The Basics of Fish Care
If you’re looking to have a pet fish soon, you first have to know the basics of fish care. This will ensure your fish is comfortable in its environment and its aquarium is clear and breathtaking.
Looking after a fish isn’t that hard, after all, contrary to popular belief. So let’s now go over the important things you need to know for this!
1) Aquarium
When first getting an aquarium, keep in mind that a bigger one is better. Go for one that’s at least 75.71 litres or above.
The reason is that it’s easier to maintain its parts, such as water, plants, and other decorations, as opposed to those of smaller fish tanks.
You also have to do several things every day, every two weeks, and every month to keep the aquarium clean and habitable. Taking care of fish requires you to devote a small time to each of them.
2) Location
Setting the aquarium at a safe spot is crucial to prevent accidents and fishes from unwantedly getting hurt.
Simply keep the aquarium away from direct sunlight, appliance heat, and air ducts. Don’t put it somewhere where kids can bump into it or ignorantly bully the fishes, in case you’re getting one for your home or a commercial area like a school, office, or restaurant.
3) Water
You shouldn’t expect that normal water will do for your fish. Because there is a lot of matter inside the tank that contributes to affecting the water.
To keep the water safe, healthy, and favourable to fish, you have to add a solution in order to condition, purify, and replenish it.
The first is conditioning the water. This process removes the chlorine in the water, making it safe for fish to swim and live in.
Secondly, you’d have to purify the water as well by adding a certain solution. In doing so, healthy bacteria will grow and they will get rid of the harmful toxins in the aquarium.
Third and last is replenishing the water. For water to stay clean and fresh for a while, you would have to add a solution that will work to replace the elements and minerals of the water.
4) Equipment
Aside from the solutions above, you also need the essential equipment to keep fish and plants healthy in the aquarium.
Look below to know them and see their functions:
- Filter – The filter is the pulse of every aquarium. Its purpose is to clear the debris in the water, give the fish oxygen so they can breathe, and remove toxic buildups of ammonia and nitrates.
- Air Pump – This is responsible for pumping more oxygen into the water. There are air pumps that have sound-dampening features to reduce sound and turbulence, which benefit fish.
- Heater – Another important piece of equipment, a heater keeps the fish warm and cosy. Fish rely on them since they cannot create their own body heat.
You should get a heater that shuts off automatically during a short circuit. Furthermore, a glass canopy or hood is strongly recommended so that heat won’t escape from the aquarium.
Also, remember to get the right heater size for the size of your aquarium.
- Gravel – Besides adding decorative beauty, gravel gives healthy bacteria a place to stay in. They are responsible for removing the dangerous toxins as well as dissolving the fish waste in the tank.
- Lighting – The main function of lighting is aesthetics. It’s to illuminate the aquarium so you can see everything in it, in addition to revealing the beautiful colours of the fish.
- Thermostat – This controls the temperature of the aquarium. Remember to set it at 25.56℃ because this is ideal for the fish in it.
5) Fish
We’re not trying to experiment on guinea pigs here, but you have to start with one fish that is affordable when you’ve decided to have fish as pets. Since you’re still trying to find out whether the aquarium conditions are optimal for it.
As we said, the solutions have to be poured in already and equipment has to be working properly in the tank beforehand.
Another thing to mind is the species of fish you would put in your aquarium. Fish are like people—some people fit each other’s personalities, while others don’t.
Having a group of community fish is good because they kind of understand each other.
On the contrary, don’t try to put together feisty fishes. Don’t join goldfish and tropical fish since the former thrives at cooler temperatures and tend to produce nitrates and ammonia— toxic matters, which in high amounts, might harm or kill other fishes within the same tank.