Six Reasons To Consistantly Change The Water In Your Aquarium

Ph Levels
pH means hydrogen potenz. This is the actual concentration of hydrogen ions in the aquarium tank. The amount of hydrogen ion is related to the acidity of the water in the tank. The pH value is also connected to the fish activity in the tank. The fish produce debris which changes the pH balance. This is why you need to constantly monitor the values and also to change the water in the tank quite often.

Nitrates levels

Experienced fish owners suggest that periodical water changes in the tank must be done to keep a low nitrate level. The fish naturally produce ammonia through the excretion process and the level of nitrates changes every day.
It is good if a saltwater aquarium has a nitrate concentration of maximum 20 parts per million. Freshwater aquariums must have at the most 50 parts per million in nitrate levels.

But not just changing the water helps to keep an optimal level of nitrates. There are also some protein skimmers available that regulate the nitrate levels. Still, don’t forget that no amount of proteins can remove the debris from the tank. You need to change the water in order to eliminate organic fish waste.

Kh Control

Kh refers to hydrolysis levels, which means the ability of water to buffer. What does that mean? The water has an optimum level of basis and acids in it. Kh control is about maintaining an optimum level between these two components and the tank water. The biological activity in the tank permanently changes the levels and water needs to be changes quite often.

Detoxifying the aquarium

It may not seem that way to you but life in the aquarium is quite an active one. Plants, fish, snails, they all eliminate organic debris. The byproducts of metabolic activities of the aquarium residents and the excretion products bring toxic products in the tank. Even the air introduced in the aquarium or on the water surface can bring new toxic materials or microorganisms. And let’s not forget that you can drop some things into the aquarium also. So change the water as often as you can.

Aquarium accessories clean-up

A good wash must be given to the rocks also, different balls, or other accessories because waste sometimes sits on them.

Algae growth

Algae are known to grow fast in all types of tanks and water. The aquarium environments are very good for the algae because the water is stagnant and a bit hot. But algae pollute the water a lot and can cause fish health problems. Besides that, just like the fish, the algae suck the nutrients out of the water and if they grow too much they compete with the fish for food. Changing the water regularly helps prevent excessive algae growth.

So, in conclusion, no matter how many water treatments and filters you have, a change of tank water from time to time is vital for your fish tank health.

Is it necessary for a tropical fish tank to get daylight?

It is not necessary for an aquarium tank to get daylight. As a matter of fact, daylight, being difficult to control, frequently makes it difficult to balance a tank properly. A location well away from the light is perfectly satisfactory. An aquarium frequently serves a dual purpose as a lamp in a dark vestibule or corner. Should it be desirable to keep an aquarium near a window, do not be deterred by the foregoing, since there are ways of controlling daylight to make it suit your purpose. A northern exposure is best, though for second choice a western exposure is preferable for a tank located near a window.

For all practical purposes, sunlight is unnecessary to an aquarium. Not only is it unnecessary, but it can actually be dangerous and harmful if the aquarium is exposed to it to excess. The difficulty with sunlight is that it is hard to control, and its occurrence is impossible to predict. A little sunlight for an aquarium situated in a window may be beneficial during the colder months when the rays are weak. Those same rays may become a menace during the warmer months of the year, even cooking the fishes and plants in extreme cases. What usually happens is that the best heat of the sun warms the aquarium considerably during the day. At night there is a sharp drop in temperature. Most tropical fishes are mildly tolerant of a minor temperature change which does not occur too often. When it is both sharp and frequent, it usually leads to complications and disease.

Besides the heat problem, the strong rays of direct sunlight frequently trigger the growth of microscopic plants known as algae.

Daylight or indirect sunlight, being so much less intense than direct sunlight, is easier to control and more beneficial. Natural light must be taken into account when computing the length of time the reflector should be kept lighted. The more natural light a tank receives the less artificial light it requires, and vice versa.

Is It Possible to Build a Tank into Furniture?

It is possible to build a fish tank into a furniture article. A built-in aquarium makes a most attractive display in your home. An aquarium may also be built into a wall, or in a wall between two rooms. Each job presents its own problems, but there are certain things that apply to all of them.

An aquarium tank will expand slightly when it is filled, so you should never fit a fish tank snugly into a space. You must always allow at least 1″ for expansion on each side. When the fish tank is fitted into a closed object, keep evaporation in mind. Line the sides and top with a waterproof material or non-toxic waterproof paint, and allow adequate ventilation.

When building a fish tank into an outside wall, you must remember that the back of the compartment may become quite cold during the winter and hot during the summer - insulate it. You should always allow easy accessibility for frequent chores such as feeding, siphoning, glass cleaning, etc. You should allow at least a 6-inch space should be allowed above the aquarium to permit entry of a hand.

A fluorescent light (a multi-spectrum bulb is best) is preferable to an incandescent one for an aquarium in an enclosed place. The heat given off by an incandescent light is a definite drawback, particularly during the warmer months. You should always make provision so that the fish tank can be removed when necessary without destroying the piece of furniture. When you are using a motor-driven pump in the same compartment with the fish tank, you must allow adequate ventilation for it as the motor-driven pumps give off quite a bit of heat.

A hinged frame which conceals the frame of the aquarium can greatly enhance its appearance. It gives the aquarium a picture like quality. Frequently a wall installation of the fish tank is made in a living-room wall which is next to a closet. A shelf is built in the closet which supports the fish tank against an opening cut into the viewing-room wall. All servicing can then be done from the rear.

Should I Buy Small or Big Aquarium Tank?

A small fish tank is not recommended because it is limited in its capacity and can very easily be overstocked. Overcrowding, like any other excess, leads to trouble. A conscientious dealer will warn about overcrowding when you are buying too many fishes. Get his advice by telling him the size of your tank. A 5 gallon aquarium is only a couple of dollars less than a 10-gallon aquarium. In fact the cost of the equipment will run about the same to outfit a 5-gallon aquarium as it would for a 10-gallon aquarium.

The reason for this is that most of the equipment you will need for the 5-gallon aquarium is the Hume used for the 10-gallon aquarium. Some of the equipment may cost more for the 5-gallon aquarium if it is not a popular item that is mass produced. Gallon for gallon, a small tank costs more than a large one. Therefore buying a very small tank is not really economical at all.

There are two types of stands available in most pet shops, wrought iron and wood. You will find the iron stands to be less expensive, although many of the wooden stands are competitively priced. The iron stands are open on all sides, while many of the wooden models are enclosed to give a (cabinet-like appearance with doors in front.

It is a good idea if you can afford it. The equipment required is somewhat more expensive, requiring heavier- duty heating and filtering units than the smaller, average- size tank. But remember that if something goes wrong due to mishandling, a change often becomes necessary. And it is quite a chore to change all the water and clean the gravel in a 40- or 50-gallon tank.

A large tank has certain decided advantages. A large number of fishes can be kept without overcrowding, and they will usually grow better than when kept in smaller confines. There are several species of fishes which tend to be pugnacious when crowded into a small aquarium. Many of these same fishes are quite peaceful when given more “fin room.” Scenically, an artistic person can really let himself go with a large aquarium. A little imagination can transform a large aquarium into an enchanting underwater garden, with grottoes and mountains, valleys, and even lawns. A lovely little plant, Micro Sagittaria, never grows more than an inch or so high. Planted toward the front of an aquarium, it soon covers the bottom with a luxuriant green lawn. Best of all, it requires no mowing!