Fish are beautiful and fun pets. Regardless of whether you are a beginner or experienced in raising fish, there are some important basic rules about fish care that must be adhered to. Choose a fish you like, not only based on its appearance, but also on its personality. Provide an aquarium of the right size and add appropriate plants and decorations to ensure the fish are comfortable and healthy. Fish can live for a long time. Therefore, you should keep the aquarium clean and feed the fish regularly so that raising fish can be a fun and stress-free activity.
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Part 1 of 4: Studying the Nitrogen Cycle
The nitrogen cycle is the way the aquarium is kept clean. If this cycle doesn't go smoothly in the tank, the fish will experience stress and will likely die quickly.
Step 1. In the first step of the nitrogen cycle, the fish will excrete waste
Fish droppings contain a toxic chemical called ammonia. Ammonia is also produced by food residue in the tank. So, make sure not to overfeed the fish.
The ideal level of ammonia in the tank is below 0.25 ppm when tested
Step 2. Good bacteria (called nitrosomonas bacteria) will digest the ammonia and turn it into nitrite
These bacteria are present in fish filters. Before buying fish, turn on the filter for a few moments in the tank and then add fish food to grow these bacteria. When a brown layer appears on the filter media, do not wash it. This layer is the nitrosomonas bacteria. Without these bacteria, your pet fish will experience ammonia poisoning.
Step 3. Nitrite is also toxic to fish
The ideal level when tested is 0.0 bpj.
Step 4. Good bacteria (Nitrobacter bacteria) will digest the nitrite and convert it to nitrate
Just like nitrosomonas bacteria, this bacteria also looks like a brown coating on the filter.
Step 5. Nitrate levels should be kept below 20 ppm
Plants in the aquarium can help remove nitrates. However, you should also replace a quarter of the tank's volume once a week to maintain nitrate levels.
Step 6. This cycle will start again when you feed the fish
You should only add fish after the tank has gone through one full nitrogen cycle, which means the ammonia and nitrate levels are 0 bpd, and the nitrates are 20 bpd. After that, add a maximum of 3 fish at a time or the ammonia level in the aquarium will increase.
Part 2 of 4: Choosing Fish
Step 1. Decide on a freshwater fish or a tropical fish
Freshwater fish are the best choice for beginners because they do not require complicated aquarium maintenance. In general, freshwater fish rarely have health problems in home aquariums. In contrast, tropical fish require a saltwater aquarium that is more difficult to maintain. However, it must be admitted that tropical fish are very beautiful.
Step 2. Select the type of minnow
In most cases, minnows have a calm personality. Small fish also do not need a large aquarium so it is perfect for beginners. Neon tetra, zebra danio, and dwarf gourami are excellent choices. Be aware that some types of fish that are considered ideal for children, such as goldfish, can grow quite large.
- If you want to choose a fish species that prefers to live in groups, such as tetra fish, you must buy at least 5 fish at a time.
- Schooling herd fish swim together, while shoaling fish only swim together when afraid. These two schools of fish need groups/shocks to feel safe.
Step 3. Choose fish “friends” carefully
When deciding what type of fish to place in the aquarium, don't focus on the color and appearance of the fish, but consider the behavior of the fish. In general, don't put aggressive and non-aggressive fish in the same tank. If you combine the two, the aggressive fish will usually attack the other.
- For example, danio fish, guppies, and tiger plecos are friendly fish and can live together in harmony.
- Angelfish and cichlids are two species of aggressive fish that can often live in the same aquarium without hurting each other.
Step 4. Purchase fish from a reputable fish shop or pet store
If you buy fish at a pet store, you have the added advantage of being able to see the fish you are about to buy. Some shops often provide a money back guarantee if the fish purchased die before a certain date. If you buy fish at an online store, you won't be able to select the fish individually, but they do offer more options.
- If you decide to buy fish online, choose a store that provides clear customer service via email or phone. Look for positive reviews from other consumers. Usually, you can find this information in specialized forums for fish lovers.
- Avoid buying wild caught fish if possible. Wild caught fish are often more sensitive, inhumanely caught, and more difficult to maintain.
- After receiving the fish you ordered online or before you buy it at the pet store, check the fish and make sure it is healthy. Notice if the fish are active and swimming at a constant speed. Make sure there is no dirt or mucus in the fish's eyes and gills. The condition of the scales must be intact and free of scratches.
Part 3 of 4: Setting Up the Aquarium
Step 1. Purchase an aquarium of the right size
The bigger the fish or the more fish you have, the bigger the aquarium you will need. As a general rule, freshwater fish that can reach a length of 3 cm should get 5 liters of water in the aquarium. Saltwater fish of the same size should get about 3 liters of water. Multiply these numbers by the total number of fish to determine which tank capacity you should purchase.
- If in doubt, it's best to buy a slightly larger aquarium. An overcrowded aquarium can cause various health problems. In fact, poor aquarium water quality can cause fish death.
- Make sure you make calculations based on the size of the fish as they mature, not their current size.
Step 2. Place the aquarium in the right place
Aquariums can be very heavy. So, make sure you use a strong and good quality cabinet. Try not to move the aquarium too often. Choose an aquarium location that is not exposed to direct sunlight and make sure you place it on a flat surface to minimize the risk of it toppling over. A quiet room, without TV and people passing by will be a quieter environment for fish.
- It is better if you do not smoke in the room where the aquarium is located because secondhand smoke can damage air quality.
- If you have other pets, or if you have fish that can jump, remember to buy an aquarium tank cover.
Step 3. Install the heater
Most fish need water with a certain temperature, usually between 22-28 °C. To be able to regulate the temperature of the water and keep it constant, you must install a heater in the aquarium. Some heaters should be placed under gravel or other substrate. Others are hung on one side of the aquarium. Follow the instructions given on the packaging.
It is important to place the aquarium near a working outlet because you will need to connect devices, such as heaters and filters, to a power source
Step 4. Install the filtration system
The filter will keep the water clean and remove most contaminants, such as debris. There is a mechanical filter that can catch the dirt in the trap and you can empty it. There are also chemical filters that can absorb contaminants with activated carbon. Or, you can opt for a biological filter that uses active bacteria to balance the chemicals in the water.
- Mechanical filters are usually the best choice for beginners because their features are very basic and only require a regular cleaning schedule.
- Some filters should be placed under the gravel at the bottom of the aquarium while other models are suspended at the back of the tank. There is also a can filter placed in the aquarium.
- Clean the first filter media only, near the back of the filter. This filter only needs to be cleaned when it is filled with dirt. Otherwise, DO NOT clean the filter as this will increase the ammonia and nitrite levels in the tank and kill your fish. The filter media will be covered with brown good bacteria that can remove chemical toxins from fish waste. This is very important for the survival of the fish.
Step 5. Add substrate
A good rule of thumb is to use 450 grams of sand, stone or gravel for every 4 liters of water. Before adding substrate to the tank, you should rinse it with tap water to remove any dust. Then, carefully place the substrate in the aquarium with a slight slope at the front.
Step 6. Choose decorations and arrange them in the aquarium
Choose an ornament that can provide a safe hiding place, such as a pirate ship specially designed for aquariums. We recommend that you choose only one large ornament so that the aquarium is not overcrowded. Rinse all ornaments with tap water before placing them in the aquarium.
- Try to balance the decor by placing tall or bulky ornaments at the back of the tank. This will also make it easier for you to see the behavior of the fish in the tank.
- Don't buy ornaments that can harm the fish, such as driftwood or natural rock. Also, make sure the ornament doesn't have sharp edges, parts made of plastic that are prone to breakage, or paint that could peel off.
Step 7. Select the plants and place them in the aquarium
Many people choose plastic plants because they are easy to clean and are offered in a variety of options and bright colors. However, live plants have another benefit, namely increasing oxygen levels in the aquarium. Live plants also create a more natural look. Rinse plastic plants or live plants with tap water before placing them in the aquarium. Be sure to secure its position by placing some of the roots under the substrate so they don't move around too much.
- If you choose to use live plants, consider the lighting the plants need. Most live plants need a minimum of 12 hours of natural or artificial light.
- Amazon grass, Java grass and Java fern are some hardy live plants and are ideal for beginner aquariums.
Step 8. Add water conditioner first, then pour water into the aquarium
Fill the bucket with water that will be used for the aquarium. Process the water by adding a dechlorinating agent and wait until the effect is complete. You can find the instructions for use on the packaging. Once the water is ready, pour it into the aquarium.
After pouring water into the aquarium, let it sit and rotate the water for 1-6 weeks. This step gives enough time for the bacteria to reach a safe and natural level
Step 9. Float all new fish on the surface of the aquarium
When you bring in your freshly purchased fish, float the plastic bag containing the fish on the surface of the tank for 10-15 minutes. Add cup of aquarium water to the plastic bag then close the lid and float on the surface of the water for another 5 minutes. Then, tilt the plastic bag over the water and let the fish swim into the tank.
- Some types of fish, such as otocinclus fish require drip acclimatization. To do this, tie a knot in the air hose and start the suction by placing one end in the tank and sucking in the other end. Place the tip you sucked into the bag of fish. After that, the water should slowly drip into the bag. Acclimatize these drops for about 30 minutes.
- Don't skip this step as it will help the fish adapt to the new water temperature and reduce the risk of trauma.
Part 4 of 4: Taking Care of the Aquarium and Fish
Step 1. Don't overfeed the fish
In general, it is enough to feed the fish twice a day. Consult your veterinarian or pet store how much food you should feed each fish, but can adjust the amount of food based on the uneaten residue. Ideally, you will find little or no food left each day.
- Food residue can cause a variety of problems, including clogged filters and algae growth.
- Choosing the right food is also important. Most fish can eat flake food, but you'll need to feed sinking pellets for the bottom feeder.
Step 2. Test the pH level once a week
Purchase a water test kit and follow the instructions to take a sample of your aquarium water and measure its pH. Make sure the pH of the water is within an acceptable range; for freshwater fish the safe water pH is 6, 6-7, 8. If the pH is outside this range, you can work around it by replacing some or all of the water.
Step 3. Change some of the aquarium water once a week
For freshwater tanks, you will need to replace about 20-30% of the volume. Meanwhile, saltwater generally needs to be cleaned even more. Use a suction wand to remove the water while removing dirt from the substrate. After that, replace the removed water with clean water that has been prepared in the bucket.
Step 4. Replace the filter media if the filter is nearly clogged
The filter can become clogged with dirt if it is left in the water for too long. For most filters, you will need to remove and replace them with new ones. However, for others, you can simply clean the filter with treated water. Try reading the instructions given.
Remember to only clean the first filter media, which is located at the back. If you clean the entire filter, the ammonia and nitrite levels in the tank will rise because all the good bacteria in it are gone
Step 5. Treat all health problems
Observe the fish to make sure they are all actively swimming and of a healthy color. Fish should be able to breathe freely, not panting. Watch the scales to make sure there are no spots or peeling. If one of the fish looks sick, take a net to remove the fish and keep the fish in a separate tank or fish bowl so you can keep an eye on them.
- Make sure you get the dead fish out of the tank as soon as possible.
- Most medicines should not be given as a preventive measure.
Tips
- Once you decide to keep fish, find the nearest vet in your area. Doctors can help if one of the fish is sick.
- Make sure the aquarium gets a maximum of 12 hours of light a day. Exposure to more light than that can encourage the development of mold and mildew.
- If you ask someone else to take care of your fish while you are traveling, provide a detailed explanation of how much food to feed and how to recognize signs of illness.
