When
it comes to successful aquarium maintenance and good fish keeping, there
is no more important factor than the quality of the water. Without good
quality water even the most dedicated fish enthusiast will not succeed.
It is important for new aquarium owners to take the time to get their
tanks off to a good start, and to employ good fish keeping practices to
keep that water crystal clear and healthy for their pets.
Of course proper filtration is at the heart of water quality, and it is
important for those setting up a new aquarium to choose the best
possible filter. There are a stunning array of filtration choices on the
market today, and the choice can seem quite overwhelming. The key is to
choose a filter that is properly sized for the tank, and to choose a
filter that will be easy to clean and maintain. There are filters that
fit into the tank, filters that go under the gravel, filters that hang
off the side of the tank, and even filters designed to be disguised as a
plant. No matter what type of filter you choose, be sure that it is easy
to clean and maintain, and be sure to buy lots of extra filter
cartridges.
It is also important to properly prepare the water in a new tank before
any fish are added. Perhaps the most common challenge first time
aquarium owners face is that of chlorinated water. While it may be good
for people, chlorine is toxic to fish, so any chlorine in the water must
be removed. There are a number of commercial products sold in pet stores
for this purpose, and the staff should be able to direct you to the
right choice.
The best practice when setting up a new tank is to get everything set
up, including the filtration, the heaters and any other accessories,
then fill the tank with water and allow it to sit for at least a week
before adding fish. This break in period will allow the new aquarium to
settle and nay contaminents in the water to dissipate. After the break
in period has passed, one or two fish of a hardy breed should be added.
White clouds or zebra danios are good for this purpose. These fish will
help to establish the biological cycle that is so essential to
successful fish keeping.
After the new fish are settled in their new environment, it is a good
idea to take a water sample to the local pet store for analysis. This
analysis will help to determine if the biological cycle has been
established to the point where more fish can be added. Best of all, many
pet stores will perform this analysis free of charge, and their staff
can provide recommendations for addressing any problems. Taking these
simple steps will help get your new aquarium hobby off to the best
possible start.
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