Aquariums 2.0

How To Look After Your Fish Aquarium

Do saltwater aquariums smell bad?

Im thinking about getting a saltwater aquarium, do they smell bad?

No. You should only smell a slight ocean smell. Skim mate that is produced by protein skimmers smells bad but is usually kept closed up in the skimmer cup or an external waste container. DSBs (Deep Sand Beds) 6" and deeper can create hydrogen sulfide gas down deep over time. This is ok unless it gets disturbed. When that gas comes into contact with the salt water, it turns into acid, smells like rotten eggs and will kill any life in the tank.

If you leave live rock or live sand out of the water all of the life in and on it will die and it will smell bad.

The best place to learn about Saltwater Reefs and FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) tanks is Reefcentral.com (RC). There is a forum for every aspect of marine tanks. Salt tanks are very different from fresh water tanks. In salt you must learn a lot, go very slowly and have a lot of patience. There are literaly many thousands of members on RC that can help you learn what you will need to know. It is a free forum with, Threads: 1,181,692, Posts: 11,384,803, Members: 237,341 and there are usually always 2 to 3 thousand members online all the time that can help you with any questions.

Can hermit crabs have a big fish aquarium for tanks without water in it?

you can put it in the fish tank but you need to make sure that there is not so much water, it needs a water bowl only so do with that what you will. you can do half and half w/ the tank. half SHALLOW water and half land but it does need land.

Creating Coral Aquariums - Simple Guide For Beginners

Aquarium owners once accustomed will hope to one day have many different kind of coral in their own saltwater tank - this is an absolute dream! Starter kits can be purchased where you can take easy steps into growing your own piece of coral. This is a much better way to start and is highly recommended against buying coral from a shop. Growing your own coral ensures that it is acclimatised to your tank. Before starting to set up and care for a coral aquarium, knowledge in this area is required as it is not an easy process. It takes time which is worthwhile in being able to showcase your own grown coral aquarium to its best. For some people, buying fake coral is the easier option, when all it takes is patience of about up to 12 weeks, to create your own piece of paradise underwater. A wonderful sense of achievement and a worthwhile project.

Firstly, you need to start off by assembling your aquarium. Find an ideal area of your home to display the aquarium. Read the instructions carefully on how to set it up as in a freshwater tank. Before you add the water, there are a few simple rules to follow. The bottom of the tank is where you pour the sand first, then followed by the addition of dechlorinated water. Salt needs to be mixed in next, until it reaches a specific gravity measuring 1.205. Decide where you want to arrange your live rock after the water and salt, then install the heater and finally, the hood of the tank. You should then wait approximately 4 weeks for the tank to settle before going ahead with the next move.

Once the 4 weeks is over, it is time to add the first living creatures to your tank. This will ensure that the water is tested for the correct salt balance and stays that way, before you add your fish. During this period, snails and crabs if you have chosen them, can be added. The tank should now be functioning as though you have already filled it with fish, so install a protein skimmer. Check to see that you have the correct lighting and that the filters are doing their job. The light should not be left on for any longer than 10 or 12 hours a day, as this can promote the growth of algae. Once snails or crabs have been added, you should wait 2 more weeks.

You have now reached Week 6, which is when you can proceed with the next stage of adding your first pieces of coral. For Saltwater Aquariums you will find different types of coral including the common ones like Bullseye Mushroom coral, Button Polyp, Hairy Mushroom Coral and the Yellow Polyp. The coral should be attached to live rock at the bottom of the tank when you add it. You can wait another 2 weeks - all the patience is worth it. It is now the 10th week when you can add Aquacultured Coral with types named Pumping Xenia, Spaghetti Finger Leather Coral and Starburst Polyps as part of your collection of many. Again these should be placed on live rock as with the first set of coral.

Your reef aquarium has now been successfully set up and by the 10 to 12 week period, you will be ready to begin adding your choice of fish to your created underwater world. The process of setting up your coral aquarium is a long and drawn out, but one well worth if for the long years ahead. Your own spectacularly created coral aquarium will give you years of enjoyment as you care for it and your living creatures. The aquarium will be something to be admired and very relaxing in your home. Watch how your family and friends are impressed by your creation!

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/creating-coral-aquariums-simple-guide-for-beginners-740456.html

How To Successfully Switch From Freshwater To Saltwater Aquarium

Wrongly led by the belief that freshwater aquariums are easier to maintain than saltwater aquariums many people opt for the former. There are a greater variety of fish that can be kept in a saltwater aquarium as also plants and coral too. The equipment is more or less the same as a fresh water aquarium just the inmates and look is different. Many people would love to have a saltwater aquarium but the myths of switching from fresh to saltwater dissuades them from doing so.

Converting from a freshwater tank to a saltwater one is simple. Most of the equipment is the same with just a few exceptions to the rule. One of them is the tank substrate. Saltwater aquarium fish prefer a substrate composed of live sand and a lot of crushed coral as opposed to the gravel that freshwater fish are used to. Your existing filtering systems will work equally efficiently in both types of tanks. Remember that the water filtering system works on the principle of circulating water through the tank. This means that a vigorous system will disturb the water surface a process that helps the oxygen level rise in the tank water - a good thing.

Lighting in the saltwater tank is of importance only if you are planning to add plants and coral to the tank. A fish only tank can fare very well without the added lighting. A common mistake many aquarium enthusiasts make while converting from freshwater to saltwater is to add a little table salt to the water. This is no laughing matter even for the fish. This will kill the coral and plants as well as the fish. Saltwater has a very different variety of bacteria as compared to freshwater and this aids in supporting the fish and corals in the tank.

When you transit from a freshwater tank to a salt water tank go to the pet store and get some substrate from the saltwater tanks there. This substrate is added to the freshwater in the tank and after a few days you must test the salinity of the water with a refractometer or hydrometer (available t the pet store). the salinity must read between 1.020 and 1,026 before you add the salt water fish to the tank.

You must also remember that saltwater causes a lot of rusting to occur in the tank and do you should be ready to regularly clean out tank equipment at least twice a month. If rust has already set in you must change the equipment promptly.

Feeding saltwater fish is very different from feeding freshwater fish. Saltwater Aquariums require a combination of frozen food that is easily available from the pet store. Never keep frozen food in your freezer for more than 3 months. Discard any unopened frozen food that is older than 5 months. It might sound like a lot of work to maintain a saltwater aquarium, however, once you are there you will discover that the joys are many and the work is not too much.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/how-to-successfully-switch-from-freshwater-to-saltwater-aquarium-740449.html

How To Keep Invertebrates In Your Marine Aquarium

Keeping Invertebrates And The Care They Need

Invertebrates are not as hardy as fish. It is necessary to make a study of Invertebrates and how they function, their diet and the temperature that they need before attempting to acquire them. You will need to make arrangements with your supplier because you may need delivery of food if so required. There are two types – coldwater and tropical. It should also be noted that they need to merge with the others in the tank.

The Different Types Of Invertebrates

As you make a study of the Invertebrates, you will find that there are two types – coldwater and tropical. A few examples are sea apple, red hermit crab and shrimp. The water temperature should be 75 and 79 degrees F, and the PH between 8.2 and 8.4 and the salt water content between 1.020 and 1.024. This needs to be checked every day so that there is no discrepancy. Also their food is not compatible, so your supplier needs to be informed.

Coldwater Invertebrates can only be fetched from tide pools as the stores do not keep them. One thing that is required is to see that these do not belong to an endangered species when removing them from their habitat. A comprehensive research needs to be done so that they can be taken care of appropriately and all their dietary needs are met. They usually feed on shrimp, mussels and raw fish.

Another useful tip while keeping coldwater Invertebrates is to always keep scallops and mussels in a tank so that you will always have a regular supply for them, and it may be a good idea to give them fresh rather than frozen food. They should also be fed a little at a time at regular intervals.

When a tank is set up, live rock is a good idea, because some Invertebrates like to take their food from the parasites that are found on the live rock. There are innumerable ways in which you could fill your aquarium, so that your fish are comfortable in their surroundings and it is a pleasure to look at. If you have a substrate, shrimp and crabs can make deep pits and go underground. That would be as close to their natural surroundings as possible. If you would like to keep anemones, then a light could be installed, as they like the light. The main thing is to research your project, see that you get regular supplies, keep the tank clean and check for temperature, and you are all set to enjoy your aquarium. You will find that your time and effort has been well spent and you can enjoy your handiwork.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/how-to-keep-invertebrates-in-your-marine-aquarium-740476.html

How to Control Algae in Your Aquarium

It is impossible to eliminate algae altogether, and you should not be frustrated by the persistent nature of algae to accumulate. What you can do is control the condition under which plant life and fish thrives and algae does not. First, how much light are you allowing into your tank area? If you have light for more than ten hours a day, you are assisting algae grow in your tank, so don’t keep the lights on 24-7. You can purchase algae eating fish if that would fit with your aquarium’s motif. Some fish types that consume algae are three breeds of suckermouth catfish, the Ancistrus, Peckoltia, and Otocinlus. In addition, the Siamese Algae Eater, Crossocheilus siamensis is a great choice for controlling the algae in your tank. If you have a large tank, then the Common Plec is a good choice as well. But they are aggressive fish and do grow to huge size. Saltwater fish that are excellent for algae consumption are most tangs/surgeon fish, or any grazer.

The next step in controlling algae is to consistently change the water itself. By doing this, you are controlling the nutrient levels in the tank, which is crucial. Controlling nitrates, phosphates, and silicates are especially important. Another thing to look for is how you are controlling the iron in the tank. You can include different kinds of plants in your setup so they will compete for iron and other nutrients algae feeds off of in order to how a low opportunity for algae to survive.

Your first battle is likely to be with brown algae, or diatoms, because it appears first by siphoning silicon from the new aquarium tank itself, and unlike other stages of algae, it is unaffected by low lighting levels, so controlling light will not stop it from thriving. You can effectively combat it by changing water and gravel often. Diatoms thrive in conditions where phosphate is low and silicon is high, and this is generally what your scenario will be when you first start your aquarium. As time progresses and the environment changes, brown algae is usually replaced by green algae, because green algae thrives in a higher phosphate environment.

Green algae is apparently delicious and the best way to get rid of it is to bring in those algae eating catish and/or Siamese. Combined with keeping your aquarium only lit for a maximum of ten hours a day and simple manual removal of clumps of green algae, you can control what is typically the most usual and common algae growth in your aquarium.

Red Algae, or Brush, is a real problem because it is difficult to remove manually and most fish won’t eat it. Take care of this pesky nuisance by changing your water to RO/DI water and let your Siamese fish tackle it.

Blue Algae, or Cynobacteria, have photosynthesis, meaning the more light, the more it thrives. It is extremely harmful to both plants, by smothering, and fish, by poisoning. Treat your aquarium with erythromycin but be sure you know what you are doing, as you will need to check for ammonia and nitrate.

Richard Gilliland
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/how-to-control-algae-in-your-aquarium-694858.html

A Great Aquarium Cabinet - Cover Every Single Detail

Aquarium Tanks are very often perched on aquarium cabinets and are displayed and sold together in a fish shop. The tank size corresponds to the size of the cabinet. In fact, the cabinets are meant to be used as a base for the tanks of aquarium. The cabinets normally comprise of a cupboard below the place where the tank is placed. This acts as a good storage place for your equipment that is unused everyday such as flaky fish food (other fish food needs to be stored in deep freezer), spare heaters, filters and ornaments, etc.

Aquarium cabinets are generic or can be made to order and exhibit a wide range of different sizes and colors. If you have made up your mind as to what exactly you want as an aquarium cabinet, you can get one custom made for you though it might prove very expensive. Generic cabinets are also of various sizes and shapes. They are meant to withstand and accommodate the various sizes of tanks and can be even up to six feet long. The aquarium cabinets normally come in pine, maple or black and the design style is generally a cupboard having shelves.

All pet shops and fish shops have aquarium cabinets. Although a bigger cabinet may not be available in your pet store locally, it is worthwhile to shop for a bigger cabinet in a specialized fish store. The cabinet has more of a decorative value as it enhances the effect of a fish aquarium compared to when it is placed on a table or other unsightly stands. The cabinet adds a touch of class to your aquarium.

There is a lot of difference in a generic aquarium cabinet and a custom made one. Custom made aquarium cabinet is made keeping in mind the decor of your house set up and often goes hand in hand with your tastes and preferred styles. Depending on the style and the size of the aquarium cabinet that you want, it may take about four to five weeks to be ready. You can select the style that you like, whether with open shelves or drawers. Irrespective of whether it is custom made or generic, an aquarium cabinet will definitely add to the beauty of your fish tank. They may be expensive but you will feel that your money is well spent when you behold the enhanced beauty of the aquarium mounted on the aquarium cabinet.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/a-great-aquarium-cabinet-cover-every-single-detail-740490.html

Salt Water Fish Aquarium - 3 Great Fish Care Tips

1. Food requirements of fish
No matter what kind of fish you have the main thing that you should know is how to feed them and give them the same food as they would live on when they are in their natural habitat. Such foods are available in any of the fish shops wither as frozen foods or in the form of flakes or tablets. You would have to add some vitamins to the food as some of the nutrients in the food are lost when the food is frozen or processed.

Fish, like humans get fed up of the same food everyday and need a change sometimes. So keep a variety of foods available and give them a change sometimes. Before you buy the fish make sure that you can get the food that they eat or else you will have a constant problem of procuring the right kind of food for your fish. Do not over feed the fish as this will create debris to collect in the tank. Fish should be only fed as much as they can consume in 2 or 3 minutes, not more. Watch and see how much they can eat and do not put more than that every time. New aquarium owners tend to over feed their fish. Once they have eaten remove all the excess food from the tank. This way you can maintain a clean tank.

2. Keep water conditions consistent always
To maintain your fish in a comfortable environment make sure that you keep the water conditions consistent like the temperature the salinity levels and the P. H. also. You should test the water everyday and make sure that you correct any changes that you see. The filter should be cleaned regularly and the water should not get cloudy.

To keep your fish happy in their new environment you should try and make this very like their natural habitat in the ocean. Get corals, plants and sponges that the fish have been surrounded by in the ocean and this will make them more at home in the aquarium. You can reduce the stress level of the fish by making their environment in the aquarium as natural as possible.

3. Do not overcrowd the tank
Never overcrowd an aquarium as this makes the fish quite uncomfortable. The natural habitat rule suggests one small fish for every ten gallons of water, but also bear in mind that what is a small fish now, may not be so small a little later. So before putting too many fish into the aquarium get to know what the grown up fish size will be and shop accordingly for your fish.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/salt-water-fish-aquarium-3-great-fish-care-tips-740466.html

What are good places in Southern California to catch fish for your very own saltwater aquarium?

I am interested in starting a saltwater aquarium. Fish are expensive and since I only live half an hour from the ocean, I better take advantage of catching them to save money.

http://www.carsonaffiliatemarketing.com/bestfishing.php

best places to fish for salt water