Freshwater Aquarium Maintenance
Keeping Your Aquarium Clean
Keeping your tank running is the real challenge of many owners. They have it up, but oh dear, there are issues arising that they just didn’t expect!
Dirty Water
Tired of dirty water? So is your fish.
Try a power filter, which literally makes the tank almost completely self cleaning. It filters using chemicals that get rid of dirt, odor, discoloration and even general impurities.
The worst thing about a power filter is that you have to change the filter itself every 3-4 weeks – if you can handle this, then you’re in for a treat. The filters are usually disposable, so there’s no hassle and no leaning over a sink for hours hoping that it gets clean.
Algae
Ick – algae can ruin even the most beautiful tank, and your eyes seem to always go to it, even if you want to adore the beautiful fish that are in front of you.
The easiest, most practical, and quickest solution is simple. Buy a Plecostomus. Often called an algae eater, this fish isn’t going to win any beauty competitions any time soon – but he will keep your tank clean of algae. Plus, this ugly algae eater has a wonderful personality!
If you don’t have an algae eater, then you’re going to have to remove it yourself, by hand. There are numerous tools you can use, and they vary by cost.
Remember that algae thrives in the sun! If you have a tank that’s in sunlight for an hour or two a day, it’s going to cause a lot more algae then if it were shaded the entire time.
Strong Scents
Change your filter more regularly to ensure that this doesn’t happen, because it can hurt your fish tank, and kill your fish if it goes untreated. They simply can’t live in that sort of environment.
Unclear Water
This is a big sign of overfeeding. Don’t give your fish more then what they can eat in 3-5 minutes in one sitting, and only feed them 2-3 times a day. This should eliminate the issues.
If it doesn’t, try using bottled drinking water or distilled water. You can buy it by the gallon full at most grocery stores and it only costs about 50-70 cents per gallon.
Change The Water At Least Every Two Weeks
If not every week, only about 20% of the water has to be removed, and most people use a siphon. Basically, you put one end of a hose in the tank, put the other to your lips, and suck.
Once water starts flowing, put it in a bucket and let some of it drain out.
Then, simply replace the water. Once a month, you’re going to want to clean your aquarium tank – part of the experience many people hate.
Using a sponge, you can scrub the insides of the aquarium glass gently to get anything that’s stuck on there off. Some people use a scraper too, but this will scratch acrylic aquariums.
Take out any decorations and soak them in hot water and a bit of salt, then scrub them with a sponge until clean. Do not, and I repeat, do not use any soap at all. The residue will kill your fish very quickly.
Many people use a gravel vacuum to clean the dirt and old food that’s been left down there. There are various sizes for various tanks, and you should always follow the instructions that came with the gravel vacuum to use it properly.
When You Refill Your Tank
When refilling your tank with water, remember to keep the temperature the same as the water your fish needs. Using a kitchen sink and a garden hose attachment, you can get the water right and go from tank to tank (If you have more then one) and make sure that everyone is happy.
But remember that tap water wasn’t made for fish keeping. Heating a 5-10 gallon bucket of distilled water is often a better option then using tap water!
For more information on FreshWater Aquariums, Aquarium Maintenance, and Aquariums for fresh fish, please visit www.aquariumsforfreshfish.com.
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