How to Maintain a Tropical Fish Tank

Some people start with a simple fish bowl.

Maintaining a tropical fish tank can be a fun and rewarding experience. Whether you are starting out with a few goldfish or spending a few hundred dollars are rare tropical fish, you are joining the ranks of aquarists everywhere who love to raise, maintain and watch these beautiful little living gems.

Instructions

1. 

   Healthy, colorful tropical fish are a joy to raise.

   Provide oxygen. A very necessary part of being an aquarist is to make sure you are providing enough oxygen to the water in your fish tank. A large water surface will usually suffice, but if you do not have a large water surface, you will need an air pump and a tube. Run the air tube down below the water surface in the tank. This will not only aerate the water, but will also move the water, helping to reduce carbon dioxide.

2. Test the water temperature often. Water temperature in your fish tank is another important consideration. Tropical fish need the water in their fish tank to stay warm, especially in the winter. Provide a heater for your tropical fish tank, as well as a thermometer. Be aware of fluctuations in room temperature. You may not need the heater on in your fish tank during the summer months.

3. Keep the tank filter clean. A water filter is one of the most important considerations for your fish tank. The right water filter will keep the water in your aquarium crystal clear and filtered properly for your tropical fish. It will remove any debris from the water. It is important to have the right size filter for your fish tank. The more gallons of water, the larger the filter you need to keep your aquarium clean. You will need to change the carbon cartridge in your water filter regularly. The carbon cartridge helps your filter keep the water clean and the Ph balanced properly.

4. Perform a partial water change if the water seems cloudy. You should do a partial water change in your aquarium on a consistent basis to help keep the water fresh. Remove 10-25 percent of the total water volume in the tank and replace it with fresh water. When changing the water in your aquarium, use water conditioners to eliminate chlorine and other harmful chemicals in tap water. To be perfectly safe, use bottled spring water. You will not have to add anything to it to remove harmful chemicals as it is pure.

5. Change the light bulbs as needed. In maintaining your aquarium, you will need proper lighting in order to keep your tropical fish healthy. Fluorescent lights will encourage good bacteria to grow in your fish tank, which will help keep the bad bacteria in check.

6. Rinse the objects in your tank under hot water. When performing a regular partial water change in the aquarium, take out any plants or rocks and rinse them thoroughly under hot water. Do not use soap.

7. 

   Clownfish are relatively easy to keep in a saltwater tank.

   Educate yourself on how many fish you can safely put in the size tank you are using. Don't put too many tropical fish in your aquarium based on how many gallons it holds. The general rule of thumb is one inch of fish for every gallon of water in the tank. If you have a ten gallon aquarium, it should contain no more than ten inches of tropical fish. In other words, two 5-inch fish, or five 2-inch fish.

8. Provide an algae eater to help keep your tank clean. Plecos are wildly popular with aquarium keepers because they are algae eaters that will help keep your fish tank clean.

References

• Hagen: Basic Aquarium Guide

Resources

• Bio-Wheel Water Filter for up to 20 gal. tank
• AquaSafe Water Conditioner
• TetraMin Tropical Flakes fish food