To have a clean and healthy aquarium, you must maintain it properly. However, for many beginners, maintaining an aquarium can be an uphill task, especially if they don’t know the basics. That’s because there is so much involved in maintaining an aquarium, from changing the water frequently to monitoring the pH level.
If you want a healthy aquarium and to prevent your fish from dying unnecessarily, here are tips that can help you.
- Make sure that your tank is the appropriate size.
Keeping many fish may be tempting, but it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t cram your fish aquarium too much. Because of the decreased oxygen levels, your fish may become susceptible to disease if the tank is overcrowded. Additionally, it can result in excessive trash, deaths, and debris, all of which can lower the quality of the water in your system.
- Regularly change the water.
Your aquarium will remain spotless, and the nitrate levels will remain stable if you replace 25% of the water in it monthly. You also get rid of other waste products and debris left behind by the increasing phosphate levels. Keeping these levels at such a high-level subject your fish to additional stress, which might cause them to become quite ill. Maintaining a constant temperature in the water helps your fish and other aquatic life remain robust and healthy.
- Ensure that the water is at the appropriate temperature.
The water temperature in your fish aquarium should be moderate enough to allow aquatic life to thrive. Your fish are in danger if their aquarium temperature undergoes significant shifts. Avoid positioning your tank in a location that gets a lot of direct sunlight or is close to any vents that release cool air. The ideal temperature range for freshwater fish is between 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, while the optimal range for saltwater fish is between 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Because the optimal temperature for each fish species is different, it is critical to research to achieve the greatest outcomes. If the temperature in your aquarium is too low to keep your fish alive, you may need to invest in a water heater for the tank.
- Ensure that the pH level and all other chemical levels are stable.
The acidity and alkalinity levels in your aquarium’s water are measured using a scale called pH. Investing in a pH test kit will allow you to keep tabs on the pH level of your aquarium. Fish aquariums with pH levels between 6.6 and 6.8 are ideal environments for keeping freshwater fish. When the pH is between 7.6 and 8.4, it is optimal for the growth of saltwater fish. In addition to this, you should make it a habit to check the nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia levels in your tank regularly. Obviously, the types of fish you keep and the type of aquarium you have a significant impact on these
- Clean your aquarium regularly.
A small amount of green in your tank is not typically the reason for concern, but an excessive amount of it can be harmful. The accumulation of algae makes your tank appear murky and marshy and limits the amount of oxygen in the water. This may result in the death of some of the fish and plants that are kept in your aquarium.