If it has value as a decorative element, an aquarium also has a soothing effect on its owners. Want to install one in your home? Here are some good tips.
A tank of the right size
For a first tank, a volume between 50 and 100 l is ideal, but you are free to go bigger. In any case, the size of your aquarium should be adapted to the species and the number of fish you want to keep and not the other way around! The size also depends on the space, time and budget you have available. Avoid, however, gadget tanks, balls, magnifying glasses or tables which are a hell for the well-being of the fish and do not allow an efficient filtration.
Finding the right place
This requires some real thought! It should not be too close to a heat source or exposed to direct sunlight because too much light will cause algae growth. Next, consider that a 100-liter aquarium, once set up and populated, will weigh between 200 and 250 kg. This means that you need a stable piece of furniture that can withstand this weight!
Equipment to be provided
A water filtration system, aeration, lighting and heating are the minimum equipment required for your aquarium. Add to this for maintenance tests for water quality, a scraper to clean the walls, a vacuum cleaner to remove bottom waste. Note that the lighting must be adapted - too powerful and it will promote the appearance of algae, too weak and your plants and fish will suffer - and must be on for about ten hours a day, so a timer is ideal.
A suitable decoration
For the well-being of the fish and the ecosystem, it is better to use natural elements such as sand, stones and aquatic plants. These plants offer them shelter and food. In addition, they produce oxygen and are a real barrier against algae. Then, use your imagination to create a beautiful setting.
Choosing the right fish to start with
Each species has specific needs: temperature, hardness and pH of the water. Then, some cohabitations are unthinkable. Don't hesitate to ask your dealer for advice. But already, know that, in the exotic fish category, the guppy, the fighter, the platy, the danio or the molly are the easiest to acclimatize. They are small in size and require little specific maintenance.
It is best to keep them in small groups of several females for only a few males, except for the fighter which is a very territorial solitary fish. As for the traditional goldfish, although it is certainly robust, it should live in a small group, in a larger volume of water and especially filtered. It therefore requires a lot of attention and a large aquarium.
Don't be too ambitious about the number of fish. Too many fish will cause stress, disease and pollution. As a general rule, count 1 cm of fish (adult size) per liter of water.
Before immersing them...
Once the aquarium is filled with water, you will have to wait about four weeks before introducing the fish, the time it takes for the water to become a viable environment. Thus, it is essential to check the water parameters. The water should be drinkable and not too hard (in which case it can be softened with fresh water). To introduce the fish, proceed in different steps. Start by leaving the transport bag in the aquarium for about ten minutes, so that the water is at the same temperature. Then acclimatize the new residents little by little by adding water from the tank to that of the bag.
A well-balanced diet
Fish eat little: the whole daily food should be swallowed within 4 to 5 minutes. Be careful because an excess of food would pollute the water and endanger the life of the fish.
Regular maintenance is essential
Maintaining an aquarium is not difficult, it is a regular job to do to keep everything running smoothly. Good filtration - invest in a quality filter - will keep the water clear: nothing is worse than greenish water! It is recommended to change 1/4 of the volume of the tank, at the same temperature, every two weeks, to respect the existing balance, and to complete the cleaning of the windows and the bottom.
And during the vacations?
Fish can perfectly fast for several days without any problem. Over a weekend and up to 1 week, food blocks are available. They degrade slowly, releasing food over several days. If you are away for 2 weeks or more, it is better to either ask a friend to come and put new blocks of food or to provide an automatic food dispenser that gives 1 to 3 meals to the fish every day at a fixed time.
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