Tuesday 9 August 2016

Procedures For Conducting Aquarium Maintenance

By James Sullivan


Routine maintenance practices conducted on aquariums create a sustainable environment for fish to thrive. You are likely to save a lot of cash that could be spent in fixing unmaintained fish tanks. There are several ways of undertaking aquarium maintenance. These procedures are less time consuming and generally cheap. You will note an improvement in the health of your fish after undertaking the following practices.

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.

Tank water should not be replaced at once. You can replace twenty five percent as you gradually add more fresh water. This is because when you change the water at once, nitrifying bacteria, that decompose waste in the container, are lost. Consequently, the fish tank will have high ammonia composition. Ammonia inflames the gills of the fish hence making it hard for them to inhale oxygen from water.

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 should also be used to remove unwanted particles such as dust and uneaten food in water. On the other hand, the filter must comprise of carbon inserts that require replacement after a period of four weeks. Replacing the filter inserts prevents them from decomposing when they react with the particles filtered from water. The filter should also be cleaned monthly.

Maintenance practices can be undertaken in different timeframes. For example, it is advisable to check whether the aquatic vessel is operating well every day. As an aquarium owner, observing the fish as they feed daily can help you to assess their health. Aquatic supplies have expiry dates that should be reviewed every month. As an inhabitant of Cincinnati OH, adopting these practices will increase the population of your fish.

Artificial plants together with other decorations of the aquarium must also be removed during cleaning. They should be cleaned every month and separately on a sink by use of algae sponges. Use more water when cleaning and rinsing them to completely eliminate any bacteria that has accumulated on their surfaces.

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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