How To Select A Koi Pond Filter by John Marston
Having a Koi Pond is a great attraction and a beautiful addition for any yard. There is just something very relaxing about watching Koi swim peacefully in a small pond. But to enjoy your Koi Pond you need to use the proper filter to keep the pond clean and healthy.
Selecting the proper size and type of filter is vital to making the pond a healthy environment for your Koi. Like most fish, Koi can live in various types of ponds; in fact, they can live in a pond that is so dark with algae and silt that you cannot even see them swimming by. But by the same token, a crystal clear pond can contain toxicity levels that are harmful to your Koi.
Make sure that the filter you select for your Koi pond is correct for the job. Some people use swimming pool filters for their Koi pond and find out later that this is the wrong type of filter. Typically a Koi pond filter needs to run continuously, 24 hours a day, whereas a swimming pool filter is only required to run intermittently to keep a swimming pool clean. Homeowners who opt for a swimming pool filter are dismayed at the additional cost of operating the incorrect type of filter.
When it comes to purchasing the correct type of filter, it helps to find a knowledgeable supplier. Many nursery centers and big box stores do not fully understand the requirements of a Koi pond filter and inadvertently will recommend the wrong type of filter for your pond. It is best to utilize a supply center that specializes in fish pond filters. In fact, a successful pond supply center will have a Koi pond that demonstrates the effectiveness of the filters they are selling.
About the Author
To learn more about building a water pond or fountain your yard, please go to http://www.riparian.best-info-online.com. For the best supplies and best prices for constructing your water garden, see our Water Pond Supplies.
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
Friday, 10 August 2007
Choosing Fish for an Outdoor Pond
Although you may have favorite tropical fish for your indoor aquarium, when it comes to setting up an outdoor pond you may have to adjust your selections a bit. What works inside may not work outside where the environmental conditions can be harder to keep under control. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular pond fish for outdoor habitats.
* First, before you even think about putting fish into your pond you should make sure that you turn on the pump and filtration device and let it circulate for at least 5-7 days. This allows for everything in the pond to neutralize out and also lets you test your equipment. Better to find out before you put your expensive fish in the pond that something isn’t right! Don’t forget to test the pH as well at the end of the 5-7 days.
* Next, the golden rule of thumb is you should allow 24 square inches of pond for every 1 inch of fish. Goldfish and Koi Carp are two of the more popular outdoor fish that people place in ponds. However, if you want to spend a little bit more money you can also look into getting Japanese Koi and Israel Koi which can add some welcome variety to the pond.
* Once you’ve made your selection it’s time to introduce them to the pond. This is a multi-step process, and a bit more involved than adding them to an aquarium. First, float the sealed bag for at least 2-3 hours. This allows the temperatures to come up and match in both the bag and the pond. Next, open the bag and add some pond water to the bag and reseal. Re-float the bag for another 2-3 hours or overnight. Finally, after checking the overall health of the fish, you can release it into the pond.
* Based on what fish you chose, be sure to introduce some aquatic plants to your pond to help them feel more at home. An added benefit is the plants will also help to balance out your pond ecosystem. Again, don’t crowd the pond out with plants but make sure that you have enough to help reduce algae and provide a habitat for the fish. You may also find that over time Mother Nature may also add some of her own plants to the environment!
* Finally, with your new pond up and running and stocked, be sure to monitor how your fish are reacting. Some will take to their new home with ease, while others will require a longer getting acquainted period. The simple truth is some fish just don’t do well outdoors, and you may find that you have to change your plans as you learn what species work well outside and what don’t.
* First, before you even think about putting fish into your pond you should make sure that you turn on the pump and filtration device and let it circulate for at least 5-7 days. This allows for everything in the pond to neutralize out and also lets you test your equipment. Better to find out before you put your expensive fish in the pond that something isn’t right! Don’t forget to test the pH as well at the end of the 5-7 days.
* Next, the golden rule of thumb is you should allow 24 square inches of pond for every 1 inch of fish. Goldfish and Koi Carp are two of the more popular outdoor fish that people place in ponds. However, if you want to spend a little bit more money you can also look into getting Japanese Koi and Israel Koi which can add some welcome variety to the pond.
* Once you’ve made your selection it’s time to introduce them to the pond. This is a multi-step process, and a bit more involved than adding them to an aquarium. First, float the sealed bag for at least 2-3 hours. This allows the temperatures to come up and match in both the bag and the pond. Next, open the bag and add some pond water to the bag and reseal. Re-float the bag for another 2-3 hours or overnight. Finally, after checking the overall health of the fish, you can release it into the pond.
* Based on what fish you chose, be sure to introduce some aquatic plants to your pond to help them feel more at home. An added benefit is the plants will also help to balance out your pond ecosystem. Again, don’t crowd the pond out with plants but make sure that you have enough to help reduce algae and provide a habitat for the fish. You may also find that over time Mother Nature may also add some of her own plants to the environment!
* Finally, with your new pond up and running and stocked, be sure to monitor how your fish are reacting. Some will take to their new home with ease, while others will require a longer getting acquainted period. The simple truth is some fish just don’t do well outdoors, and you may find that you have to change your plans as you learn what species work well outside and what don’t.
Aquarium Plants: More than Just Decoration
Have you ever seen a pond or lake without plants in it? Probably not. That’s why most aquarium setups have some types of aquatic plants in them. They not only add to the visual pleasantness of the aquarium, they also provide a valuable service in keeping algae down and your water aerated – not to mention providing a place for the fish to “hide” and escape too.
* All aquatic plants need a good base to grow from – just the same way your tomato plants in your garden need good soil to grow. Most people make the mistake of thinking just any type of gravel will suffice only to find their plants dieing out in a few short months. A good base for your plants should include about one-quarter to a half inch of low-calcium gravel that should be available at your local pet shop. This helps the plants to take root and anchors them to the bottom of your tank
.
* You may also want to add a bit of iron to your gravel mixture as well. You should be able to pick up some pellet-formed iron clays at your pet supply center and mix it in with the regular gravel. The good news is not only does it help the plants but also controls algae breakouts!
* All plants need nutrients to survive, even under water. The good news is that most of the nutrients your plants need will come from the water itself. Most aquariums have nitrates in the water from waste and other breakdown of plant and animal matter. Plants just love this stuff – yet another benefit of adding some aquatic plants to your tank!
* Remember in science class you studied how if a plant is deprived of light it will die? Well, the same is true in your aquarium. Now don’t go placing your tank in direct sunlight where it will boil the water, but do consider adding some extra bulbs to your aquarium lighting if you have a lot of aquatic plants. The second part of the light equation is Carbon Dioxide, but the good news is fish give this off the same as humans do. Unless you have a heavily planted tank the Carbon Dioxide from your fish will be more than enough to help your plants do their best.
* When purchasing plants for your tank it is important to read about what type of environment they need in terms of pH and temperature. You want to match up your plants to the environment that your tropical fish thrive in. There are a number of handbooks that guide you through the different requirements of plants, as well as tell you what plants are more suitable for specific species of tropical fish.
You will find that aquatic plants will make your aquarium look better and also provide a better habitat for your fish to live in. They not only provide decoration but also provide several necessary functions to help keep your tank ecosystem performing well.
* All aquatic plants need a good base to grow from – just the same way your tomato plants in your garden need good soil to grow. Most people make the mistake of thinking just any type of gravel will suffice only to find their plants dieing out in a few short months. A good base for your plants should include about one-quarter to a half inch of low-calcium gravel that should be available at your local pet shop. This helps the plants to take root and anchors them to the bottom of your tank
.
* You may also want to add a bit of iron to your gravel mixture as well. You should be able to pick up some pellet-formed iron clays at your pet supply center and mix it in with the regular gravel. The good news is not only does it help the plants but also controls algae breakouts!
* All plants need nutrients to survive, even under water. The good news is that most of the nutrients your plants need will come from the water itself. Most aquariums have nitrates in the water from waste and other breakdown of plant and animal matter. Plants just love this stuff – yet another benefit of adding some aquatic plants to your tank!
* Remember in science class you studied how if a plant is deprived of light it will die? Well, the same is true in your aquarium. Now don’t go placing your tank in direct sunlight where it will boil the water, but do consider adding some extra bulbs to your aquarium lighting if you have a lot of aquatic plants. The second part of the light equation is Carbon Dioxide, but the good news is fish give this off the same as humans do. Unless you have a heavily planted tank the Carbon Dioxide from your fish will be more than enough to help your plants do their best.
* When purchasing plants for your tank it is important to read about what type of environment they need in terms of pH and temperature. You want to match up your plants to the environment that your tropical fish thrive in. There are a number of handbooks that guide you through the different requirements of plants, as well as tell you what plants are more suitable for specific species of tropical fish.
You will find that aquatic plants will make your aquarium look better and also provide a better habitat for your fish to live in. They not only provide decoration but also provide several necessary functions to help keep your tank ecosystem performing well.
An Introduction to Tropical Fish
Chances are, sometime in your childhood, you had a gold fish or other colorful fish in an aquarium or a fishbowl. Tropical fish, or those types of fish that primarily exist in fresh water environments, are a popular home and pond variety that millions of people keep for their color and their beauty. Let’s take a few minutes to talk more about tropical fish in the home environment.
The term tropical fish actually covers many different species of fish, but is often used as general term that encompasses any freshwater fish that have bright coloration. They are often found in aquariums or ponds and many species require very little care outside of normal feeding and water maintenance.
* Aquariums can be found almost anywhere – homes, offices, even at the mall. They can be small as a few gallons or hold thousands of gallons of water. They usually include an aeration device that pumps air into the water as well as a filter that cleans the water to remove dead planet material, waste and other debris. Often, small aquariums have neither a filter nor air pump because they contain only one or two fish and the water is changed manually.
* Artificial ponds are another venue where you will find tropical fish. These can be indoor or outdoor ponds and contain many of the same elements as an aquarium only on a larger scale. Outdoor ponds usually incorporate a heating device to keep the temperature of the water at a suitable level for fish.
* Care and feeding of tropical fish is extremely easy and one of the reasons that people tend to have fish in their home. Many fish only need to be fed once or twice a week, and with a properly working filtration device the water in the tank may need only to be changed every 6 months to a year. Most tropical fish can be mixed in the aquarium or pond together as long as they are non-aggressive. Popular combinations may include goldfish, clown fish and Koi fish.
* If you enjoy seeing large exhibits of tropical fish you may find yourself at one of many public aquariums where tanks can hold as much as 8 million gallons of water! These large aquariums bring together tropical fish from around the world in a setting that lets people observe some of the rarer species that would not be possible to keep at home because of special needs or equipment. Many public aquariums are also a great place to find out information about keeping tropical fish as a hobby.
From a fishbowl on the desk with a single goldfish to tanks that hold millions of gallons of water, tropical fish are a hobby that is enjoyed around the world. Many people find them relaxing and therapeutic to watch and enjoy the low maintenance they require.
The term tropical fish actually covers many different species of fish, but is often used as general term that encompasses any freshwater fish that have bright coloration. They are often found in aquariums or ponds and many species require very little care outside of normal feeding and water maintenance.
* Aquariums can be found almost anywhere – homes, offices, even at the mall. They can be small as a few gallons or hold thousands of gallons of water. They usually include an aeration device that pumps air into the water as well as a filter that cleans the water to remove dead planet material, waste and other debris. Often, small aquariums have neither a filter nor air pump because they contain only one or two fish and the water is changed manually.
* Artificial ponds are another venue where you will find tropical fish. These can be indoor or outdoor ponds and contain many of the same elements as an aquarium only on a larger scale. Outdoor ponds usually incorporate a heating device to keep the temperature of the water at a suitable level for fish.
* Care and feeding of tropical fish is extremely easy and one of the reasons that people tend to have fish in their home. Many fish only need to be fed once or twice a week, and with a properly working filtration device the water in the tank may need only to be changed every 6 months to a year. Most tropical fish can be mixed in the aquarium or pond together as long as they are non-aggressive. Popular combinations may include goldfish, clown fish and Koi fish.
* If you enjoy seeing large exhibits of tropical fish you may find yourself at one of many public aquariums where tanks can hold as much as 8 million gallons of water! These large aquariums bring together tropical fish from around the world in a setting that lets people observe some of the rarer species that would not be possible to keep at home because of special needs or equipment. Many public aquariums are also a great place to find out information about keeping tropical fish as a hobby.
From a fishbowl on the desk with a single goldfish to tanks that hold millions of gallons of water, tropical fish are a hobby that is enjoyed around the world. Many people find them relaxing and therapeutic to watch and enjoy the low maintenance they require.
5 Pieces of Advice for Taking Care of Tropical Fish in an Outside Pond
When you have an outside pond or other aquatic setting some of the methods that worked well in taking care of an indoor aquarium don’t work well in an outdoors setting. From feeding, to heating the water to adding plants you need to make allowances for the different environment in which your tropical fish are in.
* Let’s start out by talking about feeding. Chances are, you are used to feeding your tropical fish about once or twice a week in your indoor aquarium. However, when they move to an outside setting this requirement can change. Bugs and other insects will make their home in and near your pond which will provide the fish for a natural source of food. In addition, you may have more fish in your pond than you had inside because of the increased space. This may mean you need to feed your tropical fish more than you are used too.
* Next, keep in mind that the environment outside is a lot less regulated than that inside your home. If you live in a climate that has extreme hot or cold temperatures you will need to take this into account when designing and stocking your pond. A heavy-duty heater may be necessary for the pond water during cold weather – or you may have to drain the pond and bring the fish inside during the winter. Usually most fish can handle hot weather, but some are sensitive to wide temperature swings. Just as there are heaters for tanks and ponds there are also devices made to help keep water temperatures regulated at a certain level by cooling it when necessary.
* You enjoy your tropical fish, and there are a lot of creatures in nature that will enjoy them as well. Cats, squirrels, raccoons and other creatures of the outside world may want to visit your pond for less than honorable purposes. Keep this in mind when deciding to move your fish outside – and above all, make sure you give them places to hide and get away from nature’s creatures. They’ll appreciate it!
* Do you like to fertilize your lawn? Well you may have to rethink that if there is a concern about runoff into the pond. Most tropical fish like highly regulated waters to keep them healthy, and fertilizer or other chemical runoff can be fatal. It might be time to start going natural with your landscaping!
* If you are looking for a fish that can survive in hardy conditions, and any type of pond, check into Beta Fish. These hardy little guys can survive in low-oxygen environments – in fact, they are often found in drainage ditches in some areas!
* Let’s start out by talking about feeding. Chances are, you are used to feeding your tropical fish about once or twice a week in your indoor aquarium. However, when they move to an outside setting this requirement can change. Bugs and other insects will make their home in and near your pond which will provide the fish for a natural source of food. In addition, you may have more fish in your pond than you had inside because of the increased space. This may mean you need to feed your tropical fish more than you are used too.
* Next, keep in mind that the environment outside is a lot less regulated than that inside your home. If you live in a climate that has extreme hot or cold temperatures you will need to take this into account when designing and stocking your pond. A heavy-duty heater may be necessary for the pond water during cold weather – or you may have to drain the pond and bring the fish inside during the winter. Usually most fish can handle hot weather, but some are sensitive to wide temperature swings. Just as there are heaters for tanks and ponds there are also devices made to help keep water temperatures regulated at a certain level by cooling it when necessary.
* You enjoy your tropical fish, and there are a lot of creatures in nature that will enjoy them as well. Cats, squirrels, raccoons and other creatures of the outside world may want to visit your pond for less than honorable purposes. Keep this in mind when deciding to move your fish outside – and above all, make sure you give them places to hide and get away from nature’s creatures. They’ll appreciate it!
* Do you like to fertilize your lawn? Well you may have to rethink that if there is a concern about runoff into the pond. Most tropical fish like highly regulated waters to keep them healthy, and fertilizer or other chemical runoff can be fatal. It might be time to start going natural with your landscaping!
* If you are looking for a fish that can survive in hardy conditions, and any type of pond, check into Beta Fish. These hardy little guys can survive in low-oxygen environments – in fact, they are often found in drainage ditches in some areas!
What Kind, What Size and How-To for Starting a Pond
So you want to start an outside pond for your tropical fish friends? There are a lot of things to consider when creating an outdoor aquatic setting. Some of the things that worked well inside just won’t work in the great outdoors. However, once you get things up and going you will wonder how you ever did without that pond in your yard!
* First of all, what kind of pond? You can get fancy and buy a kit from many stores complete with design plans and all the materials you need. Or you could do as countless others have – take an old barrel, cut it in half and cover it with a plastic liner and presto – instant pond! You might add dirt or soil to the bottom of the pond to keep it organic, or maybe you want to go for the gusto and keep an assortment of color gravels and nutrient mixes in it. There are a lot of ways to design your pond on a shoestring budget or with a huge budget, whatever your wallet allows.
* Next, no matter if you are using a kit or doing it yourself make sure you don’t just throw the hose in there, fill it up and throw in the fish! You will need to neutralize the pH in the water and de-chlorinate it before you can add your tropical fish. There are a number of ways of doing this, from chemicals you can add to the water to using plants and other natural ways. You will want to run your ponds filter for a minimum of 5 days depending on the size of the pond to get all the chlorination out of the water.
* Don’t forget the food! There are a number of automatic fish feeders you can add to your pond as well as “floating” food devices. If you have a large pond then these may make sense as feeding them the old fashioned way just simply won’t work well on a large scale.
* Before you dig the hole, choose where you want to dig it. Try to keep your pond away from areas that have a lot of runoff, falling leaves and other debris. You don’t want leaves getting into the water in large quantities as it could contaminate it as they break down. Likewise, you don’t want it near runoff as fertilizers and other lawn chemicals may pollute the water leading to premature death of your tropical buddies.
* Choose the right fish for your new outdoor pond. Good choices include Fantails and Orandas, Betas, Koi and Comets. Of course, a lot of people like standard goldfish – which are fine – but many people like to add a little variety and spice to their outdoor aquatic masterpiece.
* First of all, what kind of pond? You can get fancy and buy a kit from many stores complete with design plans and all the materials you need. Or you could do as countless others have – take an old barrel, cut it in half and cover it with a plastic liner and presto – instant pond! You might add dirt or soil to the bottom of the pond to keep it organic, or maybe you want to go for the gusto and keep an assortment of color gravels and nutrient mixes in it. There are a lot of ways to design your pond on a shoestring budget or with a huge budget, whatever your wallet allows.
* Next, no matter if you are using a kit or doing it yourself make sure you don’t just throw the hose in there, fill it up and throw in the fish! You will need to neutralize the pH in the water and de-chlorinate it before you can add your tropical fish. There are a number of ways of doing this, from chemicals you can add to the water to using plants and other natural ways. You will want to run your ponds filter for a minimum of 5 days depending on the size of the pond to get all the chlorination out of the water.
* Don’t forget the food! There are a number of automatic fish feeders you can add to your pond as well as “floating” food devices. If you have a large pond then these may make sense as feeding them the old fashioned way just simply won’t work well on a large scale.
* Before you dig the hole, choose where you want to dig it. Try to keep your pond away from areas that have a lot of runoff, falling leaves and other debris. You don’t want leaves getting into the water in large quantities as it could contaminate it as they break down. Likewise, you don’t want it near runoff as fertilizers and other lawn chemicals may pollute the water leading to premature death of your tropical buddies.
* Choose the right fish for your new outdoor pond. Good choices include Fantails and Orandas, Betas, Koi and Comets. Of course, a lot of people like standard goldfish – which are fine – but many people like to add a little variety and spice to their outdoor aquatic masterpiece.
3 Important Tips for Taking Care of Your Tropical Fish
If you are one of the millions of Americans with a tropical fish aquarium or pond then chances are you are looking for ways to make sure your fish enjoy a long, healthy life. For the most part, tropical fish are easy to take care of and require very little additional care outside the basics. However, there are a few things you should know that can dramatically extend the lifespan of your tropical fish, no matter if they enjoy a small 3-gallon fishbowl or a 1,000-gallon aquarium.
* The most important thing for freshwater fish is that you keep their habitat clean. Under normal circumstances, a filter will do the job just well. However, there are times when it can seem as though the tank or pond gets filled with algae or waste faster than you can keep it clean. This is often caused by a filtration device that is not sized correctly for the capacity of the tank. In most situations, you want your filter to completely clean the water every 4-6 hours. This represents the equivalent of up to 4 complete cycles of the water in a 24-hour period.
While you are checking out filters at your local store, be sure to also look into slugs and other creatures that can co-exist with your tropical fish and help clear out the algae. This is especially important in outdoor ponds or tanks where algae tend to grow faster due to direct exposure to sunlight. They are relatively cheap and do a great job that otherwise would be a manual task for you to complete!
* Next, let’s talk about food. Now, you and I, well we tend to eat a lot – we are a society that loves our food! However, the same isn’t the same for most tropical fish. In fact, in normal circumstances most varieties of tropical fish only need to be fed once or twice a week. The most common cause of death in household fish is over-feeding. Keep in mind that if you keep your fish in an outdoor pond that you may need to adjust the feeding schedule as the fish will also obtain food from nature – bugs and other flying insects that may make their way into the pond.
* Finally, keep in mind that most fish enjoy a warm environment. If you live in a cold climate you should make sure that your tank or pond is equipped with a heating device so that during colder weather you can keep it at a steady temperature. The ideal temperature will vary for your particular variety of fish, but rarely should you let the temperature of the water dip below 75 degrees in most circumstances.
* The most important thing for freshwater fish is that you keep their habitat clean. Under normal circumstances, a filter will do the job just well. However, there are times when it can seem as though the tank or pond gets filled with algae or waste faster than you can keep it clean. This is often caused by a filtration device that is not sized correctly for the capacity of the tank. In most situations, you want your filter to completely clean the water every 4-6 hours. This represents the equivalent of up to 4 complete cycles of the water in a 24-hour period.
While you are checking out filters at your local store, be sure to also look into slugs and other creatures that can co-exist with your tropical fish and help clear out the algae. This is especially important in outdoor ponds or tanks where algae tend to grow faster due to direct exposure to sunlight. They are relatively cheap and do a great job that otherwise would be a manual task for you to complete!
* Next, let’s talk about food. Now, you and I, well we tend to eat a lot – we are a society that loves our food! However, the same isn’t the same for most tropical fish. In fact, in normal circumstances most varieties of tropical fish only need to be fed once or twice a week. The most common cause of death in household fish is over-feeding. Keep in mind that if you keep your fish in an outdoor pond that you may need to adjust the feeding schedule as the fish will also obtain food from nature – bugs and other flying insects that may make their way into the pond.
* Finally, keep in mind that most fish enjoy a warm environment. If you live in a cold climate you should make sure that your tank or pond is equipped with a heating device so that during colder weather you can keep it at a steady temperature. The ideal temperature will vary for your particular variety of fish, but rarely should you let the temperature of the water dip below 75 degrees in most circumstances.
3 Tips for Setting up an Outside Pond
So you’ve enjoyed your indoor aquarium for years and want to expand. Or maybe you have decided the perfect way to landscape that backyard area is to add a pond for freshwater fish. Outdoor ponds are a great way to take your hobby and expand it to the great outdoors and add a beautiful area to your existing landscape. However, maintaining and setting up an outdoor pond for your tropical fish takes a lot more planning and work than setting up an indoor aquarium.
* The first thing necessary when installing an outdoor pond is to pick an area that is appropriately sized and environmentally correct for your pond. Remember, freshwater tropical fish have different requirements – so you need to make sure you choose an area that is sized appropriately for the species of fish you will be placing into the pond. You also need to make sure the environment where you place the pond will support it. If the species of tropical fish you select doesn’t like particularly bright light, then placing a pond in direct sunlight may not be the best idea.
* Next, you’ll want to design the pond to hold the appropriate amount of water and provide for the necessary filtration and, if necessary, heating apparatus. You will need to make sure that wherever you decide to place the pond you have access to electrical current. This usually means you may need to run wiring out to the pond and make sure that it is rated for outdoor applications. If possible, you may want to place your pond on a separate circuit to isolate it from potential breaker trips and overloading.
* When building the pond you will want to make sure the materials you use are friendly to the fish you are going to have in the pond. Many ponds are constructed out of plastics and other materials. Some of these materials may let chemicals into the water than can be harmful to your tropical fish. Make sure you inquire where you purchase your fish and the building material about the materials you are using – especially the liner. They should be able to steer you towards material more suited for fish habitats.
Keep in mind that you will probably want more than just a hole in the ground. When designing the pond be sure to add aquatic plants, rocks and other items that will turn the pond into a landscape masterpiece. Small waterfalls can be nice to look and listen to, but check to make sure that the fish you are thinking of putting in the pond can withstand the impact of the falling water. Some fish prefer a quiet environment without much disturbance in the water.
* The first thing necessary when installing an outdoor pond is to pick an area that is appropriately sized and environmentally correct for your pond. Remember, freshwater tropical fish have different requirements – so you need to make sure you choose an area that is sized appropriately for the species of fish you will be placing into the pond. You also need to make sure the environment where you place the pond will support it. If the species of tropical fish you select doesn’t like particularly bright light, then placing a pond in direct sunlight may not be the best idea.
* Next, you’ll want to design the pond to hold the appropriate amount of water and provide for the necessary filtration and, if necessary, heating apparatus. You will need to make sure that wherever you decide to place the pond you have access to electrical current. This usually means you may need to run wiring out to the pond and make sure that it is rated for outdoor applications. If possible, you may want to place your pond on a separate circuit to isolate it from potential breaker trips and overloading.
* When building the pond you will want to make sure the materials you use are friendly to the fish you are going to have in the pond. Many ponds are constructed out of plastics and other materials. Some of these materials may let chemicals into the water than can be harmful to your tropical fish. Make sure you inquire where you purchase your fish and the building material about the materials you are using – especially the liner. They should be able to steer you towards material more suited for fish habitats.
Keep in mind that you will probably want more than just a hole in the ground. When designing the pond be sure to add aquatic plants, rocks and other items that will turn the pond into a landscape masterpiece. Small waterfalls can be nice to look and listen to, but check to make sure that the fish you are thinking of putting in the pond can withstand the impact of the falling water. Some fish prefer a quiet environment without much disturbance in the water.
Common Diseases of Tropical Fish and What to Do About Them
While tropical fish can be a wonderful hobby that many people enjoy, they also can be susceptible to diseases that if not caught early on can lead to early death of the fish and also risk of it spreading to other fish in the same habitat. Although there are literally hundreds of diseases that tropical fish can acquire, there is usually only a handful that most owners have to be on the watch for. Let’s look at some of them and help you understand how to identify them.
* Sometimes, straight from the store, fish will die. This is usually caused by something that is termed “new tank syndrome” and while not a disease as we traditionally think of them, it can be a problem unless you learn how to avoid it. All new fish should be introduced gradually to any environment. A minimum of 24-48 hours of keeping the bag the fish is in from the store emerged in the new water will usually take care of this problem. However, if it persists it could be an indication that the water is not the right temperature for them to survive or that there are contaminants in the water that is causing the sudden death.
* If you see something that looks like wool or cotton on the fish that does not mean they are preparing for winter. It is a sign of an infection and if caught early enough can be treated with an anti-fungal and/or a salt bath. Most experts recommend the anti-fugal treatment, and many pet and fish stores can recommend what is best for your environment.
* White spots on tropical fish are a very common disease that has a habit of showing up in new aquariums. This is usually an indication that a parasite is making its home in your aquarium. Again, there are a number of treatments available for this and many stores recommend that new aquariums be treated before any fish are introduced.
* If your fish appear bloated this is a symptom of a bacterial infection. It may also be indicated by what appears to be raised fins. Most of the time the cause is poor water conditions. Check your filter and if necessary, upgrade the filter to handle your aquarium size. There are medications available but they rarely work unless the root cause (poor water) is resolved.
* If your fish appear to have flaking scales, or dull color this can also be a sign of poor water conditions or the presence of parasites. The parasites carry a disease known as slime disease and there are medications available for this. The poor water can be solved as noted above.
We’ve given you a quick overview of some of the more common conditions you may notice in your aquarium with your tropical fish. By making sure you keep on top of the general health of your fish you can ensure that they will provide years of enjoyment and beauty in your home or office.
* Sometimes, straight from the store, fish will die. This is usually caused by something that is termed “new tank syndrome” and while not a disease as we traditionally think of them, it can be a problem unless you learn how to avoid it. All new fish should be introduced gradually to any environment. A minimum of 24-48 hours of keeping the bag the fish is in from the store emerged in the new water will usually take care of this problem. However, if it persists it could be an indication that the water is not the right temperature for them to survive or that there are contaminants in the water that is causing the sudden death.
* If you see something that looks like wool or cotton on the fish that does not mean they are preparing for winter. It is a sign of an infection and if caught early enough can be treated with an anti-fungal and/or a salt bath. Most experts recommend the anti-fugal treatment, and many pet and fish stores can recommend what is best for your environment.
* White spots on tropical fish are a very common disease that has a habit of showing up in new aquariums. This is usually an indication that a parasite is making its home in your aquarium. Again, there are a number of treatments available for this and many stores recommend that new aquariums be treated before any fish are introduced.
* If your fish appear bloated this is a symptom of a bacterial infection. It may also be indicated by what appears to be raised fins. Most of the time the cause is poor water conditions. Check your filter and if necessary, upgrade the filter to handle your aquarium size. There are medications available but they rarely work unless the root cause (poor water) is resolved.
* If your fish appear to have flaking scales, or dull color this can also be a sign of poor water conditions or the presence of parasites. The parasites carry a disease known as slime disease and there are medications available for this. The poor water can be solved as noted above.
We’ve given you a quick overview of some of the more common conditions you may notice in your aquarium with your tropical fish. By making sure you keep on top of the general health of your fish you can ensure that they will provide years of enjoyment and beauty in your home or office.
Monday, 16 July 2007
Pond Aquarium Plants: More than Just Decoration
What is a pond with plants in it? Just another hole in the ground with water! Well, maybe it isn’t that bad, but you will find that by adding plants to your outdoor pond you can greatly help not only with the visual aspects of the pond, but also help your fish breed better and the pond keep itself healthy for your fish. Let’s take a look at how aquatic plants can help spruce up your outdoor pond.
* Different tropical fish like different types of aquatic plants. There are a large number which to choose from and it is important to pick types that your fish will enjoy and those that will help your pond. Most pet stores and tropical fish handbooks can give you an idea of what types of aquatic plants will work well in an outdoor environment. If your pond is large enough you may even want to consult with your local greenhouse which may have a selection of aquatic plants available.
* Aquatic plants serve many purposes in a pond. They not only provide a place for fish to hide, rest and breed, but they also help keep the Carbon Dioxide levels in the water regulated as well as help control algae production. Without aquatic plants you would need to use chemicals and other methods to control the environment.
* Freshwater ponds also benefit from having aquatic plants in them to control the environmental conditions of the water itself. Water lilies not only look beautiful, but they also provide a cool area for fish to hide out during particularly hot days. Many plants also attract bugs and other small insects to them which can provide a great secondary food resource for your tropical fish friends.
* If you are interested in trying to breed your fish, then adding some water-loving plants can also provide a habitat for your fish to breed and raise their young. Fish often lay eggs and want to do so in a place they think is safe. Plants provide the natural covering necessary to help in this process.
Finally, as with everything else in your pond, your aquatic plants will need periodic maintenance. Don’t let them overtake the entire pond – some are nice, too many can be deadly to your fish. Also, as plants die out over the course of nature be sure to remove them so they don’t add contamination to the pond as they decompose.
* Different tropical fish like different types of aquatic plants. There are a large number which to choose from and it is important to pick types that your fish will enjoy and those that will help your pond. Most pet stores and tropical fish handbooks can give you an idea of what types of aquatic plants will work well in an outdoor environment. If your pond is large enough you may even want to consult with your local greenhouse which may have a selection of aquatic plants available.
* Aquatic plants serve many purposes in a pond. They not only provide a place for fish to hide, rest and breed, but they also help keep the Carbon Dioxide levels in the water regulated as well as help control algae production. Without aquatic plants you would need to use chemicals and other methods to control the environment.
* Freshwater ponds also benefit from having aquatic plants in them to control the environmental conditions of the water itself. Water lilies not only look beautiful, but they also provide a cool area for fish to hide out during particularly hot days. Many plants also attract bugs and other small insects to them which can provide a great secondary food resource for your tropical fish friends.
* If you are interested in trying to breed your fish, then adding some water-loving plants can also provide a habitat for your fish to breed and raise their young. Fish often lay eggs and want to do so in a place they think is safe. Plants provide the natural covering necessary to help in this process.
Finally, as with everything else in your pond, your aquatic plants will need periodic maintenance. Don’t let them overtake the entire pond – some are nice, too many can be deadly to your fish. Also, as plants die out over the course of nature be sure to remove them so they don’t add contamination to the pond as they decompose.
Friday, 13 July 2007
Betta not Beta- and 4 other Betta FishFacts
Here are the top 5 things you may not know about our favorite tropical fish:
1. It’s a Betta Fish, not a Beta Fish
Beta is the 2nd letter of the Greek alphabet. Betta is the beautiful Siamese Fighting Fish swimming gloriously in your 10-gallon (minimum) aquarium. “Beta” is pronounced “bay-tuh.” “Betta” is pronounced “Bet-Tuh.”
Got it? Good.
2. Bettas are gentle and not fighters.
In the wild, Bettas don’t kill each other unless they’re in an area that’s too small. Normally the loser swims away after the winner flares at him. If there’s nipping involved, the loser gets nipped once and then escapes. It’s never a fight to the death.
3. Bettas are way different than their wild ancestors.
The original Bettas were not fancy and colorful as they are now. Those traits were bred in over the years as Betta made their way from being warrior fish to prized aquarium tropical fish-bettas. (Today in fact Bettas are becoming less aggressive as breeders favor their ornamental qualities — colors and finnage — to fighting ability.)
4. Bettas can breathe air.
Betta fish are known as anabantids because they have the ability to breathe atmospheric air thanks to a unique organ called the labyrinth. This accounts for their
ability to thrive in low-oxygen water conditions that would kill most other fish. Bettas also prefer shallow water that allows them to easily come up for air.
5. Bettas do not prefer confined areas.
The saddest thing I see is Bettas being kept in tiny cups at pet stores.
There is evidence to indicate that the male Betta prefers a confined area when breeding, but other than that he appears to be perfectly happy to swim in larger tanks, as long as he has small places in the tank to stake out his territory and hide. So there is no hard and fast requirement to keep your Betta in a small area, contrary to popular belief.
If you notice your Betta swimming in circles a lot, rubbing against the glass, and other sorts of odd behavior that says “Get me outta here!”, it indicates he wants to be in a larger tank.
You see, Bettas do like to have room to swim around. They like clean water that’s filtered well. The males like to display their toughness to one another — i .e., to see other Bettas on occasion and flare (puff out their gills and fins) at them. It makes them happy and stimulated.
And it’s beautiful the way a Betta’s fins flow when they’re given lots of room to sprint around their tank. Basically the bottom line is this… Bettas have a lot of personality. So as a rule, you should give each Betta enough room to display their individuality. Ten gallons is a good rule for minimum tank size for your Bettas to be happy.
from the Betta Fish Blog
1. It’s a Betta Fish, not a Beta Fish
Beta is the 2nd letter of the Greek alphabet. Betta is the beautiful Siamese Fighting Fish swimming gloriously in your 10-gallon (minimum) aquarium. “Beta” is pronounced “bay-tuh.” “Betta” is pronounced “Bet-Tuh.”
Got it? Good.
2. Bettas are gentle and not fighters.
In the wild, Bettas don’t kill each other unless they’re in an area that’s too small. Normally the loser swims away after the winner flares at him. If there’s nipping involved, the loser gets nipped once and then escapes. It’s never a fight to the death.
3. Bettas are way different than their wild ancestors.
The original Bettas were not fancy and colorful as they are now. Those traits were bred in over the years as Betta made their way from being warrior fish to prized aquarium tropical fish-bettas. (Today in fact Bettas are becoming less aggressive as breeders favor their ornamental qualities — colors and finnage — to fighting ability.)
4. Bettas can breathe air.
Betta fish are known as anabantids because they have the ability to breathe atmospheric air thanks to a unique organ called the labyrinth. This accounts for their
ability to thrive in low-oxygen water conditions that would kill most other fish. Bettas also prefer shallow water that allows them to easily come up for air.
5. Bettas do not prefer confined areas.
The saddest thing I see is Bettas being kept in tiny cups at pet stores.
There is evidence to indicate that the male Betta prefers a confined area when breeding, but other than that he appears to be perfectly happy to swim in larger tanks, as long as he has small places in the tank to stake out his territory and hide. So there is no hard and fast requirement to keep your Betta in a small area, contrary to popular belief.
If you notice your Betta swimming in circles a lot, rubbing against the glass, and other sorts of odd behavior that says “Get me outta here!”, it indicates he wants to be in a larger tank.
You see, Bettas do like to have room to swim around. They like clean water that’s filtered well. The males like to display their toughness to one another — i .e., to see other Bettas on occasion and flare (puff out their gills and fins) at them. It makes them happy and stimulated.
And it’s beautiful the way a Betta’s fins flow when they’re given lots of room to sprint around their tank. Basically the bottom line is this… Bettas have a lot of personality. So as a rule, you should give each Betta enough room to display their individuality. Ten gallons is a good rule for minimum tank size for your Bettas to be happy.
from the Betta Fish Blog
Thursday, 12 July 2007
Monitoring the Healthcare of Your Tropical Pond Fish
You have a beautiful outdoor pond stocked full of the fish that create a wonderful kaleidoscope of color in your backyard. If you aren’t careful, though, you can come outside one day to find most of your habitat dieing or in poor health. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can monitor the health of your outdoor pond fish.
* Your tropical fish live in that pond, but so do their waste, food, oxygen and everything else from nature that may drain into the pond. It’s important to keep on top of pond maintenance to keep up the well-being of your fish. One of the regular maintenance items on your list should be to take the pH level of the pond at least once a week. Know what pH level is appropriate for your fish and if you notice an increase or decrease try to find and resolve the problem before it affects the health of your tropical fish.
* Maybe you just moved some of your favorite species from the indoor aquarium to the outside pond and they just don’t seem to be doing so well. It could be “new tank syndrome” as they are getting over the shock of being transported to a new environment. Tropical fish are very susceptible to stress, and moving definitely applies stress to the poor fellows! Try to introduce them gradually to the pond, and always make sure they spend at least 24 hours getting used to the temperature of the new pond before releasing them.
* Don’t crowd them out! You may think you have a big pond, but you still need to keep space considerations in mind. Too many fish in the pond will quickly turn the water toxic and could potentially kill off the entire pond. Start out small and keep a record of how many and what species you have introduced to the pond. Not only does this help plan out how many fish you can add, but if you notice a sudden change in health of the fish after adding a certain species you will have a record of where and when to help you isolate it.
* Keep on top of pond cleaning and maintenance. If you notice your fish losing their color, or becoming bloated it could be because there is too much algae, carbon dioxide or other parasites in the water. It’s hard to control all the variables in an outside setting, but there are a number of additives you can put in the water to at least control the parasites.
Although an outdoor pond requires you to keep an eye on it a bit more than your indoor aquarium you will find that with just a little bit of extra work you can have a tropical fish setting that will please you for years to come – not to mention add that special touch to your outdoor landscaping.
* Your tropical fish live in that pond, but so do their waste, food, oxygen and everything else from nature that may drain into the pond. It’s important to keep on top of pond maintenance to keep up the well-being of your fish. One of the regular maintenance items on your list should be to take the pH level of the pond at least once a week. Know what pH level is appropriate for your fish and if you notice an increase or decrease try to find and resolve the problem before it affects the health of your tropical fish.
* Maybe you just moved some of your favorite species from the indoor aquarium to the outside pond and they just don’t seem to be doing so well. It could be “new tank syndrome” as they are getting over the shock of being transported to a new environment. Tropical fish are very susceptible to stress, and moving definitely applies stress to the poor fellows! Try to introduce them gradually to the pond, and always make sure they spend at least 24 hours getting used to the temperature of the new pond before releasing them.
* Don’t crowd them out! You may think you have a big pond, but you still need to keep space considerations in mind. Too many fish in the pond will quickly turn the water toxic and could potentially kill off the entire pond. Start out small and keep a record of how many and what species you have introduced to the pond. Not only does this help plan out how many fish you can add, but if you notice a sudden change in health of the fish after adding a certain species you will have a record of where and when to help you isolate it.
* Keep on top of pond cleaning and maintenance. If you notice your fish losing their color, or becoming bloated it could be because there is too much algae, carbon dioxide or other parasites in the water. It’s hard to control all the variables in an outside setting, but there are a number of additives you can put in the water to at least control the parasites.
Although an outdoor pond requires you to keep an eye on it a bit more than your indoor aquarium you will find that with just a little bit of extra work you can have a tropical fish setting that will please you for years to come – not to mention add that special touch to your outdoor landscaping.
Tuesday, 10 July 2007
Size It Up: Picking the Right Aquarium Size for Your Tropical Fish
Perhaps you’ve enjoyed your tropical fish for many years, or maybe you are just getting started with this wonderful hobby. Whatever the case, you may have questions and concerns about how to size your aquarium to best fit your needs. Finding the right size aquarium that will provide the right habitat for your fish is a process that doesn’t time much time and will ensure that you have an environment you and your fish can enjoy for years to come.
* The first thing you should ask yourself is just how much room do you have for an aquarium? Perhaps you just have a small desk in the den to set a small aquarium on, or maybe you have a huge inset wall that you could place a 200+ gallon tank in. While you are taking inventory of where you might be able to place your tank, also look at the environment near where you have in mind. Avoid placing an aquarium directly below or above an air conditioning or heater vent. Also, do not place the aquarium near a window that gets strong sunlight all throughout the day. Finally, keep in mind that you will need a power source and a storage area for the food and other materials.
* Next, decide what type of tropical fish you would like to have in your tank. Each different species of fish has specific requirements for the amount of water and space they need in a tank. Do not make the mistake of adding fish to your tank without taking into account how much room they need. Most stores tend to over-populate their aquariums with way too many fish because of the turnover they have in selling them. This can lead you to believe that you can actually place more fish in your tank than it can safely handle. If you have any questions about how much room your particular tropical fish will need ask the salesman or consult a handbook.
* Now remember, most aquariums have more than just fish in them. They also may include tropical plants, other freshwater creatures (such as slugs or snails), decorative items and wood or rock pieces. Each of these items takes up valuable real estate in your aquarium. Yet they are all vital components of a successful aquarium. Tropical plants can do wonders in keeping your tank clean and water well aerated. Likewise, snails and other freshwater creatures can also help keep algae down in the tank which can sometimes be a problem depending on what environment you have.
Now that you have mapped out all the requirements for your aquarium it’s time to go shopping. Here your bank account may dictate what type of aquarium you can purchase. Larger tanks require more heavy duty filtration devices and water aerators. This can add up quickly. Many people who are just getting into the hobby may be better suited in checking out local yard sales, online auctions and the classifieds for people who are selling old aquariums for a fraction of the price!
* The first thing you should ask yourself is just how much room do you have for an aquarium? Perhaps you just have a small desk in the den to set a small aquarium on, or maybe you have a huge inset wall that you could place a 200+ gallon tank in. While you are taking inventory of where you might be able to place your tank, also look at the environment near where you have in mind. Avoid placing an aquarium directly below or above an air conditioning or heater vent. Also, do not place the aquarium near a window that gets strong sunlight all throughout the day. Finally, keep in mind that you will need a power source and a storage area for the food and other materials.
* Next, decide what type of tropical fish you would like to have in your tank. Each different species of fish has specific requirements for the amount of water and space they need in a tank. Do not make the mistake of adding fish to your tank without taking into account how much room they need. Most stores tend to over-populate their aquariums with way too many fish because of the turnover they have in selling them. This can lead you to believe that you can actually place more fish in your tank than it can safely handle. If you have any questions about how much room your particular tropical fish will need ask the salesman or consult a handbook.
* Now remember, most aquariums have more than just fish in them. They also may include tropical plants, other freshwater creatures (such as slugs or snails), decorative items and wood or rock pieces. Each of these items takes up valuable real estate in your aquarium. Yet they are all vital components of a successful aquarium. Tropical plants can do wonders in keeping your tank clean and water well aerated. Likewise, snails and other freshwater creatures can also help keep algae down in the tank which can sometimes be a problem depending on what environment you have.
Now that you have mapped out all the requirements for your aquarium it’s time to go shopping. Here your bank account may dictate what type of aquarium you can purchase. Larger tanks require more heavy duty filtration devices and water aerators. This can add up quickly. Many people who are just getting into the hobby may be better suited in checking out local yard sales, online auctions and the classifieds for people who are selling old aquariums for a fraction of the price!
Monday, 9 July 2007
Some Helpful Tips for Choosing the Right Tropical Fish
If you are starting out new in your tropical fish hobby then you may be wondering just what type of fish you should get. Perhaps you want something a bit more advanced than the traditional goldfish that sat on your dresser as a child. The good news is that there is such a wide variety of tropical fish nowadays that you can pretty much find one that will fit your personality and setting. Let’s check out some tips for helping you choose the right ones for your aquarium!
* Now think of this for a moment. Say you purchase 4 small Angelfish thinking they are perfect for your tank. They look great until a year later you wake up and realize that they have grown and are now over 110mm in length! Suddenly that aquarium that housed them with plenty of room is cramped and the Angelfish aren’t looking too healthy. It’s important when choosing your tropical fish you not only account for the space they take now, but how much they will take as they grow older.
* A piece of advice any good tropical fish hobbyist will give you is to purchase your fish from a reputable dealer. Wal-Mart is not the place to be buying fish you plan to keep for years. A pet store or aquatic supply shop that takes pride in what they sell will make sure you are getting quality stock. Any sick fish will be isolated from the rest of the bunch. At mass merchandisers that sell fish you are pretty much “hoping for the best”. It’s worthwhile to spend a little more money to make sure you are not going to get a sick fish that could potentially infect your entire tank!
* Just like people, different fish have different requirements in what makes a good environment for them to live in. For example, Angelfish tend to favor tall tanks, while Tetras and Danios like space as they tend to school together and love to race each other around! A fish like a Labyrinth, as the name suggests, like places they can hide so be
sure to have rocks, plants and other decorations they can retreat off too.
When stocking the fish in the tank, keep in mind that if you try and add too many you will get what is called toxic shock syndrome and risk losing your entire tank! Seek out advice if you are not familiar in how many fish per gallon you need in your tank or are unsure about the space requirements of what you plan to purchase. Again, this is where it helps to go to a store that specializes in tropical fish that can give you expert advice.
* Now think of this for a moment. Say you purchase 4 small Angelfish thinking they are perfect for your tank. They look great until a year later you wake up and realize that they have grown and are now over 110mm in length! Suddenly that aquarium that housed them with plenty of room is cramped and the Angelfish aren’t looking too healthy. It’s important when choosing your tropical fish you not only account for the space they take now, but how much they will take as they grow older.
* A piece of advice any good tropical fish hobbyist will give you is to purchase your fish from a reputable dealer. Wal-Mart is not the place to be buying fish you plan to keep for years. A pet store or aquatic supply shop that takes pride in what they sell will make sure you are getting quality stock. Any sick fish will be isolated from the rest of the bunch. At mass merchandisers that sell fish you are pretty much “hoping for the best”. It’s worthwhile to spend a little more money to make sure you are not going to get a sick fish that could potentially infect your entire tank!
* Just like people, different fish have different requirements in what makes a good environment for them to live in. For example, Angelfish tend to favor tall tanks, while Tetras and Danios like space as they tend to school together and love to race each other around! A fish like a Labyrinth, as the name suggests, like places they can hide so be
sure to have rocks, plants and other decorations they can retreat off too.
When stocking the fish in the tank, keep in mind that if you try and add too many you will get what is called toxic shock syndrome and risk losing your entire tank! Seek out advice if you are not familiar in how many fish per gallon you need in your tank or are unsure about the space requirements of what you plan to purchase. Again, this is where it helps to go to a store that specializes in tropical fish that can give you expert advice.
Saturday, 7 July 2007
Fish in the classroom
The Pet Care Trust today announced that it will create and support a Fish in the Classroom Program over the next three years.
Lew Sutton, PetAg, the President of the Pet Care Trust, said, “I am pleased to announce today the creation of the Pet Care Trust’s Fish in the Classroom (FIC) Program that will educate and enhance the experiences of grade school students who are learning about fish and how to care for them, while at the same time providing value to the industry that makes fish ownership and enjoyment possible.”
Sutton continued, “Over the next three years we will look forward to working with five nationally recognized aquariums and grade schools and retailers across the country to create Fish in the Classroom Programs that will include a 'Retail Mentoring Program' that will operate on an ongoing basis by the retailers in the communities where the Aquariums are located.”
The FIC team will also develop a National “Retailer” Fish in the Classroom Program that will help retailers across the country establish their own grassroots-based Fish in the Classroom Programs where retailers can support teachers and mentor the program on an ongoing basis.
“We will use the remainder of 2007 to learn from and help expand the existing Florida Aquarium’s Aquariumania Outreach Program. Our plan is to help the Florida Aquarium extend their outreach program to 100 teachers by the end of 2007,” noted Sutton.
On July 30, 2007, senior executives from the hardware and software aquatic industry will meet for the first time in Chicago, IL, to create and organize an Aquatic Advisory Council (AAC) that will provide ongoing strategic counsel to support the FIC program.
“Our goal is to create and extend the FIC program across the United States to reach grade school students, and do so in a partnership with those in business who recognize the opportunity and value that can be created by helping young people learn about and enjoy fish,” Sutton concluded.
Thursday, 5 July 2007
Saltwater Aquarium
The decision to purchase a saltwater or marine fish tank for your home or office should not be taken lightly. Marine fish will have requirements far greater than freshwater fish. However, once you’ve decided to purchase a saltwater aquarium you’ll be rewarded with a stunning range of tropical and reef fish to choose from.
But first you’ll need to purchase your tank. The selection process can be time consuming and confusing because the range of tanks available is large. The best advice is usually to purchase the largest tank you can afford and that will fit in the available space. There are numerous stories of people starting out their fish tank hobby with a small fish tank only to find in a short space of time that they wish they had purchased a larger tank!
A 30-gallon saltwater aquarium is probably the smallest tank you should consider. A fish tank of this size will provide sufficient surface area to allow adequate exchange of oxygen into the water and to provide a comfortable swimming environment for your fish.
The oxygen supply in the water together with the water temperature will determine the success or otherwise of your fish keeping hobby. Tropical saltwater fish require a water temperature of about 75 degrees F. The warmer water in the saltwater aquarium will tend to deplete the oxygen in the water which means that the surface area becomes important. The addition of aeration equipment is usually desirable to increase the oxygen concentration. Aeration can usually be provided in conjunction with your filtration equipment.
But first you’ll need to purchase your tank. The selection process can be time consuming and confusing because the range of tanks available is large. The best advice is usually to purchase the largest tank you can afford and that will fit in the available space. There are numerous stories of people starting out their fish tank hobby with a small fish tank only to find in a short space of time that they wish they had purchased a larger tank!
A 30-gallon saltwater aquarium is probably the smallest tank you should consider. A fish tank of this size will provide sufficient surface area to allow adequate exchange of oxygen into the water and to provide a comfortable swimming environment for your fish.
The oxygen supply in the water together with the water temperature will determine the success or otherwise of your fish keeping hobby. Tropical saltwater fish require a water temperature of about 75 degrees F. The warmer water in the saltwater aquarium will tend to deplete the oxygen in the water which means that the surface area becomes important. The addition of aeration equipment is usually desirable to increase the oxygen concentration. Aeration can usually be provided in conjunction with your filtration equipment.
Sunday, 1 July 2007
Aquaplancton for Ponds
I have just come across an advert for Aquaplancton, and looking at the advertising for it, it looks a very good product for the pond. It clears the pond of rotting algae and organic matter according to the literature. I haven’t tried it myself but looking at the website it looks a sure fire winner. It is a very “natural” way to keep ponds clear, if anyone has used this can they please leave feedback on this post.
I have included a copy of an endorsement from their website:- "Further to purchasing the bulk bag last month and treating our koi pond with Aquaplancton last week, we have seen a dramatic reduction in blanketweed. Where we previously had to clean the sponge pre-filters on the pumps every day, or 2nd day at the latest, we have now been running for 10 days and the pumps still run nearly as well as when we changed the
pre-filters (which coincided with the initial Aquaplancton dose).
Excellent product! Highly recommendable."
Aquaplancton
I have included a copy of an endorsement from their website:- "Further to purchasing the bulk bag last month and treating our koi pond with Aquaplancton last week, we have seen a dramatic reduction in blanketweed. Where we previously had to clean the sponge pre-filters on the pumps every day, or 2nd day at the latest, we have now been running for 10 days and the pumps still run nearly as well as when we changed the
pre-filters (which coincided with the initial Aquaplancton dose).
Excellent product! Highly recommendable."
Aquaplancton
Wednesday, 27 June 2007
Koi Pond
There is something magical about a Koi pond. Maybe it’s the bright colors of the Koi, the rhythmic swaying of the water plants beneath the surface, or the gentle sound of a running waterfall on a warm summer afternoon. Chances are, you too were swept up in the magical beauty of the Koi pond. Unfortunately, the upkeep of the pond isn’t usually such a magical experience, unless you know the tips to a healthy Koi pond. Keep reading to find out some quick and easy things that you do to keep your Koi pond in top form.
1. Plan ahead. There is something to be said for a good design plan, so don’t skimp when it comes to planning. Think about your own living space, and what you want to see out of your pond. Researching the do’s and don’ts of Koi pond building is essential, and you will want to pay special attention to drainage and filter issues. If you set the pond up correctly, you will save a ton of time and heartache down the road in terms of upkeep. Make sure to include multiple drainage sites and a waterfall feature to keep your fish healthy and happy.
2. Add your fish slowly. Once you get your pond built, many owners are quick to fill it to the brim with fish. Don’t do this! Start off with a few fish and allow them to acclimate themselves to the pond. Once they have been there for a few weeks, you can then proceed with adding a few more. Don’t forget to factor in the fact that your fish will get bigger over time, so don’t overcrowd your pond with small Koi.
3. Don’t overfeed. This is another common mistake of Koi pond owners. Only feed your fish what they can eat in a ten minute span. When the weather cools off, your fish will need little or no food, so refrain from overfeeding during the fall and winter months. Anything excessive will lead to a filthy pond- and quickly!
4. Schedule major cleanings at least twice a year. You should expect to do a partial drain and vacuuming at least twice a year to keep your pond in pristine condition. Many owners choose to do their cleaning in the fall and spring months right before the weather changes. The important thing is to be consistent with it.
5. Allow yourself room for mistakes. Being a Koi pond owner is a learning experience, so always be on the lookout for tips and tricks to keeping your Koi as healthy and happy as possible.
Michele Miller is the author and publisher of two Ebook Guides about Pond Building And Caring For Fish, available at http://www.easy-koi-ponds.com You can sign up for her free course by email and receive lots of tips and advice about building your backyard koi fish pond.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michele_Miller
1. Plan ahead. There is something to be said for a good design plan, so don’t skimp when it comes to planning. Think about your own living space, and what you want to see out of your pond. Researching the do’s and don’ts of Koi pond building is essential, and you will want to pay special attention to drainage and filter issues. If you set the pond up correctly, you will save a ton of time and heartache down the road in terms of upkeep. Make sure to include multiple drainage sites and a waterfall feature to keep your fish healthy and happy.
2. Add your fish slowly. Once you get your pond built, many owners are quick to fill it to the brim with fish. Don’t do this! Start off with a few fish and allow them to acclimate themselves to the pond. Once they have been there for a few weeks, you can then proceed with adding a few more. Don’t forget to factor in the fact that your fish will get bigger over time, so don’t overcrowd your pond with small Koi.
3. Don’t overfeed. This is another common mistake of Koi pond owners. Only feed your fish what they can eat in a ten minute span. When the weather cools off, your fish will need little or no food, so refrain from overfeeding during the fall and winter months. Anything excessive will lead to a filthy pond- and quickly!
4. Schedule major cleanings at least twice a year. You should expect to do a partial drain and vacuuming at least twice a year to keep your pond in pristine condition. Many owners choose to do their cleaning in the fall and spring months right before the weather changes. The important thing is to be consistent with it.
5. Allow yourself room for mistakes. Being a Koi pond owner is a learning experience, so always be on the lookout for tips and tricks to keeping your Koi as healthy and happy as possible.
Michele Miller is the author and publisher of two Ebook Guides about Pond Building And Caring For Fish, available at http://www.easy-koi-ponds.com You can sign up for her free course by email and receive lots of tips and advice about building your backyard koi fish pond.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michele_Miller
Ponds
Building a Water Garden
Water garden construction is, in principle anyway, easy. It is simply a matter of digging a hole, dropping in an underliner, a liner and a re circulating pump and filling with water. Put in a few plants, fish, snails and such and its done. You have a functional water garden. How attractive it is, though, is another story - and that is where a lot of the work comes in.
The hole should be of a pleasing shape, geometric for a formal garden, natural for an informal. Depth is not terribly critical for over wintering fish because of the effective pond heaters which can be purchased. (As long as the water doesn't freeze all the way down, and poisonous gasses can escape, the fish will be fine all winter.) But a pond that is three feet or more in any direction looks best with a depth of at least 18 inches. For larger ponds, some portion, especially in cold areas, should be 3 or 4' deep. (My water garden is about 6 ft. on the long side and over two feet in depth at the deepest part. Vary the depth. A shallow section where the fish are easily visible and where you can feed them and watch them romping around is a pleasant feature.
Also, when digging the hole, build shelves into the sides. These are useful for placing margin plants and for hiding the liner and pump elements with river stones. Two shelves is ideal but one will work, especially on a small pool.
It is critical that the top edge of the hole be level all around. To check this, take a long, straight board and lay it across the pool with a level on it, or use a string with a line-level. Where it is low, build up with soil or lower where it is high. Getting this right will make it possible to fill the pool to the top with no portion of liner showing.
When the hole is dug, clean it of any protruding roots and large rocks, then place in the underliner. This can be an old carpet, a carpet liner or liner protection fabric, purchased from the suppliers. Make it as smooth and neat inside as possible, folding the material into pleats. Work from the inside to the outside, starting at one place and working around the sides in one direction. Leave a little extra over the edges and cut away the rest.
Next comes the liner. There are several material choices for the liner, my preference generally being 45 mil EPDM Pond Liner material. This is flexible, relatively easy to work with and is strong. 30 mil Butyl rubber Pond Liner is also good and is a little easier to work with. Lay the liner in as you did the underliner, working out the wrinkles, and folding over the excess. Leave about a ft. extra over the edge and trim away the rest. (A linoleum knife, if you can find one, works well. A utility knife is also fine.)
Once the liner is in place, mark the water level, fill it and let it sit several hours. There should be no drop in water level. If there is, go all along the sides and look for a low spot. Most likely that is where it is loosing water. Holes are not common and should not occur if you have been reasonably careful.
Being possessed of abundant wisdom you no doubt acquired all the materials you would need for this project before beginning. Thus, you now find yourself surrounded by a ton of river rock and perhaps field stone of all sizes and shapes. River stone is rounded by the effect of water and looks right in water. Field stone is also a natural stone, weathered and smoothed and looks good around the outside of the pond.
You also have your pump near by. (The size of the pump you will need is a factor of the gallon capacity of the pond. Your supplier will tell you how to determine that and help you to select the right size.) (Or go to landscape-design-garden-plans.com).
Recirculating pumps draw water in through a filter and pump it back out, usually through plastic tubing which runs from the pump to outside the pond, usually to some sort of waterfall. From there it runs back into the pond, aerating the water and providing visual and audio pleasure. (Fish love this. You'll often find them sporting in the water as it pours into the pond.) The filter can either be connected to the pump or you can use an external filter for easy cleaning.
Place the pump in the deepest portion of the pond, on the opposite end from where the water returns to the pond. Hopefully that will also be somewhere you can easily get at it. Run both the electric cord and the plastic return hose up the sides of the pond. Before you cut the hose, which carries the water from the pump to the waterfall, make sure it is in place with enough extra hose with the pump for easy lifting for cleaning. Since you don't want to see the pump, place rocks on both sides of it, both just a little taller than the pump, and lay a rock over the top. Use the rest of your river stone and the field stone to lay into the sides and along the top for a natural look. Sand and or small rounded gravel can be poured over the bottom.
You next need to create the means by which the water is returned to the pool – a waterfall of some sort. This needn't be elaborate and shouldn't be out of proportion to the pond. Above all, make sure that where the water comes out of the tubing, no portion of it fails to make it back to the pond. If it does, the pond will slowly, but surely empty. This is why you left extra liner. Put extra liner behind and around the waterfall, all sloping to the pond. Water may escape and run under the bottom of the rocks but will still end up back in the pond. More than ninety percent of ‘leaks’ occur at the waterfall.
Build your flow-way or water fall over the liner and try to have the water drop from the lip of a smooth, flat stone into the pool, or to run over rounded rocks into the pool. Put attractive stones over the tubing, making sure not to crush it so much such that you get a spray of water instead of a flow.
It is a good idea to look at natural water features, streams and such, or at pictures of them to get stone placement right. Nature has a wonderful way of distributing stones along and within a stream or pond and an imitation of that, as much as possible, will give you the best look.
In general, try for balance. Don’t have a lot of big stone in the waterfall, for example, and none to the sides. Use a blend of sizes from small rounded gravel to hefty rocks. Put only rounded river stones in the pond and try to completely cover the liner. This will never look completely natural but it can look quite good if done with some sensitivity. Once stone placement is done, the major portion of the job is over and now it is simply a matter of stocking it, first with plants, and in a few days, allowing the pH to stabilize, with fish.
You should now have an attractive pond. For more information on ponds and water features of all kinds, visit us at water-features-online.com
Keith Davitt is a landscape designer/builder, author of garden design books and numerous articles for many garden and trade magazines.For more information on landscape design, visit us at landscape-design-garden-plans.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Davitt
Build a Koi Pond
Water garden construction is, in principle anyway, easy. It is simply a matter of digging a hole, dropping in an underliner, a liner and a re circulating pump and filling with water. Put in a few plants, fish, snails and such and its done. You have a functional water garden. How attractive it is, though, is another story - and that is where a lot of the work comes in.
The hole should be of a pleasing shape, geometric for a formal garden, natural for an informal. Depth is not terribly critical for over wintering fish because of the effective pond heaters which can be purchased. (As long as the water doesn't freeze all the way down, and poisonous gasses can escape, the fish will be fine all winter.) But a pond that is three feet or more in any direction looks best with a depth of at least 18 inches. For larger ponds, some portion, especially in cold areas, should be 3 or 4' deep. (My water garden is about 6 ft. on the long side and over two feet in depth at the deepest part. Vary the depth. A shallow section where the fish are easily visible and where you can feed them and watch them romping around is a pleasant feature.
Also, when digging the hole, build shelves into the sides. These are useful for placing margin plants and for hiding the liner and pump elements with river stones. Two shelves is ideal but one will work, especially on a small pool.
It is critical that the top edge of the hole be level all around. To check this, take a long, straight board and lay it across the pool with a level on it, or use a string with a line-level. Where it is low, build up with soil or lower where it is high. Getting this right will make it possible to fill the pool to the top with no portion of liner showing.
When the hole is dug, clean it of any protruding roots and large rocks, then place in the underliner. This can be an old carpet, a carpet liner or liner protection fabric, purchased from the suppliers. Make it as smooth and neat inside as possible, folding the material into pleats. Work from the inside to the outside, starting at one place and working around the sides in one direction. Leave a little extra over the edges and cut away the rest.
Next comes the liner. There are several material choices for the liner, my preference generally being 45 mil EPDM Pond Liner material. This is flexible, relatively easy to work with and is strong. 30 mil Butyl rubber Pond Liner is also good and is a little easier to work with. Lay the liner in as you did the underliner, working out the wrinkles, and folding over the excess. Leave about a ft. extra over the edge and trim away the rest. (A linoleum knife, if you can find one, works well. A utility knife is also fine.)
Once the liner is in place, mark the water level, fill it and let it sit several hours. There should be no drop in water level. If there is, go all along the sides and look for a low spot. Most likely that is where it is loosing water. Holes are not common and should not occur if you have been reasonably careful.
Being possessed of abundant wisdom you no doubt acquired all the materials you would need for this project before beginning. Thus, you now find yourself surrounded by a ton of river rock and perhaps field stone of all sizes and shapes. River stone is rounded by the effect of water and looks right in water. Field stone is also a natural stone, weathered and smoothed and looks good around the outside of the pond.
You also have your pump near by. (The size of the pump you will need is a factor of the gallon capacity of the pond. Your supplier will tell you how to determine that and help you to select the right size.) (Or go to landscape-design-garden-plans.com).
Recirculating pumps draw water in through a filter and pump it back out, usually through plastic tubing which runs from the pump to outside the pond, usually to some sort of waterfall. From there it runs back into the pond, aerating the water and providing visual and audio pleasure. (Fish love this. You'll often find them sporting in the water as it pours into the pond.) The filter can either be connected to the pump or you can use an external filter for easy cleaning.
Place the pump in the deepest portion of the pond, on the opposite end from where the water returns to the pond. Hopefully that will also be somewhere you can easily get at it. Run both the electric cord and the plastic return hose up the sides of the pond. Before you cut the hose, which carries the water from the pump to the waterfall, make sure it is in place with enough extra hose with the pump for easy lifting for cleaning. Since you don't want to see the pump, place rocks on both sides of it, both just a little taller than the pump, and lay a rock over the top. Use the rest of your river stone and the field stone to lay into the sides and along the top for a natural look. Sand and or small rounded gravel can be poured over the bottom.
You next need to create the means by which the water is returned to the pool – a waterfall of some sort. This needn't be elaborate and shouldn't be out of proportion to the pond. Above all, make sure that where the water comes out of the tubing, no portion of it fails to make it back to the pond. If it does, the pond will slowly, but surely empty. This is why you left extra liner. Put extra liner behind and around the waterfall, all sloping to the pond. Water may escape and run under the bottom of the rocks but will still end up back in the pond. More than ninety percent of ‘leaks’ occur at the waterfall.
Build your flow-way or water fall over the liner and try to have the water drop from the lip of a smooth, flat stone into the pool, or to run over rounded rocks into the pool. Put attractive stones over the tubing, making sure not to crush it so much such that you get a spray of water instead of a flow.
It is a good idea to look at natural water features, streams and such, or at pictures of them to get stone placement right. Nature has a wonderful way of distributing stones along and within a stream or pond and an imitation of that, as much as possible, will give you the best look.
In general, try for balance. Don’t have a lot of big stone in the waterfall, for example, and none to the sides. Use a blend of sizes from small rounded gravel to hefty rocks. Put only rounded river stones in the pond and try to completely cover the liner. This will never look completely natural but it can look quite good if done with some sensitivity. Once stone placement is done, the major portion of the job is over and now it is simply a matter of stocking it, first with plants, and in a few days, allowing the pH to stabilize, with fish.
You should now have an attractive pond. For more information on ponds and water features of all kinds, visit us at water-features-online.com
Keith Davitt is a landscape designer/builder, author of garden design books and numerous articles for many garden and trade magazines.For more information on landscape design, visit us at landscape-design-garden-plans.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Davitt
Build a Koi Pond
Sunday, 24 June 2007
Koi fish in a pond
If you are thinking of purchasing Koi fish, there are several guidelines that you must first consider before buying. It is important that you must first be acquainted with what there is to know regarding Koi fish. It is also important that you must not hastily buy the first Koi fish that you like, because you might be disappointed buying them. Remember, Koi fish are ornamental pet fish that is usually enjoyed for a long time (for those who do not know, Koi fish can live as long as six decades or sixty years and can also grow as long as three feet).Koi fish is a Japanese-bred fish that is related to the carp family and is primarily designed as an ornament. Koi fish are major attractions to homeowners and pet lovers because of the immense beauty and coloring.
Nowadays, there are many people that are captivated by the dazzling and magnificent beauty of Koi fish. Most of them are enticed to collect numerous and sometimes expensive Koi fish. The most dazzling and magnificent Koi fish can cost as much as half a million dollars. Koi fish can be purchased on your local pet shop or through a public or private source, or through amateur or expert Koi fish breeders or collectors. A pond set up for a collection of Koi fish cannot be completed at once with just a wink of an eye. Accumulating and gathering Koi fishes for breeding usually takes time. Accumulating sufficient amount of Koi fish collections is surely an investment that accounts to sufficient money, heartache, and time devotions.
Things that you must expect when buying Koi fish
Most people have lots of expectations when buying Koi fish. Mostly these expectations are the main reason why they want to buy these beautiful ornamental pet fishes. For the most part, it is important that you will be the one to choose your own personal taste when it comes to the type or variety of the Koi fish that you want to obtain. If you are planning to purchase Koi fish, it is important that you first consider several factors such as the variety of the Koi fish, quality, the price range and where you will be buying the Koi fish. Most of all always make sure that your budget for the Koi fish is sufficient enough. Bear in mind that it is essential that you must have sufficient or adequate funds to sustain the maintenance of the Koi fish (such as foods, maintenance and in some cases, medications).
Keep in mind that having Koi fish is not as easy as other types of pets. These dazzling ornamental pet fish require extra effort in keeping them (such as garden pond or aquarium maintenance, foods, electricity for the filter, etc.). They typically need added attention especially during spring season. That is when the water temperature of the garden pond or aquarium becomes erratic, of which can cause consequences.
Read more information about guides in buying koi fish at http://www.about-koi-fish.com/buying-guides
By: Sherlock Four
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Sherlock Four is a writer and author of www.about-koi-fish.com
Nowadays, there are many people that are captivated by the dazzling and magnificent beauty of Koi fish. Most of them are enticed to collect numerous and sometimes expensive Koi fish. The most dazzling and magnificent Koi fish can cost as much as half a million dollars. Koi fish can be purchased on your local pet shop or through a public or private source, or through amateur or expert Koi fish breeders or collectors. A pond set up for a collection of Koi fish cannot be completed at once with just a wink of an eye. Accumulating and gathering Koi fishes for breeding usually takes time. Accumulating sufficient amount of Koi fish collections is surely an investment that accounts to sufficient money, heartache, and time devotions.
Things that you must expect when buying Koi fish
Most people have lots of expectations when buying Koi fish. Mostly these expectations are the main reason why they want to buy these beautiful ornamental pet fishes. For the most part, it is important that you will be the one to choose your own personal taste when it comes to the type or variety of the Koi fish that you want to obtain. If you are planning to purchase Koi fish, it is important that you first consider several factors such as the variety of the Koi fish, quality, the price range and where you will be buying the Koi fish. Most of all always make sure that your budget for the Koi fish is sufficient enough. Bear in mind that it is essential that you must have sufficient or adequate funds to sustain the maintenance of the Koi fish (such as foods, maintenance and in some cases, medications).
Keep in mind that having Koi fish is not as easy as other types of pets. These dazzling ornamental pet fish require extra effort in keeping them (such as garden pond or aquarium maintenance, foods, electricity for the filter, etc.). They typically need added attention especially during spring season. That is when the water temperature of the garden pond or aquarium becomes erratic, of which can cause consequences.
Read more information about guides in buying koi fish at http://www.about-koi-fish.com/buying-guides
By: Sherlock Four
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Sherlock Four is a writer and author of www.about-koi-fish.com
Thursday, 21 June 2007
Starting with fish
Little do you know, but the goldfish and other finned friends have served as pets for more than thousands of years. From the simple bright orange companion to the colorful display of bright shades of tropical specimens, pet fish are popular. Having a fish for a pet is one of the most relaxing and less time-consuming commitments to make when you're ready to embrace the animal world into your home. To date, there are more than 120 varieties of goldfish and an endless supply of tropical fish selections to consider.
Out of all the fish choices one can bring into their home, the common goldfish is one of the easiest types of pets to consider because it is the only kind of fish that can reside within a home setting in an uncomplicated cold-water living environment. This is why goldfish are also considered one of the best pets to allow a young child to learn about responsibility.
When it comes to tropical fish, a simple bowl with tap water will not do. These kinds of fish thrive in saltwater, meaning specialized tanks and aquariums are needed to accommodate their well-being. While some individuals feel threatened by bringing a large tank into their home, bigger options are actually easier to maintain than a smaller selection. Plus, the visual intrigue of a large aquarium with an assortment of colorful creatures shimmying and gliding through the water makes a calming scene or impressive conversation piece when family and friends are visiting.
As you ponder the type of fish to select or how to take care of your new pets, below you will find a few suggestions to follow that might make life much easier:
1) You should never handle pet fish with you hands. Whenever they need to be transported, a plastic bag containing water is reasonable. Some people place their bags inside a polystyrene container to help maintain temperature when cleaning tanks or transporting.
2) Refrain from overfeeding your fish because the uneaten leftovers only sit in the water, causing contamination.
3) When looking for a proper place to situate your fish tank, remember to avoid locations with direct sunlight or cold drafts.
4) If your goldfish should reach the size of 12 centimeters or more, they should be relocated to a pond. As a rule of thumb, every 4.5 liters of water should accommodate 2.5 centimeters of body length.
5) To ensure the health and safety of your pet fish, it is important to pay attention to their actions. Healthy fish easily move throughout their environment. When they appear to gulp at the surface of the water, they might need more oxygen in their tank. To remedy this problem, changing the water or adding more plants can increase tank oxygen.
When it comes to fish, you can build a creative and relaxing collection to decorate your home. The beauty of their graceful swimming skills, curious-looking eyes, and delicate nature is what makes the intriguing world of pet fish all the more appealing.
By: Renske Buursma -
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
By Renske Buursma, pet store owner with lots of helpful articles about pet care at yourhealthypetsonline.com
Out of all the fish choices one can bring into their home, the common goldfish is one of the easiest types of pets to consider because it is the only kind of fish that can reside within a home setting in an uncomplicated cold-water living environment. This is why goldfish are also considered one of the best pets to allow a young child to learn about responsibility.
When it comes to tropical fish, a simple bowl with tap water will not do. These kinds of fish thrive in saltwater, meaning specialized tanks and aquariums are needed to accommodate their well-being. While some individuals feel threatened by bringing a large tank into their home, bigger options are actually easier to maintain than a smaller selection. Plus, the visual intrigue of a large aquarium with an assortment of colorful creatures shimmying and gliding through the water makes a calming scene or impressive conversation piece when family and friends are visiting.
As you ponder the type of fish to select or how to take care of your new pets, below you will find a few suggestions to follow that might make life much easier:
1) You should never handle pet fish with you hands. Whenever they need to be transported, a plastic bag containing water is reasonable. Some people place their bags inside a polystyrene container to help maintain temperature when cleaning tanks or transporting.
2) Refrain from overfeeding your fish because the uneaten leftovers only sit in the water, causing contamination.
3) When looking for a proper place to situate your fish tank, remember to avoid locations with direct sunlight or cold drafts.
4) If your goldfish should reach the size of 12 centimeters or more, they should be relocated to a pond. As a rule of thumb, every 4.5 liters of water should accommodate 2.5 centimeters of body length.
5) To ensure the health and safety of your pet fish, it is important to pay attention to their actions. Healthy fish easily move throughout their environment. When they appear to gulp at the surface of the water, they might need more oxygen in their tank. To remedy this problem, changing the water or adding more plants can increase tank oxygen.
When it comes to fish, you can build a creative and relaxing collection to decorate your home. The beauty of their graceful swimming skills, curious-looking eyes, and delicate nature is what makes the intriguing world of pet fish all the more appealing.
By: Renske Buursma -
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
By Renske Buursma, pet store owner with lots of helpful articles about pet care at yourhealthypetsonline.com
Tuesday, 19 June 2007
Welcome to tropical, pond and freshwater fish news!
Welcome to the world of tropical, pond and freshwater fish. Free tips and advice about fish. All you need to know about tropical, pond and freshwater fish as a hobby.
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