Fish are probably one of the easiest and low maintenance of house pets. Although they take a bit of care, everything required to maintain a healthy aquarium can be done in a minimal amount of time. There are certain things you need to do daily, weekly and bi- weekly to make sure your fish stay happy and healthy.
Of course you will feed your fish every day, but there are a couple other things you can do on a daily basis to make sure your fish are doing well. First of all, never over feed them. Give them only what they will eat in 2-5 minutes. You can determine if they are eating all of their food by watching them. Also observe their behavior and appearance to make sure they are not stressed, because stress makes them sick. It's a good idea to quickly check the equipment each day to make sure any filters, heaters and lights are working properly.
The filter is probably the most important piece of equipment in your aquarium, because it keeps the water clean and free of dangerous toxins that can be harmful to your fish. Filters also provide aeration, which adds oxygen to the water. If your filter is not clean, it will become clogged and perform it's responsibilities badly. This is not good for your fish, so it is recommended that you clean the filter every two or three weeks. You can tell when the filter needs to be cleaned because it looks dirty and will start to smell. A dirty filter may also cause the water to become cloudy, which is another sign that it's cleaning time.
Water maintenance is also important is you want your fish to live long and healthy lives. You should replace about one-third of the tank's water every week or two, to ensure optimal living conditions for your fish. If you fill the tank with tap water, make sure you treat it with a dechlorinator or other water treatment substance before adding it to the tank. Your pet store can make recommendations for how best to treat your home's tap water. Also check the temperature of the new water and keep it close to the original water so as not to shock the fish.
A clean aquarium makes for healthy fish. Whenever you see algae along the tank walls, scrub them gently to remove the growth, taking care not to disturb the fish too much. Periodically clean the debris from the bottom of the tank either by water removal or with a siphon that vacuums the bottom of the tank. Be sure to clean any decorations and maintain any plants that are in the tank as well. Use a squeegee to keep the outside of the tank sparkling, and make sure the lights are also kept clean and in proper working order.
Following these few steps on a regular basis will guarantee a healthy aquarium living environment, and you will have happy fish.
Want to find out about aquarium catfish and fish tank care? Get tips from Aquarium Fish Care.
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