Buzz
Fish are delightful pets, offering beauty and entertainment. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, there are key aspects of fish care to remember. Ensure their comfort and health by choosing the right tank size and adding suitable plants and decorations. Establishing a regular cleaning and feeding schedule will enhance your ownership experience.
Steps to Follow
Understanding the Nitrogen Cycle
The nitrogen cycle is crucial for a clean aquarium. A properly cycled tank reduces fish stress and promotes longevity.
During the initial phase of the cycle, your fish excretes waste containing ammonia, a toxic chemical. Ammonia can also result from excess food in the tank, so ensure you don't overfeed your fish.
- When testing ammonia levels in the tank, aim for below 0.25ppm.
Nitrosomonas bacteria, beneficial for fish tanks, break down ammonia into nitrites. These bacteria reside in your fish filter. Before introducing fish, let your filter run in the tank and add fish food to nourish the bacteria. Don't clean the filter when a brown film, indicating nitrosomonas bacteria, forms on the filter media. Without these bacteria, fish may suffer from ammonia poisoning.
Nitrites are harmful to fish. Aim for an ideal level of 0.0ppm when testing them.
Nitrobacter bacteria, also beneficial, convert nitrites into nitrates. Similar to nitrosomonas bacteria, nitrobacter bacteria form a brown film in the filter.
Keep nitrates below 20ppm. Plants aid in nitrate removal, but weekly water changes of at least one fourth are necessary to control nitrates.
Restart the cycle by adding fish food to the tank. Only introduce fish once your tank has completed cycling, with ammonia and nitrites at 0ppm and nitrates below 20ppm. Add no more than three fish at a time to prevent an ammonia spike.
Choosing Your Fish
Choose between freshwater and saltwater. Freshwater fish are beginner-friendly, requiring less tank maintenance and facing fewer health issues. Saltwater fish need specialized tanks and are more challenging to care for, but they are visually stunning.
Opt for small breeds. Small fish are often peaceful and space-efficient, making them ideal for new fish owners. Consider species like neon tetras, zebra danios, and livebearers. Be cautious with fish that can grow large, like goldfish, which need at least a 3-gallon tank.
- If you choose schooling fish like tetras, buy at least five at once.
- Schooling fish swim together, while shoaling fish only gather when frightened, but both need companions for security.
Choose tankmates wisely. Look beyond appearance and consider behavior when selecting fish for your tank. Avoid mixing aggressive and non-aggressive fish, as aggressive ones tend to attack others.
- For instance, goldfish, guppies, and tiger plecos coexist peacefully.
- Angelfish and cichlids are aggressive types that can live together without conflict.
Purchase from reputable dealers or stores. Buying from a pet store allows you to see the actual fish and often offers refunds for fish that die within a specific period. Online purchases offer more fish breeds but lack individual selection. Choose online dealers with clear customer service connections and positive reviews, avoiding wild-caught fish when possible.
Setting Up Your Tank
Choose the right tank size. Larger fish or more fish require bigger tanks. A general guideline is 4.5 liters (1.2 US gal) of water per inch for freshwater fish and 2.5 liters (0.7 US gal) for saltwater fish. Consider energetic species like shrimp and the bio load of fish when sizing tanks. Overcrowding can lead to health issues and fish deaths.
Select a suitable tank location. Use a quality stand and avoid moving the tank frequently. Keep the tank out of direct sunlight to prevent algae growth, on level ground to prevent tipping, and in a quiet room for a peaceful environment. Avoid smoking near the tank, and use a lid if your fish jump or if you have other pets.
Install a heater. Maintain water temperature between 72 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit, or adjust for cold-water fish like goldfish. Use a heater appropriate for your tank size and follow installation instructions. Place the tank near an electrical socket for device connectivity.
Install your filtration system. Filters keep water clean by removing pollutants like fecal matter. Mechanical, chemical, and biological filters are available, with mechanical filters being beginner-friendly. Place filters appropriately and clean only when necessary to avoid harming fish.
Add substrate to your tank. Use one pound of sand, rock, or gravel per gallon of water. Rinse substrate thoroughly before placing it in the tank with a slight slope towards the front.
Select and place tank decorations. Choose natural-looking decorations that offer hiding spots for fish. Rinse decorations and avoid sharp edges, plastic pieces, or flaking paint.
Add plants to your tank. Opt for plastic or live plants, considering their benefits and light needs. Rinse plants before placing them and secure them partially in the substrate to prevent excessive movement.
Condition water and fill your tank. Treat water with a de-chlorinating agent before filling the tank. Wait for beneficial bacteria growth and test water quality before acclimating fish.
Float new fish. Acclimate new fish by floating the bag in your tank for 15-30 minutes, adding tank water, and gradually releasing them. Some fish may need drip-acclimation for about 30 minutes to adjust to new water conditions and reduce shock.
Maintaining Your Tank and Fish
Avoid overfeeding. Feed fish twice daily with portions the size of their eye, adjusting based on leftovers. Excess food can lead to filter issues, water quality problems, and algae growth. Use appropriate food types like flakes or pellets for different fish.
Monitor pH levels weekly. Test pH with a kit and adjust if needed using crushed coral for low pH and peat moss or driftwood for high pH. Maintain pH within 6.6 to 8 for freshwater tanks.
Perform weekly water changes. Change 20-30% of freshwater tank water using a suction wand to remove debris. Saltwater tanks may need more frequent cleaning. Replace removed water with fresh, treated water.
Clean filter media when close to overflowing. Prevent filter clogs by cleaning or replacing media as needed. Follow filter directions and avoid cleaning all media to maintain beneficial bacteria levels.
Treat fish health issues. Monitor fish behavior and appearance for signs of illness. Isolate and treat sick fish promptly, and remove dead fish immediately to maintain tank health.
Tips
- Locate an aquatic veterinarian when getting fish for potential health issues.
- Limit tank light to 12 hours daily to prevent mold and fungus growth.
- Educate caretakers on fish feeding and health monitoring when traveling.
The advice in this section is based on experiences from Mytour readers. Share your tips with us below.
- Use 1 gallon tanks as emergency quarantine tanks, not permanent homes for fish. Avoid putting two different fish species together without knowing their compatibility.
Avoid saltwater fish as a beginner; they require more care and larger tanks. Start with easier species like platies, goldfish, mollies, and bettas.
Provide fresh greens like collard greens and Napa cabbage for freshwater fish. Avoid tap on the tank, as it can scare the fish.
Avoid cleaning your tank with heavy chemicals that can harm fish.
Items Needed:
- Fish
- Tank
- Fish food
- Substrate (sand or gravel)
- Filter
- Heater
- Light
- Water conditioner
- Water testing kit
- Salt
- Water thermometer
- Buckets
- Gravel siphon
- Tap water dechlorinator
