottom of the tank munching on the leftovers from other fish. It is a good idea to get them a tropical treat every now and then, and watch them as they all dig in. Normal cleaning routines work fine for Corys.

Any of these fish are perfect for someone who has just gotten their first aquarium. The choice between them depends on personal taste and aquarium specifications, but each of them has their own unique charm and personality. They are strong fish that are forgiving, and finding information about them is very easy. Remember when choosing an aquarium to find what’s right for you, and select fish that will work well in that sort of environment.



Tommy

Bryan Halverson asked:


Aquariums add delight and freshness to the people’s homes and businesses all around the world. Aquariums are included in restaurants specially to attract kids and customers who come and dine there, fish tanks are included in many more places like malls, hotels and houses. People have a habit of having aquarium like a kind of hobby. Since, it adds beauty to the place.

The aquarium can be designed in such a way that it can be of any shapes like rectangle, square and also spherical. The aquarium can be decorated by using small color pebbles and small plastic plants to make the environment more realistic and a nicer environment for the fish.

Aquariums make perfect gifts for family and friends, the relaxing movement of the fish and water is an ideal stress reliever from our busy lives. Some fish, such as the betta fish have been kept in very small glass bottles, however without proper filtration the fish will often not survive. Filtration should be a key consideration for anyone looking at the different types of aquariums. Most smaller aquariums (under 100L (25 US Gallons) will include a small mechanical filter. Often these filters are not sufficient for a fully stocked aquariums. Ideally, an aquarium filter system should include biological, mechanical and chemical filtration.

When choosing the aquarium, the other thing to be kept in mind is the choice of fish. Decide upfront if you want to keep goldfish, tropical fish or marine fish as this will help narrow down the choice of what fish tank to buy. Alternatively look for an aquarium which allows easy upgrading from coldwater to tropical and then ultimately marine fish.

Goldfish, cloud white mountain minnows, black molly, guppies, betta fighter fish, and tetra fish are some kind of fishes which are suitable for most aquariums and will make a fascinating and colorful display. The betta fighter fish can attack other fish, especially of the same type, so if you choose this fish make sure you keep it on its own in aquarium around 15L (4 US Gallons).

The aquarium should be taken care by changing the water regularly. Some aquariums require more frequent water changes than others. For example many aquariums require weekly water changes, however some aquariums, which have advanced filtration system can dramatically reduce the amount of maintenance needed, so it is often worth spending a little extra on a better aquarium in the long run.

Choice of fish food is extremely important; always buy a high quality food in a pellet form. Brine shrimp or frozen food are often poor in nutritional value and will not benefit the fish. Flake foods can rot in the aquarium, so an aquarium pellet fish food which has the correct protein levels and won’t rot will ensure the water quality in the aquarium remains high and will help ensure healthy fish.

There are many varieties of aquariums in all shapes and sizes. However, the most important elements to consider are, low maintenance (you don’t want to have to clean it every week) and a powerful filter which offers biological, mechanical and chemical filtration to keep the water healthy for the fish.



Tyler

Derek Rogers asked:


Aquariums provide a number of great benefits. They are beautiful additions to the home, for example. Watching the gentle movements of the fish can also help reduce stress levels in humans.

Before you begin putting together your own dream aquarium, there are a few points you should consider first.

Freshwater or Tropical?

The biggest decision you need to make is whether your aquarium will contain fresh water or tropical fish. Obviously, the two can’t be blended together. If you’re not sure which you prefer, here are some factors to help you make that decision:

* Experience - If you are new to aquariums, then go with a fresh water tank. Tropical fish are more difficult to maintain, even for people with lots of experience.

* Budget - If money is tight, then go with a fresh water aquarium. These are usually much cheaper to set up.

* Appearance - If you have your heart set on a gorgeous aquarium full of colour, then you should go for a tropical aquarium. You’ll have more options and the colours are often more vibrant.

* Room - Space is an important factor. Fresh water aquariums can be very small so if you have a small apartment then this might be the right choice for you. If you’re trying to fill up a blank wall in your living room, then a tropical aquarium might be a wiser pick.

* Fish- Go to your local aquarium store before you make this decision and look at the selection of fish. Do you see some varieties you’d want to include in your own aquarium? Find out what type of environment they need and let that be a factor in your decision.

If you’re still unsure about which to choose, do some research on the Internet or read a few library books on the topic to help cement your decision.

Preliminary Steps

After deciding on a type of aquarium, you’ll need to begin purchasing supplies. Always purchase the supplies prior to buying the fish. You need the aquarium to be up and running for a few days before you introduce any living creatures.

Obviously, your supplies will include the tank itself, a cover, a net, coverscape (the material that goes on the bottom of the tank), plants (either real or artificial) and some hiding areas (castles, rocks, caves, etc.). Depending on the tank and the fish you choose, you may also need to purchase a heater, a filter, salt water mixture and other items.

Do your homework before you get to the store so you’ll know what is necessary. Don’t let a pushy sales clerk convince you to buy things you don’t need.

Follow the directions on your supplies and set up the aquarium. You want to watch the whole thing for 24 to 72 hours to make sure the water is staying at the correct temperature, the filter is working, and that the environment will be healthy for your new fish.

Finally, you’ll want to select your fish. Choose fish that will live well together. Also pick fish that eat at various levels in the aquarium: some eat at the top, others from the middle and others from the bottom. Having some at each level means you’ll have less food left over in your coverscape.

Make sure to purchase the right type of food for your fish as well.

By following these basic steps, you can be on your way to creating your own amazing aquarium in your home or office.



Alan

Peter Cunningham asked:


Once all the research, planning and waiting is complete and the aquarium is full of water and has finally finished cycling you will finally be ready to introduce your first fish.

It is important to ensure that you make the right choice though as there are some fish which are suitable to be added at this stage and there are fish which are not.

Do you know what you are looking for in the selection of your first fish?

Firstly and foremost the fish you choose must be relatively hardy. The reason for this is that the saltwater aquarium is new and the water will not be completely stable. Another reason is that as aquarists we all make mistakes at one time or another and with having a hardy fish they are more forgiving to these mistakes.

You will probably have an idea as to the type of fish you would like to keep in your aquarium therefore it is imperative that this fish you choose now will be compatible with future tank mates. If you added an aggressive fish for example at the start then whenever you decided to add a new fish there would be fighting in the aquarium. Not what you want at this stage really is it.

Which fish are good fish to start with?

Below is a list of what I believe to be good starter fish for a saltwater aquarium. They are all relatively hardy, peaceful and none of them have special feeding requirements.

* Clownfish

* Orchid Dottyback

* Royal Gramma

* Blenny

* Chromis

* Firefish

Lets have a look at each of these in a little more detail :

Clownfish

The clownfish to me is a fantastic little fish. The way it swims, the way it lives in corals etc and especially the colours - a great addition to any aquarium. They are also one of the most popular starter fish. They are quite hardy and are very well suited to captive life in an aquarium.

You can keep these singularly or you can keep them in pairs. When kept in pairs the most dominant fish sometimes will turn into a female and the two may even end up breeding.

There is a mis-belief that clown fish must be kept with an anemone. This simply is not the case. Clownfish will be more than happy in an aquarium without one. Anenomes are quite hard to keep and at this stage of the aquariums life the aquarium is not yet ready for one, possibly neither are you.

There are various species of clownfish, however the best ones to start with are :

* Common clown (Amphiprion ocellaris)

* Black and white clown (Amphiprion ocellaris)

* Percula clown (Amphiprion percula)

Clownfish can be purchased tank bred and if this is an available option it is recommended that you follow this option.

Orchid Dottyback

The orchid dottyback (Fridmani pseudochromis) is a relatively peaceful fish which grows to around 3-4 inches in length. The good thing about the orchid dottyback is that they can be purchased tank bred.

One thing to be noted is that you should not mix this fish with other fish of the same shape (ie the royal gramma below) or with other dottybacks.

Once the fish has become accustomed to life in your aquarium it will become quite bold and swim happily around the aquarium.

Royal Gramma

Royal grammas (Gramma Loreto) are a peaceful fish with the exception of their own kind and are very colourful fish with the colours changing from purple to yellow along the fish’s body.

There are other fish which can easily be confused with the Royal Gramma as they look very similar so ensure that it actually is a Royal Gramma prior to purchasing it.

Blenny

There are a couple of blennies which in my opinion make good additions to the aquarium as starter fish and there are the Midas Blenny (Ecsenius midas) and the Bicolour Blenny (Ecsenius bicolor).

These are both fantastic to watch. They both like to either rest on a ledge or find a hole and simply watch the world go by.

Chromis

Chromis (Chromis viridis) are great to add to an aquarium. They are relatively hardy and if you have a larger aquarium then you can add a small group. They normally come in two colours (blue and green).

One of the good things about chromis is that they do not grow to be that large. They normally do not grow larger than 2 inches in length.

Firefish

The normal firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica) and then purple firefish (Nemateleotris decora) are great starter fish to add to the aquarium. Both of these are very colourful fish which grow to a maximum size of about 4 inches.

The firefish has a large dorsal fin which it uses to lock itself into a hole in the rocks which is normally down at the bottom. This hole is where the fish retires to when the lights go out but it also uses it when it becomes startled. These fish are prone to jumping when startled therefore you need to take care to prevent this.

Unless you can locate an established pair I would recommend that these are kept singularly.



Erin

Abhishek Agarwal asked:


When you are sure to shop for a fish aquarium, you must know the right equipments and accessories that would enhance the longevity and health of your fishes and aquarium.

These accessories include:

1. Heaters

2. Buffers

3. Filters

4. Gravel

5. Floss

6. Food, etc.

In order to ensure the hygiene of your fishes, you must also know all the tips and techniques to keep the aquarium clean and the fish healthy.

The experts always advice you to research well before purchasing the fish and the aquarium. Here are some useful tips that would help you take good care of your fishes and the aquarium:

1. Some essentials for the aquarium include the following:

1. Ornaments – Decorations to add beauty and to give playful spots to your fishes.

2. Plants – You can choose from live and synthetic plants. Though live plants need lot of care they perform several functions for the benefit of your fishes.

3. Gravel – Gravel forms the base of the aquarium. The depth of this layer is defined by several factors like the plants you place in, the number of fishes you add to the aquarium, etc.

4. Test Kits – This is helpful in testing the water of the aquarium at regular intervals.

5. Water Treatment – These systems are available in various techniques and is quite essential to maintain the purity of the water, else the ever growing bacteria and ammonia in the water would kill your fish unexpectedly.

6. Food – Like all living beings fishes need food, so you must have a good supply of food for your fishes. Make sure to read the contents of the food you purchase for the fishes and supply it to the fishes as per the instructions mentioned of the details you receive with the fishes.

7. Heater Accessories – In order o maintain the temperature of the water in the tank, you would need to plant a heater in the fish tank. This is a must buy in case you are considering to keep some tropical fishes. While purchasing the heater you must take care that the heater’s size fits in to the fish tank. It must not take a lot of space, else it would make your fish uneasy in the tank. Also check that there are various types of heaters in the market, you must know which one suits the best to your requisite.

Some points to remember about maintaining the fishes and the aquarium are as follows:

1. Gravel maintains the natural resources in the aquarium. You can also consider adding some decorative ornaments in the aquarium.

2. Adding live plants t the aquarium makes your fish lively and more playful.

3. In case you are fortunate enough the fish might lay eggs in real plants, they do not do so in the synthetic ones.

4. Make sure to offer the right amount of food to the fishes. The remaining food settles down in the gravel and generates harmful bacteria.

5. Most oft you would use tap water to fill in the tank and that contains lot of bacteria and germs, so water treatment is very essential.

6. Choose your water test kit with lot of care as it must be very effective and should give most accurate results.

Here follows the procedure of making the aquarium:

1. First of all fill a bucket of water and rinse the gravel washing of the dirt, grime and germs.

2. Then add water to your tank, once the gravel is purified.

3. Further add half of the water actually required for the tank.

4. Next add the ornaments & plants to your aquarium.

5. This makes the job of additives completed for the aquarium.

6. Now finally add the tank with the water in full quantity required.

7. Now use the manual that you have received with your tank. Follow the outlines mentioned in this manual to fill your tank properly.

8. Next move to placing the heater & filtration systems in the tank.

9. In order to fit in the heater and filters safely and properly, follow the instructions mentioned in the manual you have received with these equipments.

10. Finally you add the water treatment system to the tank. This purifies the harmful chemicals form the water like metal, copper, metal and other related elements.

11. Now before adding the fish to the tank either make use of the specialized products that enable you doing that safely, else we recommended you to wait atleast a few weeks prior to adding life to your tank.

12. A tank filled with water has some natural bacteria that produce naturally. These bacteria must be filtered out of the water so as to keep your fish healthy and safe. So once the water in aquarium is settled, use your test kit to check if the water is perfectly clean or not, it must also be checked that the water has the right temperature and all the chemicals in it are balanced.

13. Now after the final verification of the water in the tank, add your fish in small quantities.

14. It is always advisable to keep passive fish in the aquarium rather than the aggressive ones. Some common passive fishes most advisable for the starters are goldfish, otocinclus, plecostemas, etc. These not only are easy to maintain but also keep the aquarium clean.



Martin

Jim F. Johnson asked:


Buying your first aquarium is an exciting adventure. But should you select a glass aquarium or an acrylic one? Here are some tips on glass aquariums that may help you to make up your mind.

There are two main features that determine the quality of a glass fish tank - the kind of sealant that was used and the type and thickness of the glass. But, in addition, there are two kinds of glass aquariums. Some tanks are built to house water based creatures such as fish. And those that are meant to hold non-water based entities such as plants, turtles, lizards, and so on. If your intent is to house fish in your aquarium, you need to be sure that your aquarium of interest had it’s sides bonded with sealant especially meant to hold water. If not, you could find that your fish tank is subject to leaks.

Primarily, glass aquariums are made of plate glass or tempered glass. Plate glass is very heavy, more than twice the weight of plexiglass which is used in many aquariums. Unlike plexiglass, however, plate glass is very scratch resistant. It’s also resistant to discoloration. Tempered glass is a bit rougher and not as smooth, than plate glass. They each break different also. When plate glass breaks, it tends to break into large pieces. When tempered glass breaks, however, it shatters into a lot of pieces. Practically, what this means is that if your plate glass aquarium breaks, you’ll only have a crack or hole at the point of the break, and your fish will probably still be safe. Conversely, if your tempered glass aquarium breaks, it is likely that the entire aquarium side will be shattered and you’ll lose all your fish.

Glass aquariums do not insulate as well as acrylic tanks. Therefore, depending on the weather conditions in your part of the country, you will probably depend more on your tank thermostat and heater to keep the water in the aquarium at the appropriate temperatures. If you live in a warm weather climate such as Florida or Nevada, this will probably not be an issue.

Since glass tanks are heavier than acrylic tanks, you’ll want to be extra careful when choosing an appropriate aquarium stand. It’s true that most of the aquarium weight will come from the water itself. But, when determining if the flooring supports are strong enough to safely hold your fish tank, you have to include all weight variables - the weight of the tank, the water, and the stand.

It used to be that if you wanted aquariums that were shaped differently than the normal rectangular shape, you had to purchase an acrylic tank. This is because glass tanks were made from planes of glass, limiting them to rectangular shapes, while acrylic tanks were molded, letting them take the shape of the mold, however irregular it might be. Lately, however, new technology has allowed the creation of glass aquariums with curvy and other unique shapes, rounded corners, and seamless edges. Acrylic tanks still hold the edge in the number of unique shapes that can be created but aquarium glass technology is light years away from where it was only a few years ago.



Eddie

Sharron Nixon asked:


Aquarium care is a necessity but very gratifying. Aquariums are a great addition to the interior of any home, or even restaurant. Aquariums are fast becoming one of the most popular pastimes around, and many people use aquariums for decorative purposes. Aquariums are available in a wide variety of shapes, the most common being rectangular. However, aquariums are not an item that can be set up and then left alone. Aquariums are easy to keep up with as long as tank maintenance is performed often and with a little care.

Here are a few tips for keeping your aquarium healthy for your fish that will ensure they live a healthy and happy life for you to enjoy for the future.

1) Perform a visual check of your aquarium every day.

2) Wipe down the inner and outer glass of the aquarium to keep any algae from accumulating on the inside; this helps to improve the condition of the water as well as enabling you to see the fish.

3) Never use any kind of detergent or soap to clean inside or outside the aquarium, as the chemicals will cause harm and distress to the fish.

4) Take care in cleaning the inside of the aquarium glass as gravel will scratch it if you happen to pick some up when you put your hand inside.

5) Although you may think its a good idea to periodically change all of the aquariums water to give the fish a fresh start this is a very bad idea.

6) Tap water is not a suitable life basis for aquarium inhabitants. Additives that make tap water suitable for us humans can harm fish and micro organisms in aquariums.

Aquariums must be cared for on a regular basis or they will become dirty and stagnant, causing the inhabitants of the tank (the plant life and the fish) to suffer and to eventually die. Every week, replace between about a quarter of the water in the tank. No more than 40 percent of the tank water should be changed at once. Fish are very sensitive to the ecosystem balance in the tank and any change can cause a large shock to their systems.

If you want to clean the filter fabric instead of replacing it, do not rinse it off in the tank, simply pool some of the tank water into a small bucket and rinse it there. Keep in mind, that larger tanks are easier to take care of than small tanks. It is a good idea to only replace and maintain half of the aquariums filters at a time; leaving the other 50% in place until your next scheduled maintenance.

Properly maintained aquariums and ponds add a look of professionalism to offices, a homely feeling to domestic houses and a colorful talking point in restaurants.



Nellie