Fish can be a beautiful part of your home. However, caring for fish to stay healthy is quite difficult. Even under the best of conditions, fish require more care from their owners. You have to be careful to make sure that the tank is free of poor water conditions and that it doesn't have too much of it. You should also watch your fish for changes that could indicate the onset of a disease.
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Part 1 of 4: Setting Up an Aquarium for Fish
Step 1. Buy an aquarium that can hold at least 75 liters of water
While a large aquarium may look difficult to maintain, the reality is quite the opposite. Small aquariums are easier to get dirty and therefore require more regular maintenance. The bigger the aquarium the better. Fish become happier and you can save energy.
- An aquarium capable of holding 75 liters of water is the minimum size to consider and will be too small for most fish. Semi-aggressive fish, for example, need extra space to avoid fighting. Consult an expert about how much space your fish will need.
- You may have to assemble the aquarium yourself. Follow the instructions on the box as the arrangement will be different for each aquarium.
- Make sure the aquarium has a cover. Most fish like to jump and can jump out of the tank if you're not careful.
- You should also have lighting that can be on for about 12 hours a day and leave the lights off after 12 hours. This is quite normal for most aquariums, but not all aquariums have the same standards.
Step 2. Purchase a heater and a filter or filter for the aquarium
These are very important to keep the aquarium at the right temperature for the fish and to remove debris from the water. There are various types of filters available. In fact, it is very important to have a filter designed to filter an aquarium of the size you choose.
- You should also not buy an undergravel filter (a filter that is stored under the bottom of the aquarium from rocks or gravel) if you use a soft substrate, such as sand. Some types of fish can be injured by gravel and require a sand substrate.
- Warming is very important especially if you plan to keep tropical fish because these fish prefer warm water.
Step 3. Purchase an aquarium of the appropriate size
You have to place the aquarium on something, and most things in the house, such as tables, are not strong enough to accommodate a large aquarium. Unless you want to deal with an expensive aquarium that shatters on your floor, you'll need to purchase a stand specifically designed to hold an aquarium of the size you choose.
Keeping the aquarium on the floor is also not a good idea. This will lead to an accident. In addition, you will not feel comfortable when you see your fish if it is on the floor
Step 4. Find a safe location
The aquarium should be kept in a place away from rooms in your home that experience significant temperature changes. These locations include areas near windows, air conditioners, radiators, and air vents. You should also keep the aquarium away from noise. Avoid locations near doors or in busy hallways.
For your convenience, choose a location near a power outlet and a water source. You may also want sufficient space in the area to maintain the aquarium and view it
Step 5. Purchase a water treatment kit
Your local water provider may treat the water with chemicals such as chlorine that are harmful to fish. Purchase some testing kits to determine if the water is safe. As an aquarium owner, you should always have a sodium thiosulfate solution on hand for chlorine and Amquel for chloramines.
For additional information about the chemicals in your water supply, ask the pet store owner or contact your water supply company
Step 6. Place the substrate and hiding place at the bottom of the aquarium
Gravel is also a good standard substrate to place at the bottom of the aquarium although some fish species prefer sand. Aquarium decorations are also important to provide a diversion for fish, prevent conflict, and keep the water in the aquarium well-maintained.
- Decoration is very important for fish health. Since most fish are prey by nature, they will be stressed if they have nowhere to hide. However, aggressive fish are more likely to fight without clear territory. Therefore, decoration is very important to keep fish healthy and encourage them to be active. As much as 50-75% decoration in the aquarium is good enough for most fish.
- Fish love all kinds of decorations, but some fish have their own preferences. Fish that come from static or slow water will prefer soft and flexible decorations, such as plants. Fish from the sea or fast-flowing rivers prefer large, hard objects.
- Place larger decorations on the back and sides of the aquarium. That way, the center won't block your vision. These decorations can also be used to cover things like cables and other accessories that make the aquarium look less attractive.
Step 7. Fill the aquarium with water
The tap water is good enough though you still have to handle it. Fill the tank sufficiently, but don't fill it all the way to the top of the tank. It's a good idea to provide a layer of oxygen at the top of the aquarium. Cover the tank with a cover to prevent fish from jumping out.
Step 8. Handle the water used
You can add sodium thiosulfate and Amquel to the tank and manage the pH level of the tank. Check the level and adjust the pH to suit your fish.
Different types of fish will like slightly different pH levels, so you'll need to find out the specifics of the fish species. But generally, a pH level of 6.8 to 7.8 is healthy for fish
Step 9. Change the water for two weeks before adding the fish
After handling the water, allow time for the chemicals in the water to stabilize. During this time, watch the water closely and take action if the water looks unsuitable for fish. Every few days, do about 10% water changes.
Continue to change the water about 10% every few days for two weeks after introducing new fish
Part 2 of 4: Putting Fish for the First Time in an Aquarium
Step 1. Make sure you don't overcrowd the aquarium
An overcrowded aquarium can get dirty easily and encourage fights between fish. Unfortunately, there's no way to tell when an aquarium is "too crowded" because space requirements vary by type of fish. Do some research on your fish and consult an expert.
As a rule, a 75-liter aquarium can accommodate three to four small fish or two medium-sized fish
Step 2. Check that your fish are suitable for the aquarium
Some fish require different water temperatures or substrates. Make sure any new fish you add are comfortable in the same water conditions. Likewise, if some fish are aggressive and have difficulty getting along with certain types of fish.
Fish aggressiveness is also unpredictable. However, in general, aggressive fish tend to fight with fish that look similar. This is because the fish will be judged as members of the same species so hostility occurs during the breeding season
Step 3. Allow the new fish to adapt to the aquarium
Do not store fish in a bag provided by a pet store for more than a few hours, as the feces will build up and become unhealthy. However, if you have free time, place the bag in the water for 15 minutes to allow the fish to adapt to the temperature of the tank. After that, remove about 20% of the water in the bag, replace it with aquarium water, and let the bag sit in the tank for 15 minutes. After that, gently place the fish into the aquarium.
- For more sensitive fish, you can repeat this process by changing the water several times until most of the water in the bag comes from the tank.
- This will allow the fish to get used to the temperature and chemicals in the tank.
- Do not transfer water from the bag into the aquarium. The water is dirty and not good for fish health.
Step 4. Do not add more than two fish at a time
It will take some time for the new fish to not be stressed by the presence of an aquarium filter. For the first two weeks after introducing new fish, check the water and change the water by about 10% every few days.
Part 3 of 4: Keeping the Aquarium Clean
Step 1. Feed the fish regularly
How much and the type of food given to fish will vary from species to species. However, you have to get used to the fish to eat at specific times during the day. You are overfeeding your fish if, after five minutes, there are leftovers in the tank. Do not feed too much because excess food will make the aquarium dirty faster.
Step 2. Clean the aquarium
Remove any leftover food daily and use a scraper to remove algae from the sides of the tank. Be sure to clean the bottom of the tank with a siphon to remove dirt and other debris. There are many different types of tools available at pet stores to do this kind of cleaning.
Step 3. Keep the water clean
Check the water frequently to check for pH levels and other chemical imbalances. Bring a chemical medication in case the water has to be treated.
Step 4. Change the water
Every few weeks, you should change 10-15% of the water. Do not move the fish during a water change. This will cause unnecessary stress. Handle the new water before adding it to the tank. Use a siphon to mix the new water into the tank.
When changing the water, put new water in the bucket so that it is not used for mopping and so on (cleaning products contain harmful chemicals). Use this bucket as a place to test and handle the water as discussed earlier. After being treated, add new water to the aquarium
Part 4 of 4: Coping With Disease
Step 1. Watch for signs of disease
It is very important to pay attention to the symptoms of disease in fish because most fish diseases can be identified. Be careful if you see:
- Fish rub their bodies against objects in the aquarium
- Fading colors, changes in colors and patterns
- Fish bite their gills and fins
- limp fish
- Fish close their fins to their bodies
- Swollen
- Fish trying to find air on the surface of the water
- Loss of mass in fins and tail
Step 2. Keep the quarantine aquarium clean
To prevent disease from spreading, it's best to have a smaller aquarium so that sick fish can be quarantined. Quarantine your fish until you diagnose or treat the disease.
Step 3. Visit a pet store
Most fish diseases can be treated with commercially produced antibiotics and antifungal solutions. If you still can't pinpoint the cause of the disease, talk to a pet store clerk. They will be happy to provide recommendations.
Step 4. Clean the aquarium
To prevent the spread of disease, do everything you can to ensure that your tank is in good health. Clean dirt and food, check the pH, and change the water.
