Aquarium Decoration

Written on June 19, 2009 at 2:58 am, by admin

Aquarium Decoration - Beautify Your Tropical Aquarium

You’ve got the aquarium tank, now it’s time to decorate. The theme you select for your aquarium decor is a matter of personal choice. There are many different aquarium decorations out there. Coral, driftwood, gravel, plants, artificial plants, rocks and ceramic decorations are just a few types of aquarium décor.

Soap, bleach and other “cleaning products” are harmful for fish tanks. The tank décor and ornaments should be cleaned once a month using a cleaner made especially for cleaning fish tanks and aquariums. Cleaning aquarium decorations on the average is very low maintenance. Aquarium decoration is more than just ornaments and decorations in your tank. It can be used to disguise some of the unsightly plumbing of the fish tank, and more importantly, provide necessary shelter for the sea life thriving in your aquarium.

Rocks and other structures used as aquarium décor often become territorial boundaries for some of the fish in the tank.

Aquarium decoration takes time to properly arrange in the tank because with it, you can create hiding places for the fish as well as natural borders. This makes the aquarium more like a natural environment. Creating natural borders with a unique aquarium decoration can help to control the aggression of some fish in a tropical aquarium.

For tropical fish that are primarily cave dwellers, they especially need to have some elements of aquarium decoration that will create places for them to get away from other fish.

Tank decorations that create crevices, caves and holes are particularly important for these kinds of fish. Plants are one type of aquarium decoration for your tropical fish tank that play a bigger role in the tropical aquarium than simply adding beauty. Aquarium plants are able to bind carbon and they oxygenate the water, helping to keep the water in better condition for the fish. If there is a sudden problem with the quality of the water in the tropical fish tank, the plant will die.

Some aquarium enthusiasts even go so far as to research the actual habitats of their fish and then try to replicate the look and feel in their tropical fish tank, by adding plants and rocks that come from specific fish habitats.

In addition to the type of aquarium decoration that brings a sense of nature into the tropical fish tank, there is also a huge array of aquarium decorations that would not be found in natural fish habitat settings.

I thought you could be interested in this article: freshwater aquarium

Aquarium Kit

Written on June 19, 2009 at 2:48 am, by admin

Aquarium Kit - Water Test

By richard gilliland

Each aquarium kit is rather expensive, although it’s possible to save some money if you purchase a master test kit.

How do aquarium test kits work? The process is very easy - all you have to do is dip the strips in a test tube containing your aquarium water, and compare the color on the strip to the information cards that come with the package.

Another type of aquarium kit comes with liquid droppers containing a solution you drip into a test tube of sample water. Then you just shake and wait a few minutes for the results. Again, match the color in the test tube to the color on the card to find out what the results mean.

For Saltwater aquarium kit , the master test kits look for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and even alkalinity.

Ammonia builds up in a saltwater aquarium from fish waste and leftover food that has begun to rot. It’s extremely important to keep your tank free of ammonia, as it’s the main reason why fish die. Readings should always be 0.

Nitrite develops when bacteria present in the tank feed off ammonia. In new tanks that have not been cycled, nitrite levels are very high. Nitrite is toxic to fish just like ammonia. To remove nitrites from the water you have to conduct a water change. Bacteria in the water and filters eventually transform nitrites into nitrate. A nitrite reading must be 0.

Nitrates are produced, as mentioned above, during the natural cycling process. While not as toxic as nitrites and ammonia, nitrates can cause your fish stress in high amounts. A partial water change will get rid of nitrates, which should be less than 20 ppm. Reef tanks should have a reading closer to 0.

pH refers to a water’s acidity or alkalinity. The pH scale is between 0 and 14. Zero is the most acidic, seven is neutral, and fourteen is alkaline. Water changes can raise or lower the pH level, as does the addition of specific chemicals to the water. The right pH level depends on the type of fish you have in your tank.

Another aquarium kit like an alkalinity kit tests the stability of your water in regards to a changing pH level. Essentially, this type of test specifically looks for your aquarium’s capabilities for stabilizing the pH in the water. The reading in saltwater tanks should be between 7 and 12 dkH.

Testing the water in your aquarium is an important part of maintaining the tank and keeping your fish safe and healthy. Regular maintenance will ensure your aquarium continues to run smoothly, but you always have to double check by carrying out the required tests.

Please also check out my other guide on: freshwater aquarium