Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
African dwarf frogs are aquatic their entire lives, spending most of their time in the water. In captivity, they need an aquarium with a small land area, rather than a terrarium. Before the introduction of animals, all aquariums must be cycled -- a process that lets essential microbes become established. In the confines of a tank, the waste of frogs and other animals is toxic, if the right bacteria are not present in sufficient numbers to break it down.
Adding fish to an aquarium that has not been cycled is a recipe for disaster. Ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are toxic byproducts of fish metabolism, and they can quickly overwhelm an aquarium -- causing illness or death to its inhabitants. Beneficial bacteria convert these toxins into less toxic substances, but these bacteria are not present in a freshly set-up aquarium. Cycling is the process of establishing enough of these bacteria to keep toxin levels low. The simplest way to cycle an aquarium is "fishless cycling," which establishes the bacteria population before any fish are added to the aquarium.
Cycling a new aquarium is a simple process if you have access to an aquarium filter from an established tank. Established tanks have a healthy population of bacteria that break down fish waste and keep the aquarium water clean and safe for your fish. Many filters are designed to house large numbers of these beneficial bacteria and using an established filter greatly reduces the time it takes to fully cycle new aquariums.
Dissolved oxygen is an essential requirement for fish and invertebrate animals, such as sea anemones and sea stars. Beneficial nitrifying bacteria, which break down the metabolic waste of aquatic creatures, are equally dependent on oxygen. The natural limit of dissolved oxygen in aquarium water is termed the saturation level and the level is measured in parts per million (ppm).
Having a fish is a suitable first pet as the requirements for care are pretty minimal, unlike a dog that requires regular walks or a cat that needs a clean littler box. A pet fish can prepare you for the responsibilities of care-giving, easing you into remembering to complete the maintenance of a regular feeding schedule. With fish, there may be times when you'll need to move them from their tank to another tank, or into a traveling container or bowl. While this isn't complicated, there are things you need to do to ensure the safety of your pet and…
All aquariums require cleaning. Aquariums that are maintained on an ongoing basis remain healthy and are a delight to watch. This maintenance involves regular water changes, and cleaning of filter material and glass panes of the aquarium. Elements that have been depleted from the water also should be replaced during the cleaning schedule. Cleaning does not have to be a difficult task and the aquarist should use these opportunities to check that not only the water, but the equipment are fully functional and clean.
The chemical balance of the water in a saltwater aquarium should be checked regularly. This will help ensure a healthy environment in which your fish and other aquatic pets will be happy and prosperous. Water testing is often ignored until something goes out of balance or undesirable algae appears. However, it is important to test the water in your aquarium often so you can make adjustments before problems occur. This will help prevent your fish from becoming infected with parasites or other diseases. Saltwater testing kits are available at pet stores and fish stores.
The novice fish owner might not question how safe it is to simply pour tap water into his fish tank. However, to maintain the health and appearance of a well-kept fish tank, the beginner must consider the quality of the tap water before adding any fish. The bottom line is that you cannot put the fish into your aquarium until it is a safe, stabilized environment.
Ammonia is an "invisible assassin," according to Fish Channel.com. Its only acceptable level in tanks is zero. It enters via three methods. Its least likely source is improperly treated tap water. Decomposing organic matter such as dead fish or too much fish food cause ammonia levels to rise. Since ammonia is excreted from fishes' gills, overcrowded aquariums facilitate high ammonia levels. Because ammonia is colorless and water soluble, clear, sparkling tanks aren't indicative of ammonia-free environments.
Plants provide a healthy environment for your aquarium. They oxygenate the water, absorb carbon dioxide, help balance the water chemistry and provide a food source for fish. Aquarium plants will also enhance the look of your tank and provide natural refuge for the fish. Proper care is important for your plants to thrive and remain healthy. Select plants for your fish tank that are specifically cultivated to be submerged.
The water in a fresh water fish tank is not chlorinated and relies on bacteria to dispose of the fish waste. If you want to start a new aquarium, you will need to develop the good bacteria before putting fish in the tank to avoid fish death because of the undisposed waste. The first thing you will have to do is cycle the water to evacuate all the chlorine, then add good bacteria and finally test the water to determine when you can add the fish.
Symptoms of a fish tank problem can come from several sources, ranging from overfeeding to equipment failure. The tank and filter size, number of fish and tank-cleaning frequency also are factors. Generally, a little investigating along with knowing what to look for will pinpoint the issue so you can take steps to correct it. Fresh and saltwater tank symptoms may differ.
There are a lot of different types of fish tank filters, but the most important thing they all do is harbor nitrogen-eating bacteria that convert the ammonia from fish waste and uneaten food into nitrate. Starting a filter is more involved than just plugging it into the wall. It takes about a month for bacteria to settle into the filter and establish themselves.
The nitrogen cycle is the life support system of an aquarium. The cycle is a chain of chemicals and bacteria that are responsible for keeping the aquarium free of organic waste. Without an effective cycle, the tank becomes a toxic soup of chemicals that will harm or kill the inhabitants. To get a new aquarium ready for fish, it is essential to biologically mature the filter by encouraging the growth of highly specialized bacteria in the filter system. This process is vital for the safety and welfare of all aquatic animals.
Fish tanks are a way to add a little variety to your home. Aquariums add to your decor and can be a conversation piece for guests. A 50-gallon fish tank is a good-sized fish tank because it will allow you to have a variety of fish and decorations. Larger fish tanks are also easier for beginners because they are easier to maintain.
Too much ammonia in your aquarium or pond causes poor water quality, resulting in problems with plants and illness in fish. Since ammonia is odorless and colorless, it is difficult to gauge its levels in an ecosystem without a testing kit. Unfortunately, many aquarists don’t realize their ammonia is too high until a fish suddenly becomes ill or dies. Avoid this problem by regularly testing ammonia.
Setting up a new aquarium can be an exciting experience---that is, until all the fish in the tank begin slowly dying off. This phenomenon, often called "New Tank Syndrome," is extremely common in new aquariums but can be entirely prevented if the tank is set up and stocked more carefully.
New tropical fish tanks require bacteria to create a continuous biological cycle that provides a healthy environment for the fish. This is known as the “Nitrogen Cycle” and can take from two to eight weeks (or more) to complete. This cycle begins with ammonia released from fish waste and uneaten food, which forms a bacteria. The bacteria convert the ammonia to nitrite, but both of these can be toxic to fish. However, they will not typically prove deadly to the fish, as long as you take the necessary steps. Through time, another “good” bacteria (nitrobacter) is formed and the cycle…
Starting a small fish tank can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it is by no means to be taken lightly. Keeping fish, like keeping any other pet, is a responsibility that should only be undertaken after careful research and consideration. With the right steps towards educating yourself before you "dive in," you will be well prepared to enjoy all the excitement of fish keeping.
Cycling your saltwater aquarium before adding live animals is essential to the health and well-being of your fish. When you cycle a tank properly, beneficial waste-removing bacteria grow in the filter. Without cycling your saltwater tank properly, your fish will be swimming in their own waste and will likely become ill or die. Cycling a tank properly takes about one month, during which time you will need to test the water frequently to achieve desirable levels of different chemicals and bacteria.
Home aquarists have two different ways to find themselves with a tank that is too small for their fish: there may be too many fish for the tank, or the species of fish may be too big for the tank. While tank size alone is not the only parameter to consider (factors like filtration are important, too), too-small tanks are a known cause of illness and death in fish.
Cycling is the process of establishing the nitrogen cycle in your aquarium. The nitrogen cycle converts the toxic ammonia created by fish waste and decaying organic matter into a much less harmful chemical that can be easily removed by performing regular water changes. Cycling a fish tank is one of the most important steps in setting up a new aquarium.
Many new fish hobbyists decide to begin with a 10 gallon tank. These tanks are small, relatively inexpensive and simple to manage, making them perfect for determining if keeping fish is a hobby you wish to pursue before investing in a larger, more expensive tank. They are also good if your space does not permit for a larger tank.
A saltwater fish tank cycle is determined by the level of ammonia and nitrates in the water of the aquarium. Learn to tell when a salt water fish tank cycles with tips from the owner of a fish pet store in this free video on pet care.
The best way to tell when a saltwater fish tank has cycled is to test the nitrate and ammonia levels on a regular basis. Learn to tell when a salt water fish tank cycles with tips from the manager of a fish pet store in this free video on pet care.
Cycling a new aquarium refers to transforming an aquarium devoid of any microbial life into an actual ecosystem. Learn about cycling an aquarium to be a proper environment for fish and plants with instructions from a koi breeder and aquarium specialist in this free video on fish care.
Watch as a seasoned professional demonstrates how to use nitrite in fish tank cycling in this free online video about exotic pets.
Cycling a saltwater fish tank is something that happens to every newly set up tank. Determining when it has finished the cycle process is important so that one doesn’t lose expensive fish and invertebrates. With a few steps you can determine whether your tank has cycled so you can continue with your new hobby.
Good bacteria reduces the amount of ammonia in fish tanks, which keeps the nitrite and nitrate levels at the proper level. This good bacteria essentially keeps your fish alive, but does not exist in new aquariums. You must grow the bacteria before adding new fish and monitor its growth through the nitrate cycle.
