We live in a time where we have access to all the tools, materials, and information necessary to build micro-environments within our own homes. Some people might want to build a tank for a unique species of lizard or snake, while others might instead prefer to have an aquarium packed with a wide range of different fish.
Aquariums are a fair amount of work, but they can also be extremely rewarding if you’re willing to put in the time, effort, and money. And the experience can be made that much easier by using the following tips and tricks.
Know The Appropriate Water Conditions
It’s not as simple as having either fresh or saltwater. The conditions of the water need to be just right in order for the organisms living within it to thrive. Having the right pH levels, for example, is absolutely vital, especially for certain species of fish that might prefer it within a certain pH range.
It’s important to keep in mind that a home aquarium is a completely closed system, and that everything in it relies on your input to survive and do well. If you don’t take the time to make sure that everything is just right for your fish and other animals, it won’t take long before things start to get sick and begin dying. Regular monitoring and water testing is an essential part of the home aquarium experience.
Cycling The Water
It’s one of the first pieces of advice that experience aquarium owners will tell beginners when they encounter an issue. Cycling the water involves running the water in the tank through filters a few times to remove any foreign or dangerous particles that might be present. This is done for a number of reasons, as it doesn’t take very much for certain levels in the water to be thrown out of balance.
An example of this is when a fish dies within the tank and it goes unnoticed – after enough time, the fish’s corpse will begin releasing chemicals into the water that may disrupt specific levels and cause the other organisms to become sick. Cycling the water often and properly is a vital part of maintaining a healthy aquarium, and creates a great opportunity to read a book or enjoy Canadian gambling.
Research The Fish
There are too many horror stories of people buying whatever fish they liked at the store, throwing them in the tank, and coming through the next morning to find that everything has died. This is because all fish species are different and have different requirements, and doing the appropriate research is absolutely imperative to ensuring that everything does well in the tank.
Fortunately, with the power of the internet, books, and forums, it’s possible to gather every piece of necessary information on just about any exotic fish species imaginable. It might help to put together a small compendium of the fish that you’re interested in keeping, including what kind of conditions they prefer.
