I have been reading some very disturbing posts over the past few days, and since this is a beginner's forum, I am not suprised that many people are suffering with typical begginer's problems. The problem that arises though, is improperly setting up an aquarium, having lots of fish die, and thus having to tear it down makes for an aggravating and negative expierence, and in turn many people give up the pursuit of the aquarium hobby altogether.
Keep aquarium fish is really not all that difficult. All it requires is some attention to detail, responsibility, and preserverance. That is really it. Knowing the standards for water, fish compatibility, and a little bit about aquatic nutrition is a requirment too.
First off though, I just want to cover the basics with folks. Spongebob tanks, betta bowels, or anything that does not have a filter, heater, hood, and five or more gallons of water is not the proper tool for keeping any kind of fish. Even the aquarium kits sold by many popular outlets that contain many of the above stated items are often not exactley what a new aquarists needs to keep fish. Second to that, smaller tanks are harder to keep than larger ones, and I would recommend anyone getting into the aquarium hobby for the first time side with a tank no smaller than thirty gallons. Ten gallon aquariums are the worst creation of all time and should be used for no more than hospital or quarentine tanks.
That said lets move onto the next topic - cycling. No I am not talking about the sport in which american athlete Lance Armstrong excels. This process that takes about one month to complete is vital to the health of your aquarium. Fish, like humans, and any living organism for that matter require a symbiotic relationship with bacteria in order to survive. These water born bacteria brake down harmful elements in the water including fish waste, keep the water free of particles that would cause it to become cloudy, and maintain a balance that will allow the fish to survive in a closed enviroment.
Though these bacteria do not form over night, they take weeks and weeks of time to fully accumulate. Here is how to properly set up your new aquarium.
1. Set up the tank and stand.
2. Put down gravel, and under gravel filter (not needed)
3. Insert any plants you may want.
4. Fill aquarium
5. Add Aquaria Sol dose to tank
6. Add Stress Coat dose to tank
7. Add Aqua Safe dose to tank
8. Add any other wanted water maintenance products
9. Let stand with filtration and heat running for 72 hours
- Get 1-2 fish depending on size of tank to start nitrogen cycle. Depending on the tank you plan to set up you can choose a variety of fish to start, although I recommend either a form of tetra, or possibly an african cichlid or two....
More to come later!!
Keep aquarium fish is really not all that difficult. All it requires is some attention to detail, responsibility, and preserverance. That is really it. Knowing the standards for water, fish compatibility, and a little bit about aquatic nutrition is a requirment too.
First off though, I just want to cover the basics with folks. Spongebob tanks, betta bowels, or anything that does not have a filter, heater, hood, and five or more gallons of water is not the proper tool for keeping any kind of fish. Even the aquarium kits sold by many popular outlets that contain many of the above stated items are often not exactley what a new aquarists needs to keep fish. Second to that, smaller tanks are harder to keep than larger ones, and I would recommend anyone getting into the aquarium hobby for the first time side with a tank no smaller than thirty gallons. Ten gallon aquariums are the worst creation of all time and should be used for no more than hospital or quarentine tanks.
That said lets move onto the next topic - cycling. No I am not talking about the sport in which american athlete Lance Armstrong excels. This process that takes about one month to complete is vital to the health of your aquarium. Fish, like humans, and any living organism for that matter require a symbiotic relationship with bacteria in order to survive. These water born bacteria brake down harmful elements in the water including fish waste, keep the water free of particles that would cause it to become cloudy, and maintain a balance that will allow the fish to survive in a closed enviroment.
Though these bacteria do not form over night, they take weeks and weeks of time to fully accumulate. Here is how to properly set up your new aquarium.
1. Set up the tank and stand.
2. Put down gravel, and under gravel filter (not needed)
3. Insert any plants you may want.
4. Fill aquarium
5. Add Aquaria Sol dose to tank
6. Add Stress Coat dose to tank
7. Add Aqua Safe dose to tank
8. Add any other wanted water maintenance products
9. Let stand with filtration and heat running for 72 hours
- Get 1-2 fish depending on size of tank to start nitrogen cycle. Depending on the tank you plan to set up you can choose a variety of fish to start, although I recommend either a form of tetra, or possibly an african cichlid or two....
More to come later!!
