Stock a self-cleaning aquarium wisely The basic guidelines of stocking a self-sustaining tank are: Avoid overcrowding; Add new tank mates gradually;
How many fish should I stock my Aquarium with?
Your best bet is to stock a few fish at a time to see how your tank reacts – if it reacts well, you can add a few more. Resist fully stocking your tank in a single go, even if your tank has completed its nitrogen cycle and the beneficial bacteria in the aquarium are established. Only add a maximum of two fish per week.
What should I look for when buying fish for my Aquarium?
Although swimming levels are a factor; water parameters such as pH, temperature, and water hardness are quite important when combining fish in a community aquarium. Also be aware of the adult size the fish will grow to, as most fish are sold as juveniles still.
Are freshwater fish tanks easy to set up?
Freshwater fish tanks are inexpensive to set up and maintain, and there is an incredible array of fish available with which you can stock your new aquarium. Building a tiny ecosystem of animals and plants is an amazing feeling.
How to create and maintain a healthy fresh water aquarium?
To create and maintain a healthy, safe and harmonious fresh water aquarium, it is important to get the stocking levels and the type of fish to stock, just right.
How do you maintain an aquarium?
10 Key Tips to Keeping a Healthy AquariumProperly condition your water. ... Acclimate your fish to the water. ... Float fish in their bag. ... Maintain pH balance and other chemical levels. ... Make sure water temperature is right. ... Change water regularly. ... Clean tank glass and other structures. ... Choose the right size for your tank.More items...
How do you set up and maintain an aquarium?
0:2710:03How to Set Up a Freshwater Aquarium | Big Al's - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're going to want an aquarium light so you can enjoy them even with the room lighting nice andMoreYou're going to want an aquarium light so you can enjoy them even with the room lighting nice and Jim you're going to also require an aquarium hood to go along with the tank.
How do you stock an aquarium?
Stock Your Aquarium's Space Evenly When choosing fish for your aquarium, select fish that occupy different levels in the tank. By doing that, you will ensure that the fish won't need to compete for space. The reward is a visually appealing aquarium, evenly filled with all sorts of different fish.
How quickly can you stock a fish tank?
Wait until both the ammonia and nitrite levels have risen and then fallen to zero before adding more fish. It usually take about 3-6 weeks for a new aquarium to go through the initial nitrogen cycle, so fish should be added only a few per week during this time.
What size fish tank is easiest to maintain?
For a beginner, 5 gallons is the minimum recommended tank size, though a 20-gallon tank or larger is even better.
What is the best fish for beginners?
10 Best Aquarium Fish for BeginnersRasboras. There are many types of rasboras, but our favorite ones are the harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) and lambchop rasbora (Trigonostigma espei). ... Common Goldfish. ... Tetras. ... Corydoras. ... Platies. ... Betta Fish. ... Barbs. ... Bolivian Cichlids.More items...
How many fishes should be kept in aquarium?
nine fishesIt is considered auspicious to keep fishes in the odd number. Primarily, keeping nine fishes in an aquarium is considered auspicious, among these nine fishes, there should be eight Goldfish and one blackfish.
What is a good combination of fish for an aquarium?
Recommended Freshwater Aquarium Fish Combinations: 1) Apistogramma Dwarf Cichlid and Green Neon Tetra. 2) African Cichlids and Synodontis Catfish. 3) Rainbow Shark and Tiger Barbs.
Why are all the fish at the top of the tank?
Fish breathe oxygen that's dissolved in the water. The main reason for fish swimming near the surface is to breathe more easily. The level of dissolved oxygen is higher at the top because of the interaction between the air and water that takes place at the surface.
What is new tank syndrome?
'New Tank Syndrome' is a term used to describe problems that occur due to the build-up of invisible, toxic compounds in an aquarium. It gets its name as the issue is most likely to occur when your filter is maturing when starting a new aquarium.
How do I know when my tank has cycled?
During the fish tank cycling process, you should regularly test the water in your fish tank for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. When the tests started to show 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and some nitrate then you can conclude that your fish tank is cycled.
How often should fish tank water be changed?
Change 10 to 15 percent of the water each week. If your tank is heavily stocked, bump that up to 20 percent each week. A lightly stocked tank can get by for two weeks, but that should be the maximum length of time between water changes as you do not want to place any stress on your fish.
Why do you need to choose a fish for a community aquarium?
Choosing fish that prefer swimming at different levels will result in a far more attractive aquarium , while at the same time assuring that your fish will not have to compete for space. It will also reduce the stress that occurs ...
What are the parameters of a community aquarium?
Always research the fish you are interested in for your community aquarium. Although swimming levels are a factor; water parameters such as pH, temperature, and water hardness are quite important when combining fish in a community aquarium.
What fish are good for mid level?
Larger fish such as Gouramis, Rainbowfish, or Angelfish also make interesting mid-level fish. However, it is important to remember that slower-moving fish with long flowing fins may be picked on by smaller, faster-moving fish. Tiger Barbs are particularly well known for nipping fins.
What is the top dwelling fish?
Top dwelling fish add movement and color at the top level of the aquarium, which often has very little decoration. Many fish that prefer the top level are surface feeders in nature and have upturned mouths designed for top feeding. They hang at the surface waiting for the next meal to come along.
What is the middle level of an aquarium?
The middle level is the focal point of the aquarium and should be populated with plenty of active fish. Schooling fish, including most of the Tetra species, as well as some of the Barbs, are excellent for the middle level of a community tank. Mid-dwelling fish are often selected as dither fish for cichlid tanks, particularly schools of active fish.
What fish should be fed after the lights are off?
Some bottom-dwellers are nocturnal and should be fed after turning the lights off for the night. Popular mid- and bottom-dwelling fish include: Bolivian Ram.
What fish do not jump?
Popular top-dwelling fish include: Marble and Silver Hatchetfish. Halfbeak.
Why do you need to clean your aquarium?
Cleaning allows for harmful waste that is in the aquarium to be removed. This allows for new helpful materials to replenish in the tank. By finding a happy medium when cleaning your tank, you are able to create a balance. Please, do not use any cleaning products, as they could be harmful to all aspects of the aquarium.
What are the parameters to check for in an aquarium?
These areas include—but are not limited—to the pH level, alkalinity level, water hardness, chlorine and chloramine level, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and salinity.
Why do you cycle water in an aquarium?
Cycling the tank allows for the water to be livable and accumulated until the water is changed. Do not skip this step. If you do not follow this step, then it can be detrimental to not only the inhabitants of your tank but your aquarium overall.
How long should you wait to start a nitrogen cycle in an aquarium?
This should be done for at least a day before any fish enter the aquarium.
What to look for when choosing fish?
It is extremely important that, when choosing what fish you are going to have in your aquarium, you look for many different things—including the needs and behavior of the fish. Managing and regulating fish’s behavior can be a challenging aspect of maintenance, but these steps are crucial to the overall wellbeing of the aquarium.
Can fish be compatible with each other?
Well, sometimes certain fish just aren’t compatible with each other. Not only do different fish have different needs such as aquarium conditions and water parameters, but there are also times when the fish’s behavior comes into play. Educate yourself, so you don’t have fights in your tank!
Can you overfeed fish?
Don’t Overfeed Your Fish. Setting a healthy feeding schedule is key! Overfeeding can kill your fish. The key is to only feed them what they can eat in one minute. Anything else can be harmful. It can also be helpful to skip feedings occasionally to just maintain the overall health of the aquarium.
What to do if your aquarium water level drops?
If the water level has dropped, top it off with treated or aged water as needed. This is a good time to start an aquarium journal or log if you haven't done so already. While there is no need to record everything, it is helpful to note anything out of the ordinary on your daily checks.
How to keep fish healthy?
A large part of keeping your fish healthy is ensuring that their habitat remains healthy . Regular maintenance is key to keeping the aquarium environment safe. 1 One roadblock for aquarium owners is knowing what maintenance they should perform. Experts may disagree on the specific points of aquarium maintenance, ...
How to clean algae off of aquarium glass?
Wipe down the outside tank surfaces with a non-ammonia aquarium safe cleanser, or simply use a damp cloth. Gently shake plants, whether they are live or artificial, to dislodge debris. Scrape the inside glass to remove any algae, then take a break for ten or fifteen minutes and let everything settle a bit.
Why is rain important to an aquarium?
Rain falling adds fresh water, and live plants produce oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide. The sheer volume of water also serves to dilute any harmful toxins. Unlike bodies of water in nature, an aquarium is a relatively small amount of water.
How to check temperature of fish tank?
Check the temperature to ensure it's in the proper range. 1 Count the fish and check if they appear healthy. A good time to do this is when you feed them, as they will be out and easy to observe. Once they have finished eating, examine the tank to see if there is uneaten food remaining on the bottom.
Who is Shirlie from Aquarium?
Shirlie is a fish and aquarium lover with 16 years of experience writing on the topic of raising and keeping fish at home. A large part of keeping your fish healthy is ensuring that their habitat remains healthy. Regular maintenance is key to keeping the aquarium environment safe. 1 One roadblock for aquarium owners is knowing what maintenance they ...
Do you need a bucket for aquarium maintenance?
Aquarium maintenance does not require a lot of equipment. However, it does help to have a few specialized tools on hand. The most important piece of equipment to have is a dedicated aquarium bucket, and make sure you do not use it for anything else. Having two buckets is helpful, but not absolutely necessary.
What fish are good for eating on the water surface?
They’re, hence, suited for eating food on the water’s surface. Some examples are Jumpers, Betta, and Hatchetfish. Fish in the middle level would be the ones that catch the most attention. It’s a good idea to stock schooling and colorful fish here to give a gorgeous effect.
Is it bad to have a crowded tank?
A crowded tank is much more dangerous than an empty one. It’s not just that the fish would get disturbed by being placed so close together; they could also become hostile toward each other They would understandably get frustrated and see other fish as their enemies.
How to choose fish for an aquarium?
When choosing fish for your aquarium, select fish that occupy different levels in the tank. By doing that, you will ensure that the fish won't need to compete for space. The reward is a visually appealing aquarium, evenly filled with all sorts of different fish.
What is a successful freshwater aquarium?
A successful freshwater aquarium is a properly planned aquarium. Consider the time you spend calculating, resolving compatibility issues and researching an investment – it might take you a little extra time to figure out how you are going to stock your tank, but it will definitely be worth it.
How many fish can you put in an 80 gallon tank?
From a practical perspective, you will never add the full 80" of fish to your 80 gallon tank.
What is a top dwelling fish?
Top dwelling fish generally have upturned mouths, designed for feeding at the water's surface. Some species of top dwelling fish, such as Hatchetfish and Betta, are strong jumpers. If your tank contains jumpers, replace the lid immediately after feeding and maintenance.
How many gallons of water does an 80 gallon tank hold?
Also, an 80 gallon tank will hold less than 80 gallons because the ornaments, gravel, equipment and plants you will be adding to the tank, will reduce the water volume. When you perform your rule of thumb calculation, base it on the adult size of the fish.
Why do aggressive fish need to be housed in species specific tanks?
Aggressive species of fish often must be housed in species-specific tanks because they are only likely to get along with certain fish.
What fish have downturned mouths?
Bottom Dwelling Fish: Bottom dwellers, like Cory and Catfish, have down-turned mouths, enabling them to feed on those morsels of food that fall to the bottom of the tank. Bottom level fish help keep the substrate clean as they scour the bottom for food.
How do I care for a tropical aquarium?
Keeping a tropical aquarium can be a rewarding experience. Freshwater fish tanks are inexpensive to set up and maintain , and there is an incredible array of fish available with which you can stock your new aquarium. Building a tiny ecosystem of animals and plants is an amazing feeling.
What happens if you overstock your fish tank?
An overcrowded tank results in increased aggression, increased stress, increased disease, and an overall unhealthy living situation for your fish. It is far better to under-stock your tank and have fewer but healthier fish. 5. Avoid Overfeeding Your Fish.
How many guppies can you have in a tank?
That means you’ll be choosing your number of fish, and your tank size, by the interval of three. In other words, you can have six, nine, twelve or fifteen guppies, but not seven or ten or eleven.
Why do tropical fish die so quickly?
Poor tank maintenance is one of the biggest reasons tropical fish die too soon. Here are 6 things you can do to increase your chances of having happy, healthy fish, and a great-looking aquarium. 1. Cycle the Tank Before Adding Fish.
How often should I light my fish tank?
You should keep the tank light on a maximum of 12 hours every day. In reality, you can probably do with much less. Remember that the light in the fish tank is for you, not the fish. The moderate lighting of daylight is plenty for them, and about what they would experience in the wild.
How often should I remove water from my fish tank?
You need to remove about one-third of the water from your tank every week and replace it with fresh, clean water. This dilutes the chemicals in the water and makes it healthier for your fish. In fact, if you fail to do this you will find your water parameters harder to keep under control.
Should I buy a fish tank and a fish tank on the same day?
This is something that should be done before you ever add fish to your tank. In other words: You should not purchase your fish tank and your fish on the same day! Cycling involves the growth of healthy microorganisms within the tank, which will break down waste and help keep the water safe for fish.
Top-Level Fish
Middle-Level Fish
- The middle level is the focal point of the aquarium and should be populated with plenty of active fish. Schooling fish, including most of the Tetra species, as well as some of the Barbs, are excellent for the middle level of a community tank. Mid-dwelling fish are often selected as dither fish for cichlid tanks, particularly schools of active fish. Larger fish such as Gouramis, Rainbowfi…
Bottom-Dwelling Fish
- Bottom-dwelling fish lend interest to the lower levels of the tank and often help turn over the substrate. You will note that most of them have mouths that point downward, making it easy for them to scour the tank bottom for morsels of food. However, do not fall into the commonly held myth that bottom dwellers do not have to be fed. All too often b...
Choosing Fish
- Always research the fish you are interested in for your community aquarium. Although swimming levels are a factor; water parameters such as pH, temperature, and water hardnessare quite important when combining fish in a community aquarium. Also be aware of the adult size the fish will grow to, as most fish are sold as juveniles still. For a quick reference, look at a level chartfor …