Confused With the Many Options? How To Choose the Right Fish Tank Filter

ByFrancis Lang-Mosby

Collecting a breed of fishes and growing them inside the comforts of your own home can be fulfilling for most fish enthusiasts. It is not just a relaxing hobby but it can also add up to the attraction of your home.

For beginners, it is important that you understand the basic things about fish care, their maintenance and more importantly, the upkeep for their fish tank.

Aquariums will serve as your pet's habitat from now on. That is why it is very important to keep it clean and healthy at all times. How to do this?

Fish tank filters are a number one necessity in keeping your fishes alive. Without it, the aquarium your fishes will inevitably die of suffocation. These are mechanisms that help maintain the cleanliness of your aquarium.

There are tons of aquarium filters that are being sold in the local pet stores. What is important is that you choose the one that blends harmoniously with the creatures and decors inside your aquarium. What to keep in mind when looking for fish tank filters?

1. Consider the Size of Your Aquarium

In most cases, the bigger the aquarium, the bigger fish tank filters you need to keep the water from clouding. This can be theoretically true most of the time. However, sometimes, to save up space inside the fish tank, two small filters can do the job. Small external fish tank filters that are five or six foot long can be installed. This can actually do practically the same amount of work as the bigger ones.

2. What are the types of fishes are you keeping?

There are some fishes that tend to be messier than others. Take for example the Oscars. They eat a lot more food compared to the Discus. This makes them produce more waste in the tank. It is also important to understand the diet of the fishes that you intend to keep. Remember, the bigger the fish, the bigger the fish tank filters that you need.

3. Aquarium plants can also contribute in contaminating the water

Fish tanks are definitely more attractive with plant decors. In order to keep both your plants alive and maintain the water's cleanliness at the same time, you have to choose a well-run undergravel filter. These types of fish tank filters are more conducive to the healthy growth of your plants. It can serve both your fish and plants altogether.

4. How much are you willing to spend on fish tank filters?

A limited budget can put a strain in aquarium shopping. Keeping fishes is indeed an expensive hobby. If you are on a tight budget, you may be better off in going for the old-fashioned sponge filter and air pump. These may be old-school, but they are still dependable. Another option is to purchase an undergravel filter with two powerheads. This can be used for larger aquariums.

Whatever filter it is that you may deem to choose, it is still your primary responsibility to keep the water clean at all times. There is only so much that a water filter can do. Maintaining an aquarium may take a lot of effort. However, at the end of the day, if those colorful fishes can relax you, then go for it.

Francis Mosby breeds fish as a hobby. He takes care of several seawater and fresh water fish at home. He enjoys diving rather than fishing, and he makes sure that the fish he keeps are happy in the environment they live in. His rule#1 is that fish should have more than enough space to swim in.

Francis writes for the blog of http://www.RosesPetSupplies.com. You can check out his articles about fish care in our blog.

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Selecting Beautiful Fish Tank Decorations for Your Aquarium

Choosing to have an aquarium of beautiful fish in your home is quite a popular hobby for many people these days. The wonderful thing about having an aquarium is that the fish give so much back to you when you care for them properly. They even offer companionship as well as the opportunity to just sit and relax while gazing at the antics of these mesmerizing creatures. In fact, aquarium fish are the perfect pets to have for people that lead lives too busy to care for dogs, cats or other like pets. In addition, once you have everything set up, you don't have to put in a lot of time, money or effort in maintaining them.

One of the ways for both you and your fish to enjoy the aquarium is through the choice of fish tank decorations you make. These are what add background for you to enjoy viewing and for the fish to have fun playing in, around and with. In fact, decorating your aquarium is an essential part of caring for your fish. They enhance the beauty of the fish's living quarters while making it a focal point of your home. If you arrange them carefully, you'll always have a sense of peace, elegance and harmony even when the rest of your house is a wreck.

Some Decorations Are a Must

Before you start selecting your "fun" fish tank decorations, there are a few things that you must have in the aquarium to keep the fish healthy. Such things as gravel and plants will need to be a part of their home but you also need a filter to keep the water clean and a method of checking the temperature of the water. While these are things that will, admittedly, take up some room in the aquarium, they must be there to insure that you have healthy fish. They most likely won't have the appearance of decorations but they're sure to keep your fish healthy, happy and thriving in a safe underwater environment for them.

Once you have the "must haves" in place, then you can start choosing the fun and pretty decorations that will enhance the beauty of the aquarium while showing portions of your own personality. It doesn't matter what direction you lean in for decorations. You can choose to be elegant or quirky. It's totally up to you in the end what sort of atmosphere you want to create for your fish, yourself and others who may want to view the aquarium.

Sea Gravel and Plants

The most common decorations you typically find in fish tanks are those of sea gravel and plants. The gravel lines the bottom of the tank and can be chosen in clear, white, or neon colors. This adds a lot to the visuals of an aquarium, especially if you choose colored gravel that matches or contrasts nicely with the fish you've chosen to keep. The ideas that can be implemented in using sea gravel is unlimited and you'll have a great time choosing the gravel as well as setting up your tank with it. It's never a disappointing effect.

Plants are also used as fish tank decorations. These can be real plants or they can be plastic and artificial ones. Your fish won't really care nor will they have a preference. The fish will just use them as a way to play Hide and Seek with the other fish as well as you. As soon as you've set up the chosen plants, sit back and watch how the fish use them for recreational purposes. It's so much fun to see them playing with their tank mates. You'll probably get caught up in this for hours at a time.

The Use of Mirrors as Fish Tank Decorations

You may want to consider setting up a mirror in your aquarium. When you add them in effective ways, it makes the tank look larger than it actually is. Not only that, your fish will swim around and play with their reflections. If your tank is a smaller one, mirrors can be used to add more movement overall without putting too many fish into the tank. It's actually pretty easy to install these mirrors effectively. You simply attach one to the back glass pane or put one mirror on each end of the tank. If you mount the mirrors on the inside of the tank, be sure that any rough edges that may be present are completely smoothed away. Otherwise, you'll risk injuring the fish if they should accidentally hit one of those sharp edges. That's something you definitely want to avoid happening. But once the mirrors are installed correctly, you'll love watching how much fun your fish have playing with those "new" fish that seem to have been added to their home. They can amuse themselves, and you, for hours on end just from those mirrors.

Caves for Exploring

There are various rock formations that you can buy especially for your fish tank. These work out to be very entertaining for your fish as most of them love to dive into and explore these little "caves." You can even set up some tunnel like arrangements with these rocks to give the fish a chance to really explore their own caves. Again, you'll find that the fish love to play Hide and Seek with their tank mates with the perfect environment to do so. You may not have thought of your fish as being spelunkers, but once you set up their cave kingdom for them with the rocks, you're going to be in for one of the most amazing times you've experienced while watching your fish enjoy themselves.

You don't have to use only rocks, either. There are plenty of tank ornaments that allow your fish to dive, hide in and explore. These can be underwater castles, houses, and anything else that you can think of. Manufacturers have been very creative when it comes to fish tank decorations. Any theme that you want your fish tank to have, you'll be able to find exactly what you need.

Take Your Time

Don't feel that you need to do all fish tank decorating at once. Take your time in choosing the theme you want to follow as well as each item you select after that. Add an item here and there so that you're not rushed when choosing them. In the end, you'll have an aquarium that reflects your personality and provides a great place for your fish to play and grow.

Having had fish tanks for over ten years, enjoying freshwater tropical fish, and especially betta fish, I now blog about my experiences at FreshwaterTropicalFish.org. You can download a free report on tropical fish care on my site too.

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Discus Fish - The King of the Aquarium

Discus Fish are beautiful pets to have but understanding their environment and learning how to keep them happy, healthy and breeding can be a huge job for a beginner or even for someone who has been a fish lover for a while. If you are a beginner or have not had much success with discus fish, no worries because you will have all the information that you need for success.

What is the Origin of Discus Fish

They are known as the "The King" of tropical fish. They originate from the Amazon River and surrounding rivers and lakes. They get their name from the shape of their body. Their bodies are disc-shaped. They are part of the cichlid family but they grow much larger in size. They like deep water and you will need to get a big aquarium to make them happy.

They are very sociable fish and they like in a groups. It is common to have least 6 of them in the tank at one time. You will have better results if you keep them grouped together. This is good for a couple of reasons. By having a group is a good way to see if they will partner up and breed and it also keeps them from misbehaving.

One thing that I have discovered about them is that they look for food all day long. It is perfectly fine to feed them a couple of times a day. Make sure not to feed them more than 5 times a day because you don't want to over feed them.

Discus Fish Colors

One of the things that I have found so unique about them is that you can change the color of them by the food that you feed them or with hormones. Most owners and pet stores will feed the fish food that will change their colors like beet juice, shrimp, paprika, and lobster roe. If you feed your fish foods that will change their color, you will have to continue or their color will slowly fade away.

Another way to get your discus fish to change colors is through hormones. The perceptions is that the more colorful the fish is, the more likely someone is going to purchase it. As with feeding fish to make their change color, hormone -treated fish will also start to lose their color once the hormones stop.

Keeping your Discus Fish Happy

Keeping them happy can be a job. The secret to having the happiest, healthiest discus fish is to make sure that their water is clean. Unclean water will make the fish stressed and it can cause illness. They are very shy and are sensitive to loud noises. For the optimal setting in the aquarium, purchase stones, corals and plants so that they can rest and be able to hide. They are highly sensitive and you want to keep them out of stressful situations. It is also a good idea to put them in a quiet area in the home.

In conclusion, they are beautiful to have in your aquarium. They do require a little more work to keep them happy but if you do you will have beautiful, happy, healthy long living fish.

Discus Fish are delicate fish and you must provide them with proper care. To learn more about discus fish and how to care for them visit: Discus Fish Care or check out the fan page at: Discus Fish

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Saltwater Aquariums - An Introduction to a Rewarding Hobby

ByCameron Porter

Why a Saltwater Aquarium?
There's nothing more spectacular than the diversity of the ocean. A Saltwater aquarium setup allows you to bring a little sample of that spectacle into your own living room, containing beautiful saltwater fish, live corals, and more. Compared to plain freshwater tanks (which commonly contain goldfish and other lake-bred fish varieties), there are many more options if you're planning to choose a saltwater aquarium setup. The fish and other ocean creatures you'll be able to host range from beautiful to fascinating to downright weird, some displaying flashy colors while others exude a quiet grace.

Types of Saltwater Aquariums?
There are several different setups for a saltwater aquarium, ranging from the simplest to the most complex: a fish only tank, a FOWLR (fish only with live rock) tank, and a reef tank. While containing only fish in your tank is the cheapest and easiest to maintain out of the three options, it can be quite exciting to watch coral formations grow and develop over the course of your saltwater tank's life. The choice comes down to one of investment.

The most popular choice and my personal favourite is a reef tank. This is the pinnacle of saltwater aquarium setup and will allow you to host a number of fish, corals and invertebrates in your new saltwater aquarium. It takes the most effort to set up and maintain however if you are going to make the effort initially you might as well go all out. Seeing a reef develop before your very eyes in your aquarium is mesmerizing and worth the time and money invested.

Setup Overview
Saltwater aquarium setup is more involved and complicated than it would be with a freshwater tank, but the results are stunning when done correctly. While you can do much of the planning and decision-making (about which fish and corals and invertebrates to feature), it often pays off to call in an expert for the more technical components of aquarium setup.

You'll need to ensure that your tank is leak-proof and level. A filled aquarium can weigh as much as 10 pounds per gallon, meaning that placement and careful setup is critical to ensure that you don't have hundreds of pounds of water crashing down on your living room. Water needs to be de-chlorinated (or treated via reverse osmosis), before being treated with a salt mix. Checking the pH balance (as well as the balance of nitrite and nitrate) is critical to ensuring that your fish will survive in the water. Before being adding to the tank, and fish need to be quarantined and acclimatized to the water content that they'll be added to. This is a lot to manage when first setting up the tank, however, the results are that you'll have a stunning and well-maintained attraction in your home.

This is a just a brief overview of what is involved when deciding to establish a saltwater aquarium. MySaltwaterAquarium.com is designed to help you navigate all the decisions you need to make in considering a saltwater aquarium setup - which fish to get, how big a tank, how to set it up, and how to treat the water before introducing the fish into it.

A complete guide to Saltwater Aquarium Setup all in the one place at http://www.mysaltwateraquarium.com. Join our community and learn from real life experiences!

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Saltwater Aquarium Sand - The Importance of Live Sand

ByCameron Porter

What is Saltwater Aquarium Sand?
Saltwater aquarium sand is not just any old sand; it generally comprises of what is commonly known as "live sand". Live sand is a substrate that has been sourced from a coral reef, or alternatively it is cultured from non-living coral sand. The term "live" refers to the micro and macro-organisms that are naturally present within the substrate. Live sand provides your underwater ecosystem with beneficial bacteria aiding in water purification and general stability. The micro organisms within your aquarium sand will assist in consuming organic waste within the substrate layer in addition to providing a natural source of food for many of the inhabitants.

Regular types of sand such as beach or builders sand must be avoided at all costs. Not are many of them unsightly in an aquarium, they commonly contain silicates which will almost guarantee algae problems in your aquarium that you will find impossible to rectify. Saltwater aquarium sand must consist of live sand or aragonite material.

Where to Buy Live Sand?
It is recommended that saltwater aquarium sand be purchased from reputable dealers specializing in reef aquariums. You should source live sand from suppliers who obtain it directly from the ocean or specialize in cultured live sand. It is not possible to visually identify live sand therefore buying from a reputable dealer will ensure you are buying a quality product. If you are having your live sandsand shipped, ensure that the transit time is minimal as die-off can occur. The quicker you can get it, the better and more effective it will be during the cycling process of your tank.

How Much Sand Should I Use?
It is important to regulate how much live sand is being used as too much will increase the biological load of the tank therefore putting higher strain on your filtration equipment. If filtration equipment is not filtering water at the correct levels the saltwater aquarium eco system will be under threat and algae growth will occur. As a general rule of thumb, enough saltwater aquarium sand should be added to the tank to provide a 1-3/4 to 2 to 2 inch substrate layer. For a more accurate measurement you should be using approximately 1.45 pounds of saltwater aquarium sand per gallon. Therefore for a 55-gallon tank you will require 80 pounds of substrate.

How to Add Saltwater Aquarium Sand
Essentially when it comes to adding your substrate there are three different setup options available. When setting up your aquarium you can choose to have 100% live sand, however this can be very costly. Sometimes this can be detrimental due to the large biological load added to the tank at once and can strain your filtration equipment.

Alternatively a combination of live sand can be mixed with another suitable substrate. Mixing the two will allow the conversion of the non-living part into live sand as the bacteria and micro organisms multiply and colonize through the entire mix. This is much more cost effective and will only require a slight increase in cycling time. Aragonite is a common type of substrate used to mix with live sand and is much cheaper at approximately $1 per pound.

If you are on a tight budget, the final option is to use 100% non-live sand. Non-live substrate will convert to live sand overtime with the increase of bacteria and micro organisms in the tank naturally, alternatively there are additives to speed up the process. Generally however this method will increase your overall cycling time greatly. This is not recommended if you are impatient!

When adding the saltwater aquarium sand it should be done at a slow pace as to avoid disturbance to the water and clouding. Do not pour the substrate directly over any live rock as this will suffocate them causing oxygen depletion and possible death.

Maintenance of Saltwater Aquarium Sand
Your substrate layer will also require cleaning as part of your ongoing saltwater aquarium maintenance. Essentially regular siphoning of the saltwater aquarium sand may be required to remove any excess waste or uneaten food matter. However the secret to this task is the addition of janitors or cleaners to your tank.

Your aquarium should incorporate inhabitants that will stir or turn over the live sand. This will ensure excess food matter and waste is filtered and keeps the saltwater aquarium sand in a continual cleaning cycle. There are a variety of crustaceans, fish and invertebrates from hermit crabs to starfish that will not only turn over the substrate but also recycle waste matter and excess food, making your job easier. Just like adding any inhabitant to your tank it is important to do your research and ensure that they are compatible with your existing creatures.

A complete guide to Saltwater Aquarium Setup all in the one place at http://www.mysaltwateraquarium.com Join our community and learn from real life experiences!

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Fish Bowl Centerpiece Ideas for Christmas Dinners

BySuzuki Hayate

Table Centerpiece Ideas for Christmas Dinners

Christmas is a great time to bring friends and family together for intimate dinners, large get-togethers, or gag gift exchanges. A great way to establish family traditions is to make your own table centerpieces for these occasions. Kids love arts and crafts so get everybody involved and make it an annual event. Here are a couple ideas.

Christmas Bowl Centerpieces

You could easily get ten different table centerpiece ideas from this one suggestion. Take a look at the basic supply list below and add your own creativity to come up with original centerpieces for your holiday events.

Basic Supply List

1) Some type of glass bowl or vessel in an attractive shape and with a large top opening. You can choose clear glass, colored glass, cracked glass, or any other variation you find in a color appealing to Christmas. Clear, green, red and blue are the best options. Small fish bowls will work if you already have them around the house. Clear is best if you want to use decorative or colored pieces for the next supply on this list.

2) Small stones, fish bowl chips, glass pieces, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks or any other smaller sized item in a color that corresponds well with the bowl. If you can find something related to Christmas, such as small reindeer or Santa charms, you can mix them in with solid color pieces for extra charm.

3) Fake greenery, mistletoe, garland, pine tree clippings or Christmas tree garland. Anything that can be arranged around the bottom and slightly up the sides of the bowl will work. Something with red berries is a nice touch.

4) Pillar candles in red, green, white, silver, gold or blue are optional. Once you gather your supplies, these centerpieces are very easy to put together. Place the smaller stones, cloves, cinnamon sticks or glass pieces inside the bowl.

Push the pillar candles into the smaller pieces in the center of the bowl and then arrange the greenery against the sides being careful not to get too close to candle wicks. Another option is to skip the pillar candles and instead fill the bowls with water and float candles at the top.

Colored water can be used to match your party theme. Using this one idea, the centerpiece options you can come up with are only limited by your supply list and creativity.

Amaryllis Tree Centerpiece

There aren't a lot of variations on this centerpiece idea, but it looks beautiful and tends to get a lot of curious questions from guests. Start by hollowing out a fresh pineapple. Cut the top off and remove the fruit from inside. You want to keep the brown outer shell as it will serve as the trunk of your tree centerpiece.

Set the pineapple trunk in a large bowl and place something around it to hold it center. You might use fresh cranberries, blueberries, cherries, or some type of small stones or glass pieces if you have them on hand. The bowl can be something from the kitchen, something decorative, or some type of plastic Christmas bowl you pick up at the dollar store.

Top off the tree with fresh amaryllis blooms, putting some water inside the pineapple trunk so they last longer. You can either leave the stems long so the blooms look like the top of a tree or you can cut the stems short so they fit tight against the pineapple shell.

This is one of those table centerpiece ideas that will liven up a party because it is quirky and unusual. Think about other fruits or vegetables you could use for the base. A watermelon? An eggplant? You get the idea.

More Information and online content on Fish Bowl CenterPieces can be found at Best Fish Bowl CenterPieces

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Saltwater Aquarium Maintenance Made Easy

ByCameron Porter

Saltwater Aquarium Maintenance

Whilst a saltwater aquarium can provide for hours of relaxation and enjoyment they also require steady ongoing upkeep to maintain optimum conditions. Some saltwater aquarium maintenance must be conducted daily whilst other saltwater aquarium maintenance tasks are required weekly or monthly. Keeping a saltwater aquarium isn't necessarily a hobby intended for everyone but instead something better suited to the enthusiast. Proper maintenance will reward you with a healthy aquarium and years of enjoyment. It is recommended you keep a calendar of the required maintenance items to make the task easier. There is also numerous software packages available on the market to assist with saltwater aquarium maintenance allowing you to log all of your sea life, water tests, maintenance tasks etc.

Health of Fish and Inhabitants

One of the most important tasks of saltwater aquarium maintenance is the process of checking each day for the wellness of the fish and invertebrates. This should consist of a visual inspection of the scales and fins of the fish in addition to the coloring and vibrancy of the fish and invertebrates. If any of the fish are dead or appear to be dying, they ought to be removed at once and any creatures which appear to be unhealthy should be transferred to a quarantine saltwater aquarium and treated accordingly.

Aquarium maintenance also requires you to familiarize yourself with the behavior of the fish in order for you to better ascertain if one is becoming unhealthy. Should a fish or other creature die and be overlooked the deterioration and decomposing of their body will rapidly diminish the quality of the water due to the increase of ammonia to toxic levels.

Majority of all species of fish will bear similar symptoms as they're falling ill. Major symptoms include fins held tight to the body, sluggishness, swelling of the eyes, unsettled swimming patterns, erratic change in behavior, drifting to the bottom or gasping for air at the surface, decrease in appetite, patches on the fins or body, or fish that are normally active staying motionless. Keeping a saltwater aquarium maintenance log will allow you to see trends in water conditions that may contribute to such illness.

Aquarium Equipment

A major element of saltwater aquarium maintenance comes down to your equipment. Correct maintenance of your equipment is essential to the well being of your reef and fish. The protein skimmer cup should be cleaned daily. It will not hurt the aquarium greatly if this skipped one day every now and then, however skipping any more could jeopardize the health of the aquarium. Whilst monitoring the health of the fish and cleaning the skimmer, the water temperature should also be checked and any required adjustments should also be made.

On a monthly basis it is recommended that the whole protein skimmer be completely cleaned, including the cleaning of the cup in addition to all hoses and tubes. If any air stones are present in the tank they should either be substituted with a new one or alternatively cleaned and any carbon from carbon filtration systems should also be changed.

It is recommended when conducting maintenance that every three months, all filter canisters and hoses should be comprehensively cleaned inside and out in addition to switching air pads within the air pump. Care should also be taken to inspect for any signs of damage to impellers, interchange air valves and replace UV tubes if a UV filter is being utilized.

On a daily basis as part of your regular maintenance the equipment and accessories should be inspected and care should be taken to ensure that everything is functioning suitably. Check that there are no leaks on the floor surrounding the aquarium and that the pump sounds like it is running properly. As you become more acquainted with the saltwater aquarium equipment it becomes easier to detect any peculiar sounds from the equipment which may suggest that it is on the way out.

Water Changes

Water changes are an essential part of your saltwater aquarium maintenance schedule. Each week any evaporated water should be replaced with prepared saltwater and any algae growing on the glass removed appropriately. Partial water changes can be performed either weekly or fortnightly depending on how well the system is maintained overall in addition to the species of fish and other creatures within the tank. Siphoning of any excess debris or waste matter should be undertaken with fortnightly water changes.

An important tip when undertaking water changes is to have the saltwater pre-mixed a day early as the mixture is less caustic and this will ensure your fish are not harmed or shocked with the sudden addition of new water.

Salt Build Up

Salt build up is one area of saltwater aquarium maintenance that is often overlooked. It is crucial that any build up of salt around or on the saltwater aquarium be cleaned on a weekly basis. If this isn't done regularly the salt will build up into large chunks that risk falling back into the tank which will dramatically alter the salinity of the water. Salt is highly corrosive to various types of metal so ensuring the equipment is cleaned regularly will assist in proper functioning.

PH, Conditioners & Vitamins

A priority of Saltwater aquarium maintenance is ongoing water testing. On a weekly basis you should be testing the salinity and pH balance, in addition to adding any required trace elements, conditioners, and vitamins for the fish and coral. Ph kits, conditioners and required vitamins are all available at your local aquarium specialist.

You can improve your saltwater aquarium maintenance by undertaking some research of individual livestock and coral that inhabit your saltwater aquarium. This will allow you to identify the required vitamins and foods necessary in the upkeep of the various livestock and this should be incorporated into the daily, weekly and monthly saltwater aquarium maintenance schedule.

Light Globes

Regardless of whether they are blown or not it is important to replace all lighting bulbs around every six months. This is because that even if the bulbs are not blown they suffer loss of intensity and quality over time which is particularly crucial in a reef saltwater aquarium.

Not all of your saltwater aquarium is inside the tank, after all your aquarium is most likely the center piece of your home and it should be in pristine viewing condition. Once every two weeks the outside of the tank and its equipment should be dusted. Special saltwater aquarium cleaners are available for this task; alternatively a water and vinegar mix will suffice. Under no circumstances should any harsh chemicals, including Windex, be used near the aquarium as these can easily kill the fish, remember these are very sensitive creatures.

In summary, saltwater aquarium maintenance may appear to require a sizeable level of work, however by spreading out the required saltwater aquarium maintenance into small doses it can become relatively controllable and results in an aquarium that gives ongoing pleasure to you and anyone else in its presence, for years to come. Just like anything, you get out what you put in.

A complete guide to Saltwater Aquarium Setup all in the one place at http://www.mysaltwateraquarium.com. Join our community and learn from real life experiences!

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How to Choose the Right Pond Supplies for Your Koi Pond or Water Garden

Many hobbyists first get the idea to build a Koi pond of their own after seeing their first pond in person. The idea of coming home after a long hard day to hear the sounds of a beautiful flowing waterfall and the beauty of colorful Koi fish swimming in crystal clear water sounds almost too good to be true. What could be better than coming home to paradise, your own private oasis in the privacy of your own backyard? This is the very thought process many new pond owners go through when they first catch the "pond bug" and decide to begin digging a lagoon in their yard.

Any pond owner will tell you that owning a pond can be an incredibly rewarding experience. The countless hours spent relaxing in your favorite lounge chair on your back porch, doing absolutely nothing but enjoying the tranquil environment you have created can be a definite stress reliever. Purchasing some small inexpensive Koi fish at your local pet store and watching them grow over the years, perhaps teaching them to eat from the palm of your hand. These moments are the fruits of your labor, the joy that can come from building the outdoor water feature you've always dreamt of.

Unfortunately, building a pond or water garden is simple as it may appear. There is definitely more to it than simply digging a hole and filling it with water. Every pond, every water garden exists as its own ecosystem. This ecosystem must provide a healthy living environment for Koi fish, goldfish, and other pond inhabitants. The water in your pond must be constantly filtered, and care must be taken to avoid green water -- the dreaded "pea soup" syndrome common to newer ponds. The purpose of this article is to help new pond owners avoid some of the costly mistakes when constructing their own pond.

The biggest regret many pond owners have after building their first pond is they wish they had made it bigger. Koi keeping can be an addicting hobby, and it is not uncommon for many pond owners to add dozens, if not hundreds of Koi fish to their ponds. Unlike common goldfish, Koi fish are available in several different varieties and an easily exceed two feet in length within a few years if given proper care. Many koi collectors become Koi Kichi, which means "crazy for Koi." Not unlike someone who collects postage stamps or baseball cards, many Koi keepers collect Koi.

The term "Koi" is actually short for Nishikigoi, which are ornamental carp often kept as pets in outdoor ponds. Koi are incredibly hardy species and survive through a wide range of temperatures. Many new pond owners take this hardiness for granted; however, and are not exactly diligent when it comes to pond filtration and other required steps to help ensure clean, healthy pond water. This lack of effort often results in consistent parasite infestations resulting from poor water quality. Left unchecked, this commonly leads to Koi illnesses and ultimate fish death.

There are basically two different types on water features commonly found in backyards. These water features include water gardens, which are commonly filled with a variety of aquatic plants, and proper Koi ponds, which are specifically designed to provide suitable home for Japanese Koi fish. The differences between these water features are significant. Water gardens are primarily designed for plants and often feature a lot of rocks in the water to help create a more natural appearance. While many water gardens are very beautiful to look at, they are not suitable for Koi keeping.

A proper Koi pond should include several important features which require you to choose the best pond supplies possible. First and foremost, a proper Koi pond must ensure healthy clean water. Outstanding water quality can be accomplished by any number of commercially available pond filter systems on the market. It is important to understand the goal of pond filtration is to provide healthy water and this does not necessarily equate to clear water as well. Healthy water can still be green, which is a major issue for many pond owners wishing to actually view the beautiful fish swimming in their ponds.

The addition of an ultraviolet sterilizer can help achieve clear water in even the murkiest of Koi ponds. Also known as UV clarifiers, these units effectively kill green free floating algae commonly found in pond water, causing it to sink to your pond floor where it is removed by your filter. Most commercially available UV sterilizers are designed to clear your pond water within three days, and require minimal maintenance. For best results, it is recommended to replace the UV lamp in your ultraviolet clarifier once every two years.

The heart of any backyard water feature is a reliable circulation pump. Because a Koi pond is a living ecosystem unto itself, it is recommended to leave all equipment running on a continuous basis. This means the pond pump you choose must offer energy efficiency, reliability, and be properly sized for your specific needs. There are two basic categories when it comes to selecting a water circulation pump. Depending on your pond design, a pond owner can choose between a submersible pump and an external pump. Which pond pump type is best varies based on your specific needs.

External pond pumps are designed for out of pond installations. In general, external pumps are available in larger sizes than submersibles and offer superior energy savings. It is also far easier to repair most external pumps, as replacement components are readily available. External pumps are ideal for use in Koi ponds and water gardens of all sizes. If using a pressurized bead filter or if you have a waterfall more than four feet tall, an external pump is also highly recommended as these units perform far better under these conditions than to most submersible pumps.

Submersible pond pumps are also available in a variety of sizes. Since a submersible pump is designed to run while under water, it is generally easier to install a submersible pump on most water features. Many popular submersible pumps for Koi ponds feature an oil-free design, which is important because this eliminates the danger of oil leaking into your pond water, creating potentially unsafe conditions for pond life. In general, submersible pumps are ideal for most water gardens and small ponds which do not have bead filters installed.

The phrase "garbage in garbage out" definitely applies when it comes to selecting the right pond equipment for your outdoor water feature. Quality definitely counts. Quality products may cost a bit more, but usually pay for themselves over time by providing lower maintenance workload and a longer useful life. The questions addressed in this article are only a small fraction of those required to build a proper Koi pond or beautiful water garden that your entire family will enjoy for years to come.

Cal Ponds is a leading pond and water garden supply retailer committed to providing exceptional customer service. Specializing in pond filtration solutions, Cal Ponds offers free pond design assistance and discount pond and water garden products to customers worldwide. Learn more about Cal Ponds by visiting their website at http://www.calponds.com or make an appointment to visit their retail showroom in Victorville, CA by calling (760) 951-7776.

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How To Choose The Right Pressurized Bead Filter for Your Backyard Koi Pond or Water Garden

Manufacturers:

Advantage Bead Filters are manufactured by Sacramento Koi, based in Rocklin, California. The President of Sacramento Koi, Steve Walker is also the designer of the Advantage Bead Filtration System. AlphaONE Filters are manufactured by Oklahoma-based Grand Champion Technologies, commonly known as GCTek. In addition to designing the AlphaONE line of filters, Gary Cryer, President of GCTek, also designed the best-selling line of AquaBead Filters.

Maximum Pond Size:

AlphaONE Filters are available in a wide variety of sizes and are designed for Koi ponds up to 35,000 gallons. Advantage Bead Filters are available in three sizes and provide complete biological and mechanical filtration for Koi ponds up to 15,000 gallons. For ponds over 15,000 gallons, many Advantage owners choose to install multiple Advantage Bead Filters.

Pre-Filter Recommendations:

Because Advantage Bead Filters do such an amazing job at both mechanical and biological filtration, the manufacturer does not believe a pre-filter is necessary for most ponds. If you wish to add a pre-filter to your Advantage Filter, Sacramento Koi recommends the Advantage Settlement Chamber. AlphaONE Filters also function extremely well as stand-alone filters and do not generally require a pre-filter. If a pre-filter is desired; however, GCTek recommends the Vortek SS Delux.

Bio Media:

Advantage Bead Filters utilize a proprietary Advantage bio media, which is not offered with any other filter on the market. This media is not sold separately and is included with the purchase of any Advantage Bead Filter. Thanks to its unique design, Advantage bio media provides exceptional mechanical filtration and fines removal while also providing maximum surface area for beneficial bacteria growth. Advantage filter media also resists channeling. AlphaONE Filters utilize proprietary AlphaONE bio media. This unique filter is provides exceptional mechanical filtration while also providing high surface area for beneficial bacteria growth. Thanks to its unique shape, AlphaONE media produces less head resistance than comparable filter media types on the market, allowing for high flow rates.

Clear Dome Lid:

Both Advantage Bead Filters and AlphaONE Filters feature a clear dome lid, which allows the pond owner to visually see when it is time to backwash the filter.

Media Agitator:

AlphaONE Filters include a powerful 1.5HP media agitator, which aids in backwashing. The agitator included with Advantage Filters is actually 2 HP, making it the most powerful media agitator offered with any commercial bead filter system on the market today.

Head Pressure:

Advantage Bead Filters and AlphaONE Filters produce comparable levels of total dynamic head, and can be used with today's energy efficient pumps. For maximum performance, both respective manufacturers recommend their filters to be used with PerformancePro Artesian2 Pumps.

Maintenance:

To ensure optimal water quality, it is recommended that both Advantage Bead Filters and AlphaONE Filters be backwashed on a regular basis. In general, it is recommended to perform routine maintenance on a weekly basis. The actual maintenance process for both filter systems takes less than 5 minutes to complete.

Available Upgrades:

AlphaONE Filters are available in low head versions, which allow you to achieve high flow rates while using a much smaller, more energy efficient pump. The low head version of Advantage Filters, commonly known as the Advantage Pro Series, has been discontinued by the manufacturer and is no longer available - making AlphaONE LH Filters the only low head bead filter systems commercially available in the USA..

Available All-In-One Systems:

Advantage Bead Filters are available as part of the Advantage Plug and Play, these complete all-in-one filtration systems include an Advantage Bead Filter, PerformancePro Artesian2 Pumps, and high output Emperor Aquatics SMART UV Sterilizer. AlphaONE Filters are available as part of both AlphaONE Plus Systems and Mashimizu Systems. AlphaONE Systems include an AlphaONE Filter, Pentair Pump, and Zapp Pure UV Sterilizer, one of the best ultraviolet clarifiers on the market today. The word Mashimizu means "clear water" in Japan. Mashimizu Filters are are quite popular among experienced koi keepers, and include AlphaONE Filter, WunderFlo Pump, Vortek SS Delux Pre-Filter, and Zapp Pure UV Clarifier all pre-plumbed on a durable, all weather pad.

Warranty:

Both Advantage Bead Bio-Filters and AlphaONE pond filtration are covered by a limited lifetime warranty against defects. Sacramento Koi also offers an unconditional satisfaction guarantee on all Advantage Bead Filters. This means you can purchase an Advantage Filter, install it on your pond and use it for up to a year. If you are not 100% satisfied, you may return your Advantage Filter for a complete refund and the manufacturer will even absorb return shipping costs! No other filter manufacturer offers this iron clad guarantee of quality.

Shipping Cost:

Due to their dimensions and weight, most Advantage and AlphaONE systems are shipped exclusively via common carrier. Shipping cost for AlphaONE Filters is generally absorbed by dealers for AlphaONE units for orders within the contiguous USA. Due to manufacturer restrictions; however, it is not generally possible to avoid shipping costs on Advantage systems.

Will-Call Pickups:

California Ponds and Water Gardens, based in Victorville, CA is the only stocking dealer for Advantage Bead Filters in North America. Cal Ponds also maintains a stock inventory of AlphaONE Filtration systems for local customers. Will-call pickups for Advantage Filters can also be arranged at the manufacturer in Rocklin, CA.

If you have been doing research on pressurized bead filters for your Koi pond, chances are you have come to realize that two bead filters on the market stand above the rest. The Advantage Bead Filter, manufactured by Sacramento Koi, and the AlphaONE Filter by GCTek, are often regarded as the "Lamborghini and Ferrari of the pond filtration industry" by experienced pond builders worldwide. These top quality pond filtration systems are renowned for offering superior performance while requiring significantly less maintenance time than competitor pond filters. This article is intended to provide pond owners a high-level comparison of some of the key features distinguishing these filters to help them make an informed purchasing decision.

Learn more about Cal Ponds by visiting their website at http://www.calponds.com or make an appointment to visit their retail showroom in Victorville, CA by calling (760) 951-7776. Cal Ponds is a leading pond and water garden supply retailer committed to providing exceptional customer service. Specializing in pond filtration solutions, Cal Ponds offers free pond design assistance and discount pond and water garden products to customers worldwide.

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How To Pick The Right Aquarium

ByKevin A. K.

Even today the rule of one inch of fish per gallon of water is still passed around for determining the stocking level of an aquarium. Needless to say, using a little thought you realize that this logic is flawed. A dozen little one inch fish will have no where close to the same effect on the water quality as one large foot long fish. Instead, when attempting to determine just what a tank can hold, look at the surface area. The larger the surface area to total volume of the aquarium the better. This is especially important for planted tanks and reef tanks as plenty of area permits more plants or corals. And even if you only plan to keep fish, more surface area means better gas exchange and more swimming area. Modernizing this outdated rule, shoot for one inch of fish (not counting the tail) per 24 inches of surface area.

By now you hopefully possess a rough idea of what you want to keep within your new aquarium setup and have completed a bit of research to determine, among other things, their expected adult length. Understanding this you can begin to determine how large of a tank you are going to need. When choosing an aquarium ensure it is broad enough in all directions to allow the largest inhabitants to be able to turn easily- about two times their mature length should be sufficient. A bigger tank is more desirable, of course. Not only will it offer additional area for its occupants plus more options for future additions but larger aquariums normally provide much better water quality and stability. Needless to say ensure you will have adequate room for an aquarium of whatever size you choose as well.

You also have to determine what material you would like the aquarium to be constructed from. The two main choices are glass and acrylic, and each possesses a few advantages and drawbacks. Glass tanks tend to be relatively cheap when compared with acrylic tanks. However, acrylic aquariums provide outstanding clarity compared to glass tanks especially in larger sizes. They also weigh considerably less when compared to glass aquariums of a similar size. Finally, acrylic tanks are generally much stronger and are therefore more desirable for earthquake prone areas. The primary disadvantage to acrylic aquariums is they are very easy to scratch. Even the inhabitants within the aquarium could scratch the surface with their shells or spines. And while smaller scratches can be buffed out larger one will likely be permanent.

One last thing to consider. Even though rectangular tanks are most typical, additional forms are becoming increasingly available. Made from either glass or acrylic, aquariums are now obtainable in a variety of geometric designs from circles to hexagons. And while they could lead to a stylish exhibit they also possess some drawbacks. For one they frequently are very tall and thin providing very little surface area. Furthermore, locating appropriate equipment such as filters or lighting which will fit on them properly may prove challenging. Nonetheless, oddly shaped aquariums can be a real eye catcher if used properly. But no matter what you choose remember that the needs of the tank's inhabitants come first.

To find out more about setting up and caring for your first aquarium please visit http://www.aquarium-setup.net.

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