Freshwater Aquariums - Electricty Made Freshwater Aquariums Possible

Freshwater Aquariums - 3 Golden Rules In Keeping A Freshwater Aquarium

Freshwater Aquarium - 3 Obscure Problems With Freshwater Aquariums

If you are thinking about obtaining a freshwater aquarium or already have one, then you need to know about these three obscure problems that can happen with a freshwater aquarium. These three problems are not obvious but will eventually occur.

Nitrates

One of the biggest difficulties I had when I established my first freshwater aquarium was keeping the nitrates less than 50 ppm. No matter how many water change outs I performed, my nitrates were always up there around a hundred ppm.

After much research and asking on fish forums and at the pet store, I found out one of the reasons for high nitrates in my aquarium was I was feeding them too much. So instead of feeding them twice a day, I took the advice of more seasoned Aquarist and started feeding them once a day and only as much as they could eat in two minutes.

This helped cut my nitrates but they were still high. The other source of high nitrates in my aquarium was the decay of dead plants. When I started trimming my plants, when I performed my weekly water replacement, my nitrate levels dropped down to less than 25 ppm.

Less feeding and taking care of my plants proved successful in keeping nitrates at an acceptable level.

Tank Size

One obscure problem I avoided unintentionally was tank size. I struggled with determining which size aquarium I should get. Should I start small or go large. I decided to go large with a 75-gallon freshwater aquarium.

Little did I know that was the right decision. Most people who start their first freshwater aquarium go with a small aquarium. A small aquarium is more susceptible to huge chemistry swings than a large aquarium. These huge chemistry swings can have deadly effects on your fish.

Having a large aquarium created smaller chemistry changes, allowing me to learn about controlling the chemicals in my tank, such as nitrates, without jeopardizing my fish.

Fish Compatibility

Another problem I ran into was to find the right fish to put in my aquarium. Fish are classified as community, semi-aggressive and aggressive fish. The fish in your tank should all be of the same classification or you will have difficulties.

When I did my research on which fish fell into which group, I found conflicting information. The most reliable place I found to find which fish got along with other fish, was in fish forums.

In these fish forums you will find Aquarist who have years of experience and know first hand which fish can live in the same tank with other fish.

If you want more information on how to keep an aquarium, download a free eBook, titled "15 Tips On Building And Maintaining An Aquarium", at http://www.squidoo.com/homefreshwateraquariums or at Your Home Freshwater Aquarium.

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The BiOrb Life Collection of Aquariums Explained

BySam Birch

Take a blend of fine decor and intriguing science, and add the ability to capture the beauty of the sea, and you have the BiOrb Life Collection of Aquariums. This is definitely an impressive line of fish aquariums. This is one of those products that everyone has to consider when making a decision on what aquarium to buy.

There are a number of reasons that thousands of consumers have been drawn to this particular collection of aquariums. Whether it is the feeling of life added by the vibrant colors, modern look, or ease of maintenance, this is a brand that has left its mark with retailers and consumers alike.

The BiOrb Life Collection consists of three models: the 8-gallon BiOrb Life 30, 12-gallon BiOrb Life 45, and 16-gallon BiOrb Life 60. Each model is available in three colors, which are chili red, ivory white, and piano black. Every aquarium is sold with everything you need in the box, minus the fish, to operate a freshwater aquarium. The option always remains to personalize it with the numerous life-like decor but at an added cost.

Shape and Design

With the exception of the 8-gallon model, these aquariums are rectangular in shape. The 8-gallon is the only BiOrb Life aquarium that is square. They have a clear back and face made of acrylic which is about ten times stronger than the common glass aquarium. The sides are the portion that is colored. They wrap around the aquarium as a tire wraps around rims. The colors although very simple, pop. The style, color, and design will bring life to any room.

Maintenance

Most aquarium owners purchase fish tanks for the joy and stress-free feeling of staring at their tank. They stare, and stare, and stare. This is because the main reason consumers buy tanks has nothing to do with the joy of maintaining it. The designers understood this and designed the BiOrb line with that in mind, and they nailed it. They have taken the undesirable task of cleaning the aquarium and made it simple.

Every four to six weeks, depending on the model, the filter cartridge must be replaced. Every three to four weeks, depending on the model, one-third of the tank water needs to be replaced. That is pretty much it on the routine maintenance. Not too bad.

Flexibility

There are many options with the BiOrb Life Collection of Aquariums. If you have limited space and need a smaller high-performing tank, there is a model for you. So the variety in sizes is definitely nice to have, and since they all use the same equipment (filter, air pump, air stone, etc.) if you decided to upgrade there would be no learning curve to adjust to. Even greater flexibility is the fact you can add a heater and make it a tropical aquarium. Take it one step further and implement a marine conversion kit. Now you have yourself a saltwater tank. There are many options with this line which makes it a solid choice for a tank.

When everyone felt that it could not get any better, here appeared the BiOrb Life Collection of Aquariums. They are great to look at, easy to maintain, and provides you several options for the long term.

Get more information about the BiOrb Life Aquarium Collection and the 12-gallon BiOrb Life 45.

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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 Aquariums - Protein Skimmers For Saltwater Aquariums

Introduction

A saltwater aquarium is a neat addition to the home or office. But you will need to recreate the conditions of the ocean to have a successful and healthy aquarium. One way to create this condition is to have a protein skimmer or foam fractionator.

Why I Need Protein Skimmer

Nature works at keeping the ocean clean by creating tides to constantly replace the dirty water with cleaner water. Plus the action of the waves produces foam that removes ocean contaminants. Your saltwater aquarium is a microcosm of the ocean and needs to create the same conditions that the ocean does.

The protein skimmer will create this condition for you. This devise will remove unhealthy contaminants such as dissolved organic compounds and other material from your aquarium.

This material comes from fish waste, bacteria, uneaten food and decomposing matter such as dead plants. If this material is left in your aquarium they will break down to toxic ammonia and nitrites and will eventually turn into nitrates.

How A Protein Skimmer Works

The protein skimmer creates a condition similar to the ocean to remove the unwanted material. The skimmer will produce bubbles that attract waste material such as dissolved organics. As the bubbles rise in the column they will create foam.

This foam is just like the foam you see on the surface of the ocean or the foam that is washed up on the beach. This foam created in the protein skimmer is collected in a collection cup preventing it from returning to your aquarium.

The waste that is captured in the collection cup is called skimmate and needs to be removed periodically to keep the skimmer operating efficiently.

Which One To Buy

There are several different designs of protein skimmers you can choose from. Whichever design you choose ensure the bubbles they create are small. Smaller bubbles rise to the surface slower and have a larger surface area. This allows for a better capture of waste material than you would receive with larger bubbles that rise faster and have a lower surface area.

Also make sure the skimmer you select will handle the volume in your tank. It is better to have one that is designed for a larger tank than one for a smaller tank. This will ensure optimum efficiency and less maintenance.

Conclusion

A protein skimmer is a necessary part for your saltwater aquarium. It will keep you aquarium and fish healthy and happy by removing wastes that can decompose to toxic chemicals such as ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.

J.W. Chase is an amateur Aquarist who has successfully been keeping both fresh and saltwater aquariums for over 35 years. He has extensive knowledge on how to manage an aquarium, keeping all his fish healthy and smiling. His web site has information on keeping salt water aquariums so if you want more tips, strategies and secrets on how to manage a saltwater aquarium go to his site http://homesaltwateraquariums.blogspot.com.

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Saltwater Aquariums - Is It Work Or Pleasure In Having A Saltwater Aquarium

Introduction

My saltwater aquarium provides me with a lot of relief and lots of pleasure. There is some work involved in keeping one of these aquariums however, the pleasure you receive far out ways the work you need to do keep a successful aquarium.

I was a bit leery about installing a saltwater aquarium in my office because of the work involved, but once I installed mine, I found the work was really minimal.

Saltwater Aquarium Maintenance

I have a 75-gallon aquarium and was worried about the amount of work involved in keeping a healthy aquarium. I was surprised at how easy it was to keep this type of aquarium and how little work was really involved in keeping a saltwater aquarium. In fact I spend only about an hour a week in keeping my aquarium and fish healthy.

Most of that hour I spend on my aquarium is used in removing debris and water. The rest of the time is spent on testing the water quality and feeding my fish.

Pleasures Of A Saltwater Aquarium

I have placed my aquarium in my office where I spend most of my time and have found that I receive a lot of pleasure and relief from having my aquarium there. Here is why I like my aquarium in my office:

Relaxing - I found that before I put the aquarium in my office I was often stressed out at the end of the day. But after I placed the tank in my office, I can pause from my work and relax and just watch the fish. Watching the fish swim around the aquarium is very relaxing for me. It is also probably the reason you will find them in dentists waiting rooms.

Pets -I consider my fish as pets. I cannot take them for a walk, but I know where they are all the time. I have even named them. Though they may look a like, if they are of the same species, there is small distinguishing marks on them that makes them individuals and thus can be named.

Beauty - An aquarium will add beauty to any room you put it in. My office was improved a 100% when I added the aquarium to my office.

Conclusion

If you are hesitant about putting in a saltwater aquarium because of the work involved, don't be. The work is really minimal compared to the pleasure and enjoyment you receive from it.

J.W. Chase is an amateur Aquarist who has successfully been keeping both fresh and saltwater aquariums for over 35 years. He has extensive knowledge on how to manage an aquarium, keeping all his fish healthy and smiling. His web site has information on keeping salt water aquariums so if you want more tips, strategies and secrets on how to manage a saltwater aquarium go to his site http://homesaltwateraquariums.blogspot.com.

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Saltwater Aquariums - What You Need To Know

Introduction

If you are thinking about installing a saltwater aquarium for the first time you need to do some research. Having a successful aquarium requires you to do your homework before you even start to purchase the equipment needed for your aquarium.

Learning Saltwater Aquarium Basics

A saltwater aquarium will be difficult for you to operate if you do not do your homework. In fact you will probably join over 90% of the other people who fail within a month of trying to develop a saltwater or freshwater aquarium.

To prevent failure do your research and learn from successful Aquarist who have already traveled down the road you are embarking on.

Some of the topics you will need to learn about is what type of equipment is needed, how to maintain water quality and what type of fish will you be keeping as your pets.

Equipment Needed

Here is some of the equipment you will need to learn about:

Aquarium Tank- Believe it or not you will need to decide what type of aquarium you will want, acrylic or glass. Plus you will need to learn where is the best place to install it, how to install it and the support it will need.
Substrate- If you do not know what this means then you will also need to learn the terms, but substrate is the material at the bottom of your tank. There are several types of substrate you can select from, research them and pick the best one for you.
Filters and Heaters- There are different types of filters and heaters you can select, do your homework and pick the best one. Now is not the time to go cheap, the better the equipment in your aquarium the fewer problems you will have.

Water Quality

One of the main items in maintaining an aquarium is keeping the correct water quality. The main cause of people failing to keep a successful aquarium is maintaining the quality of the water at the right specifications for your fish.

Chemistry- You will need to learn about the effects of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH, temperature and salinity have on your fish. Plus learning about how to keep chemistry in the proper range for your fish is important.
Algae- One of the big items that will make your pristine aquariums look like a slum is to allow algae to take over. Take the time to learn about algae and how to control it.

Fish

Once you understand the above concepts then you can start thinking about the fish you will want. Saltwater fish are much more colorful than freshwater fish, but you will need to ensure they are compatible.

Compatibility- Ensure your fish fall within the same classification. There is community, semi-aggressive and aggressive fish that should not be mixed together.
Water Specifications- Ensure that the fish you select can live in the same water pH and temperature.

J.W. Chase is an amateur Aquarist who has successfully been keeping both fresh and saltwater aquariums for over 35 years. He has extensive knowledge on how to manage an aquarium, keeping all his fish healthy and smiling. His web site has information on keeping salt water aquariums so if you want more tips, strategies and secrets on how to manage a saltwater aquarium go to his site http://homesaltwateraquariums.blogspot.com.

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Aquariums - Lessons I Learned On Keeping An Aquarium

Introduction

If you are going to be a successful Aquarist you will need to do your research before your set up your first tank. But as with all research, there are some things you will have to learn on your own. Here is what I learned on my own that I did not receive from my research.

Tank Size

If you are looking to start an aquarium you are probably thinking about starting small with a 10-gallon tank. I thought this way at first, but decided on a 75-gallon tank instead. I found out latter that starting big was the right decision.

The reason I suggest a larger tank is that a large tank can absorb changes in water chemistry changes better than a smaller tank. For example, under the same conditions pH changes are less drastic in a large tank than in a small tank. This allows for less stress on your fish.

Cleaning

I read about ensuring you clean the debris from your tank and replace at least 10% of the water weekly. But one thing I learned on my own was to also clean the aquarium glass top at least weekly.

I did not do this at first but only cleaned it when algae built up on it. Waiting for algae to build up on the glass top makes cleaning very difficult. I now clean it at least weekly, before the algae build up.

Maintenance

Lots of people hesitate about installing an aquarium in their home or office because of the work involved in maintaining it. I was also a member of this camp.

What I actually found there is a lot less work to keep a successful aquarium than I thought. I found I spend less than an hour a week in maintaining my aquarium. That time includes cleaning the debris and water replacement.

Snails

I had learned I needed to wash anything I put in my tank to prevent contaminating the water and killing my fish. I did the same thing with my live plants but it was only a rinsing.

I found that just rinsing the plants is not enough. I now have Ramshorn snails in my aquarium because I just rinsed my plants and did not wash them thoroughly before putting them in my aquarium.

I really did not want these in my aquarium, but they have turned out not to be the pest I thought they would be. They eat the algae and my Gourami snack on them which keeps them in check so they do not overrun my tank.

J.W. Chase is an amateur Aquarist who has successfully been keeping both fresh and saltwater aquariums for over 35 years. He has extensive knowledge on how to manage an aquarium, keeping all his fish healthy and smiling. His web site has information on keeping salt water aquariums so if you want more tips, strategies and secrets on how to manage a saltwater aquarium go to his site http://homesaltwateraquariums.blogspot.com.

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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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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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