Aquarium Care

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When Nature Aquarium Becomes A Hobby, Art and Business

Nature aquarium started as an upgrade from an ordinary aquarium making hobby to an art. It is where an aquarium that was originally intended for fancy fish was aquascaped with real live underwater plants. In ordinary aquarium, the emphasis of the hobby is the fish, while the emphasis of nature aquarium is the habitat and aquascape of the aquarium.

This art was popularized by a renowned Japanese photographer Takashi Amano. His specialty is naturistic photography which gave birth to his new art, nature aquarium. It’s like giving real life to all his photos and putting it inside the glass. His photography brought him to different parts of the world, and his nature aquarium became popular worldwide.

The aquarium that we are talking about is not an ordinary aquarium. Its main idea is about creating a miniature ecosystem inside the glass under a controlled environment, where fishes, bacteria, invertebrates, aquatic plants, and all other aquatic living organisms can live together as if they are living in the open wild.

There are several kinds of aquatic plants that you can plant inside the aquarium depending on your preferences and artistic imagination. “HC” or otherwise known as Hemianthus callitricodes can be a perfect choice for carpeting while Ludwigia Arcuata is a perfect choice for giving a purple color background for your aquarium. Dwarf Hairgrass is a good choice for creating a mountain like view. Again, it is all up to your own artistic imagination.

For the fishes, please note that since it is a miniature ecosystem, it is not really advisable to have huge fishes like Arowana or Oscar. It’s not what we are trying to achieve here. It is best to have small fishes such as Guppy and Tetra. If you can have some other colorful small fish, the better. But please, no Gold Fishes alright?

Also try to consider some invertebrates such as small shrimps and snails. They eat algae and some other harmful bacteria inside the nature aquarium. They can help maintain the balance of the ecosystem inside the tank.

Algae can also destroy the beauty of your aquarium that is why it needs to be controlled. But don’t bother yourself to totally eliminate it. Else, you will have an imbalance ecosystem, and you won’t have some food for your invertebrates. Just note that the goal here is to have a well balance ecosystem.

An alternative to invertebrates is a fish called “Siamese algae eater”. It is one of the best fish algae eater out there. But it is recommended to only have 1 Siamese for every 20 gallon tank.

Lastly, you also need to take care of the CO2 and oxygen, lighting, filtration, and substrate systems of your aquarium. These things are essentially important in growing the plants inside the aquarium. A mediocre quality of these tools won’t do any good to your plants.

Takashi’s hobby has become a business later on when he founded the Aqua Design Amano. He started this company that design high quality equipments for nature aquariums. Though they are quite expensive, the quality of these equipments are just so amazing and perfectly fit for your desired aquarium. It definitely one of the highest quality brand out there specifically designed for nature aquariums.

Bince is a nature lover. To learn more about nature aquarium, you can visit our site www.natureaquariums.org.

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Look To Make Sure That You Are Buying Disease Free Fish At Pet Store

A home aquarium is a thing of beauty, and can add interest to a room. It does require a bit of maintenance to ensure that the tanks occupants are all healthy. It is essential to make sure that you are buying healthy fish at pet store, as if you introduce an unhealthy fish to your aquarium, the disease could spread to everyone else.

Pick a decent pet store to buy your fish from. Examine the tanks when you go in, and ask yourself if it looks immaculately clean and well cared for. Staff should be anxious to help you, and knowledgeable about their stock. You really need to be an enthusiast to work in a pet store.

The fish tanks should look clean and fresh, and should not smell. All the fish should look alert and healthy, and their colors bright. Their fins should be pointing up and should be rigid and not floppy. Fish that look as if they have been bitten by others could be feeling ill, and unable to protect themselves.

Take a close look at the fish you want, as the body should be all nicely proportioned and not bulging out weirdly. There should not be any kind of lumps or bumps, or discolored spots. The gills should be a healthy pink and respiration normal. The fish should be happy to interact with others and not afraid or stressed.

Make sure you are buying fish with the correct temperament for your tank. If you have a nice peaceful tank full of community fish then take care not to add anyone too aggressive. They will not calm down in time, but are more likely to attack your fish.

When you get your new fish home, open the lid of the tank and let the bag just rest on the top of the water. This gives new fish a chance to calm down before being introduced to their new home. It also gives the water in the bag time to reach the same temperature as the water in the tank, avoiding any shock to the fish. This should take twenty minutes or so, after which time they can be let out.

Aquariums can take a bit of time to properly maintain, as water will need partial changing, filters have to be checked and glass cleaned. You may find that the water gets cloudy every so often for no good reason. This is normal but annoying. EcoBio-Blocks are a good addition as they can help the water to clear and cut down on general maintenance time each week.

EcoBio-Blocks are made out of a kind of porous stone which is of volcanic origin. The stone contains many minerals and bacteria which are beneficial to the tank and the fish. The bacteria will act to get water clean and sparkling, and will keep it that way. Your fish will have a much healthier environment and will be easy to see. There will also be no odor in the tank.

Fish tanks can make a great focal point for a room, and are worth the effort that they take to set up and maintain. It is worth making the effort of buying healthy fish at the pet store that will live long and happy lives. Most tanks once they are set-up, will require only a short amount of time each week to maintain, especially if you have solved the problem of cloudy water.

Looking for more information on how to keep fish healthy in your fish tank? Get the lowdown now at complete EcoBio-Block review.

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Set Up A New Aquarium And Stop New Tank Syndrome Before It Develops

Research has shown that watching fish swim in an aquarium reduces stress and blood pressure. Beginning a brand new aquarium requires some understanding of the process. If done without any understanding, many fish put into a new fish tank may die of new tank syndrome. This article will show you exactly how to start a new aquarium and reduce the frustration of new tank syndrome.

The first step is deciding on the size tank you would like to purchase. There are tanks with capacities of just a few gallons to tanks with over 50 gallons. When you purchase your tank, be sure to also buy a sturdy stand. You can figure the weight of a filled tank by multiplying the total tank gallons by 10. If your tank holds 40 gallons of water, it would weigh 400 pounds filled.

After choosing the tank, other supplies you will need include a filter, air pump, hood, gravel, heater, ammonia, nitrite and pH test kits and water conditioner. You will also need an algae scraper, gravel siphon and decoration. Plan to purchase between one and 1.5 pounds of gravel per gallon of water. Hold off on buying the fish for now. If you have added an EcoBio-Stone, it will need some time to build up an adequate amount of beneficial bacteria before adding fish; otherwise, your fish could succumb to new tank syndrome. New tank syndrome, a condition where fish die a short time after being introduced to a new tank, is caused by high nitrite and ammonia levels. If fish are put into a new aquarium, there may not be enough beneficial bacteria to keep the nitrite and ammonia levels at a safe level.

Once you have your supplies, if you have purchased an EcoBio-Stone, be sure to place it in chlorine-free water and let it soak overnight. While it is soaking, it is time to start putting your aquarium together. Your first step is rinsing the tank and gravel thoroughly. Do not use soap or any other kind of detergent. This will kill the fish. Next, set up the filter and the heater according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Now add the gravel, decorations and attach the air pump to any decorations that require it. Follow this with water. Make sure you add a water conditioner to remove any harmful chemicals, such as chlorine, from the water. A water conditioner will keep the pH level at 7.0, which is what most fish thrive in. Set the heater to a level that will keep the water between 76-78 degrees Fahrenheit. After soaking the stone, add it to your tank. Now it is time to cycle your aquarium.

To avoid new tank syndrome, you must cycle your aquarium. Cycling your aquarium refers to the process of letting the aquarium build up enough good bacteria to support fish. On its own it takes about 35 days to build up enough good bacteria to keep ammonia and nitrite levels in check. Using EcoBio-Stone, your tank will have colonies of good bacteria built quite quickly. One block lasts about two years and will keep your tank water clear and bacteria levels at the correct amount.

Now is the time to buy just two or three fish. Before releasing the fish into the aquarium, set the plastic bag you carried them home in into the tank. This allows the fish to adjust to the water temperature. Wait 10 minutes. Gently release the fish and throw the water in the bag away as it will have fish waste in it.

Each week you should check the pH levels, nitrite and ammonia levels. The latter two should be zero. Each month change 20% of the water (remember to add water conditioner), clean the gravel using the siphon. Add new activated carbon to the filter and wash the filter itself. If you take the time to learn how to start a new aquarium, you will avoid new tank syndrome and enjoy your new fish tank for years to come.

An EcoBio-Stone is a must when you prepare to start a new aquarium. It helps to provide attractive equipment and healthy environment for the inhabitants.

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Angelfish Care Tips

Angelfish, Pterophyllum Scalare, are classified to the family Cichlidae. This family is more casually identified as cichlids. Angelfish are endemic to the Amazon River.

Cichlids have become ever more popular with freshwater aquarists since they started being exported by the aquarium trade after the conclusion of WWII. Angelfish are undoubtedly among the most popular and easily recognizable freshwater fish in the world. Their unique triangular profile makes them one of the most exotic freshwater species on the market. The selective breeding of these creatures has dramatically increased the assortment of angelfish available to the consumer. Angels come in an array of colors, from white, silver, gold and black to striped, marbled and Koi. Their abundance keeps their price exceptionally reasonable. They are a robust species that can stay alive in a multitude of environmental conditions. Angels are one of the most care free fish you can own. Their ease of care has undoubtedly contributed to their global popularity.

Appearances can be misleading. The fish available at the retail stores are not fully grown. Angels routinely grow to six inches in diameter as adults. They can be housed in a fish tank as little as 10 gallons however 20 gallons and is ideal.

Angelfish are non-aggressive. Angelfish make excellent additions to a community tank. Angels will, however, deem smaller community dwellers as a source of nutrition. Avoid keeping them with smaller varieties like rasboras, zebra danios or fancy guppies. It is also ill advisable housing them with species like barbs and tetras. These are fin nippers by nature. An angelfish’s long, flowing fins are delicious taste treat, just begging to be snacked on.

Angelfish are omnivores. Their diet should consist of both plant and animal matter. You will want to make sure to choose a fish food prepared for omnivores as their main staple. A good quality flake food is all you will need to keep your angelfish healthy and happy. Many fish hobbyists prefer to provide an assortment of nutritional choices in addition to the main staple. Although this is not strictly mandatory, it is recommended. You might want to ask yourself; would you want to eat the exact same thing for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of your life? A varied regimen will help to ensure optimum health. Dried seaweed sheets are a wonderful dietary supplement for omnivores. High protein supplements such as brine shrimp, tubifex and bloodworms make ideal dietary supplements. If you can not find them fresh, frozen and freeze-dried preparations are available commercially.

Angels inhabit the Amazon River. They are accustomed to water with a slightly acidic base. A pH factor of 6.8 and temperatures ranging between 72-86 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal environment. If maintained properly an angelfish can live in excess of 10 years.

When it comes to parenting, fish in general can be divided into two basic categories. There are those fish that will abandon their unborn eggs or even ingest them in complete disregard for nature’s mandate to prorogate the species. Then there are the fish that express varying amounts of brooding intuition. All cichlids fall to some extent in the latter category. Angelfish are commonly called open brooders. This simply means that they will prepare a flat surface like a rock or piece of wood in order to lay their eggs on. A common trait among brooders is that they will guard over their unborn offspring until they hatch. Typically the male adopts the role as the protector by standing guard while the female becomes the eggs’ caregiver. Once they are hatched, both parents will take an active role in tending the newborn.

Keeping a specific fish in a fish tank that is not large enough could have catastrophic results. A savvy aquarist wouldn’t think about attempting to keep an angel nano fish tank. To discover more fun filled facts on freshwater aquarium fish browse through my online fish guide.

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Don’t Buy Aquariums – Untill You’ve Seen This Sensation of Aquariums For Sale

Owning fish aquariums is a great hobby since they’re fun to care for. Today’s aquariums are far different than the ones we grew up with. When you are ready to buy aquariums you will certainly be surprised to see the wide variety of aquariums for sale. They are available in all sorts of sizes and shapes.

Aquariums today can be coffee tables to wall mounted works of art. You can also find ones made from acrylic instead of glass. The acrylic can be shaped in unusual shapes easier than glass can. Let’s look closer at these unique aquariums for sale that you will find when you go to buy aquariums today.

If you want to buy aquariums for your home or office, but have a limited amount of space, take a look at the BiOrbs. These are perfect for a small space because they are not very big. They are shaped like a globe and made of acrylic. They are available in 4, 8, and 16 gallon sizes. The filtering system is up to date and makes maintenance a breeze.

When you go out to buy aquariums, be sure to take a look at the coffee table aquariums that are available. These are among the most unique aquariums for sale. If you were to place one of these in front of your couch or in the middle of a room, your living room will gain a lot of attention. These aquariums are available in a variety of shapes, including round and octagon.

Now if you have a drab corner in your house or even office think about getting an aquarium specially designed to fit the corners of the room. These are available in towers to perfectly enhance the corner of any room. The corner aquariums are one of the best aquariums for sale today for solving a decorating problem.

To show how versatile an aquarium is check out desktop models. When you buy aquariums you have to purchase what will fit the space you have allotted. So if you are just trying to perk up your desk at your office, the desktop aquariums really fit the bill. They take up very little room and some only hole 1 gallons of water or so. The only thing to remember about these small tanks is to put no more fish in them then they will support. Other than that you can decorate them up the same as larger aquariums.

If you want to buy aquariums with a smooth look, take a look at the Fluval Edge fish tanks. The six sides of these tanks are specially sealed to be durable and allow for viewing from all sides, including the top. These tanks have a top port, making access easy.

The oceanic aquariums for sale really make you feel that you are in some ancient underwater locale where mermaids may live. You get the feeling that you should be looking at shipwrecks and sandcastles instead of fish. So when you can check these while you try to buy aquariums that appeal to you.

Let’s not forget about the wall-mounted aquariums for sale. Yes that is right you can buy aquariums that mount on your wall like a picture! Just think a piece of artwork that is living hanging on your wall, talk about “wow factor”. Just think you can find all these aquariums and more online.

Want to find out more about where you can Buy Aquariums, then visit Mike Marvel’s site on how to choose the best Aquariums For Sale to fit your needs.

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