Keeping An
Aquarium?
Thinking of setting up your
aquarium? Here's some basic pointers for you!
1) Choosing a tank
Choose a tank of suitable size depending on the
numbers of fishes you keep and the nature of the
fish, i.e freshwater or marine.
Marine fishes require tanks of thicker glass due
to the greater pressure & weight of salt
water.
2) Choosing a suitable place
Setting up a glass aquarium outside the
house or facing direct sunlight is a No No! This
is because algae will grow very quickly. The tank
should be adequately supported especially for
those marine tanks which require special
reinforcement due to it's greater weight.
3) Filtration system
This is a very important consideration. For
newbies, stick to a system of "wet &
dry" filtration, i.e. part of the filter is
submerged while the other is above water level.
This essentially consists of an undergravel
system combined with an overhead filter box. This
system essentially uses a mechanical filter, i.e.
it traps the waste matter, and a biological
filter, i.e a colony of aerobic bacteria will
digest & breakdown undissolved waste matter
into harmless materials. Do allow at least 3
weeks for the water in the tank to
"age" before you introduce your fishes.
4) Aeration
It is the movement of water from the
bottom to the surface for air exchange that is
important. As an aid to oxidation of toxic
ammonia to nitrite, an air stone could be used to
create currents within the tank.
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5) Lighting
Lighting
is important not only for aesthetic reasons but
also for healthy plants & fishes to thrive.
Lighting used should be a close approximation to
natural sunlight.
It is not necessary to purchase "real
sunlight" fluorescent tubes from aquarium
shops, some electrical outlets do carry very good
but expensive fluorescent light that approach the
spectrum of sunlight. Other lights that could be
used include mecury vapour bulbs or quartz
halogen lamps, the drawback is that they emit
much more heat.
6) Heating
Heating is not necessary in our climate.
Heat is already being emitted from the air pump,
water pump, lights etc. In fact, with regards to
marine aquarium, most require cooling down
especially when it carries corals & anemones.
It is unwise for the tank temperature to exceed
30 degrees or more.
7) Maintenance
For normal load fishtanks,
-Weekly addition of trace elements & vitamins
to water for fish & plants.
- Weekly cleansing of glass to
prevent algae build-up.
- Weekly check & clean if necessary the
filter wool on filter overhead.
- Monthly "topping" up of water due to
evaporation.
No water changes is necessary, if needed change
only one-third of the total volume every three
months.
When adding fresh water from the tap, use
commercially available chlorine neutraliser first
& allow to stand for half an hour with
aeration before use.
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