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General fish care tips
Water Temperature
Light Location
Water
Some
ordinary water may be put directly into the tank without further
treatment.
More often, though, the condition of the water is unsuitable due to the
presence
of chlorine and an excess of dissolved gases. Conditioning the water is a
strongly
recommended safeguard.
Water
is condition, or aged, simply by having its stand for a week or two in
the
tank before introducing any fish. The conditioning process facilitates an
exchange
of gas between the water and air, permits fine organic particles to settle
out, allows
fish parasites to die before finding a host, and gives time for bacteria
in the water to
strike a balance. Your local pet shop will have chemicals to remove
chlorine and
chloramine from the water.
Do
not be alarmed should the water become cloudy after a few days. This is a
completely natural phenomenon attributable to an increased bacterial count
and
will clear itself within a week. Your aquarium shop might have
nitrogen-fixing
bacterial cultures which you can inoculate the tank and achieve a
balanced
aquarium sooner.
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Temperature
The
best temperature for individual freshwater aquarium fish varies among
species,
but a temperature range between 74 and 78E (23 – 26EC) seems suitable to
most.
Waters of higher temperatures have an increased bacterial count and a
reduction of
dissolved oxygen. Sudden temperature changes tend to cause shock and
fish,
followed by disease.
Aquarium
heaters should have outside adjustment for controlling temperature and
a
well built contrivance for fastening the heater to the side of the
aquarium. Multiply by
5 the gallons of water the aquarium contains to calculate the correct
wattage. Since
heaters are not available in 5 watt multiples, get the closest you can.
Every
tank needs a thermometer. Many thermometers are fixed or float inside
the
tank. Newer strip thermometers adhered to the outside of the tank and
change
colors to donate temperature changes.
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Light
Light,
be a natural or artificial, is mandatory for successful maintenance of an
aquarium.
About 12 hours of light per day is optimum. Fish need light to see, feed,
and reproduced.
Light also has a definite effect on the fish's’ color. Dull illumination
is sufficient for most
fish but more adequate lighting is a necessity for plants. Artificial
light may supplement
natural light or be used as the sole light source. The control of plant
growth and the
suppression of plankton and algae are easier with artificial light only.
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Location
The
aquarium should be located in a position to take advantage of any
available
daylight, but not direct sunlight. Near a window is preferable, but the
tank should
not be in a position where the sun shines directly into its and over heats
the water.
Elevated temperatures kill both fish and plants.
Avoid
locations near heaters and radiators that can warm the tank and
cause
overheating. Air conditioner events and other drafty spots must be shunned
as
well as rooms, such as kitchens, that experienced abrupt fluctuations in
temperature.
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