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Steps For Carrying Out Aquarium Maintenance

By James Sullivan


Good aquatic maintenance practices lead to a healthy and sustainable aquatic environment. Furthermore, time consuming and expensive problems that result from unmaintained aquariums can be resolved. It only takes less than an hour to maintain fish tanks. The main factor for maintaining aquatic tanks is stability. As long as the tank is maintained regularly, the fish will be healthy. Consider the following procedures when carrying out aquarium maintenance.

Water changes should be conducted every two weeks. This is because aquatic animals usually absorb oxygen in water for respiration. As a Cincinnati OH resident, when changing the water, you should also remove the uneaten foods in the tanks. If tap water is used during the replacement procedure, use a water conditioner. Tap water contains chlorine and this chemical can be neutralized using a water conditioner.

Replace a quarter of the fish tank water with fresh one to avoid eliminating nitrogen fixing bacteria. The nitrogen fixing bacteria facilitates the decomposition of wastes within fish tanks. When all the water is removed, these bacteria are also eliminated hence altering the decomposition of wastes. Furthermore, ammonia levels rise rapidly when water lacks nitrifying bacteria. Ammonia compound inhibits the respiration of fish since it clogs on fish gills.

Test the aquarium water regularly for acidity. This procedure can be undertaken when changing the tank water. The tests are used to determine the composition of nitrates, carbonates and acidity of water. On average, the acidity level should range from six to seven for fish to survive. If the acidity level is higher, use baking soda as a base to neutralize the water.

A filter must be utilized when eliminating dirt and other unwanted particles like uneaten food from water. Filters have carbon inserts that facilitate the absorption of dirt from water. For the inserts to work effectively, they ought to be changed after a timeframe of three weeks. This measure also mitigates the accumulation of dirt on inserts that decomposes them.

You can carry out maintenance on your fish tank on a weekly, monthly or daily basis using different practices. For instance, the tank can be assessed daily to determine if it is running well. The aquatic animals can also be observed daily for changes in feeding patterns. Any significant changes in fish feeding patterns are an indication that an aquatic tank is ineffective. Check the expiration dates indicated on boxes and bottles of aquatic supplies purchased from stores in Cincinnati OH monthly.

Remove any decorations and artificial plants in the aquarium as you clean its sides using an algae sponge. These decorations should be cleaned weekly and replaced every month. When cleaning, you should unplug the heater, turn of the water pump and disconnect the filter. Clean the artificial plants from a sink and rinse them thoroughly with a lot of water.

The water temperature must be checked at least twice a week to avoid stressing the fish. Furthermore, this temperature determines the rate of oxygen absorption by fish. Use a thermometer to obtain the temperature readings. This is because fish are more prone to infections when water of different temperature is added in their tanks.




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By James Sullivan


Good aquatic maintenance practices lead to a healthy and sustainable aquatic environment. Furthermore, time consuming and expensive problems that result from unmaintained aquariums can be resolved. It only takes less than an hour to maintain fish tanks. The main factor for maintaining aquatic tanks is stability. As long as the tank is maintained regularly, the fish will be healthy. Consider the following procedures when carrying out aquarium maintenance.

Water changes should be conducted every two weeks. This is because aquatic animals usually absorb oxygen in water for respiration. As a Cincinnati OH resident, when changing the water, you should also remove the uneaten foods in the tanks. If tap water is used during the replacement procedure, use a water conditioner. Tap water contains chlorine and this chemical can be neutralized using a water conditioner.

Replace a quarter of the fish tank water with fresh one to avoid eliminating nitrogen fixing bacteria. The nitrogen fixing bacteria facilitates the decomposition of wastes within fish tanks. When all the water is removed, these bacteria are also eliminated hence altering the decomposition of wastes. Furthermore, ammonia levels rise rapidly when water lacks nitrifying bacteria. Ammonia compound inhibits the respiration of fish since it clogs on fish gills.

Test the aquarium water regularly for acidity. This procedure can be undertaken when changing the tank water. The tests are used to determine the composition of nitrates, carbonates and acidity of water. On average, the acidity level should range from six to seven for fish to survive. If the acidity level is higher, use baking soda as a base to neutralize the water.

A filter must be utilized when eliminating dirt and other unwanted particles like uneaten food from water. Filters have carbon inserts that facilitate the absorption of dirt from water. For the inserts to work effectively, they ought to be changed after a timeframe of three weeks. This measure also mitigates the accumulation of dirt on inserts that decomposes them.

You can carry out maintenance on your fish tank on a weekly, monthly or daily basis using different practices. For instance, the tank can be assessed daily to determine if it is running well. The aquatic animals can also be observed daily for changes in feeding patterns. Any significant changes in fish feeding patterns are an indication that an aquatic tank is ineffective. Check the expiration dates indicated on boxes and bottles of aquatic supplies purchased from stores in Cincinnati OH monthly.

Remove any decorations and artificial plants in the aquarium as you clean its sides using an algae sponge. These decorations should be cleaned weekly and replaced every month. When cleaning, you should unplug the heater, turn of the water pump and disconnect the filter. Clean the artificial plants from a sink and rinse them thoroughly with a lot of water.

The water temperature must be checked at least twice a week to avoid stressing the fish. Furthermore, this temperature determines the rate of oxygen absorption by fish. Use a thermometer to obtain the temperature readings. This is because fish are more prone to infections when water of different temperature is added in their tanks.




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