#1. Article's title: 10 tips for a successful Betta splendens reproduction

• Published: August 13, 2006, 5:48 am
• Displayed: 6549 times
• Preview: 10 tips for a successful Betta splendens reproduction Betta splendens is one of the most wanted fish in everyone`s aquarium. Breeding Bettas is not hard, though you might face problems at spawning them. They are oviparous fish, the male builds a nest in which the eggs/fry are kept for few days under the strict care of the Betta male. If you follow the next advices, you have big chances to get nice results of your Betta fish spawning. 1. Reproduction tank equipment: volume of 15-20 liters, a heater, a thermometer and air pomp connected to an air rock which will spread small bubbles. You need small bubbles because the fry are very sensitive to water movements and you don`t want them to suffer. 2. The aquarium water must have a temperature of 28-29° C, a higher temperature will hurry the eggs hatching and the fry won`t be fully developed. Keep the temperature constant using the heater and check it with the thermometer to make sure it is at the right level. 3. The water...

#2. Article's title: A Few Bits & Pieces on the Fairy Cichlid

• Published: March 10, 2006, 6:39 am
• Displayed: 2477 times
• Preview: (this article was taken from aquarticles.com - free aquarium articles) A Few Bits & Pieces on the Fairy Cichlid Neolamprologus brichardi By David Marshall From the July 2004 Ryedale Reporter, Ryedale Aquarist Society, England Aquarticles The Fairy Cichlid is known to science as Neolamprologus brichardi. English aquarists christened this particular fish the Fairy Cichlid as they believed the fish to have a strong ethereal appearance. These fish grow to a size of 3.4" (8.5cm). Neolamprologus brichardi Photo copyright Mrs Jackie Goulder These fish are endemic to Lake Tanganyika in the African Rift Valley. The fish in my care are several generations on from original stock, which came to me from two local aquarium retail outlets. Although there have been times when as many as four tanks in my fish house have held Fairy Cichlids, in various stages of growth, I am currently down to around 25 young individuals who occupy a 36"x12"x...

#3. Article's title: A guide to the tropical fishkeeping

• Published: October 19, 2006, 6:07 am
• Displayed: 20690 times
• Preview: A guide to the tropical fishkeeping Before you start an aquarium, you should know many things about fish, plants, tanks, biotopes, lighting, filters and other details. Otherwise, your effort will result in diseases, unhappy fish and a dirty tank. Basically, it doesn’t matter if you want to start a species or community tank, it also doesn’t matter if you’re about to start a Cichlid tank or a tank with Guppies, Bettas, Gouramis or Catfish. There are very simple principles which apply to all tanks. Take aquariums very wisely and you’ll be happy with the result. The right place and size for an aquarium Before you buy anything, be sure you’ve chosen the right place for your future tank. The basic rules say that the place shouldn’t be very sunny or cold. Very good are the wall mounted aquariums, since they look nice and they also look like a natural part of the wall. Nowdays, the aquarium stands and backgrounds make it easy to create a beautiful scenery. Personally, I also lik...

#4. Article's title: Activated Carbon

• Published: September 23, 2006, 1:26 pm
• Displayed: 3660 times
• Preview: Activated Carbon For many years, carbon has been used as an agent to remove impurities from air and water. Activated carbon is one of the most effective absorbents currently used. Activated carbon is carbon which has a positive charge added to it, which makes it much more effective at absorbing impurities and chemicals. An activated carbon filter works by the law of attraction. When water passes over the positively charged carbon, the impurities in the water which have a negative charge will be locked into the activated carbon filter. Usually activated carbon filters use either granular activated carbon or powdered block carbon. Both types of filters are effective, however the powdered block carbon filters do tend to remove more impurities than its counterpart. The efficiency of activated carbon filters are dependant on two factors. First, the amount of activated carbon which is contained in the filter and second, the amount of time the impurities stay in contact with ...

#5. Article's title: Adding a Fish Pond to Your Garden Landscape

• Published: September 8, 2006, 2:19 am
• Displayed: 5765 times
• Preview: Adding a Fish Pond to Your Garden Landscape Many homeowners take pride in designing and maintaining their own landscapes and gardens. There is a lot of hard work involved and a lot of money spent, but owners definitely reap great benefit as well. Adding a fish pond, or water garden to your property will not only make it more appealing to the eye, it will also increase the value and equity of your home. Not to mention the enjoyment and relaxation you will get from the addition. Once the decision has been made to incorporate a fish pond into your landscape design, the next step is to determine the exact placement of your garden pond. It’s important to place it where you’ll always be able to see it from inside the house, or other areas of the garden. You should take into consideration the lay of the land, so you don’t have to worry about possible contamination from runoff, or other yard debris. You also need to decide what type of organisms you plan to have in your pond...

#6. Article's title: Adjustment of pH in the aquarium

• Published: February 20, 2008, 12:43 pm
• Displayed: 458 times
• Preview: Adjustment of pH in the aquarium For an experienced aquarium hobbyist, adjusting and controlling the levels of phosphate (pH) in the tank is an undertaking that is understood needs a combination of time and experience. And for someone new to the hobby, it can be a really daunting experience. Experts state that more than half of the problems encountered in controlling a fish tank and taking ware of the well being of its occupants is keeping on top of the levels of pH in the tank. The problem often lies in an inexperienced beginner’s ability to trust that the levels of pH found in simple tap water is sufficient and their need to constantly adjust the level, causing a rise in the levels of pH bringing with it the possibility of damaging the fish’s health. A general rule of thumb and one that is worth remembering fro aquarists, whether they have been at a for a long time or are “newbies” is less is enough when it comes to pH adjustment, What is most important is to remember routine...

#7. Article's title: African Cichlids

• Published: May 7, 2006, 3:45 am
• Displayed: 5168 times
• Preview: African Cichlids African Cichlids come from three of Africa`s great lakes - Malawi, Tanganyika, and Victoria. In these lakes there are more species of fish than in any other lakes in the world. We don`t know the exact number of species and new ones are being continually discovered in all the lakes, so you can understand how difficult it is to count them. Cichlid fishes in these lakes often have extraordinary opportunities to instigate speciation, an evolutionary process that leads to differences. That is why they are the most spectacular examples of speciation and adaptive radiation within any vertebrate family. The process is what makes Africa`s great lakes, and the cichlids that inhabit them, so interesting. African cichlids are beautifully coloured freshwater aquarium fish. They have amazing social behaviour, display extroverted personalities, and are intelligent too. It is easy to care for cichlids, and they will bring a great deal of pleasure to the aquarium enthusiast...

#8. Article's title: Air pumps are an essential piece of any aquarists toolbox

• Published: October 24, 2007, 9:01 am
• Displayed: 884 times
• Preview: Air pumps They not only offer pleasing effects but also essential oxygenation and current to the aquarium. Not all aquarists use them though. It is possible to have an aquarium without one, but it poses challenges sooner or later. What do they do? An air pump can be used for filtration using foam, box or under-gravel filters, airation of the water by bubblestones, wands, or bubble tubes, and they can also power ornaments and create movement in the aquarium. Filtration: This is very often the first use of air pumps. Most aquarists buy air pumps for this reason initially. Filtration is an essential part of any aquarium and not all can be filtered by other methods. The principle advantage of air filtration is that it is gentle and safe for delicate and small fish. Many electrically powered filters are too powerful for small fish and fry to cope with, creating strong currents in the tank and tiring them out. They also create strong intake currents and can pull small fi...

#9. Article's title: Algae eaters

• Published: March 20, 2007, 8:31 am
• Displayed: 19627 times
• Preview: Algae eaters If you notice small or large green spots, or even some hair algae, you usually try to remove them manually. After careful removal or cutting sick plants for weeks you`ll find that it`s almost impossible to displace all the algae which grow, grow and grow all the time. An ordinary aquarist may consider introducing algae eaters into the tank at this point. Fish shops like this kind of customer since it`s easy to persuade a hopeless fishkeeper that some fish will fix the problem in a short time. Moreover, a skillful merchant recommends more than 1 or 2 fish in order to remove algae as soon as possible. This way people buy from 5 to 10 fish no matter that they don`t know anything about their demands, habits, etc. In order to avoid weedy aquariums you need to understand what algae is, what helps it`s growth and what to do if it gets out of control. What helps algae growing 1. Too little/much lighting, 2. Inappropriate feeding which leaves food to decompose, 3...

#10. Article's title: Amano shrimp

• Published: December 27, 2006, 3:53 pm
• Displayed: 4962 times
• Preview: Caridina Japonica – Amano shrimp Caridina japonica is the most common shrimp present in aquariums, is also known as Amano Shrimp because Takashi Amano has been the first one to introduce them in his aquariums, noticing their habit to eat algae. Caridina japonica, native of Japan, Korea and Taiwan, is a small transparent grey shrimp with black spots covering the body and a white line from the head to the tail; the body colour can anyway change a bit due food nutrients and water quality. Aquarium life Amano shrimp can live in every aquarium, prefer neutral or lightly acid PH, temperature can fluctuate between 71°F and 82°F (22°C – 28°C), while water hardness has not to be too much soft, because being a crustacean Caridina needs calcium and other minerals to grow healthy. Being really shy, it is better to house them in large groups in the aquarium, or they would spend the most of the time hidden among plants and decorations. There is not a maximum number of Carid...

#11. Article's title: Angelfish: Breeding

• Published: April 3, 2008, 5:21 pm
• Displayed: 66 times
• Preview: Angelfish: Breeding Pterophyllum Scalare is a cichlid fish that is in high demand in the aquarium industry due to their unique beauty and unusual personalities. This fish is more commonly known as the “Angelfish” and it is known to come from rivers in Peru, Columbia, and Brazil. Angelfish are unusually shaped for cichlids because they are laterally compressed with round bodies and elongated triangular-shaped dorsal and anal fins. These egg-layers form monogamous pairs and are wonderful parents in the wild as most cichlids are. Although, it has been observed through captive breeding that angels are loosing their parenting instincts and tend not to care for their young as diligently as do the wild versions of themselves. Pairing Angelfish It is difficult to determine the sex of immature angelfish. To improve the odds of finding a suitable pair it is recommended to start with about 6 or more juvenile angelfish. Be sure to choose quality, hardy specimens with good color and f...

#12. Article's title: Aquarium Accessories

• Published: April 16, 2008, 9:25 pm
• Displayed: 45 times
• Preview: Aquarium Accessories So, you`ve just got home with your new fish tank, to me that is 30 gallons or less. Aquariums are larger, at least in my mind. Since most new fish tanks and some 55 gallon models come in as a kit probably have: 1.the tank2.a hood with light3.an adequate filter4.a 4 inch net5.some tropical fish flakes6.a small amount of a chlorine remover7.a plastic/silk plant or two8.possibly some coupons It is strongly suggested, if you haven`t already, that you do a good deal of research before investing any more of your hard earned cash. Research This is the most important step in any endeavor that involves dealing with live animals. Speak with store personnel to get a recommendation for what is best suited to your application. THEN check on-line forums for the opinion of experienced users. Then commit your hard earned money. This is true of any purchase you may wish to make. Check the stores but always check the various forums that are on the internet. Res...

#13. Article's title: Aquarium air pump

• Published: August 31, 2006, 11:57 am
• Displayed: 7035 times
• Preview: Aquarium air pump Aquarium air pump is a device that brings air into the aquarium and it may filtrate the water too. There are many types of air pumps like air stones. You just put the air stone into the aquarium and start the device, which is out of the aquarium. An air pump may have the form of an aquarium ornament like treasure chests, shells, divers and many more. Such aerating devices make bubbles and that is how they aerate the water. Choosing the right air pump is not so difficult. You just have to choose it according to the size of your aquarium and to amount of the plants, because they can stop the bubbles and the aquarium is not fully aerated. But when you are choosing an ornamental aerator, you are choosing it according to that, how do you like it, or which would look best in your aquarium. And if you want to have your tank really good aerated, then you can combine the aerators. The use of the air pump is really easy. You just do everything what the guide says. ...

#14. Article's title: Aquarium airline

• Published: February 26, 2008, 1:08 pm
• Displayed: 161 times
• Preview: Aquarium airline A key component in a properly constructed aquarium which may seem totally insignificant but actually plays a vital part is the aquarium airline. As aquarists take fish from rivers, lakes and oceans, and place them in an aquarium tank, part of the object is to create an environment for them that will allow the fish to thrive. It is very difficult to recreate the exact environment that the fish enjoyed when not in “captivity”. It is impossible to recreate the large, even unlimited, surface areas that the fish had to live in, but at least it should be possible to recreate most of the conditions that they enjoyed within a limited area. As we all know, fish need oxygen to be introduced into the water to survive, and they also exhale carbon dioxide which needs to be expelled from the water for the sake of the fish’s health. This means that proper circulation in the tank is highly important, and this needs to be done through the process of aeration. In addition...

#15. Article's title: Aquarium Backgrounds

• Published: March 26, 2008, 4:38 pm
• Displayed: 95 times
• Preview: Aquarium Backgrounds What can you do with the back of an aquarium? There are many answers to this question, form cheap to expensive, from plain to very decorative. Let`s look at the options. Firstly, we should start with the cheapest, and very often the best. If the aquarium is against a wall, and most are, you have several options: Leave it as it is, with the wall showing through the tank;Paint the back of the tankStick on one of the many patterned backgrounds that are available in your local fish stores;Build a decorative background inside the tank;Buy a decorative background from your LFS. Let`s take them one at a time, outlining the pro`s and con`s: Leave it as it is. Very plain, but if you are aiming for a planted tank, this could be a good option. A curtain of plants at the back of the tank would leave little background showing, so it wouldn`t matter that much. But at best it is simple and cheap! Paint the back of the tank. One of my own preferred options, as...

#16. Article's title: Aquarium Backgrounds Guide

• Published: September 8, 2006, 2:07 am
• Displayed: 48208 times
• Preview: Add Realism and Beauty by Using Aquarium Backgrounds Aquarium owners have the luxury of having a piece of the underwater kingdom available for their viewing pleasure twenty four hours a day. Since a well maintained and presented aquarium can represent quite an investment, the die hard fish lover wants to perfectly display and enhance the appearance of his fish. One way to do this is through the use of aquarium backgrounds. These backgrounds can be made of various fish-safe materials and can be placed inside or outside the aquarium. Aquarium backgrounds come in an almost endless array of sizes shapes and colors, so it’s quite certain that there’s a background suitable for even the pickiest fish lover. The choices in which type of aquarium background to use can depend on several factors. First the actual size of the tank must be considered. Smaller sized tanks require aquarium backgrounds which will not take up too much of the tank space. Space within these tanks is at a prem...

#17. Article's title: Aquarium Canopy

• Published: May 8, 2008, 1:24 pm
• Displayed: 20 times
• Preview: Aquarium Canopy An aquarium canopy can do so much for the aesthetics of an aquarium. The purpose of the canopy is to finish the look of the aquarium by covering the filters, lights and electrical cords. The canopy can allow an aquarium to look like a piece of furniture or a decorative centerpiece in any room of the house. A canopy needs to be able to allow the aquarist to easily and conveniently access the inside of the tank for the sake of routine maintenance. What good is a tank topper that will not allow you to get into it? Most aquarium canopies come with one or more access points to get in and out, but for those really big jobs, the canopy is removable. The aquarium canopy is different from the aquarium hood even though they serve the same purpose. They both cover the aquarium to prevent fish from jumping out and they both house the lighting fixtures over the tank. The difference is the canopy will give the aquarium a nicer, more finished look as if it is something ...

#18. Article's title: Aquarium Chiller

• Published: August 30, 2006, 1:44 pm
• Displayed: 12690 times
• Preview: Aquarium Chillerby Jan Hvizdak Aquarium chiller (or cooler); an unusual and unknown piece of equipment in many countries... That's how one description could be written. In my previous article, I was talking about heaters in aquariums. Unlike the winter months, warm months in summer means problems with high temperatures, which could lead to fish problems. Also, fishes will live longer if you keep them in water which is colder than 30°C (86°F). Making an aquarium a cooler place is sometimes very difficult, because no-one will keep adding ice cubes into the water each day for weeks on end. Generally, there are a few ways how to keep the water cool. These techniques include adding ice, fish tank chillers, darkening the room and so on. Firstly, make sure you need an aquarium chiller for your tank. When the temperature exceeds 30°C (86°F), you should do something about it because not all fish prefer such conditions. Secondly, make sure you have no other options available to lowe...

#19. Article's title: Aquarium cleaner

• Published: August 28, 2007, 10:38 pm
• Displayed: 1348 times
• Preview: Aquarium cleaner Basic knowledge Aquarium cleaner is a simple and cheap tool with price about $3. It is designed for pumping the water out/into the tank while the water is moved from one container to another container. From time to time you should pump out some water from the aquarium and replace it with some new water (you shouldn`t use any water taken from the duct without leaving it 1-2 days in some bucket). Water changes I recommend you to change from about 10% up to 20% of entire water. Depending on your tank`s capacity, this number might vary from 5% (for very large aquariums) up to 40% (small fish bowls). Water changes are necessary when there are too many excrements at the bottom of the tank or if you want to simulate tropical rain for fish which originate from tropical forests. However, this process sometimes happens for no apparent reason; just because you want to clean the environment. There applies a simple principle saying “less is more” in this case beca...

#20. Article's title: Aquarium CO2 Systems

• Published: March 26, 2008, 2:19 pm
• Displayed: 79 times
• Preview: AQUARIUM CO2 SYSTEMSby Mick CO2 systems are added to the aquariums to enhance lush plant growth where the plants use light energy to utilise the CO2 to promote their growth. Several aquarists have success with their planted aquariums with installing these systems but for typical “Dutch Aquariums” these certainly play a major part in their success. How many times have we looked in magazines & wondered how on earth do they get them to look like that well hopefully this article will help to explain how they work & the choices available. Basics of CO2 in the aquarium: Plants need carbon for growth as well as adequate lighting but a balance has to be reached as lighting alone will not provide ideal conditions for the plants, hence the need to bubble in CO2 as this will provide the carbon required. Too much CO2 also can cause problems as this will affect the pH of the water & this will then lead to a pH crash, also bear in mind excessive CO2 will...

#21. Article's title: Aquarium decoration

• Published: August 23, 2006, 7:02 am
• Displayed: 14945 times
• Preview: Aquarium decoration As we all know aquarium decoration nowadays, it includes items such as caves, air pumps, plastic plants, rocks, shells, pearls. However, let's go through it's history and tips how to decorate your fish tank. The first kinds of fish tanks were small ponds in the gardens. The fish kept there were goldfish and some kinds of carps. It all started in China around the 10th century and it could be, that even in the 7th century. The goldfish species came to Europe in about 17th century. The first aquariums like we know them now were built in the 19th century. Mostly, people decide to start an aquarium because an aquarium is a part of their decoration. But the fish tank is a real and quality decoration only if it looks good. These days, there are numerous styles of decorating our homes, but when you are starting a fish tank, the first thing you should bear in mind is the comfort of fishes kept there. You can also choose how your aquarium should look like a...

#22. Article's title: Aquarium Decorations

• Published: March 19, 2008, 9:07 pm
• Displayed: 81 times
• Preview: Aquarium Decorations Aquarium decorations come in many shapes and sizes and vary enormously in price. For the purpose of this guide, I will group them into several categories: Plastic and Silk Plants;Plastic/fibreglass ornamentsCeramic ornamentsNovelty ornamentsDecorative substratesNatural decorative ornamentsReal plants Plastic or Silk Plants: Most of us have bought these type of plants, usually when we first start into the hobby. This is mainly because they are quick, simple and maintenance free. They also give you a finished result immediately. Some fish can be destructive too, and real plants don`t last long in tanks with these fish. Goldfish are very well known for eating live plants and at best, uprooting them, so silk and plastic plants have their uses! As you become more knowledgeable, this type of décor tends to disappear in favour of natural plants. Plastic/fibreglass ornaments: A vast range of these are available covering everything from an orname...

#23. Article's title: Aquarium Design

• Published: March 19, 2008, 4:31 pm
• Displayed: 99 times
• Preview: Aquarium Design These days, everyone who has an aquarium has seen the vast range of ornaments, fake plants and novelty toys that can be placed into the aquarium. There is no need to detail these, as you see the every time you enter the local fish stores. I want to look at the choices we have for alternative decorations here, letting your mind create the end result. It is quick and easy to run to the store, buy a few trinkets and put them into the tank just to give some effect, but that`s not what we want or strive for. Yes, it`s great for kids with their first tank and a couple of goldfish, but most of us have aquariums for pleasure and they need to be in keeping with our homes. You take time to plan your home, the furnishings and décor, why not do the same with the aquarium? When planning any aquarium, you need to be able to see the end result before you start. This involves imagination and thought. You need to decide what you want in the end, 12 months down the road,...

#24. Article's title: Aquarium Driftwood

• Published: September 22, 2006, 11:07 am
• Displayed: 10342 times
• Preview: Landscape Your Aquarium with Aquarium Driftwood Much like adding aquatic plants to your aquarium, adding driftwood to your aquarium can certainly add to that eye-popping effect you are looking for. Unlike aquatic plants, driftwood sinks naturally to the bottom of your tank, eliminating the need to be anchored in place, all you need to do is place it where you want it and will stay there until you or your fish move it to a new location. Each piece of driftwood has its own unique character and appeal, and can be used to build attractive underwater caves for your fish. If your fish tend to like to stay on the bottom of the tank, adding aquarium driftwood will sometimes get them to move up to the middle and top of the tank. There are a number of varieties of aquarium driftwood that you can purchase online to add beauty and dramatic effect to your aquarium tank. You can find Asian driftwood, planted driftwood (has ferns growing on top), Caribbean driftwood (very s...

#25. Article's title: Aquarium Filter Cartridges

• Published: February 18, 2008, 3:36 pm
• Displayed: 171 times
• Preview: Aquarium filter cartridges Every lover of keeping fish in an aquarium will know that proper filtration is one of the principal keys to success and enjoyment. Anything less than 100% efficient filtration will lead to unclear and foul smelling water, and will be detrimental to health of the fish in the tank as well as being generally unpleasant for all those in the general vicinity of the aquarium. For this reason any self respecting aquarium owner, either in a domestic or commercial application, should spend the time and the money to ensure that they have the best of filtration equipment available. The smaller and less sophisticated aquariums used a fairly primitive form of water filtration that was housed in a small container that was hung in the corner of the tank. This was the first and at one time the only form of filtration available for aquariums and is still in use today for smaller aquariums. Basically inexpensive and simple to install, the “corner filt...

#26. Article's title: Aquarium Filter Media

• Published: February 20, 2008, 9:15 pm
• Displayed: 269 times
• Preview: Aquarium filter media No one has ever had the heart to stand up and say that filtration may not be essential, because no one has yet had the courage to try and operate an aquarium without filtration. And hopefully they never will. The reason being that the costs and the effort involved in operating an effective aquarium filter media system are so minimal that it is not worth the argument, except possibly in large volume aquariums populated by very few fish and a large range and number of healthy aquatic plants. Over all the aquarist’s goal should be to provide the finest environment for his fish to live and flourish in and much though must be given to find the ideal filter media to produce the best results within a realistic budget. Filter media for aquariums need not be expensive and there are many options available that can keep the cost within reasonable levels. Once the decision has been made to install a filter system for your aquarium the next question will be...

#27. Article's title: Aquarium fish forum

• Published: March 19, 2006, 3:41 pm
• Displayed: 2631 times
• Preview: Aquarium fish forum Join our aquarium fish forum at aqua-fish.net! It`s an easy way to exchange your experiences of keeping freshwater aquarium fish and plants, as well to discuss your problems related to freshwater aquariums. We have released our aquarium fish forum in late 2005 and after several updates, it is now completely ready for posting. What do you need to do if you want to join aqua-fish.net? 1) Register for free. You can find a registration form under Project->Registration. 2) Fill in the registration form. 3) When you`re registered, just click on Project->Our forums. 4) Every new post (except your own) since your last visit will be marked with a blue smiley. Of course, this smiley may vary, but you will see what`s new in our aquarium fish forum. Our website will inform you how many times each topic has been viewed and how many repliesit has had. The same smileys and information will appear in each topic and forum ...

#28. Article's title: Aquarium fish needs

• Published: January 27, 2006, 4:58 am
• Displayed: 3446 times
• Preview: Aquarium fish needs I started keeping aquarium fish 4 years ago. Like every new fan of this hobby, I wasn`t able to set-up a good fish tank and I made some mistakes. In this article, I want to let you know about beginner`s mistakes. I want to buy aquarium, what should I do first? You need to know something about the aquarium fish you want to keep. Normally that people buy fish that eat each other. Your aquarium can be looking very good, but the fish won`t feel good. This is something you should keep in mind when you decide to take up this aquarium hobby: 1) Place your aquarium somewhere where it will stay for a long time. 2) Larger aquarium = Better aquarium. The conditions in a fish tank are more stable in a larger aquarium than a smaller one. 3) Buy a good filtration system. 4) Buy efficient neons that will give good light conditions for your plants to grow. 5) Buy gravel or something else for the bottom of your aquarium. You can find inspiration for your...

#29. Article's title: Aquarium Glass Cleaner

• Published: February 29, 2008, 11:51 am
• Displayed: 153 times
• Preview: Aquarium glass cleaner Anyone involved in any way in keeping fish, is well aware of the dilemma faced every few months as the amount of foreign bodies that fish and plants generate begins to mount up. The dilemma is whether to empty the tank completely, place the fish in a quarantine tank, and give the main tank a thorough cleaning inside and out. This seems like the easy way, yet an experienced aquarist will do just about everything possible to avoid doing it. Why? Not because they are lazy, but because if they do so they will more or less lose all the colonies of beneficial bacteria that has accumulated in the tank water. Another reason is that for the fish themselves, it is traumatic and cause fairly significant health problems, no matter the short their stay in their temporary accommodation. So the dedicated aquarium operator or owner every now and then, as part of an annual maintenance program, will roll up their sleeves and give the aquarium a thorough cleaning both ...

#30. Article's title: Aquarium Gravel

• Published: November 15, 2007, 12:30 pm
• Displayed: 819 times
• Preview: Aquarium Gravel: Old fashioned, or just overlooked? Aquarium gravel has been the staple substrate for fish tanks and aquariums for many years, but is it still popular, still needed, or just something that we use because it’s simple? The answer to this is complex. Aquariums have become works of art in the last few years, ranging from simple ornament displays to heavily planted and beautiful aquaria. Because of the change in opinions about fish keeping and the desire to explore new avenues of design and appearance, gravel has been replaced by hi-tech substrates in many aquariums. Products like Flourite, which are enhanced with nutrients to sustain plants have become more common, sand has become a very common substrate in aquaria because of the ease with rooting plants, and substrates like marbles and glass beads have become popular because they look nice! The improvements in filtration have also helped common aquarium gravel to be pushed out, as the newer fil...

#31. Article's title: Aquarium Hoods Guide

• Published: September 23, 2006, 1:30 pm
• Displayed: 3633 times
• Preview: Choosing an Aquarium Hood That’s Right for You Unless you purchased your aquarium as a pre-selected complete kit, then you’ll also need to acquire an aquarium hood. Aquarium hoods are not only an attractive topper to finish the look of your aquarium, but they also serve practical purposes as well. They add protection from foreign objects falling in the tank which could kill your fish, and they hold the upper lighting for the aquarium. Aquarium hoods also keep wayward pets such as ferrets and cats from making an afternoon munchie of your aquarium denizens. Dust, smoke, pet dander and other airborne pollutants are also held at bay, helping to keep the tank water cleaner for a longer period of time. Of course, hoods help prevent your fish from leaping out of the tank and onto the floor to their death. We can’t always be there to scoop them up immediately and return them to the tank, therefore an aquarium hood is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. You will find that aquarium...

#32. Article's title: Aquarium light fixture

• Published: January 9, 2007, 2:24 am
• Displayed: 4658 times
• Preview: Aquarium Light Fixture I'm writing this article in order to give some guidance regarding aquarium light fixtures and the precise construction of the aquarium light fixtures of my social aquarium. A joiner created the case for my tank to order. The dimensions are 120 cm x 55 cm x 100 cm. The cover's dimensions are 120 cm x 55 cm x 20 cm. I chose 4x39W 850 mm T5 lighting fluorescent tubes as the lighting. All in all, it is 156 W for 220 litres of water. I like to have a planted tank and 0.7 W/l is enough in my experience. In order to boost the intensity of the aquarium lighting I attached mirror foil to it. To use T5 lighting fluorescent tubes you need to plug them into the electronic ballasts. I use two pieces of Helvar electronic ballast "El 2x39s". If you have the aquarium light fixture made of wood or any flammable material, you must embed the asbestos bearing between the ballast and fixture. The ballast has a temperature of 80 degrees Celsius when working. T...

#33. Article's title: Aquarium light timer

• Published: February 29, 2008, 8:06 am
• Displayed: 134 times
• Preview: Aquarium light timer Of the many reasons to maintain an aquarium in your home, the office or in a public building, the most popular reason is for therapeutic purposes. People who are easily agitated can calm down and watch fish in an aquarium swinging around in their tank for hours on end with no major worries in life. People, who have worries, and some of them serious, can forget them for just a little while as they watch these fish swirl around in their tank. For those people outside the tank looking in it is very important that the aquarium have an efficient lighting system, and for this inside the tank but not necessarily looking out it is no less important, but for different reasons. Proper lighting in an aquarium is very important for all forms of life in the tank, especially in a tropical freshwater (and reef) aquarium. Proper lighting is very important to all these life forms that are in need of proper photosynthesis to balance the equilibrium in the tank. These pl...

#34. Article's title: Aquarium lighting

• Published: September 4, 2006, 3:48 pm
• Displayed: 8984 times
• Preview: Aquarium lighting Imagine, you are a colourful tropical fish. You swim in warm water, with lot of plants, in which you can hide and of course you know where are you swimming. Do you know how this paradise may exist? It is because the sun. Sunshine is a perfect light. Thanks to the sun life exists on the surface of the Earth. Thanks to the sun I can write this article now. As you all know, it is because of the photosynthesis. So you see, that the light is very importatnt. And an aquarium needs it too. That is the reason why you have to buy a specialized aquarium lighting. When you are buying an aquarium lighting, you have to choose it carefully. The right type of the lighting is very important for the aquarium. It is because plants depend on it. If you choose a wrong type of the light, it may cause that your plants will not grow, but algae will. But it si important in the fish-only aquariums too. It is because fish need to see where they are swimming to and what they are ea...

#35. Article's title: Aquarium Maintenance

• Published: March 12, 2008, 8:51 pm
• Displayed: 111 times
• Preview: Aquarium Maintenance Regular aquarium maintenance keeps a tank healthy allowing its inhabitants comfort and longevity. It is a lot easier to prevent trouble rather than having to fix it. Maintaining your aquarium is easy when all of the components in the tank are in proper working order. There are specific guidelines to what works best when maintaining your aquatic environment. The most important thing to check on a daily basis is your fish. Take a good look at them for a few minutes each day and check to see that there are no diseases present such as skin irritations or fin rot. See that they are eating properly because a sick fish might not present any symptoms other than lack of appetite and diminished physique. Also be sure that there are no casualties because dead fish can cause water contamination levels to spike if not removed right away. Catching the problem early and taking swift action will help to keep maintenance down to a minimum. Be sure that your aquariu...

#36. Article's title: Aquarium medications

• Published: February 26, 2008, 4:07 pm
• Displayed: 199 times
• Preview: Aquarium medications For aquarists who have invested a considerable amount of money and time in establishing an aquarium, there is nothing more daunting than seeing their fish become ill and possibly dying. Anyone who has maintains an aquarium either for work of for pleasure should take the trouble to learn what is involved in maintaining their fish’s general health, how to recognize the common diseases that can affect the fish, and more importantly, have on hand the relevant aquarium medications to apply to the water to nurse their cares back to perfect health. The first thing to understand is that healthy water means healthy fish. One of the major causes of fish becoming ill is if they are kept in overcrowded conditions where they can develop a condition known as fish stress. This problem can also develop as a result of water in the tank being less than ideal for the health of the fish. Not necessarily fatal, fish stress will cause a gradual deterioration in the health of...

#37. Article's title: Aquarium Ornaments

• Published: March 10, 2008, 4:22 pm
• Displayed: 124 times
• Preview: Aquarium Ornaments Interesting under water scenes are created by using the right combination of aquarium ornaments. By choosing the right décor an aquarist can create the perfect environment to raise happy and healthy fish. Sure, aquarium ornaments are wonderful to look at, but they also serve a bigger purpose. There are many pieces that also function as important survival tools for aquatic pets. When choosing ornaments for an aquarium you’ll have to assess the needs of your fish, pick features that accommodate those needs and use them to create and eye-pleasing scene. There are so many different aspects of decoration to think about when building an underwater scene. Keep in mind you are creating a whole world for your fish to live in. It is a three-dimensional space where your pets will eat, breath, sleep and hide, so where do you start? The best place to begin is at the bottom. The first thing to decide is what to put at the bottom of the aquarium. There are so many...

#38. Article's title: Aquarium plants

• Published: July 7, 2006, 2:56 am
• Displayed: 9754 times
• Preview: Aquarium plants Plants are a very important part of freshwater aquariums. It is worth choosing plants carefully and taking good care of them. Water plants are not only nice in aquarium, but they are good for fish too. They give shadow to fish, which like it if they are shy. Some fish use plants as a spawning nest. For plant eating fish they also serve as food. Of course in some tanks, for example with big plant eating cichlids, plants are already doomed and it will be better to choose plastic plants. Water gardening is almost the same as normal gardening. Plants require good conditions and care. They make their food themselves in strange green cells by absorbing carbon dioxide and excrete oxygen in a process called photosynthesis. For this process light is needed. Plant nutrition: As the terrestrial plants, so water plants need nutrients like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. They usually take it from the water, but some of them take it from the roots. For som...

#39. Article's title: Aquarium refugiums

• Published: March 26, 2008, 2:06 pm
• Displayed: 80 times
• Preview: Aquarium refugiumsby Mick As the name suggest a refugium is basically a refuge for macro algae, copepods, amphipods, shrimps & fish species that require quiet surroundings away from predation, bullying etc. They are normally connected to the main display tank or in close vicinity as they need to benefit from the high water quality that is maintained in a reef tank. And this can only be achieved by the water being pumped directly into them which is then allowed to drain back at a steady, constant pace. Some fish keepers keep refugiums purposely to breed their shrimps & copepods. They also provide ideal conditions for seahorses, mandarins, pipefish & all fish that require calmer water flow. SETTING UP A REFUGIUM: Any small tank can be used to create a refugium; in fact on the market nowadays it is possible to purchase a hang on variety which is just as suitable.I have used a 10 gallon tank for this purpose in the past. Now we need to supply a...

#40. Article's title: Aquarium Reverse Osmosis

• Published: April 18, 2008, 9:03 pm
• Displayed: 47 times
• Preview: AQUARIUM REVERSE OSMOSIS In the aquarium hobby there are many instances where reverse osmosis water is used but to most people it can be quite baffling, if they have never actually had to invest in a unit. Hopefully this article will explain its uses and also exactly what it is. It is mainly used for water softening which is ideal for discus, angelfish and in fact nearly all of the South American species, also it is now used with almost every marine or reef tank. An RO unit (reverse osmosis) is used as a water purifier and in fact it will reduce the PH of the water as it pulls out 99% of all total dissolves solids, leaving the closest thing to pure water that you can get. This is particularly important where water quality has to be at its highest for the more delicate species of fish. The water is so pure that it has to be re-mineralized before use, as it can become unstable due to the KH potentially dropping, which in turn can cause a PH crash. So how does the...

#41. Article's title: Aquarium Snails

• Published: April 24, 2008, 8:50 am
• Displayed: 127 times
• Preview: Aquarium Snails Aquarium snails are animals that are amphibious which means they can live both on land and in water. They are mollusks, meaning they are animals that have neither a skeleton nor an exoskeleton, so they have adapted another form of protection for their soft bodies. This protection comes from a single, spiral shaped shell into which they can draw themselves inward at any sign of danger. The fact that they have just one single shell classifies them as gastropods. The snail’s shell which is made of calcium carbonate grows as the snail grows. Just as humans need calcium for strong teeth and bones, snails need calcium for a strong outer shell. The operculum is the outer “trap-door” like structure that is used to close up and seal the snail’s shell to prevent harm or dehydration. A snail uses its muscular foot for mobility and movement. This foot is lubricated with mucous to reduce friction and protect the snail from being injured on sharp surfaces. Some snails are gilled ...

#42. Article's title: Aquarium Stand: Guide

• Published: September 8, 2006, 2:04 am
• Displayed: 5187 times
• Preview: Things You Should Know Before You Purchase an Aquarium Stand Nothing sets fish owners apart more than the manner in which they display their aquarium. You can always tell a proud fish owner by the materials and quality of the aquarium stand which holds their aquatic investment. Aquarium stands are available in many sizes, shapes and price ranges. Although most aquarium stands are for fish tanks that are 20 gallons or more in size, there are stands available to hold aquariums from 10 gallons on up. There are several styles of aquarium stands, from the simple rack style, to the more robust cabinetry style. Materials are also varied, as the bigger the fish tank, the sturdier the stand materials must be. Rack style stands are usually for the lower gallon sized tanks, and are made of light metals such as aluminum. The racks for larger fish tanks or for double tank display are made from sturdier steel construction with welded joints. Next up the line in stands is what i...

#43. Article's title: Aquarium Substrate

• Published: September 8, 2006, 2:11 am
• Displayed: 12140 times
• Preview: Aquarium Substrate When you think of aquariums, the first things that probably pop into your mind are beautiful fish, green submersed plants, and the little plastic diver guy that finds himself stranded in many fish tanks. Then of course there are the bubbles which permeate the water with their gentle flow upward through the seascape. Little or no attention is given to the bottom layer of the aquarium, but it is a vital part of the miniature underwater ecosystem. Unbeknownst to most people, the layer of gravel and materials (aka substrate) which lies quietly at the bottom of the aquarium plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy environment for the fish and plant life which live there. Aquarium substrate serves several purposes. In its most known role, it serves as a decorative touch for the pleasure of those who view the aquarium. It gives the aquarium a finished look, and can be quite colorful or natural toned. However, one of the most important roles is that it k...

#44. Article's title: Aquarium Supplies Guide

• Published: September 8, 2006, 1:52 am
• Displayed: 3123 times
• Preview: Selecting the Correct Aquarium Supplies There are many different types of aquariums, but the one thing they all have in common is that they all require aquarium supplies. Which supplies your aquarium will need will be determined by the particular type of fish and plants you have. It is a good idea to research this information before you begin to set up your aquarium, so that you will be well prepared with all needed supplies readily available. One thing that you will need pretty much regardless of the type of aquarium you have is a high quality air pump. Making sure that you have a well aerated aquarium will help you to maintain the proper ph level so that your fish have the oxygen they need in order to survive. You can also purchase air pumps that are powered by battery, so that you will have a backup if for any reason your power should fail. There are many different pumps on the market, including some which are able to maintain other equipment, such as protein skimmers, ...

#45. Article's title: Aquarium Thermometers Are An Essential Item

• Published: September 8, 2006, 2:15 am
• Displayed: 7122 times
• Preview: Aquarium Thermometers Are An Essential Item When it comes to keeping your saltwater aquarium maintained and a safe environment for all that lives within, no piece of equipment could be more essential than the aquarium thermometer. These devices vary in the materials from which they are made, and they span a price range from cheap to expensive. The type or brand of thermometer you purchase is not as important as the fact that you do purchase one for your saltwater aquarium. The fish and other creatures which dwell in saltwater aquariums can be very sensitive when it comes to the temperature of the water around them. Temperature changes that are too dramatic will result in death to many of your expensive tropical fish and little creatures which scuttle back and forth across the bottom of the tank floor. Having your investments die, (and let’s face it, tropical fish aren’t cheap) from temperature changes is completely avoidable by simply purchasing and installing an aquar...

#46. Article's title: Aquarium Volumes

• Published: April 3, 2008, 6:16 pm
• Displayed: 67 times
• Preview: AQUARIUM VOLUMES One of the most important things we need to know about our aquariums is the size of it, plus we need to know the volume of water that it contains. Why do we need to know these things, I have done this myself in the past, found a perfect enclosed corner for a new tank, found what I have been looking for, checked the measurements given in metric – worked out in my head a conversion to imperial, given myself the wrong answer & you’ve guessed it the tank didn’t fit. On the internet there are now several sites that will do instant conversions (cm-inches, feet – metres & vice versa) that take all of the guess work out of this. There is a link provided below to a calculator that can be used just key in the measurements & hey presto instant results. aqua-fish.net/index.php?cur_lang=2&count=no&secured=&section=51 A few of us from the old school were educated in imperial measurements and as most aquar...

#47. Article's title: Aquarium Water Hardness

• Published: April 4, 2008, 9:17 am
• Displayed: 113 times
• Preview: Aquarium Water Hardness One of the hardest subjects that most aquarists have trouble with is understanding water chemistry and what we are actually testing for in our water parameters. We all know why it is important to check ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates in our tank, but what is pH, KH, and GH. Hopefully from this article things will become clearer. Let’s start with General Hardness (GH) sometimes referred to as Total Hardness. Depending on which type of land areas the water has passed through, varying levels of hardness are reached before it reaches its final destination i.e. if it passes over rocky areas it will have a higher mineral content, if it passes over marshy, forest areas it will normally create a soft water river or lake. Fish like the neon tetras, and cardinal tetras are good examples of soft, acidic water lovers. When we turn on our taps the mains water will contain many minerals that it has absorbed on its way to us, mostly magnesium &...

#48. Article's title: Aquarium Wood

• Published: March 7, 2008, 9:23 am
• Displayed: 148 times
• Preview: Aquarium Wood Wood pieces act as creative and decorative sculptures in many aquariums but they serve as more than just ornaments in these underwater structures. They help to anchor various plants and lower pH levels in the water. Aquarium wood also functions as a mimic to the natural environment where fish originally come from. It provides a place for fish to hide, breed and spawn. What to look for: When looking for a new piece of wood you’ll want to know what you are looking for. You want a very hard, dense wood. Soft wood decays too quickly and is not very practical for keeping a clean tank.Look for unique shapes that you can set up alone or together with other pieces and plants. If you have several pieces you can lean them against each other to create more crevices and places to hide. The right layout can maximize your aquarium’s visual appeal. I like to place one or two larger pieces in my tank and create the rest of the décor around it.While looking for your ...

#49. Article's title: Aquariums and Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrites

• Published: March 16, 2008, 11:06 pm
• Displayed: 200 times
• Preview: Aquariums and Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrites The nitrogen cycle is the process in which ammonia is converted to nitrite which is then converted to nitrate. This progression is made possible with the presence of ammonia and nitrite converting bacteria with the end result being a chemical compound known as nitrate. Cycling: When setting up a new aquarium it is important to first complete a thorough cycling so that the beneficial bacteria needed for ammonia and nitrite conversion can be established. In a mature aquarium it is important not to over clean the bacterial environment to maintain a healthy level of nitrogen cycling. Once nitrifying bacteria is present it can begin to metabolize the harmful ammonia produced by decaying plants, uneaten food and decomposing fish waste. Process: As previously stated ammonia is produced by decaying plants, uneaten food and decomposing fish waste. One group of bacteria’s purpose is to convert the ammonia by binding it with water ...

#50. Article's title: Aquariums in my life

• Published: January 22, 2006, 4:21 pm
• Displayed: 1821 times
• Preview: Aquariums in my life Hello, my name is Susan and I thought, that I could post here an article about aquariums. I'm my life. When I was child, about 10 years old, I had my first aquarium. It was a ball aquarium. Even me or my parents or anybody whom I knew, had known nothing about aquarium. It was a disaster! There were no aquatic plants, no filter, nothing. Just gravel from outside. We were changing whole water every week. I don´t remember how many fishes died... But I felt very sorry about all of them. But now, 10 years after, I met a man, who have 2 aquariums. He knows a lot of about aquariums and care about them and I´m amazed by life in these small pieces of nature inside rooms. Now I know a lot about aquariums, biotopes, aquatic fishes and plants. Aquarium is an amazing thing. Maybe because we live on the dry land and those aquariums are a piece of the water life. It is better than watching TV! I feel always relaxed, when I`m watching on a good arranged aquarium. T...

#51. Article's title: Automatic Aquarium Fish Feeders

• Published: September 21, 2006, 2:29 am
• Displayed: 6141 times
• Preview: The Convenience of Automatic Aquarium Fish Feeders Note: Aqua-Fish.Net isn`t advertising any product within the article below. Automatic fish feeders help make your life as an aquarium owner much easier. It is often hard to remember whether or not you fed the fish, or if someone else in your house did already, and the automatic fish feeder eliminates missed feedings or over feeding altogether. Too much food in the water can easily clog up important filters, and cause you to have to spend more time cleaning your aquarium tank than enjoying it. There are many different brands and designs on automatic fish feeders on the market, you just have to decide which one is within your means and will best suit your needs. One of the most popular automatic fish feeders is the Eheim 3581 “Feed-Air” Digital Automatic Feeder. This model is capable of using either granule or pellet fish food types. You can set it to feed your fish up to four times per day. This model comes with its ow...

#52. Article's title: Baby Brine Shrimp Hatchery

• Published: August 3, 2007, 10:16 pm
• Displayed: 2616 times
• Preview: How to make a baby brine shrimp hatchery cheaply By Tim Gautrey To make a hatchery this way is very easy. All you need is an empty 2 litre cola bottle, a polystyrene tile, a piece of air piping that you can connect to a pump via a control valve and a sharp knife. You might need a vacuum to clean up the polystyrene afterwards, but that`s DIY!) Cut the bottle just above the label, so that the bell and screw cap are left. See the image below. Take the polystyrene tile and cut a square just a little bigger than the bottle diameter. Place the cut neck of the bottle onto the centre of the square and press down so that it leaves an indentation in the tile. Using the knife cut out the round shape, leaving you something like the image below. Float the tile in your tank, Fill the bottle with water from the tank to half an inch from the top, Drop it into the centre hole in the tile, Add the air pipe making sure that it goes right to the bo...

#53. Article's title: Barbus Tetrazona - The Tiger barb

• Published: November 3, 2006, 6:34 am
• Displayed: 6509 times
• Preview: Barbus Tetrazona - The Tiger barb Barbus tetrazona is one of the most common barbus fish in aquariums. It comes from Sumatra and Borneo, that`s why you can find it also under the name of “Sumatra Barb”. Another common name of this fish is a “Tiger barb” due it`s colour pattern, golden body with four vertical stripes, the first on the eye and the last at the begin of tail. There are few differences between males and females, usually you are able to recognise them when they`re adults, and their size is near 2 inches. Male is slimmer than the female and has red fins, edges and mouth. Females are bigger and don`t have any red part. Like other barbus, tiger barb lives in shoals. The best number of fish in shoals is five or six. More fish could end up creating two shoals fighting towards each other; while a smaller number is dangerous because they could be aggressive towards weaker fish and not create a shoal. After captive breeding you can find various colour mutatio...

#54. Article's title: Betta fish

• Published: March 15, 2006, 9:39 am
• Displayed: 57053 times
• Preview: Betta fish Betta fish – Betta splendens is a very beautiful aquarium fish. Of course, it needs care if you want to keep this species successfully. This fish needs a lot of space even it`s not the largest fish you can buy. There are 4 betta fish in my tanks (42 l and 81 l). Naturally, only 1 male per 1 tank. Aquariums are 30 cm tall with the water depth being about 27cm from the surface of the gravel. Good care of betta fish means good feeding, adequate water temperature, water hardness and so on. Usually, I feed my fish with Sera food, and sometimes with frozen food (cows heart). The temperature in my tanks varies between 23-29 °C (winter-summer) and all betta like it. They haven`t been sick and they have bred successfully. The water in my tanks is little bit hard and alkaline. This is caused by rocks and sea shells (yes, sea shells in freshwater tank). Shells are there to keep good and stable quality of water. Of course, you will probably hide all shells, because it looks ...

#55. Article's title: Betta fish bowls; To buy or not to buy?

• Published: September 5, 2007, 10:05 am
• Displayed: 1515 times
• Preview: Betta fish bowls; To buy or not to buy? Some stores sell sphere aquariums, or aquariums which look like big glasses. Of course, such fact isn`t bad in it`s basis. What might become bad is that some people use such fish tanks for keeping Siamese Fighting Fish (Bettas) males incorrectly. Bettas are one of the most beautiful freshwater fish around the world and that`s why aquarists (including all ages, sexes, amateurs or professionals) house them. Generally, people want to have an extraordinary aquarium with this extraordinary fish. Bear in mind that a “Betta fish bowl” is usually a small aquarium, with no extra space for filtration device, plants and light. Is it OK? Isn`t it an animal abuse? In my opinion this kind of fish tanks should be used only as an aquarium with plants only. Imagine yourself in a such small room for all your life, would you accept it? But why do people like such aquariums? First, such product is very small and it can be moved at no time. People ca...

#56. Article's title: Betta splendens diseases

• Published: October 8, 2006, 8:37 am
• Displayed: 8777 times
• Preview: Betta splendens diseases Betta splendens is a strong fish, and if kept in good condition, it won`t get sick. No matter what the disease is, when you notice a behaviour change, or some symptoms, remove the betta from other fish to avoid contagions. Remember also to have an “aid kit” always ready: 1) A small tank for quarantine 2) A water heater 3) A small filter or water oxygenator 4) A dedicated net 5) Products like malachite green and methylene blue. There are a lot of diseases that can develop in aquarium, betta splendens usually are subjected to these: 1. Injuries 2. Swim Bladder diseases 3. White spot diseases 4. Ammonia poisoning 5. Fins and tail rot Injuries Even if relations in aquarium looks good, sometimes injuries may happen. Often it`s impossible to understand how a fish has been injured; for bettas most of times it`s because of a male attack towards a female or vice versa, or an attack from a stronger fish disturbed by the b...

#57. Article's title: BiOrb accessories

• Published: February 5, 2008, 9:37 pm
• Displayed: 408 times
• Preview: BiOrb accessoriesby Albert The BiOrb goldfish bowl has become the center piece of many aquarium lovers’ homes over the last few years. Combining the performance ability of a high tech aquarium, with the looks of a traditional fish bowl, the BiOrb provides all the design features to make life a pleasant experience both for the fish as well as the aquarium owner. Available in a variety of sizes as well as colors, BiOrb aquariums can contain either goldfish in small quantities or tropical fish. For example the more popular 30 liter volume BiOrb aquarium can contain 3 small fantail or 12 tropical fish that are small in size. Its bigger brother, the BiOrb 60 volume aquarium is designed for the more avid aquarium enthusiast, will contain twice that amount of fish within the same permutation. No matter the size or the volume of the BiOrb fish bowl that you choose, you will be entering into a whole new world of aquarium design and performance. Each BiOrb aquarium comes complete ...

#58. Article's title: Black Molly

• Published: April 26, 2008, 10:49 am
• Displayed: 62 times
• Preview: Black Molly The black molly, also known as the midnight molly, is a hybrid species between Poecilia latipina and Poecilia sphenops. This live bearer is named for its very dark, all over black coloration. At times this fish can be found with a yellow streak on the dorsal fin or minor silvering on the flanks, but for the most part this fish lives up to its common name: black molly. The black pigmentation of this fish is a result of a melanistic condition. Melanism, the opposite of albinism; it is a condition in which the full potential of melanin or skin pigment is represented. The result is a really dark black pigment which is the opposite condition of albinism; the lack of color pigmentation. This strain of molly is not one that occurs naturally in the wild. The black molly is bred to display certain desirable traits in the aquarium industry. The lyretail black balloon molly is one hybrid commonly sold for its fine display of unique finnage and its cute, puffy physique. But ...

#59. Article's title: Black Skirt Tetra Species

• Published: July 31, 2007, 6:37 pm
• Displayed: 2478 times
• Preview: Gymnocorymbus Ternetzi – Black Skirt Tetra Also called White Skirt Tetra, Black Widow, Black Tetra, Black Widow Tetra Origin and Tank Suggestions This species comes from the waters of Paraguay, South Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia. The aquarium where you keep Tetra should be about 50 cm high and well planted, so they will have place for hiding, but with free swimming areas as well. The water should have a temperature from 20 to 26°C and the hardness level should be between 5 and 19 dH. pH should be about 7, but the water can vary a bit acid or alkaline. Maybe I should mention that the tank should be as large as it can be, but Black Skirt Tetras prefer a deep aquarium much more than shallow and longer fish bowls. At least in my experience. The fish like to swim vertically more than horizontally. But I won't claim that you have to put these fish into an aquarium which is one meter tall and 20 cm wide. I just saying that the tank should have high water level. Behaviour...

#60. Article's title: Blue-green algae

• Published: May 14, 2006, 9:46 am
• Displayed: 7312 times
• Preview: Blue-green algae Blue-green algae are bacteria which grow in warm, shallow, slow moving or still freshwater. There are known as cyanobacteria too, but they are more commonly known as pond scum. They need light for life. That is why they are photosynthetic bacteria. The first known species were blue-green. Now we know of algae from olive-green to red in color. When the conditions are good (hot, calm weather), algae populations can increase dramatically. This can create large blooms which are big numbers of blue-green algae. These blooms can cover the whole surface. Blue-green algae mostly do not live long. Some of these blue-green algal blooms can be toxic or can be poisonous if they are swallowed by wildlife, livestock, pets or people. You should not even swim in these waters, because you can get itchy. And if you drink water with these toxic blue-green alga, you may have symptoms such as sore throat, stomach cramps, diarrhoea , vomiting or fever. The toxins are ve...

#61. Article's title: Breeding Angelfish

• Published: October 20, 2007, 7:55 pm
• Displayed: 1021 times
• Preview: Breeding Angelfish(reprinted from forums, originally posted by Tim) Angelfish are quite easy to breed, once you can find a pair. It is near impossible to sex angels, so you have to buy about six young angels and let them pair off themselves. Put the six into a 55 gallon tank and you will soon see when a pair is forming by the aggression towards the others. Once two angels pair, they stay together for life, and will not re-pair if one of them dies. They become mature at around 9 months old. Once a pair has been formed, move them to a tank of their own. This needs to be 20 Gallons minimum and at least 18" high. Once paired they do not work well in community tanks, because they become very territorial and are real bullies to even the smallest of fish! Feed the angels well on both flake and live foods for a couple of weeks and you will soon see the female start to swell with eggs. At the same time the egg tube will start to show. This is the easiest way to sex angels...

#62. Article's title: Breeding Corydoras gossei

• Published: April 9, 2006, 2:39 am
• Displayed: 1838 times
• Preview: Breeding Corydoras gosseiby Bud and Cathy White First published in "Tank Topics", Greater Akron Aquarium Society, April/May 2001 (this article was taken from aquarticles.com - free aquarium articles) Corydoras gossei is fairly new to the hobby, being described by Nijssen in 1972. They come from a creek near Guajara Mirim, in Rondonia, Brazil. They reach over two inches in length. Both male and female are darkly colored in the top half of the body and head, with yellow/white in the lower half. They have orange/yellow markings, and the front spine of the dorsal and pectoral fire are the same orange/yellow. The rest of the fins are mostly clear, with wavy vertical stripes on the tail. Since we have always enjoyed the different types of corys, we try to pick up new ones when we can! And from where else better to get corys than Eric Bodrock of Pennsylvania. Eric`s been breeding a lot of different corys for quite a while now, and has been very successful with th...

#63. Article's title: Breeding Tanks

• Published: August 1, 2007, 10:43 pm
• Displayed: 1677 times
• Preview: Breeding Tanks By Tim Gautrey Important note This article was reprinted with permissions given by the original article`s author. Bear in mind that information here is "as is" and potential references to "will be added in future" (or similar) might not be done by aqua-fish.net. However, we may update the article later. Introduction I have just completed a little project in between the others on the go to build some breeding tanks. This has been very successful and so I thought it would be helpful to share the method of construction with you all, hopefully saving you money! The method is simple, cheap and effective. The object is to build 4 breeding tanks as a single unit, which can sit on a shelf, mount on a wall or almost anywhere you have space. Over the next few days, I will be building another one, and will keep a record of the progress for you to see how it is done. Materials: 1 sheet of 12mm polycarbonate sheeting (3...

#64. Article's title: Breeding the Betta Fish

• Published: October 7, 2006, 3:26 pm
• Displayed: 11854 times
• Preview: Breeding Betta Fish After live bearing fishes, betta splendens is one of the easiest fish to breed in captivity even for newbies. Following some easy rules you`ll be able to have a successful breeding. There`s not the best method to breed bettas, most of breeders due to personal experience have found the best ways for them. Spawning is not difficult, and the hardest part is fry growing, at least the first days. Surely the first time you may experience a high mortality due to water pollution depending by overfeeding. Remember, bettas can be bred various times if they`re young so you can have various chances to improve your abilities. First of all you have to choose the two breeders. Both have to be healthy, fins condition tells a lot about bettas` health, a betta with damaged fins could have fought and now have low energies to mate. Betta have a short life so it`s important to choose young fish, about 5 months old, usually those you may find in shops are of that age,...

#65. Article's title: Bristlenose catfish

• Published: March 7, 2006, 10:26 am
• Displayed: 13161 times
• Preview: Bristlenose catfish Bristlenose catfish - Probably the most "common" fish in aquatic shops. Usually dark, sometimes with a small moustache, there is nothing sharp in the aquarium at all. It often sucks the bottom of the tank. But these are just the first impressions. When you take a more in depth look, you will see how superlative this fish is. Ancistrus is a fine and good-looking fish which complements many freshwater aquariums. I have kept ancistrus fish for more than 4 years and they have become an integral part of my tanks and my hobby. At first I bought only 4 of them and I didn`t know how to differentiate males from females. Fortunately, my aquarium was suitable for them and they did well. As time went by, the males acquired a moustache, all of them grew larger, and they all got a very nice coloration. After 2 years of successful keeping this nice species of fish, I decided to buy a larger tank. They liked it, because I saw small tails after few months. Th...

#66. Article's title: Build your own aquarium

• Published: September 10, 2007, 2:03 pm
• Displayed: 1769 times
• Preview: Build your own aquarium by Tim Gautrey Here is a project for the beginner to tackle that will test your DIY skills, stretch your abilities a little and get you used to doing basic things like cutting straight lines, square corners and making inset joints! The project I am going to outline here is to build your own aquarium and stand. It will be split into two parts, first the stand and next month, the tank itself. For those of you who might want to cheat and buy a tank, the sizes are not going to be standard on purpose, so if you follow this project to the letter, (and it would be a good idea if you are not fully confident about what you doing), you’ll have to wait till next month to get it finished! I would anticipate that the stand will take around a week to complete anyway, so you won’t have to wait too long to complete the project anyway! You will end up with a fantastic aquarium, large enough to be easily maintained and one that you can be proud of. ...

#67. Article's title: Building your own aquarium Part 2: The Tank:

• Published: October 20, 2007, 12:48 am
• Displayed: 1589 times
• Preview: Building your own aquarium(Part 2) (Part 1 is here) I wonder how many stands are out there waiting for this month’s issue. If you have followed my directions in part one, by now there should be a wonderful empty stand just begging for a tank to grace it! So, let’s get down to the easy part! Building a fish tank isn’t as daunting as you might think. It’s all down to simple assembly techniques, and if you follow a few basic rules, the tank will take you no longer than a couple of hours to put together. Ok, here’s what you need to build the tank: Tools: A silicon gun A sharp blade/craft knife Paint scraper Emery cloth or similar abrasive sheet. (Not sandpaper) A teaspoon with a rounded handle Materials: All the measurements below need to be exact, so I would recommend that unless you are proficient at glass cutting, you take the list to the professionals. All glass referred to here is float or plate gla...

#68. Article's title: Building your own fish tanks

• Published: August 2, 2007, 11:01 am
• Displayed: 2599 times
• Preview: Building your own fish tanks By Tim Gautrey Important note This article was reprinted with permissions given by the original article`s author. Bear in mind that information here is "as is" and potential references to "will be added in future" (or similar) might not be done by aqua-fish.net. However, we may update the article later. Introduction This guide is suitable for making any rectangular or square glass fish tank. It is not suited to shaped tank construction. When I build my tanks, I always use clear float glass and have it cut to size. The size of the tank determines the thickness of glass required. Depending on the height of the water you will need 4mm, 6mm or 10mm glass. I always use either 6mm or 10mm for the bottom of the tank, as this is what takes all the weight. The rule of thumb that I use for this is less than 15" (150mm), 4mm is sufficient, less than 18" (225mm), 6mm above 18 (225mm)" and below ...

#69. Article's title: Canister filter in an aquarium

• Published: September 2, 2006, 4:03 pm
• Displayed: 4829 times
• Preview: Canister filter in an aquarium As words „canister filter“ say, this equipment is used for filtration in aquariums. But why are they good, what are their advantages and disadvantages? Firstly, let me say that this kind of filters are used for both, biological and mechanical filtration. Canister aquarium filters are very robust and powerful, but you should clean them periodically. You should bear in mind that filters which are installed for aquariums with a lot of waste must be cleaned oftenly, because filthiness in the water current could cause fish diseases. Some sources say that you should clean canister filters once a week, some sources say that once per 5 months is enough. I strongly recommend you to clean it when it`s needed. For example, I use hang on tank filters and I clean them if only they don`t aerate the aquariums enough. Generally, any aquarist is able to determine the situation when a filter isn`t clean enough. A canister filter can`t be placed inside an aquari...

#70. Article's title: Cheap Fish Tank (or discount aquariums)

• Published: August 25, 2007, 6:51 pm
• Displayed: 8185 times
• Preview: Cheap fish tanks; Quality vs. price If you are looking for a new aquarium you can choose an expensive one, like a big aquarium installed into cabinet. Such aquariums are usually sold with everything what you may need for keeping all fish alive; sometimes with a discount, sometimes not. The cabinet emphasizes the aquarium and it really looks nice especially if you know what and how put decoration, equipment, substrate, plants and fish specimens into the fish bowl, so that it may behave like a piece of nature cut somewhere from a rain forest or African creek. However, not everyone is able to buy such expensive tank and there are various solutions how to obtain relatively cheep fish tanks as well. Buying a second hand tank One way how to buy a cheap tank is to buy second hand aquarium (or buy it from a wholesale dealer, it is mentioned a few paragraphs below). Some people decide to give up their hobby, but they don´t want to dispose all equipment so they sell them for som...

#71. Article's title: Cheap fish tanks

• Published: November 26, 2007, 6:34 pm
• Displayed: 1109 times
• Preview: Cheap fish tanks(New tank, old tank, second-hand or used, what’s the best option?) At some time in everyone’s life, there comes a point when you want something so bad, but just can’t afford it. Fish-keeping is no different. Many aquarists start out with a small tank or bowl, but very soon realise that it’s just not good enough! So this is when they start to count their savings and work out what they can afford to do next. Are you there yet? Most of us are always looking for bigger and better and are prepared to struggle to the point of broke to get it. But do we need to? If you love the hobby as most do, then the answer is yes. For the love of our pets, and the desire to give them the best in life, for the wish to have more fish, and more tanks, we need to! It’s an addiction for many, and one that you can’t get away from. Fish are relaxing, peaceful, company, friends, fascinating and much more for the devoted aquarist. When I come into the room, the first thing I look at is...

#72. Article's title: Chinese Algae Eater

• Published: April 16, 2008, 8:42 am
• Displayed: 65 times
• Preview: Chinese Algae Eaters “Chinese Algae Eater” is the most common name for the Gyrinocheilus aymonieri which is also less commonly known as the “Indian Algae Eater” and the “sucking loach”. This fish is often mistaken for the Siamese algae eater which is a similar species yet quite different. Saying that G. aymonieri are Chinese is misleading because this fish does not come from China, in fact in comes from northern India and central Thailand. Additionally, this fish is not a loach so the name “sucking loach” is an inaccurate use of terms, although some of its characteristics are quite similar to that of a loach. Regardless of where it comes from, this algae eater, in its youth is very useful in clearing aquarium surfaces of algae. It quickly inches its way along every surface all the while sucking the algae in its path. Once the task is done, the algae eater starts at the beginning to clean everything all over again. The job is never done for this diligent young worker. A...

#73. Article's title: Choosing the first aquarium

• Published: December 22, 2006, 7:11 am
• Displayed: 4675 times
• Preview: Choosing the first aquarium This article is meant to help people who want to buy the first aquarium and need some advices. First of all you should decide how big you want your aquarium, the first mistakes people usually do are: choosing a too much small tank and overpopulating it; both big and small aquariums have pro and cons, value them all and then choose your solution. Most of time aquarium shops staff can help you in your choice, but sometimes they tend to suggest you more products than those you really need. Small or big aquarium If you already have in your mind what fish you would like to have, choose the aquarium big enough according to their necessities. Most of time anyway beginners do not have any idea at all, so you can decide the aquarium size thinking about the free room you have to place it, or how much money you want to spend. A too much small aquarium has two major problems: chemical values tend to fluctuate, even dangerously, due the small amount ...

#74. Article's title: Cichlid Food

• Published: March 8, 2008, 10:30 am
• Displayed: 80 times
• Preview: Cichlid Food There are a large number of cichlids sold and bred in the aquarium industry today. Just as these cichlids can be diverse, so are their eating habits and needs. This is why the foods they are fed come in all different shapes and forms. In the aquarium industry it is highly recommended that you feed your cichlids a variety of foods to keep them well balanced and healthy. This helps to promote growth as well as reproduction and it improves the color and quality of your fish. Cichlids all have the same basic needs despite their difference of original habitats. They all need to get the maximum amount of nutrition through the various foods they eat. Facts: There are over 1300 different species of cichlid discovered from freshwater bodies around the globe. Most of these come from the lakes and rivers found in Africa and South America, but others are also found in Asia and Central America. There are some species of cichlids that are herbivores meaning they ea...

#75. Article's title: Cleaning the aquarium

• Published: July 25, 2006, 3:40 am
• Displayed: 6134 times
• Preview: Cleaning the aquarium Why do people decide to clean their aquariums? Generally, there are three basic reasons to clean the fish tank. Firstly, the tank smells. The reason for the smell varies depending on the fish; excrement fails to be filtered, pieces of old food gather on the bottom resulting in dead fish somewhere in the tank. It is important to install a strong enough filtration system in order to keep good conditions in the tank. Still water naturally smells and there are even aquariums without filters which contain many plants, which bring stable chemistry. The next reason to clean the aquarium is that it is overgrown with algae. You should bear in mind that algae usually grow in tanks where there are not enough plants, nitrification bacteria, or there is very bright lighting. In this case, you should buy some algae eater, pleco fish, cory fish, etc. The algae is a natural part of aquariums and it helps to keep good water conditions and chemistry. Fish excrement fa...

#76. Article's title: Cloudy water in aquariums

• Published: April 1, 2008, 4:33 pm
• Displayed: 69 times
• Preview: CLOUDY WATER IN AQUARIUMS One of the most common problems aquarists have to deal with is cloudy water. Whether we are talking brand new set ups, tanks cycled tanks running for a few weeks or established mature tanks at some time or another I have keepers asking me why this has happened. Hopefully this article will explain a few of the reasons, how to combat the problem, and how to prevent future occurrences of this problem. New set ups: We have just arrived home with our brand new tank, gravel or sand, and some nice shiny ornaments. Everything has been put in the tank and the water has clouded up. One cause of the cloudiness could be part of the cycling process as the tank water will be unbalanced, but when the cycling is complete it should clear itself, but more of that later. A must when setting up the tank is to rinse thoroughly the gravel or sand being added as if this isn’t done it will create cloudiness when the water is added. Not the nicest of jo...

#77. Article's title: Compatible Aquarium Fish

• Published: May 7, 2008, 11:30 am
• Displayed: 20 times
• Preview: COMPATIBLE AQUARIUM FISH There are many factors to consider when deciding which livestock you are going to add to your tank. Not only the tanks size, but you need to make sure that the different species you are going to buy will get along with each other. Most aquarists nowadays set up community tanks with a mixed variety of fish so this second point could be crucial in determining which fish to add. Tank size does play a major part; you certainly would not contemplate adding a large 6 inch or over fish to a relatively small tank, providing it with no swimming room. Many species of fish become territorial over time, defending their space in the tank, thus resulting in injuries to the other tank mates; this is not something that keepers like to see. There is a golden rule as well that most keepers stick to “don’t add fish that are small enough to fit into another fish’s mouth, they will eat it”. This cannot be ignored! All fish have different temperaments, even within the ...

#78. Article's title: Control Algae in a Fish Pond

• Published: March 20, 2008, 10:20 pm
• Displayed: 67 times
• Preview: Control Algae in a Fish Pond Now, this is a challenge! How can you control the algae that grows naturally in your pond? First of all, you need to know what it is, how it gets there and why it grows. What is algae? “Algae are photosynthetic organisms that occur in most habitats. They vary from small, single-celled forms to complex multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length.. The US Algal Collection is represented by almost 300,000 accessioned and inventoried herbarium specimens.” Quote taken from the National Museum of Natural History website: nmnh.si.edu What are the common types of algae that occur in your pond? Most ponds have several species of algae. They include green algae, (which is such a large group I will not bore you with the details, just point you to berkeley.edu where you can spend the next 10 hours reading!), brown algae (wikipedia.org), and blue/green algae (wikipedia.org). How does it get there? Most alga...

#79. Article's title: Convict Cichlid

• Published: March 14, 2008, 9:22 pm
• Displayed: 95 times
• Preview: The Convict Cichlid The Archocentrus Nigrofasciatus is a cichlid fish that is nicknamed “convict” or “zebra” both names for its similarity to the black stripes on a British prison uniform. This fish is native to the Central American waters of Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras and Panama with temperatures ranging from 69-84ºF. They are not very particular about the conditions of the water as long as you keep a certain amount of consistency. Convicts are omnivorous and they are not picky eaters. They will eat anything small enough to fit in their mouths including flake and pellet foods, small fish, crustaceans and blood worms. Although they do seem to particularly enjoy frozen beef hearts. Convict males grow to roughly 6 inches, slightly larger than the females. This is an extremely aggressive species that will take on any fish including those twice their size especially in the reproductive phase. Sexing: Convicts are known for their highly reprod...

#80. Article's title: Corydoras

• Published: June 21, 2006, 4:21 pm
• Displayed: 5549 times
• Preview: Corydoras Corydoras come from South America and they live in freshwater. They are known as cory catfish, cory cats or just cories. Their name Corydoras comes from Greek and it consists of kory (helmet) and doras (skin). Corydoras is a small aquarium fish. You can find many kinds of Corydoras, but they mostly differ only in their colour. Their size and their caring for is the same for all the Corydoras. When I saw a cory for the first time I thought that it was ugly. But after a while, I started to love it. Yes, it might look like alien life on earth, but that is the problem with us new guys in the aquarium business. Everything is new and strange. But the truth is, that Cories are very nice. There are many variants of cories, so you can find more or less beautiful Corydoras. We have Corydoras pandas and they are really irresistible. They really look like an aquarium panda bears. Corydoras like slow-moving and almost still (but seldom stagnant) water, which i...

#81. Article's title: Corydoras panda

• Published: April 23, 2006, 4:37 am
• Displayed: 4325 times
• Preview: Panda Cory - Corydoras panda This is a small inoffensive little Cory. Corydoras Panda come from the Rio Pachitea in Peru. The body is sandy colored with black spots/patches. They have black over their eyes (like panda bears). They have a black band on the tail and the back fin is black and the rest of the fins are clear. The Panda females are more rounded and fuller than males. They grow to the size of 3.0 - 4.0 cm (1.2 - 1.6 in). Corydoras Panda feels better in a shoal so buy at least six off them. Cory, without companions, will waste away. It would also be advisable not to keep fin nipping species as they would worry them to death with their constant bother and would also deprive them of food. Other large Cichlids would also be a bad choice. A good community tank for Pandas would be inoffensive tetras such as Neon`s and other smaller fish, and if you would like other catfish, the Ancistrus types would make good partners and of course other Corydoras or Aspidoras s...

#82. Article's title: Creating a stunning fish tank display for your home

• Published: August 19, 2007, 10:34 pm
• Displayed: 3287 times
• Preview: Creating a stunning fish tank display for your home by Tim Gautrey This instruction is not for the faint-hearted and definitely for the more skilled DIY enthusiast. The object is to build a display tank unlike any other, where your fish can be displayed in all their beautiful colours with plenty of room to move around. This build involves a 48” x 18” x 12” standard fish tank as a base unit. This needs to be either built onto a custom stand or use a stand capable of being placed 6” away from the wall and strong enough to carry a lot more weight than the tank itself. I opted to build the stand myself out of 4” x 2” timber and flooring grade chipboard, fixed to the wall along the back. The stand was constructed 12’3” long (since it also took an 8’ tank), and 18” front to back, at 30” from the floor to the top surface. The whole thing had to be perfectly level in all directions. Cross bars were placed every 24” along the length to avoid distortion of the...

#83. Article's title: Cryptocoryne

• Published: January 12, 2007, 5:49 am
• Displayed: 2654 times
• Preview: Cryptocoryne Cryptocoryne are one of the most common plant species used in aquarium, they belong to the Araceae family like other famous aquarium plants, Anubias and Pistia. Their name derives from “krypto” which means “hidden” and “koryne” which means “stick”, and it refers to the shape and position of their flowers. There are about 60 known crypto varieties at the moment, all coming from Asia, specially from New Guinea, Indonesia, and Malaysia; all of them are characterized by a strong root system that grows fast and generates new plants in every side of the tank. The easier crypto, more common to find in shops, come from Sri Lanka, and are C. Wendtii, C. Becketii, and C. Walkerii. In nature, they live inside or near small rivers and torrents with mainly light acid and soft water, both in sand, gravel, clay, or dead leaves substrates. In aquarium, they are not very demanding to cultivate, anyway once arrived they often develop the Crypt melt. This is not a real illn...

#84. Article's title: Custom Tank Stand

• Published: August 2, 2007, 1:04 pm
• Displayed: 3385 times
• Preview: Custom Tank Stand By Tim Gautrey Important note This article was reprinted with permissions given by the original article`s author. Bear in mind that information here is "as is" and potential references to "will be added in future" (or similar) might not be done by aqua-fish.net. However, we may update the article later. How to build a custom aquarium stand Forget the pro`s! If you have basic skills you can build the stand yourself, make it look good and have something to admire! Can you imagine how much it would have cost me to get this lot built by professionals? The first run of tanks was estimated at over £1500, it cost me two weeks and £135 to do the complete job, including lighting! Regular lumber, as you call it works fine! Make the framework from 4"x2" planed timber, fixed to a wall at the back if you can. Make sure you have vertical supports every 2` and make the tank support base with cross-me...

#85. Article's title: Diatom Filters for Aquariums

• Published: April 11, 2008, 8:20 am
• Displayed: 64 times
• Preview: DIATOM FILTERS FOR AQUARIUMS Diatom filters are used in the aquarium hobby mainly for polishing the water to almost perfect clarity, plus they are unsurpassed for filtering out the smallest debris & even parasites from the aquarium which in turn leads to healthier fish. Using these filters has also increased the variety of fish that some of the large public aquariums can now keep on display. How many of us at some stage have been plagued with green algae and needed to find an efficient way of eradicating it, well these certainly do the job. So what is a diatom & how do the filters work Diatoms are basically a single celled organism that feed on silicates in the water which they use to create a protective hydrous silica cell wall. When the diatoms die off they leave behind a shell that is full of minute pores, (some of the pores are as small as 3 microns), but inside the larger pores there are a second, smaller pore (roughly 0.5 microns). This in effect mea...

#86. Article's title: Discus Aquarium Fish

• Published: May 23, 2006, 2:17 pm
• Displayed: 68108 times
• Preview: Discus Aquarium FishBy Stokes, see copyright information here Introduction The Discus is a large cichlid from the Amazon River, its tributaries and flood planes, in South America. Discus and its variants were first described in 1840 by Dr. Heckel as Symphysodon discus, this name is now in use for the Heckel discus variant. The three "original" colour variants received their own name, the Green Discus Symphysodon aequifasciata aequifasciata, the brown discus Symphysodon aequifasciata axelrodi, and the blue variant Symphysodon aequifasciata haraldi. More and more people are choosing to keep Discus Aquarium Fish over other fish. By becoming more popular more money is going into the industry which assists the funding for research and the development of products and different strains of Discus Aquarium Fish. The discus is a social fish and lives in large groups in their native waters, and has a very advanced social behaviour; they are one of th...

#87. Article's title: DIY Aquarium Cabinets