Worried About Your Aging Betta?

You may not realize it but your prized betta is aging right before your very eyes. Well, okay not exactly. But close enough. And given they don't come with a birth certificate you really have no idea how old they are when you first lay eyes on them. Some Petco bettas might only be about six months old. Others on display at Walmart may be 15 months old. Or visa-versa. Or anything in between. Which is to say unless you are buying from a breeder who knows the age of the spawn that produced your veil tailed beauty you have no way of knowing how old the fish is when you bring him or her home.

So the pace of decline as your fish ages may be faster or slower depending on that unknown starting point. But given they may live four or five years under the best of circumstances the speed at which they age is still going to be fairly rapid. So much so you'll sooner or later recognize they aren't the fish they once were. Having slipped from robust enthusiasm to a more staid lifestyle more befitting middle age and then the golden senior years.

So do you suspect you have noticed signs that your betta is aging? If you answered not yet maybe you want to what are they and what should you look for? To help with that let's compare the reality then and the reality now so you'll know how to recognize what's going on with your betta fish's ticking biological clock.

Bubble nesting

Reality Then: When you first brought your finny friend home they probably displayed real nest building zeal. They may not have been blowing bubbles nonstop but some days is sure seemed like it, am I right? But back then they were likely in their breeding prime. And one never knows when a female may happen by who is ready, willing, and able to make a love connection, if you would. Your boy had no idea odds of that happening in their five gallon world were slim to none. Hence a bubble nest building we do go just in case.

Reality Now: Bubble nest? What's that? Okay so it not like someone flips a switch and the nest building activity ceases. But the fervor with which the process proceeds does tend to diminish over time. Which is only natural. As bettas age the urge to prepare to mate naturally diminishes too.

Flaring

Reality Then: Anything that could be a threat was flare worthy what with machismo bred into these fish. It might be your finger. It might be his image in a mirror. It might be the cory in his tank that dared dart off the bottom. Besides when you're young and viral there's territory to defend. And a physical verbal cue used to do that in a betta's world is by flaring.

Reality Now: Flaring? Not so much. Rather than dash to rise to the occasion your betta might glide over to investigate first. Because constant flaring takes energy. It can wear a boy out. Over time your pet may find better ways to expend their energy than by flaring at anything that might be a threat.

Colors on Display

Reality Then: The finned one initially put on quite a display without even trying. In some cases the colors of their body and fins might rival a 4th of July fireworks display.

Reality Now: Like it or not, just as human males lose their hair, betta males experience a subtle dulling of their colors over time. Not that they go pallid gray on you. But some of the eye catching brightness these boys display naturally is going to diminish over time.

But relax. None of this is to suggest your fish is ready to cash in their chips any time soon. But as we age our ability to maintain the vigor of youth passes. The key is to enjoy your betta fish as they change. Sure they may not dance like a whirling dervish at the sight of you like they did before. But that's not to say you still can't enjoy their more sedate behavior which now more rarely rises to the occasion than previously.

And for more info on what to feed betta fish maybe you should visit http://www.better-bettas.com. Better-Bettas is a popular site providing proven tips and advice for caring for Siamese fighting fish.

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How To Set Up A Freshwater Tropical Aquarium

A well set up and cared for aquarium is a tranquil and beautiful addition to your home and will provide you with hours of relaxed viewing as you enjoy the delight of watching your fish swim effortlessly through the tank.

Owning Tropical fish as pets can rewarding it does require commitment and regular care just as owning any pet does. Before you begin here are some things to consider

Where in your house will you place the aquarium?It is best not to have your aquarium in direct sunlight as this will enable excessive algae growth. Make sure there is a power outlet nearby as you need power for filters, heaters and lights. You will also need to consider what to place the aquarium on - the surface must be flat and level and sturdy as they become very heavy once filled with water.

Many aquariums, especially the larger ones come with their own stand, which are great as they generally have space under them to store filters and other necessary equipment.

Make sure the position you choose is safe from pets and children.

What types of fish to buy?This is something you should research even before you purchase your aquarium as the types of fish can impact on the size of aquarium, the best filter, heater and other equipment and the ideal rocks and plants for your tank.

Seek advice from your local aquarium supplier or pet shop, research on the internet and library or ask other fish owners for their experiences.

Once you have made the decision on the types of fish you own, you will then need the following equipment and supplies

A tank that is large enough to accommodate plants with sufficient space for your fish to manoeuvre around comfortably.A filtration device is important for the health of your fish. There are quite a few to choose from. Consult with the supplier of your tank which filtration device is suitable for the size of tank you wish to purchase.A water heater is important for keeping control of the temperature of the water.Lighting is very important for the wellbeing of your fish and also the plants in your tank.Substrate and rocks to decorate the tank.A water siphon or vacuum to remove debris.Plants that are suited to the climate, location, and types of fish in the tank. Beware of some plants as they may be toxic for your fish.

The initial set up of your tank is very important and must be done well in advance of bringing home your fish. It takes time to stabilize the tank and remove all harmful chemicals from the water before it is safe enough to house your fish.

So once you have positioned the tank where you want it you should arrange the rocks inside then half fill the tank with water. This is the time to add the plants and other accessories and to arrange the tank aesthetically.

Once you are happy with the planting and the look of the tank, fill to the top. Set up the filtration system and connect to power so to circulate the water. Add the necessary chemicals to remove chlorine from the water.

Turn on the lights and heater and leave the tank for several days before adding your fish to it. This will enable time for the water to stabilize and allow bacteria and other organisms to grow.

You are now ready to bring home your fish and enjoy watching them explore their new environment

Owning pets is both a joy and a responsibility shared by millions of people around the world. Keeping informed on the latest information can sometimes be difficult, that's why we have produced our online magazine to help passionate pets owners stay up to date. You can begin receiving this free publication at http://www.PetLoversNetwork.com.au/subscribe-to-our-newsletter. or by visiting our website http://www.ThePetLoversNetwork.com

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Calcium Deposits and My Aquarium

ByWarren Radloff

I have to remind myself from time to time that I enjoy looking at and after my aquarium. I enjoy seeing the fish swimming around the aquarium and the different ornaments and backgrounds that I have chosen to create the atmosphere I want for my aquarium. But then there are other times that the maintenance of the aquarium is a pain and I usually procrastinate when I have to clean and maintain my aquarium in a timely manner.

I've been diligent in cleaning all the calcium deposits off the aquarium top and the filter parts in a timely manner when ever they appear. It seems like when I clean the white spots off one day and by the end of the next day I can see them forming again. In an attempt to clean the calcium deposits up properly I take the top off and dismantle the filter and put it into the bathtub in order to scrub all the parts to get the calcium deposits off. No matter how carefully I scrub and clean everything, after a few minutes of it drying I can see where I have either missed or not done a good enough job of cleaning everything off.

I have checked at different pet stores in the city and there really isn't any answer to try to control the calcium deposits on the aquarium parts. It seems that the formation of the calcium deposits is just one of those things that comes with using the city water in my aquarium. One time after I had vacuumed out the tank and had siphoned it down to less than a third of the water left, I topped the aquarium water up with some reverse osmosis water in 5 gallon jugs that I had purchased. I hoped that using this new water in my aquarium I would be able to get away from the calcium deposits forming. I was disappointed later when I saw the calcium deposits starting to show up later that same week. I found out later that the reverse osmosis water has all the same minerals in it as the city water. This as it turns out wasn't the easy answer that I was looking for.

I should really clean the top and the filter body every week, but as I stated earlier I tend to procrastinate about getting my aquarium tank cleaned up. I usually get motivated to clean up the aquarium when I can't stand the look of the aquarium any more with all the edges of the top covered with calcium deposits. In spite of this aggravation I would never consider not having an aquarium in my house.

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Saltwater Aquarium Vs Freshwater Aquarium

ByAndrei G Ureche

Almost every aquarists in the beginning of his path, or even during it, has found themselves asking the question, "Freshwater or Saltwater" In this article, I will try to highlight all the insights on this subject, so after reading you will have a better idea about your decision.

1 Saltwater aquariums require much more maintenance comparing freshwater aquarium. So here you have to decide what kind of person you are, the one that will be able to do a regularly week basic water change and cleaning, or you rather forget about it for a half year?!. In fact, there are a lot of freshwater aquarium's lovers who tend to change the water once a year. If you do this kind of thing with a saltwater tank, you will lose your fishes in your second month for sure.

2 Prices! Saltwater aquariums are much more expensive to keep. And here are a few factors that make this happened. Equipment for saltwater fish tanks are much more expensive comparing to freshwater ones,

Here is a list of must have equipment for freshwater versus saltwater:a

Freshwater Aquarium

AquariumGravelFilterLightsWater Test kitCarantine aquariummaintenance kit like food, scrapers,nets, etc.

Saltwater Aquarium

AquariumGravelFilterLightsPower headsProtein skimmerHydrometerSalt MixLive rocksWater Test kitCarantine aquariummaintenance kit like food, scrapers,nets, etc.Saltwater fish- more expensive

Reef Tank -the price will go even higher.

AquariumGravelFilterMore expensive lightsPower headsProtein skimmerHydrometerSalt MixLive rocksWater Test kitRefugium for live food culturingCarantine aquariummaintenance kit like food, scrapers,nets, etc.Saltwater fish- more expensive

Saltwater fish are more expensive, but they are much more colorful. I think almost every aquarium lover will agree with this point. The variety of colors is amazing. Of course, there are some beautiful colored fresh water fish like neons, discus, tetras, angelfish, but the saltwater variety is much bigger. And probably this is the main criteria why most aquariumists choose saltwater tanks.

Summary

Saltwater or freshwater.. question remains actual. My advice is if you plan to spend a small amount of money and the weekly basis maintenance scare you a lot, but you still want a nice tank in your living room, I will suggest to go for a freshwater aquarium. Anyway you will be able to make the upgrade later to a saltwater tank. However, if you have some experience in keeping a freshwater, and you feel that you grown that "step," you have the right amount of dedication, and you have the budget, You can easily start a saltwater fish tank.

To find tips about fish tanks and would like to get,ore info about aquarium equipment, please visit our site: http://www.findfistanksforsale.com

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Freshwater Aquarium Or A Cat - Easy Decision

Introduction

So you are trying to decide on whether to buy a freshwater aquarium or a cat. Well I would opt for the freshwater fish, and here is why.

Feeding

Feeding the freshwater fish is a whole lot easier than trying to feed a cat. I have both, a cat and a 75-gallon freshwater aquarium, and believe me feeding fish is a whole lot easier.

Cats are finicky eaters as you may know and if you do not feed them the food they want, you are placed on their bad list. Plus you have cans or boxes to open, dirty plates and left over food to take care of.

Fish on the other hand will eat just about anything you feed them in the form of fish flakes and tablets. Plus you do not have to call them, they are in the same place they were when you last fed them. After you feed then there is nothing to clean up. They also do not eat as much as a cat.

Clean Up

When you have a cat, you have to clean their litter box just about every other day. For me this is a very dirty job and you have to dump the waste in the garbage

Now fish on the other hand need to have their waste removed once a week at the same time you replace 10% of the aquarium's water. The big benefit with this waste water is that you do not need to throw it away. It contains nitrates, phosphates, potassium and many other vital nutrients that your plants and vegetables love. So you can save money on fertilizer and grow lovely flowers and vegetables.

Care

If you have a cat you may need to brush it if it has long hair. They also want to be cuddled when they want to be, not when you want to cuddle them.

Fish on the other hand do not need to be brushed or held. This does not mean they are not good pets, for they do recognize you when you come in the room. They will gather at the side of the tank greeting you with smiling faces. Ever see a cat smile?

Care Overall

A cat takes a lot of time to care for, whereas taking care of a freshwater fish tank takes little time at all. You can save money by having a freshwater fish aquarium by not having to buy fertilizer for your plants and vegetables.

J.W. Chase is an amateur Aquarist who has successfully been keeping aquariums for over 35 years. Over 75% of people who start aquariums fail in the first month for lack of knowledge. If you want more information on how to keep an aquarium, go to his web site and download a free eBook on "15 Tips On Building And Maintaining An Aquarium" at http://www.squidoo.com/homefreshwateraquariums.

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Freshwater Aquarium - A Day In The Life Of Kris The Kissing Gourami

Introduction

Ever wondered what it was like to be a freshwater fish in a 75-gallon freshwater aquarium? Well here is a one on one interview with Kris, a pink Kissing Gourami.

Jim: "Thank-you for swimming over here for an interview Kris."

Kris: "My pleasure, Jim."

Jim: "First Kris, Why do they call you guys Kissing Gourami."

Kris: " Well Jim, you can see my lips are always puckering like you humans do when you kiss. But it really is not a sign of affection, we do it to show dominance over the other ones in my tank. As you can see, I am the dominate one in this tank."

Jim: "Interesting, how are your other tank mates?"

Kris: " Well Jim, I get along with all my tank mates as long as we leave each other alone. I think you humans classify all of us as semi-aggressive. I do not know why, I am as calm as any fish in this tank, as long as I am left alone! You need to watch out for those seven Tiger Barb though. They travel as a gang and cannot be trusted. Those blue Three Dot Gourami are alright but I do not trust them either, they are always swimming around in the middle of the tank and going to the surface for air. Just like me."

Jim: "Kris I think you may be a little paranoid. How is your food here?"

Kris:"It is the best Jim. I eat algae and those little Ramshorn snails you see running around my tank, they are quite tasty. The person I own comes in every morning and turns the light on and feeds us fish flakes and if he is in a good mood, he may even give us some frozen blood worms. But he is a little stingy with the food. We only get enough to eat in 2 minutes. He said it has something to do with the food decaying and turning into nitrates."

Jim: "Speaking of food decaying and nitrates, how does he keep your home?"

Kris: " Fairly good, weekly he removes 10% of the water and replaces it with clean water and at the same time he vacuums the carpet or as he likes to call it the substrate, what ever. He also checks the water to ensure the pH is between 6.5 and 8.5, the water temperature is always at 77 degrees and he keeps the nitrates at less than 20 ppm. Another thing he did before I arrived he did some sort of nitrogen cycle to keep the ammonia and nitrite at zero ppm which I really like."

Jim: "Do you have a girlfriend Kris?"

Kris: "Well yes, but you cannot tell and I am not going to show her to you. In fact, the only way you knew I was a male is because I told you."

Jim: "Well Kris thanks for the interview it was really informative."

Kris: "You are quite welcome Jim, I see the person I own is coming in to turn the lights off. he always keeps them on for 12 hours, he should get a timer to do it for him, but he is really dumb. I look forward to when he turns them on, feeding time!"

J.W. Chase is an amateur Aquarist who has successfully been keeping aquariums for over 35 years. Over 75% of people who start aquariums fail in the first month for lack of knowledge. If you want more information on how to keep an aquarium, go to his web site and download a free eBook on "15 Tips On Building And Maintaining An Aquarium" at http://www.squidoo.com/homefreshwateraquariums.

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Freshwater Aquarium - How I Control Ramshorn Snails

Introduction

One of things I wanted to do when I started my freshwater aquarium was to keep snails out, especially Ramshorn snails, because I had heard they can take over an aquarium. I spent extra money to ensure I purchased snail free aquarium plants just to keep my aquarium snail free.

One time, without thinking, I purchased plants from a a store I was not familiar with and I paid the price. I did take extra care to wash my new plants to remove debris and snails, but that was not enough. All I needed to do was miss one snail or one egg and I could guarantee myself a good crop of snails.

Within two weeks I had Ramshorn snails crawling all over my aquarium.

Research Ramshorn Snails

When I found that I had the Ramshorn snail in my aquarium, I immediately researched the subject to learn how to get rid of them. I quickly found out that I should learn to control them rather than eradicate them.

The snails are very good at keeping my aquarium clean. They will eat the algae and even eat dead plants. Since they were good at keeping my aquarium clean, I rapidly turned from trying to eradicate them to just keeping them under control.

Controlling The Ramshorn Snails

When I looked at trying to control the Ramshorn snails I found that certain fish love to eat them. This includes kissing Gourami and Tiger Barb. I had both kinds of these fish in my freshwater aquarium but they were not eating the snails.

So the question was, why were my fish not eating the snails? Then it hit me, they were not hungry and preferred my fish flakes and blood worms to snails.

I consulted an Aquarist at our local pet fish store who told me that I should only feed them once a day and only feed them what they can eat in two minutes.

I reduced their feeding to once a day and solved two problems when I did that. The first problem was they started eating the Ramshorn snails. This solved the main problem I was trying to solve, keeping my snails under control.

The second problem I solved was the nitrate levels were reduced in in the tank. Apparently the high levels of nitrates in my aquarium water was caused by the decay of excess food.

Conclusion

If you want to control the amount of Ramshorn snails in your aquarium, get some fish that eat them such as Tiger Barbs.

J.W. Chase is an amateur Aquarist who has successfully been keeping aquariums for over 35 years. Over 75% of people who start aquariums fail in the first month for lack of knowledge. If you want more information on how to keep an aquarium, go to his web site and download a free eBook on "15 Tips On Building And Maintaining An Aquarium" at http://www.squidoo.com/homefreshwateraquariums.

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Backyard Aquaponics - Get A Freshwater Aquarium

Introduction

Every one is looking to save money, well you can save money by not buying fertilizer for your plants or vegetable garden. You can have this all by having a backyard aquaponic system.

Well not really in your backyard but in your front room or office. Rather than have an elaborate system that will take up room and not very aesthetic, put in a freshwater aquarium.

They will add value to your home or office and are a good talking point. Plus they are easier to care for.

What is Aquaponics

Aquaponics is a system you install to raise aquatic animals such as snails, fish, shrimp or other such aquatic animals to produce waste and for food. This waste is pumped automatically to feed plants or vegetables and then returned to where the aquatic animals are.

The water that leaves the tank where the animals reside is actually toxic to your aquatic animals if not purified periodically. When the water reaches the plants, the water is purified by the plants who remove the toxic nutrients and is returned to the fish tank as pure freshwater.

The basic function of this type of system is to raise both vegetables and flowers and at the same time raising aquatic animals for consumption.

But you do not need an expensive aquaponics system that you cannot visually enjoy, you can have a freshwater aquarium to provide you free fertilizer for you plants and vegetables.

Home Freshwater Aquarium

Now instead of a bulky and ugly aquaponic system that you will need to keep outside or in your green house, you can get the same benefits and also increase the beauty of your home. The only difference will be the following:

Fish - It is not recommended that you eat the fish in your freshwater aquarium. First off they are very small and some may not be very tasty. The second thing is that they will become your pets and surly you do not want to eat your pets.
Utilization - The big difference is you will have to manually remove 10% of the water each week to obtain the benefits of the fertilizer in the water. On the other hand an aquaponics system will automatically feed your plants.

Aquarium Water

The water you remove from your aquarium will contain nitrates, phosphates and potassium, all very good elements for your plants and vegetables. But it is not recommended that you use this water if you have added salts or medicines for your fish.

Conclusion

Instead of putting in an unsightly aquaponics system, install a freshwater aquarium which will add beauty and value to your home or office.

Plus you will save money by making your own fertilizer for your plants and vegetables.

J.W. Chase is an amateur Aquarist who has successfully been keeping aquariums for over 35 years. Over 75% of people who start aquariums fail in the first month for lack of knowledge. If you want more information on how to keep an aquarium, go to his web site and download a free eBook on "15 Tips On Building And Maintaining An Aquarium" at http://www.squidoo.com/homefreshwateraquariums.

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Koi Pond Maintenance

Is getting you down? Do you spend more time and money just trying to keep your pond clean and healthy? As a Koi pond owner, I understand what it is like to constantly clean your pond with little or no success. Just the amount of chemicals I have tried that promise a clear pond and don't work could fill a swimming pool. I often wonder what all these chemicals are doing to my fish and the surrounding environment.

Before building our pond I did extensive research into what kind of pump, filter and chemicals to use. The most widely recommended filtration system to use is Biological Filtration (Bio Bead). I would like to discuss my personal findings on this type of filtration system.

Biological filtration works on the theory that waste is trapped by the bio beads themselves and then flushed out when you backwash the filter. It also gives beneficial bacteria a place to grow. This beneficial bacteria is supposed to help eliminate algae and promote healthy levels of ph, nitrogen and phosphorus.

I have found that I never seem to be able to completely backwash all the waste from the filter. I think I get it clean and then start the system again and notice a cloud of debris being pumped back into my pond. This is after flushing tons of water onto the ground trying to clean the filter. Where I live we don't have well water and must pay for every drop we use leaving me with a hefty water bill and my pond still dirty.

Even though I have cleaned the filter as instructed, apparently the beneficial bacteria doesn't want to work for a place to stay because I still had algae. And of course the tons of chemicals I tried, failed to live up to my expectations. I thought that changing my bio beads (maybe they had worn out) would be the answer. It definitely answered one question about this type of filtration system, and that was that the lime and calcium in our water created a nasty cement like mixture in the filter, bonding the bio beads and the waste together. This prevented the system from working as it should.

Now what should I do? I couldn't change the water I use and I didn't want to install a filter on my filter. This left me floundering for a while. I finally decided to try a cartridge type filter like the ones used on swimming pools. This was the answer to my problems!

When it was time to clean the filters I took them out and blasted them with a hose. I was surprised not only by how much waste was trapped by the cartridge filter, but also how easy it was to clean them. I only used a fraction of the amount of water needed for back washing. Every once in a while I would soak the filters in a water and bleach solution in a trash can and rinse them out completely and they were as good as new.

I have found some new information about the bio bead filtration and why it's not as good as promised. Besides never getting all the debris out and the large amounts of water used to backwash, the beneficial bacteria which is supposed to eliminate algae is extremely fragile. If you shut off the system or have a power failure your beneficial bacteria dies. If the water flow is too fast or to slow it may die. If you are replacing water or doing a water change and your clean water contains any chlorine the bacteria will die. It takes approximately 6 - 7 weeks to grow a colony of bacteria large enough to do any good. You can purchase beneficial bacteria to add to the pond until your colony is large enough to do the work itself, but how do you know the bacteria you have purchased in the bottle is still alive. Needless to say I would much rather use a cartridge type filter that is effective, easy to maintain and I don't have to worry about it dying.

If you would like to find out more information about how to keep your Koi pond or aquarium clean and healthy then I would suggest you go to http://www.green-out.net. They have a lot of information to help make your pond experience fun instead of a nightmare. You can also find out about their new patented water clarifier that is safe for fish, pets and the environment by clicking here http://www.green-out.net/products.html

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Fluval Tropical Fish Tanks

An aquarium is a beautiful addition to any home and can provide you with hours of entertainment while admiring its contents.

It has been proven, that in this frazzled, hectic world, pets have a way to calm the nerves and lower blood pressure. Gazing at an aquarium of graceful swimming fish tends to have a soothing effect. That could be why many doctors and dentists offices have fish tanks in their waiting rooms!

Aside from their therapeutic effects, an aquarium is a wonderful hobby with many requirements for the health of the fish and other water life. If you have chosen to get an aquarium, you need to do your research as to the best place to purchase the one you choose. It all depends upon how much you want to invest, the size of the area and/or table size where you will keep your new fish.

The Fluval Fish tank is a website that can help you to make the right decision as to the type and size of aquarium that best meets your needs. They will also help you along the way in setting up your new aquarium properly.

The Fluval Fish tank also offers a variety of unique and lovely aquariums in various sizes at various prices. Some of the tanks will fit on a table while others are built on a free-standing frame. You can find small tanks measuring about 56.4 centimetres long by 43.2 centimetres wide and 36.3 centimetres high. One of their largest free-standing tanks measures 100 centimetres long by 47 centimetres wide and the height is 133 centimetres, which includes the aquarium and cabinet.

The fish tanks are more than just a glass aquarium. They are an actual nice-looking piece of furniture with a purpose. Many of the styles come in assorted colours such as black, white and burnt orange. Some are taller rather than wide in order to fit in small spaces at home or in your office. Many of the tanks are unique and extraordinary in design as well as cost effective.

Most tanks do come with a filter, heater, a glow-light, LCD thermometer and a Fluval Aquarium Care Guide. Complete instructions for getting your aquarium up and running are included as well. Customer support is always available per the website at The Fluval Fish Tank. They are always happy to answer all your questions and concerns to be sure you are happy with your new aquarium as a very satisfied customer.

Reviews from current and past customers are all of a positive nature - they are all happy with the beautiful aquariums that they had ordered. Customers also stated that the tanks are very easy to assemble up to the point of working order. Reports are that the Fluval Fish tank has some of the best deals on the internet for this type of product. It has been noted that the filters are very quiet and work effectively in order to keep the tank crystal clear and clean.

Of course, cleanliness depends upon how much fish you stock in your new tank. The Fluval Fish tank will advise you on the types of fish and quantities necessary for each new tank.

If you are looking to add an aquarium to your home or office and feel the effects of the beauty and serenity it has to offer, the Fluval Fish tank can provide you with an attractive and functional Fluval Aquarium.

Please feel free to view my site The Fluval Fish Tank

Carl Solf aims to provide you with guides and reviews for various products, and do the searching for you. Most products are often hard to find and you can end up paying through the nose, but there really isn't any need, buying the right product at the right price just got a whole lot easier.

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Goldfish Care Information

ByMike Magnum

The common goldfish has to be one of the most commonly kept species of fish of all time. The goldfish is a very hardy species and can adapt to a wide range of water parameters. All too often though they are kept in bowls or small tanks that are simply inadequate for their long term survival and these small bowls provide for a very poor quality of life.

To provide a better quality of life for your goldfish consider keeping them in a 20 gallon tank or larger and add 10 gallons to that for each additional goldfish. Don't trust your local pet store employee to provide accurate information. Many times these are just local high school kids or college kids working for gas money. Do your own research on any fish, plant, coral or invert before you purchase them.

Give them a filter that is rated for twice your tank volume. In other words, if you have a hang on type power filter and you have a 20 gallon aquarium for your goldfish, get a power filter rated for 40 gallons or larger. Goldfish eat frequently and get kind of messy so an over-rated filter is a must.

Provide frequent partial water changes on a regular basis. Try to change out 20 percent of their water every week or every couple of days. If you dread having to do water changes look into getting a python aquarium vacuum or a lee's aquarium vacuum. These vacuums are just hoses with an attachment that hooks up to your faucet and makes doing water changes a breeze.

Give your goldfish several small feedings every day. A varied diet is optimal and there are even fish foods made specifically for goldfish. Use them.

Learn about the aquarium nitrogen cycle. This cycle is extremely important for new hobbyists to understand if they want to keep their fish alive for any amount of time. Often times new hobbyists will go out and buy a tank and the fish at the same time. All is well for a couple of days but then their fish start to die... this is primarily due to ammonia poisoning in an un-cycled tank. Learn about the aquarium nitrogen cycle before you buy your first fish to prevent any unnecessary fish deaths and heartache.

Consider joining an online fish forum where you can increase your knowledge with keeping goldfish. There are lots of forums online (Fish Lore has one as well) and you can make really good online friends easily since these are folks that you share in interest with already. They can help get you through your trials and errors while on your aquarium keeping journey.

Fish Lore provides aquarium fish information to freshwater and saltwater aquarium keepers. We have an active, fun and family friendly forum.

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How to Tell When Your Fish Are Hungry

Introduction

When you first obtain an aquarium, you need to decide when your fish are hungry. This is a tough nut to crack especially when you are just starting out. After many trials and errors, here is how I determine when my fish are hungry.

Eating Habits Of Fish

There are three types of fish classified by their eating habits:

Herbivorous - These fish feed mainly on plant food such as algae. I have two Plecos that are classified as herbivorous. They help keep my aquarium clean of algae, but they will also feed on fish flakes at the bottom of the tank.Omnivorous - These fish will eat protein such as fish flakes and also plant material like algae. In this category I have six Gouramis and seven Tiger Barb.Carnivorous - These fish are rare in home aquariums for they are meat eaters and will eat other fish. I do not have any of these fish.

My Feeding Mistakes

When I first got my fish and they got used to their new home and me, they soon discovered that I was a source of food. When I entered the room where I kept the aquarium, they would come to the side of the tank with their big eyes looking for food.

Being a big softy I ended up feeding them three times a day. This was a big mistake. The uneaten food would sink to the bottom and settle in the substrate. This uneaten food would decay and form nitrates that soon became a problem for my fish since it is recommended that nitrate levels be kept at less than 20 ppm.

Since my nitrate levels approached 100 ppm, I spent a lot of time changing out the water to reduce the level of nitrates.

When I consulted with an employee of our local pet store, she told me I was feeding them to much and should feed them only once a day and only enough that they can eat in two minutes.

Here is the answer to that question, they are always hungry. In the wild they can actually go for days without eating, but will eat when the opportunity presents itself.

In between their feeding, they will eat the algae and bacteria that is in the aquarium.

Conclusion

How can you tell when your fish are hungry? You can't because they will always pretend to be hungry once they determine that you are a source of food. To prevent excess nitrates in your aquarium, only feed them once a day and then only as much as they can eat in two minutes.

J.W. Chase is an amateur Aquarist who has successfully been keeping aquariums for over 35 years. Over 75% of people who start aquariums fail in the first month for lack of knowledge. If you want more information on how to keep an aquarium, go to his web site and download a free eBook on "15 Tips On Building And Maintaining An Aquarium" at http://www.squidoo.com/homefreshwateraquariums.

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Freshwater Aquarium - What Is And How To Prevent Ick

Introduction

When you obtain a freshwater aquarium, one thing you want to prevent is disease in your fish. The most common disease is ick. Here is a description of this disease that you need to be on the look out for in your fish and how you can prevent it.

What Is Ick

Ick, sometimes referred to as ich or white spot disease, is known by the formal name of ichthyophthirius multifliis. This is one of the most common diseases found in new freshwater aquariums. Ick is a disease that usually enters your freshwater aquarium by the introduction of new fish or plants that come from an infected aquarium.

It is actually not a disease but is a parasite that will grow on your fish. It is recognized by small white spots growing on the fins of your fish that then moves to the rest of the body.

Preventing Ick

The best way to cure ick is to prevent it from popping up in your aquarium in the first place. The most common way for your fish to develop this condition is with the introduction of new fish or plants that you obtain from other aquariums, such as from fish stores or even other Aquarist.

You usually read that when you obtain new fish, leave them in their plastic bag and place the bag in your aquarium for about 20 minutes to equalize the temperature between your aquarium and the water in the bag. This is to prevent stressing your new fish.

Most professional Aquarist recommend that you put new fish and plants in a separate holding tank for at least two weeks. This is to ensure the ick parasite and other diseases are not present. In addition to isolating new fish and plants for 14 days, you need to also prevent stressing your fish. Fish that are under stress are more susceptible to developing ick.

If the ick parasite is present, prevent stressing your fish. Fish that are stressed are more susceptible to developing ick. To prevent stressing your fish keep the temperature of the water and chemistry constant. Rapid changes in temperature and water chemistry can stress your fish making them susceptible to ick.

Conclusion

Ick is a disease caused by parasites that can enter your aquarium with the introduction of new fish or plants.

To prevent this parasite from entering your aquarium, always isolate new fish and plants for at least 14 days by placing them in a separate holding tank before introducing them to your aquarium. Also if your fish are stressed they are more susceptible to ick, so prevent or minimize stressing your fish.

J.W. Chase is an amateur Aquarist who has successfully been keeping aquariums for over 35 years. Over 75% of people who start aquariums fail in the first month for lack of knowledge. If you want more information on how to keep an aquarium, go to his web site and download a free eBook on "15 Tips On Building And Maintaining An Aquarium" at http://www.squidoo.com/homefreshwateraquariums.

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How to Choose the Right Sand for Your Aquarium

Introduction

When looking for the right sand for your aquarium, you will need to look at the different categories there are. By understanding the different categories before you buy it will save you trouble down the road.

Substrate

To begin with the stuff at the bottom of your aquarium is called substrate, whether it be sand or gravel. The term substrate is preferred because it is acted upon by the bacteria culture you need to grow in your aquarium.

Fish

The first thing you will need to do is ensure that the sand you put in your aquarium is compatible with the fish you are going to keep. For example, some fish have a natural environment of sand and when they are placed in an aquarium, would love to have the same substrate in their new home.

Some bottom feeders need it to protect their soft underbellies. Some fish will even need it to help them bury themselves in it. These fish are mainly salt-water fish such as such as sting rays, some sharks and invertebrates. Also some will need it to lay their eggs,

Types Of Sand

Basically sand can be categorized into two different categories, and of course with in each category there are subsets of different sands, usually based on the color of the sand. The two different categories are silica and calcium sand:

Silica - This is the most common type of sand in the world and is basically ground up quartz. If you select this type of sand it will not change the chemistry in your aquariums water. The different types of silica based sand you can choose from are black beauty, sandblasting, play and pool filtration sand. All have different advantages and disadvantages, so do some research before you select a particular type.Calcium - Unlike silica sand, calcium sand will actually buffer the pH in the water of your aquarium. Two types of calcium sand are crushed coral and aragonite. Unlike silica sand, calcium sand is much more expensive.

Conclusion

When choosing sand for your aquarium there are two categories to select from. Silica sand that will not affect the water and is relatively cheap or calcium sand that will buffer the water in your aquarium and is much more expensive.

You will also need to consider the type of fish you are going to put in your aquarium, the color of the sand you want, whether you need to buffer your aquarium and the expense.

J.W. Chase is an amateur Aquarist who has successfully been keeping aquariums for over 35 years. Over 75% of people who start aquariums fail in the first month for lack of knowledge. If you want more information on how to keep an aquarium, go to his web site and download a free eBook on "15 Tips On Building And Maintaining An Aquarium" at http://www.squidoo.com/homefreshwateraquariums.

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Aquariums - Sand Or Gravel For Substrate?

Introduction

When you start to set up a freshwater aquarium you need to decide what type of substrate to use. You have your choice of sand or gravel. Here are some pros and cons of each one.

Why Substrate

You want to know why Aquarist call it substrate and not the bottom, carpet, floor or some other thing. Substrate is defined as a substance that is acted on in a biochemical way. In this case the sand or gravel you put at the bottom of your aquarium is acted on by bacteria you grow in your aquarium to keep ammonia and nitrite out.

Hence the name substrate.

Sand - Pros and Cons

If you are thinking about using sand here are some pros and cons about using it:

Pros

It is probably the cheapest substrate you can buy especially if it is silicon sand. Now calcium sand can be a little pricey but it will buffer the aquarium water. So if you get fish that like a high pH, calcium sand may be what you will want.If you get bottom feeders or have fish that like to bury themselves in the sand, such as sting-rays, then this is the substrate you may want to obtain.Sand will also make your aquarium look more natural.If you are going to use live plants you may find them easier to root in this type of substrate.

Cons

It may get in the filter and damage it, plus it is more difficult to clean since you may remove sand in the process of cleaning.You should not use it in an acrylic aquarium since acrylic can be easily scratched by the grains of sand.

Gravel Pros and Cons

If you are going to use gravel here are some pros and cons:

Pros

The debris in gravel is a lot easier to clean when using a siphon.Your fish will not kick up the gravel like they can with sand.You can choose from a wide variety of different types of gravel.

Cons

If you do not use smooth gravel you could damage the underside of bottom dwelling fish.Plants can be easily uprooted from the gravel, so they are more difficult to maintain and grow.

Conclusion

As you can see both types of substrate have equal number of pros and cons, so essentially the choice of which one to use is up to you.

J.W. Chase is an amateur Aquarist who has successfully been keeping aquariums for over 35 years. Over 75% of people who start aquariums fail in the first month for lack of knowledge. If you want more information on how to keep an aquarium, go to his web site and download a free eBook on "15 Tips On Building And Maintaining An Aquarium" at http://www.squidoo.com/homefreshwateraquariums.

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Keeping Bettas? Here's Some Numbers to Remember

Keeping betta fish isn't necessarily a hobby you'd associate with numbers like baseball for instance. Bettas don't have batting averages. They don't hit home runs. But that's not to say they don't have some important numbers to keep in mind. So how many of these do you know to mind?

78 degrees F plus which is a water temperature your betta can live with. It's important not to lose sight of the fact that your betta likely comes from a long line of tropical fish. As such, your particular Betta Spendens needs heat to thrive. 78-82 degrees worth actually. Which may explain why you noticed they tend towards listlessness if their water temps dip much below 75 degrees F. And who wants a listless fish?

By the way, water temp alone is the best argument going against keeping your pet in some pint sized bowl. Because ask yourself. How can you keep a cup or two of water at that temperature 24 hours a day? Short answer. You can't.

Five or the minimum number of gallons you should consider for housing your betta fish. Yes, since we're on the topic of tank size, let me get on my soap box again and remind you that 5 gallons is a good sized tank for your fish. Yes, one fish. And I know that some will claim they have kept them for years successfully in a one gallon tank. Or that two gallons or so is just right. It's just right alright. If you are committed to being very diligent about water changes. And who among us is up to that level of perfection? This is why I beg you to not consider keeping your veil tail in anything less than five gallons. Less stressful for you. Less stressful for your fish.

Two as in how many times to drop in pellets, frozen brine shrimp or mosquito larvae per day into your betta tank. You see, despite what your betta may try to convince you of, they are not starving to death in their fishy kingdom there. It's just their nature to always be on the lookout for food. And since you are the source of that food, which they come to realize soon enough, it's only natural that they try to convince you otherwise. They don't know there is plenty more where that last pellet came from. In the wild they have to be constantly on the prowl. But under your care there is far more danger of over feeding than not. So get some spine and resist the temptation to give in to their incessant begging for food. In other words only feed twice a day for a healthier crown tail.

One may be the loneliest number for some but it's the ideal count of male betta fish to keep together. No one to share with means fewer misunderstandings, fewer fights, and next to no territorial disputes. Well actually no territorial disputes. That's what happens when you are the lone master of your domain.

Zero or the ideal level of ammonia found when you've dug out your water test kit and tested the water. Bad water causes more premature betta death than anything else you can imagine. Fish food rotting in the gravel or substrate, fish waste doing the same and decaying plant matter all contribute to ammonia spikes. Still zero is the level to strive for.

Anyway those are some numbers to keep in mind if you want to keep a healthy betta.

And for more info on what other diseases betta fish are prone to perhaps you should visit http://www.better-bettas.com. Better-Bettas is a leading betta keeping site offering proven tips and advice for caring for Siamese fighting fish.

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Aquariums - Types Of Aquariums For The Home Or Office

Introduction

When shopping for an aquarium to put in your home or office you have a few to choose from. It is just not deciding whether to have an aquarium, but what type of aquarium will you install.

Different Types Of Aquariums

Freshwater - If you are looking at installing a freshwater aquarium you are in luck, there is only one type of freshwater aquarium.

But you will need to decide if you want sand as substrate or gravel. Plus do you want plastic or live plants, I prefer live plants which make it look more natural and helps in controlling nitrates.

Saltwater - Saltwater aquariums, also known as marine aquariums, are a different story. Here there are three different types; marine, reef and brackish.
Marine - This is just your basic saltwater aquarium used to hold fish that are found in the ocean. Types of fish you can find in a saltwater aquarium are regular saltwater fish and invertebrates such as star fish, eels and corals.
Reef - In this aquarium you raise mainly different types of coral. Invertebrates and fish that complement the coral can also be placed in the aquarium. This type of aquarium is more difficult to support and it will also depend on the type of coral you choose to raise.
Brackish - Brackish aquariums are a cross between freshwater and saltwater aquariums. It has the type of fish you would find in swamps and marshes along the coast of an ocean. It is a little more difficult to keep than a freshwater aquarium but easier than a marine aquarium.

Planted - You have two types of planted aquariums to choose from, either freshwater or saltwater. Mainly developed to raise plants, it can also have a small sampling of fish or other aquatic animals in it.

Which One To Select

All types of aquariums will need you to have some level of ability. If you are a beginner, I would suggest you start with one that is easy to support, such as a freshwater aquarium. I would also suggest a large tank such as a 75-gallon tank because the water conditions do not change as rapidly as in a small tank.

Conclusion

When you decide to install an aquarium there are several different types you can select from. You can decide to install either a freshwater, saltwater or planted aquarium. Within the saltwater aquarium there is marine, reef or brackish.

All types will need some level of ability on your part and if you are just starting out, I would suggest the freshwater aquarium because they are easier to set up and support.

J.W. Chase is an amateur Aquarist who has successfully been keeping aquariums for over 35 years. Over 75% of people who start aquariums fail in the first month for lack of knowledge. If you want more information on how to keep an aquarium, go to his web site and download a free eBook on "15 Tips On Building And Maintaining An Aquarium" at http://www.squidoo.com/homefreshwateraquariums.

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4 Ways to Keep Your Betta Fish Happy

ByJames Conar

As someone who really appreciates caring for Betta fish, I have come to a point in my life where I think it necessary to share some of my experiences. As well as give you some tips that you can use to keep your own Betta happy and healthy. Here are four things that you must always do for your pet fish:

First, you need to make it your priority to provide them with a nice home. Something that really bugs me is that people will put their Betta in a small bowl, and never interact or care for them. This is really something that you should never do. In order for your Betta to be happy, they need a larger tank. A five gallon tank will provide them with enough room to explore and have fun. It will also increase the amount of years they live.

Second, always give them quality food. This is something that must be addressed. These fish are used to tropical climates where there is an abundance of food. If you hope to create the best living space for your fish, you need to give them only the best in terms of nutrition. So before you stuff them full of additives and preservatives, do your research on the best food for Betta fish. The amount of food that you feed them at any given moment is also important. These fish will only require small amounts of food. Some will tell you to feed them every day. This is not the best choice. Feed them four times a week. This will keep them strong, and decrease their chances of Betta diseases.

Third, provide some additional items to keep them busy. If you were stuck in a fish tank, would you be OK with just a bunch of water? I know I wouldn't. Be sure to locate and purchase the best decorations and toys for your fish tank. Plants make it more fun for your Betta to explore their environment. Make sure that you avoid any plants that can be harmful to your Betta. Beta fish are also very interested in having company. If you don't have another Betta fish, you can add a mirror to mimic one. Your Beta will look at themselves in the mirror, and puff up in an attempt to intimidate the reflection. This is very funny to watch if you are interested in that sort of thing.

Finally, make sure that the water temperature in their tank is at around seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit. This will help create the best environment for your fish. They come from a warmer climate, so this will help them be comfortable and live longer.

Use these tips every day. It is important to keep up with the current information so that your fish is the healthiest it can be. I hope that you have found this information to be of value to you. And I hope that you enjoy your new friend for many years to come.

By the way, do you want to learn more about Betta fish? If so, I suggest that you learn more Beta fish facts by visiting our website.

You can also read a great article about the proper temperature for Betta fish.

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