Acrylic aquarium tanks are lighter and less expensive than their glass counterparts. They are good to practice with before you move up to the more expensive tanks. After all, why go out and spend all your money on the most expensive parts if you don’t even know if you’re going to stick with keeping an aquarium in your house?

Maintaining An Aquarium Takes Work

Keeping an aquarium in your house takes work. You have to clean the tank every now and again to make sure that your fish always have clean water and are living in an environment that is capable of sustaining life. There’s nothing uglier than walking into someone’s home and seeing a green tank. This is just one of the aspects of maintaining a tank. This doesn’t even cover transferring your fish while cleaning the tank, feeding your fish, giving them medicine, installing pumps, etc. For this reason, it’s best to start out with an acrylic aquarium tank to make sure that you’re ready for the commitment of keeping a beautiful fish tank.

To find a good acrylic aquarium tank, check your local aquarium store. Ask them what kind of acrylic aquarium tank they recommend for your needs. They will likely be able to point you in the right direction while also saving you money. This is the best way to go about getting your first fish tank.

You can get an acrylic aquarium tank over the internet but this isn’t generally a good idea when you’re just starting out. That’s because you don’t really know what you’re getting when you order over the internet and, more importantly, you don’t know if you’re getting the right things. You don’t have anyone to ask when you order over the internet. Instead, go into a store and ask plenty of questions. Only then can you better ensure that you get exactly what you need the first time to start your very first fish tank.

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Everybody understands the reason why most plants can be seen in many aquariums. Healthy plants and their lush are beautiful to look at when they are in an aquarium. They also create a natural setting in the aquarium.

Most of the fishes feel secure, less stressed and safe whenever they have plants to hide in. Some species of fish do not survive in an aquarium without any plants.

Aquarium plants will not only give the fishes a helpful shelter and make your aquarium look attractive but they can maintain the quality of the water as well. Plants and fish both exist on the wild and they will surely match well in your aquarium.

The wastes discharged by the fish contain compounds that are useful for the plant’s nutrition. Therefore, the organic wastes can be contained in the plants instead of seeing them float in the water. The plants must be pruned regularly and the dead parts must be eliminated from the aquarium ASAP.

Not only that, the aquarium plants will also provide a shelter to many micro organisms which are useful for the ecology and environment of the aquarium. In addition, plants have also the capacity to inhabit the growth of ugly algae since algae and plants compete for similar nutrients.

Most species of fish will never reproduce in an aquarium without plants. This is because some species need plants for them to feel secured enough to reproduce, while other species need the leaves of the plants to place their eggs in. An abundantly planted aquarium will also enhance the survival growth of the fry especially if you want to increase the number of fry in a similar aquarium like with the adult fish.

However, we all know that plants rely too much to light and photosynthesis. An aquarium with no plants will only need little. But if you are planning to have an abundant number of plants in your aquarium, you will be required to put new lights. A fluorescent light will be better to your planted aquarium, make sure that they are made especially for aquariums.

If you are a beginner, the plant species that will be suitable for you are the Java Moss and the Java Fern. These are strong plants that can survive in water hardiness and pH values. They can even be placed in a brackish aquarium like the Molly aquarium.

Aquarium plants are very important to the survival of most fishes in the aquarium. It does not matter what aquarium plant you choose, the important thing is you know how to maintain your aquarium as naturally as the fishes and plants habitat.

About The Author

This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on aquariums, how to maintain, the basics of owning one, please visit http://aquarium.articlekeep.com.

This article was posted on August 30, 2006

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Aquarium snails can either be beneficial fish tank pets or horrible pests - find out which ones are best in this informative article.

There are many creatures you can buy for your aquarium, but perhaps one of the most interesting is the aquarium snail. They can add a bit of variety to your fish tank as well as help keep the tank clean. If you take a trip your local pet store, you will see several different varieties of snails you can buy for your tank and while many people specifically purchase a snail as an aquarium pet, others might find that they suddenly have snails in their tank with no idea where they came from!

Many snails like eating aquarium plants, and sometimes they can hitch a ride on a plant that you’ve purchased at the store and suddenly end up in your tank. While these uninvited snails may seem like pests, there are many other types of snails which are more like pets!

The Ramshorn snail has a shell that is shaped like a rams horn. These snails can be quite interesting looking in their shells come in red, black, and even a checkered pattern. However, these snails reproduce quickly and like to eat plants so if you want to keep aquarium plants alive in your tank, the Ramshorn snail may not be your best bet.

The Trumpet snail, on the other hand, can be a great fish tank friend as they rarely eat plants and prefer to get their sustenance from the debris that has fallen in the substrate. So, not only can you have lovely plants with this snail but he can also help clean up the bottom of the tank for you. However, if you want a snail that is active that you can watch during the day this guy might not be for you as he likes to hide in the daylight hours and come out to forage a night. You may see him, though, in the morning hanging on the glass just below the water line.

The Apple snail is one of the most popular aquarium snails. There are actually four species of this type of snail and some of them do eat aquarium plants while others do not so you’ll need to take care to choose the right species for your needs. This is one of the largest snails and can grow to be 6 inches! The apple snail comes in a variety of colors including brown, yellow and blue.

If you have discovered that you have a bunch of little tiny snails in your aquarium and you’ve no idea where they came from these are probably pond snails that have hitched a ride in on an aquarium plant. The little guys are shaped like a football and reproduce very quickly, so if you see one you’ll probably see a dozen. They can actually be terrible pests as they love to eat plants and will devour them quite quickly.

Most aquarium snails can live quite happily in the community tank and will get along with most fish. Some will eat the debris on the bottom and some will eat the algae thus making them a valuable member of your fish tank community. While there are some fish that won’t get along with your snails you can be pretty safe with Neon Tetras, Danios, White Cloud Minnows and Guppies as well as most other popular community fish. If, however, you have some of those pesky snails that you want to get rid of, you might try adding a clown Loach to your tank and you will find that he will happily seek out your snails eat them.

By Lee Dobbins Published: 4/16/2007

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An important step in setting up your new aquarium is selecting the correct fish tank stand. The stand must not only adequately support the tank itself, it will also serve a wider variety of needs. Fish tank stands are designed and constructed to hold the immense amount of weight of water in the aquarium and can be attractive items of furniture in their own right.

One of the important steps in setting up your new aquarium is selecting the correct fish tank stand. The stand not only has to adequately support the tank itself, it can also serve a wider variety of needs. You certainly do not want to place your new fish tank on a flimsy bookcase or even a table.

Fish tank stands are designed and constructed to hold the immense amount of weight to which they are subjected. Many beginner aquarists do not realize that a gallon of water weighs about 10 pounds. A small fish tank with 10 gallon capacity will hold about nine gallons of water when filled. It will also include a layer of gravel, various items of tank equipment and decorations. This small 10 gallon tank will therefore weigh at least 100 pounds!

Sourcing Your Fish Tank Stand

There is a wide variety of fish tank stands available. You should be able to find an appropriately sized stand for your tank at a pet store or aquatic hobby store. You may also do an online search for a tank stand. There are now many online retailers dealing exclusively in aquarium equipment that ship nationally or even internationally.

If you are a handyperson and enjoy D-I-Y projects, there are plans available online to build your own sturdy fish tank stand.

Fish tank stands can seem rather expensive items; however, there is little option but to purchase one. Most items of furniture around the house are not designed to hold the weight of a fish tank for any length of time.

An advantage of fish tank stands built for a specific sized tank is that they appear more unobtrusive than sitting the tank on an unused piece of furniture. Many fish tank stands can be beautiful items of furniture in their own right and will usually include shelving with doors. This space is extremely useful for holding the items that will be in use regularly in maintaining and cleaning your fish tank and feeding your fish. An enclosed cabinet will also hide the numerous power cords that will be attached to the tank and tend to dangle down unattractively behind it. Some fish tank stands include a matching hood which can further enhance the look of the aquarium.

Once you have set up your fish tank stand, it is often advisable to anchor it to a wall stud, especially if you have small children or pets in the home. Anchoring the tank stand to an adjacent wall can prevent a major accident.

Once your stand is in place you will be able to install your new fish tank and follow the instructions for setting up the fish tank and stocking it with fish.

An aquarium can be a big investment in both time and money. Purchasing a top quality fish tank stand can help ensure that your investment doesn’t accidentally get knocked over. Choose the fish tank stand that is designed for your aquarium and suits your home’s style, and you will feel confident in establishing your fish tank.

For more information on setting up an aquarium, choosing a fish tank stand and keeping freshwater fish visit The Goldfish Site.

By Alison Stevens Published: 5/16/2007

Technorati Tags: aquarium, fish, marine, plants, reef, salt, saltwater, saltwater fish aquariums, tank, tanks, tropical, water

Read on for information on some of the common freshwater fish families…

Handling saltwater fish is rather tricky as they need proper acclimatization. The fishes can become stressed when pulled out of their natural homes and placed in an aquarium which does not meet the required conditions. Before you decide on an aquarium with saltwater fishes, learn the acclimatization process well.

Types of Saltwater Fishes

Here are the descriptions of some common saltwater fishes that you can purchase for your aquarium:

• Boxfish: Boxfish are approximately three inches in length and adapt well to captivity if provided with adequate space to move around and some rockwork. Their diet includes sponges, worms and small crustaceans.
• Butterfly Fish: In captivity, the average size of Butterfly fishes is six inches. The care of these fishes can be rather difficult because of the feeding habits of some species as they exclusively feed on live coral polyp. Further, a large tank with plenty of hiding space is required for the survival of most varieties.
• Cardinal Fish: The cardinal fishes adapt well to captivity and grow up to two inches in length. They do need extensive rockwork and other decorations so that they can retreat from the other members of the tank when the please. These fishes can also be bred in captivity but special care has to be provided to the young ones.
• Dwarf Angelfish: The dwarf angelfish are a very popular and colorful marine angelfish species. They grow up to four inches in length, are mild tempered and will easily adapting to other fishes in the aquarium.
• Gobies: The Goby fish species adapt well to life in captivity and aquarium. They reach an average length of three inches. A sealed aquarium will be required if you want to keep these fishes as they have a tendency of jumping out. Some species of this variety also burrow and sift sand and hence a proper environment with plenty of proper substrate of coral sand has to be provided.
• Puffers: Most species of the Puffer fish reach an approximate length of eight inches with the exception of a few that are three inches in length. These fishes are relatively easy to maintain if provided with ample swimming room, a varied meaty diet and some hiding places.
• Rays: The Rays that are suitable for aquariums are usually found around the rocky reefs, coral reefs and lagoons. These are high maintenance fish which when kept in captivity need to be fed frozen squids which have been vitamin enriched, live ghost shrimps and similar meaty foods. After the Rays have settled down in the aquarium, it is advisable to regularize and control the amount of the food that is offered to the fish. Further to maintain Rays, a large aquarium of approximately 100 gallons with sandy substrate and optimum water conditions are required to maintain Rays.
• Seahorses: When kept in captivity, the average size of the seahorses is approximately 5 inches. They adjust well to life in captivity when maintained in water conditions with low current that contains plenty of algae and coral decorations. Seahorses usually face difficulty in competing for live food with other fishes and hence it is advisable to keep the seahorses in separate tanks. They can be fed frozen squids which have been vitamin enriched, live ghost shrimps and amphipods.
• Sharks: The Sharks that are suitable for aquariums are usually found around the rocky reefs, coral reefs and lagoons. They need to be fed frozen squids which have been vitamin enriched, live ghost shrimps and similar meaty foods. After the Sharks have settled down in the aquarium, it is advisable to regularize and control the amount of the food that is offered to the fish. But the matter of fact is that sharks tend to outgrow very large aquariums too.
• Squirrel Fish: The Squirrel fish reach around five inches when kept in captivity and they do very well when maintained in a small group. The ideal aquarium for this variety of fish would be a larger sized aquarium of about 70 gallons in size that is well sealed along with plenty of rockwork and overhangs. Their diet includes smaller fishes, planktons and small invertebrates.
• Trigger Fish: The Trigger fish grow between six and ten inches in length and adapt well to life in an aquarium if provided with ample swimming space and hiding places. They grow quickly but do tend to become aggressive towards the same species and other tank mates.

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An aquarium fish tank can bring the beauty and splendor of tropical or freshwater fish into your home or office, and if you follow sound fishkeeping principles when setting up your tank it will bring you years of enjoyment.

Planning your aquarium

A visit to your local pet store or specialist fish breeder will help you decide on the type of fish you’d like to have in your new aquarium fish tank. The staff at the store will also help you decide on the right size tank for the space available and supply all the necessary equipment and accessories that you will require.

However, don’t buy any fish, yet! You’ll need to establish your tank before you introduce any fish into it.

The first step is to thoroughly clean the tank. Don’t skip this important step just because the glass of the aquarium looks clean. Use a mild detergent in warm water to scrub out the tank. Rinse out the tank thoroughly to completely remove all traces of debris and detergent. Flush out the cleaned tank several times with fresh water to ensure there are no traces of detergent left behind.

Also clean all equipment that will be used in your new aquarium fish tank and rinse thoroughly. Even a tiny amount of leftover detergent can kill your fish so do not skimp on the rinsing process. Gravel should be rinsed under running water until the water runs clear. Plants can be stored in a clean bucket of water while you set up your fish tank.

Even a small aquarium fish tank is heavy - one gallon of water weighs about 10 lbs - so your new tank will require a sturdy stand. There are dedicated aquarium stands available that will provide a solid base, although a small fish tank might sit on another item of furniture. Use a layer of polystyrene tiles between the tank and the stand to even out any bumps.

When setting up your aquarium try to avoid placing it in direct sunlight, which will cause algae to grow in the tank. Remember it will need to be situated near a power outlet as many items of tank equipment require a power source.

Now you can fill your tank and check for leaks. Leave the water for several hours and confirm that the tank is not leaking and then drain the tank.

If you will be using an under-gravel filter place it in the tank first, following the instructions provided, then add the gravel, piling it a little higher towards the back of the aquarium to give the impression of distance within the tank.

Half fill the tank with water. Ideally, use dechlorinated water, or add chlorine remover in the recommended dosage. Place a dish in the tank on top of the gravel and pour the water gently onto the dish. This will create minimum disturbance to the gravel.

Next, install the filter and the heater if you will be using one. For an indoor freshwater aquarium fish tank a heater is rarely required. Tropical saltwater fish will generally require a heater to maintain the necessary temperature. If you are using a heater you will also need to install a thermometer in an easy-to-read location.

Now you can add your aquarium decorations. This could include a backing picture, rocks or other ornaments on the base of the tank. Create plenty of hiding places with the use of rocks and other decorations. Your fish will be glad of a place to hide from time to time. You can also install plants that need to be buried in the gravel at this time. Floating plants can be added when the tank is full.

Turn on the filter and the heater and ensure they are working before filling the aquarium to the top with dechlorinated water. This will start the process of tank cycling which is the process of eliminating excess ammonia from the tank.

Ammonia can be a problem when setting up a new tank as the bacteria that breaks down ammonia is not yet present. Over several months beneficial bacteria (nitrosomonas) will develop in the tank. The bacteria breaks down the toxic ammonia into nitrites. Because of the time it takes for the beneficial bacteria to develop in the tank it is recommended that you do not introduce fish for at least two weeks after setting up your tank.

When you are ready to add fish to your new tank try adding just a few at a time. You’ll bring them home from the store in a plastic bag filled with water. Float this bag, still sealed, on top of the tank until the water temperature in the bag matches the water temperature of the tank. This may take several hours. Don’t rush. When the water temperatures are the same you can carefully undo the bag. Let the fish swim out of the bag by themselves before removing the bag.

Watch your fish for several days or even several weeks to ensure they are healthy before adding more fish. Take your time to establish your fish population and you’ll give the biology of the tank time to adjust to the new fish and the waste they produce.

Always purchase your fish from a reputable dealer to avoid the likelihood of introducing diseased fish to a tank. Never add plants or fish from wild to a fish tank - the microorganisms and bacteria attached to fish from the wild can be deadly for fish in a tank!

Setting up and maintaining an aquarium fish tank involves a commitment of both time and money but will reward the dedicated aquarist with years of enjoyment.

For additional information on setting up your aquarium fish tank visit The Goldfish Site.

By Alison Stevens Published: 5/16/2007

Technorati Tags: aquarium, fish, marine, plants, reef, salt, saltwater, saltwater fish aquariums, tank, tanks, tropical, water

As the name suggests, fish tank chillers are designed to keep the water in your fish tank cool in warmer climates. They are mainly used in marine aquariums where fish tend to be highly sensitive to temperature although fancy goldfish in tropical climes also benefit from the use of a fish tank chiller. An additional benefit is that cooler water has a greater capacity to hold dissolved oxygen thus avoiding issues with low levels of oxygen in your aquarium.

When do you need the fish tank chiller?

A fish tank chiller will be required when you run an aquarium with fish that prefer to live in cold water only. Aquarium chillers will maintain the water temperature you desire. Changing the temperature is something you need to do yourself, manually.

An alternative to a chiller is to run an air conditioning unit in the room that contains the aquarium, however running the air conditioner just to keep the fish tank water at the desired temperature can be a very expensive option. And even though a fish tank chiller may seem like an expensive item it will soon pay for itself if you are not running the air conditioner day - especially if you are not home during the day or you are on vacation.

Another chiller alternative is to add ice to the tank but this is highly impractical unless it is a very short term method to deal with heat wave conditions. If you do need to add ice to your tank it can be added by freezing water in a bottle. The frozen water bottle can be lowered into the tank or hung on the side of the tank.

For very warm climates and for fish that naturally require cold water there is no real alternative other than a chiller unit. It is also possible to purchase an aquarium heater and chiller in one unit which can be used year round to maintain the water temperature in both summer and winter.

When choosing your chiller you will have a choice of thermoelectric, in-line or drop-in fish tank chiller.

Thermoelectric chillers are commonly used in small tanks of less than 60 gallon capacity. They are energy efficient and silent running and can be used in both salt and freshwater aquariums.

Drop-in chillers are commonly used in saltwater aquariums or reef set ups. They require no additional plumbing and are fitted in line with the tank filter. They are simple to install and have low maintenance requirements.

In-line aquarium chillers are manufactured for tanks with a capacity of 60 gallons or more. They have a motor, a compressor and cooling fans and will require a well-ventilated area for installation. They may require professional installation and they are quite large.

An aquarium thermometer is an inexpensive necessity to use in conjunction with your tank chiller. If your chiller fails or mismanages the temperature of your aquarium you need to know immediately. A thermometer is a reliable way of monitory the temperature.

The main disadvantages of aquarium chillers are the cost of the units themselves - which can vary from a few hundred up to several thousand dollars - and the energy that they consume, which can be 80-100 watts per hour.

By Alison Stevens Published: 11/20/2007

Technorati Tags: aquarium, fish, marine, plants, reef, salt, saltwater, saltwater fish aquariums, tank, tanks, tropical, water

Having a collection of striking fish in your living room that are normally only found in the ocean provides serenity and is a great attraction for family and friends visiting your home. Although it may seem difficult to maintain or expensive to setup, having saltwater fish differs little from a normal tank.

One of the first steps in having a saltwater fish tank in your home is a review of your finances to determine that you have enough money to start and maintain your tank.Approximate start-up costs for a saltwater fish tank are around $500 (USD), which doesn’t include the cost of fish or the upkeep.

The next step is to determine where your tank is going to be located and what type and size of tank you are going to purchase.Some tanks are small enough to sit on a table, while others come with their own stands.Particularly large tanks may require structural support so that the floor can bear the additional weight. When choosing the location for your tank, keep in mind its accessibility in regards to cleaning and maintenance.You must also select whether to have a glass or acrylic tank.Glass is easier to clean, but you can drill holes in acrylic tanks that allow filtration to occur out of sight underneath the tank.

After purchasing your tank you must buy other needed equipment such as a filter, air pump, and heater.You also need to choose a bed for the tank and a saltwater mixture which will create the best conditions for your fish.

Once you have purchased all your items except your fish, assemble your tank and test it out to make sure it runs properly.Once you’re certain it works okay, continue to let cycle, making adjustments to get the tank to its optimal level for the fish you are going to purchase.Once this is done, it’s time to take a trip to select your fish. The ocean, where saltwater fish live, is the largest of all the water bodies. It’s home to millions of species - playful, colourful, savage and awe inspiring, and many of these varieties are appropriate and available for saltwater tanks. When you bring your fish home, keep the fish in the bag and place it in the tank.This will allow the fish to adjust to the temperature in your tank.After a few hours, add one-fourth cup of tank water to the bag to let the fish adjust slowly to the water, and within an hour, repeat this step four times.After that you can put the fish directly into the tank or hold it in a quarantine tank for a few days or weeks until you certain it is healthy and able to thrive in your tank water.This is highly recommended if you are adding this fish to a tank already housing other fish, as one sick fish can kill all the others in your tank.

Having a saltwater fish tank not only adds beauty but is also quite easy to do.Once you have purchased all your equipment, tested it out, bought your fish and attuned it to your tank, it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ease of keeping saltwater fish in your home and what they add to it.If you are looking for more information then please feel free to visit our site at http://www.saltwater-fishtank.com

About The Author

Ashley Barnard

Saltwater Fish Tanks Ease of keeping saltwater fish at home could not be simpler i have been keeping salt water fish now for 2 years and they really do make great pets. for more information please visit our site at http://www.saltwater-fishtank.com

This article was posted on November 19, 2005

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Some folks believe that the saltwater tropical fish aquariums look better than the freshwater aquariums. But are they? Which do you like? Below are some ways to choose which type to choose for your home. Also, you may want to go to http://www.fhhome.com for more home decorating ideas.

The answer lies in the fish! Saltwater or marine aquariums are made to house tropical fish that you find around reefs in the ocean. These fish come in shapes sizes and colors that make a dramatic impact. The freshwater fish simply cannot compete with these natural beauties.

If you want these same gorgeous fish in your living room, you can setup and maintain a saltwater tank with only a bit more effort than your freshwater tank. They key is to choose hardy fish that will last as saltwater fish are much more fragile and more expensive than their freshwater counterparts.

Some hardy fish you may want to consider for a saltwater tank include damsels, mollies and clownfish.

Damsels are probably the most hardy fish and should certainly be considered for a new tank as well as for beginners. These fish are fairly inexpensive, are not finicky eaters and can withstand poor water conditions better than any other marine fish. Although they are not the most colorful of fish, they are certainly your best bet until you become experienced and have a stable tank. The only caveat is that some can be aggressive so you should limit yourself to 2 per tank.

Mollies, the same fish that you use in freshwater tanks, can be acclimated to salt water tanks and are quite hardy. These fish are very inexpensive and a great way to start off your marine tank. If you buy mollies in the pet store from a freshwater tank, acclimate them by dripping salt water into the bag over a period of 8 hours or so - removing excess water when the bag gets too full and slowly increasing the salinity.

While damsels and mollies may not be the most beautiful fish, the clownfish is certainly a colorful and interesting fish for your tank. These fish are fairly hardy but a bit more difficult to acclimate to a tank so you may not want to use them as starter fish. Clownfish are territorial but will only be aggressive with other clowns and are good for a community tank. Although clowns do like to live around a seas anemone, the will do fine without one which is good for the beginner since the anemone is fairly difficult to keep.

These three types are a great way to begin. But you will eventually want to add other varieties of tropical fish. Consider basslets, wrasses, hawk and grammas to complement your tropical fish tank. Some difficult ones to keep, and therefore avoid, are mandarin, certain eels, butterfly fish and seahorses.

About The Author

Yvonne Volante, the author, is a big fan of tropical fish and writes for tropicalfishcares.com, which is the premier tropical fish resource on the internet. You can see all of the articles over at http://www.tropicalfishcares.com.

This article was posted on August 21, 2006

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Fish Tank Maintenance

As an aquarium owner you will realize that fish tank maintenance is one of your most important responsibilities. Whilst it is not as much fun as decorating the tank or selecting your fish, without proper fish tank maintenance you will be endangering the lives of your fish. Follow these simple maintenance instructions and your fish tank should sparkle.

Once you own an aquarium the tank maintenance will be one of your most important responsibilities. It is certainly not as much fun as you get from decorating the tank or selecting your fish, but without proper fish tank maintenance, you will be endangering the lives of your fish.

Fish tank maintenance is an essential part of your new hobby as an aquarist, and neglecting this will lead to problems with both the fish tank and the long-term health of the fish. Fish tank maintenance can sometimes seem like a bother for the aquarium owner but it doesn’t have to be that way. Perform your fish tank maintenance on a regular schedule and you’ll ensure that you never miss out on what needs to be done.

Maintenance

Now that you have learned about establishing a fish tank and you understand the cycling process, you will better understand the process of maintenance and cleaning. If your tank contains too many fish there will be excessive waste, food particles, and chemicals in the water, making maintenance difficult and the tank unhealthy. Set up your tank with a manageable number of fish and develop a schedule for carrying out regular aquarium maintenance tasks and it will make your hobby more enjoyable. Arrange the fish tank so that future tank maintenance tasks remain as easy and efficient as possible.

Cleaning

Your maintenance and cleaning schedule should not take very long to keep your aquarium sparkling and healthy. Cleaning your fish tank not only helps with the appearance of the tank by removing algae but can also prolong the life of your fish, as no pet can live in an unhealthy environment. Algae can be removed from the tank glass with an algae magnet or scraper. Remember to regularly remove any dead leaves from live plants. Do not overfeed your fish as this will cause excess waste in the water which will settle at the bottom of the tank and need to be removed.

Filter Maintenance

Saltwater fish aquarium maintenance must include regular cleaning of the filtration system as well as the interior of the tank. Cleaning the filter is usually a monthly task. This involves removing the filter medium and cleaning it under running water. When the filter medium becomes too worn it will need to be replaced. Remember, however, that the filtration system also contains "good bacteria" which aids in the breaking down of ammonia and balancing the nitrites in the tank, so rinse the filter quickly to remove large particles but do not be over-zealous in your cleaning.

Once you have your fish tank setup and cycling correctly, you need to set a schedule for cleaning that is strictly followed. Fish tank maintenance is an important aspect of your setup and it is necessary to integrate this into your overall scheme.

Some aquarium owners perform too much fish tank maintenance. Ideally you want the fish tank to become a self-sustaining system and not one where you are burdened with fish tank maintenance all the time. Establish a regular schedule for cleaning and maintenance every two to three weeks and your fish should remain healthy and happy and your aquarium should sparkle.

Alison Stevens is an online author and maintains The Goldfish Site to assist anyone who wants to get started with setting up an aquarium fish tank and gain an understanding of fish tank maintenance.

By Alison Stevens Published: 5/27/2007

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