How To Cycle Your Fish Tank

Perhaps the most single important step of owning a fish tank is also among the most misunderstood parts of owning one. Unless you have been doing your homework and researching fish tanks you probably have not heard of the Nitrogen cycle. Tank cycling is a very important step in establishing your new tank and if not done properly can cause failure from the beginning. In fact, many new fish owners fail in their first month of owning a tank.

Before we start we need to understand what the Nitrogen cycle is. Fish create waste, these waste products are broken down into Ammonia by beneficial bacteria. Beneficial bacteria converts harmful wastes into something less harmful, which is called Nitrite. Nitrite is finally broken down into Nitrate, which is less toxin than either Ammonia and Nitrate. Typically it takes from anywhere from three to six weeks for there to be enough beneficial bacteria to effectively provide enough biological filtration.

The Nitrogen cycle is necessary to keep the water free of waste that cannot be filtered no other way, but while the Nitrogen is going through the process of cycling to establish enough beneficial bacteria to provide proper biological filtration, the fish are exposed to high levels of Ammonia and Nitrite, which can harm them and even result in death. Even if you do not see the effects right away it takes a toll on them and often leads to a shorten life span.

To avoid this you can perform fishless cycling, this is very simple. All you will need is Ammonia. This can be found at most department stores, just make sure it's pure Ammonia and not Ammonia that has any additives because it can harm the fish. You will need an eye dropper to drop Ammonia in the tank and test kit to test for Ammonia, pH, Nitrate and Nitrite. You want the tank to be well oxygenated because the bacteria requires oxygen to grow. The tank should also be fully setup with heater, filter and other things you'll have in the tank.

Add four to five drops of pure Ammonia per 10 gallons of water to the Nitrites becomes measurable, at this point you want to cut back on how much Ammonia you add to two to three drops per day. If at any point the Ammonia and Nitrite levels are off the chart you should make a water changes to Ammonia and Nitrite levels down. Usually a 15 to 25 percent water change will be the amount you need to change, but this does vary from case to case.

When Nitrite and Ammonia are both at zero, the pH is stable and Nitrate is measurable, the tank is considered cycled. A water change of 25% and up to 50% is recommend at this point. After that you should be able to start stocking your tank with fish. The whole process usually takes 2 to 4 weeks depending on temperature and filtration. Remember,guppy, if you don't add fish right away you need to continue to add Ammonia until you introduce fish.

If you rather you can also simply add fish food to the tank. As fish food decays and rots it will release Ammonia. This will start the process of the Nitrogen cycle. Just add a little food each day to keep feeding it. Although, this may be a bit more difficult because you have to put a certain amount of food to get enough decaying food to produce enough Ammonia and this takes a little practice to get the right amount.

There is also the old fashion way of doing this. Adding two to three hardy fish to start the process. These fish must be very hardy because they will need to be tough enough to withstand the high levels of Ammonia and Nitrites that they will face. These fish may become sick and die as they are exposed to such high levels of Ammonia and Nitrite. A few fish that are known as good starter fish and are hardy are Guppies and platies.

What to expect

During the first week to two weeks you will see a steady rise in Ammonia and will reach lethal levels. During this time the beneficial bacteria will start to grow to the point where it can convert Ammonia. During this time period to reduce stress on fish (If you added fish to start the cycle) you will want to perform 15-25% water changes to reduce the stress on fish. This will help keep Ammonia levels down.

After that you will see a drop in Ammonia levels and a spike in Nitrites. Over the next week or two the bacteria needed to convert Nitrites to the less harmful Nitrates will begin and build enough to see it drop to zero. During this period you will need to perform 15-20% water changes to reduce the stress on fish. This will help keep Nitrite levels down.

At this point you should begin to get Nitrate readings. There is only one way to remove it and that is through water changes. You will need to do weekly water changes of 10 to 15 percent. Fish can tolerate levels of around 40-50ppm, but it is best to not let it reach levels near that. If it reaches levels over 20 ppm it is best to perform a 20 to 25 percent water change.

While the process can seem daunting and a lot of work to those unfamiliar with cycling a tank it really is not that hard. Once you learn how to do it and understand the process it is easy as riding a bicycle.

Some Important Pointers in Breeding Discus Fish

Contrary to some beliefs that breeding discus fish does not require much attention unlike some pets, we have to understand that choosing to have fish as pets would also entail some challenges. For example, a person cannot simply just choose any kind of water type, size of the fish tank and the kind of food that you will provide them, especially the part where in you are faced with questions on how breeding discus fish works.

Exotic Fish and How They Must Be Handled

The first thing to make sure of when breeding discus fish are the habits of the exotic fish. They will not react like other domesticated fish. Discus have the habit of choosing their partner alone and because of this they can cost more than what you might expect.

After that, they will choose a breeding ground that is vertical for their mating process and the area would have to be cleaned before they will lay their eggs. They at times would spawn at the side of the tank and after lying of the eggs the parents would be extremely protective of their young. The good thing here is that they will not be aggressive to other fish inhabitants except if the others would attempt to go near the eggs. You would want to provide them with plants or corals where they can hide.

In breeding discus fish, add a small bag of peat moss in the power filter for it is like recreating the natural water conditions of the discus fish likened to the Amazon River where it originally came from.

You have to make sure that the fish take contains no pollutants and the acid levels are just at 6.5 pH. The water condition should also be soft and with a warm temperature of 77-84°F (25-29°C. It would also be best to place them in larger tanks especially during the breeding process to take them away from possible predators. The recommended minimum tanks must have at least 55 gallons: the bigger the better.

In breeding discus fish, you have to make sure that the bare bottom is without any gravel but make sure is that you still provide them with hiding places like floating plants, driftwood,aquarium fish, aquascape that is fully planted and some WaterSprite floating plants in order to diffuse the light. You have to make sure that all of these are being followed in order for a successful breeding process.

Tips for Cloudy Freshwater Aquarium Water

For a beginning freshwater aquarium owner, cloudy water can be baffling and confusing. There are so many different causes for this, it is vitally important for a new fish aquarium owner to do the proper research on the different causes and remedies.

Excessive bacteria in the water can be one of the many causes. This problem usually does not occur until a few weeks or months after first setting up a brand new aquarium, because of bacterial bloom. Beneficial bacteria is needed in the tank water to break down fish waste, so while the bacteria is establishing itself, it may suddenly have a high growth rate, and cloudy water may be present. There is nothing one can do about this, but thankfully the problem almost always resolves itself on its own.

When setting up a new aquarium, one of the first mistakes a new tank owner makes is forgetting to rinse the gravel which leads to one of the initial causes. Any gravel that is to be used as substrate should be rinsed with cool water thoroughly to rid it of any debris or residue. If someone places the gravel in the tank before rinsing it,fish tank, all the residue from the gravel will float in the water making for unsightly, cloudy water. In order to remedy this problem, they should empty the tank, thoroughly rinse the gravel and attempt it again.

One of the unknown causes for cloudy water is dissolved constitutes. If you test your tank's pH and find it to be high, or alkaline, you most probably have a high level of dissolved metals and phosphates. This is easily remedied by purchasing a water conditioner.

Many tank owners decide to take on the responsibility of having live freshwater plants in their aquariums, but if they do not take proper care of these plants then the dead, decaying matter can cloud up the water. If any dead plants are seen, or plants with a large number of dead leaves are present, remove all the dead matter.

One of the most common cloudy water causes is young children over feeding their pet fish, allowing the excess amounts of fish food to break down and cloud up the tank.

When seeing noticeably green, cloudy water, the most obvious reason is an overgrowth of algae. An explosion of algae is usually caused by an excess amount of sunlight, especially if the tank is located near a sunny window. The algae may also be feasting on decaying plant and fish food matter, along with phosphates and nitrites found in the water. You may also want to put algae eating fish, snails or shrimp in your tank.

Having fresh, crystal clear water is one of the most desirable things an aquarium owner can have. With a few simple tips, and knowing the most common causes for cloudy water, new tank owners can have the beautiful freshwater aquarium that they have dreamed about.

The Different Categories For Fish Tank Decorations

People interested in setting up an aquarium will find a lot of accessory items available to use. The fish tank decorations are as diverse as the personalities of the people setting up the tanks. Synthetic plants can fall into this category, because they are used to enhance the visual appearance of the tank. These are different from live plants,discus fish, but can be made to replicate the look of the natural products. Synthetic plants can come in different heights and widths to fit inside different sizes of aquariums. They provide spaces where fish can hide or sleep without being disturbed by other fish in the tank.

Another category for decorations includes statues. These items are usually made of ceramic and can come in an array of objects. People can choose to create a theme for their tank by selecting specific types of ceramic pieces. A sunken pirate ship can be used in combination with a chest full of treasure and an array of logs. An oriental bridge can be a nice addition to a tank containing exotic or tropical fish. Colored pieces of ceramic coral can accent the bridge as well as multicolored stones.

There are also a number of character statues available to purchase. These include various poses for the deep sea diver as well as many types of mermaids. There are also whimsical characters based on popular children's shows, that can be fun additions to tanks used in homes with children. Fish can also be found as sculpted pieces, which can add an interesting effect to some types of tanks. Some character images are used in combination with signs to create a humorous piece, such as the goldfish placed next to a sign stating No Fishing. Pirates, skeletons and skulls can be found in settings with boulders, logs or cliffs.

Buildings are also available to use as decorations in aquariums. The classic building is the castle. This item can be made to look like a fairytale item or one made out of sand. The entrance to the castle is usually made large enough to allow most small to medium sized fish to enter. A building can also be designed as a hut or a cliff side dwelling found on islands. These structures are available in different sizes and can be enhanced with the addition of small island statues. The buildings are created to give fish somewhere to hide or rest just like the artificial plants.

Solving 3 Aquarium Problems Using Aqua Ionizer

If keeping an aquarium was as easy as filling a container with water and throwing in some fish, everyone would be successful. The truth is, eight out of ten new hobbyists give up within a year. The three main problematic areas with almost every beginning to even intermediate aquarists is maintaining balanced water, fish diseases, and nuisance green algae. In essence, all three are closely related, and figuring out the proper fix will eventually help control all three problem areas.

So how does one narrow down and determine what the proper fix is? Well after 16 years of working in an aquarium store, I have become very familiar with the main problem and can now diagnosed the proper fix that will pretty much work for every hobbyist. This is of course assuming that your aquarium has the basics... a biological filter and an aeration pump in the tank. By simply adding some ionization to your aquarium will not only purify water to a revitalized quality but ensure that all organic contaminates are eliminated.

In the store we have found that using the Aqua Ionizer, which is designed to provide ionization to aquariums,aquarium fish home, immediately oxidizes impurities and toxic gases. This is accomplished when the filter applies ionizing pulses to the flow of water, reducing the bond between water molecules, and allowing the Oxygen atoms to free-up and exhibit greater bioavailability. This process of freeing-up Oxygen availability within the aquarium stimulates both constant oxidation of harmful organic compounds and complete breakdown of ammonia. What this means for the aquarium hobbyist is that all wastes and contaminates will simply remain at very undetectable levels and the aquarium water will maintain a proper biological balance. Problem one solved!

This is good news, but it gets even better. The most difficult and crucial task for an aquarium hobbyist is to maintain proper balanced water, but once achieved, everything else falls into place. Aquariums with balanced water rarely have problems with diseases and nuisance green algae. So problems two and three get solved as well...that's great news!

By learning as much as you can about keeping aquarium water balanced, you will not only keep fish alive longer, but you'll also gain a better understanding of how the ecology of an aquarium actually works. This will pay off in dividends of greater success and fewer lost fish. You'll also get far more pleasure from your aquarium.

How to Choose Among Custom Fish Tanks

Custom fish tanks have a wide range of options and the genuine beauty of one will liven up any house or office area. This is a great, unique way to improve a room compared to a regular fish tank. Many houses and offices are putting in new, customized aquarium tanks. There are various kinds of tanks that can be installed and used. The fortunate side of it is that these types of tanks are less expensive than one would consider. Customers can select among numerous varieties. A custom fish tank is certain to cost more than a regular aquarium since you will pay for an exceptional design that is also affordable.

There are various factors related to your custom tank install and an important one is the size. The area should provide a large amount of varying temperatures for the AC and heating and should not be installed in an area that receives a lot of sunlight exposure. The fish and plants will need light as long as it is natural light and some people may want artificial light which is still suitable.

Tanks can be made at different heights. Your preference should determine the height at which you want the tank. This is best decided by the way you would like the tank to be viewed. A significant benefit to a personalized fish tank is the chance to set it up just the way you want it with many of the great features you want to have installed.

Of course,Cichlid Fish Care, it is important that you stock the tank after it has been installed. There is a profound range of freshwater or saltwater life to include in the tank. Finding the right location for a fish tank will usually depend on the shape. Tanks have to remain out of direct sunlight to reduce fish growth and temperature variations. Weight restrictions have to be considered, as well. Custom fish tanks are heavy because a twenty gallon tank will suit a second floor, but one that is sixty gallons should be placed on a concrete floor or it could affect the ceiling beneath the tank.

In regards to searching for custom aquariums, it may be smart to search for a few quotes first. A well-known resource involves looking for providers near you by visiting the internet. You want to choose a company that can fit your tank according to your personal preference. A tank is also not lively without tropical plants. Even if you are mindful about your budget and want to go with artificial plant life, or if you want to buy fresh fauna, many professional services will assist you in designing a tank.

Decorating Your Tropical Fish Tank

Tropical fish not only add to a home environment but they enjoy living in a pleasant environment in their own right. Choosing the right tropical fish tank decorations is not only a pleasant aspect of the hobby of keeping and raising them,fish tank, but they will enhance your fish's daily lives.

Some decorations depend on the size and the volume of your fish population. If you have only one or two small fish in a modest-sized fish bowl, a bottom of marbles with one or two small pieces of driftwood and perhaps a single line of sea vegetation planted on that bottom will make a pleasant enough environment. Many fish keepers use artificial vegetation, but if you have a fishbowl or tank with a firm flat bottom you can actually bring in sea soil and real water plants for your fish and allow nature to take its course.

If you have a large aquarium with several fish, you should feel free to bring in much more. Driftwood and stones will work well for the tank bottom and rarely disturb the proper pH balance of your tank. If your stones and woods have large openings, your fish will enjoy these even more, though you can also arrange the stones or woods into small structures that still allow your fish to pass through or even rest inside. In the wild or in captivity, tropical fish love to feel as though they are exploring. When you clean your tank and replenish its foundations, be sure to re-arrange the stones, woods, and vegetation in a different way each time.

Though many aquarium owners still enjoy putting humorous items such as water wheels, plastic sunken ships, plastic deep-sea divers, and the like into their aquariums, the best tank decorations are nature's own. Because some water plants may be damaged or otherwise respond negatively to the aquarium's filtration system, you should consult with your fish dealer or expert to determine which plants are best placed where. Most, however, will likely advise that taller plants are best placed in the middle or to the rear of the aquarium while shorter plants are best placed toward the front or the sides.

Finally, many aquarium owners prefer to line the rear wall of their tanks with one or another image sheet. If your fish respond well to natural surroundings, a sheet containing a photograph of a natural underwater habitat should make them feel even more at home.