how
many fish can i have in my aquarium?
Freshwater:
You can put approximately one inch
of fish for every gallon of water in your fish tank. This includes any
and all critters that eat and create waste. (Yes, scavengers too!
) Example: A 10 gallon aquarium can hold 10-1" fish, 5-2" fish or
1-10" fish. (well...maybe not the 10" fish :) Fish should be
added gradually, not all at one time.
Saltwater:
You can put approximately one inch
of fish for every 4 gallons of water in your fish tank. Example: A 55
gallon aquarium can hold 14-1" fish or 7-2" fish.
how often should I change the water in
my fish tank?
We
recommend that you use a gravel vacuum to change 25% of
your aquarium's water once each month.
what is a gravel vacuum? how
does it work?
Come down to Brian's Fish World and
we'll demonstrate on one of our tanks for you. When
filling your aquarium back up, be sure you first treat
it with the proper amount of water conditioners in a
separate container. This will remove toxins from the tap
water that can be harmful to your fish.
what should the temperature of my
aquarium water be?
Freshwater:
Coldwater Fish ( Goldfish, Koi, White Clouds) - 60 to 75
degrees F
Most Tropical Fish - 75 to 80 degrees F
Discus - 82 to 88 degrees F
Saltwater:
Most Fish - 75 to 80 degrees F
Most Invertebrates - 74 to 76 degrees F
how can I control algae growth in my
aquarium?
Algae
requires two major sources to thrive. 1) Food for the algae is created
directly from the waste from fish. Not overfeeding helps to limit this
source of algae. 2) Light is another key factor in the growth of algae.
The more light, the more algae. Unless you have live plants, live
corals, anemones or any other live critters that require photosynthetic
activity, simply keep the lights over your tank turned off except when
viewing the aquarium.
If
you do have plants or animals that require light to thrive, then
we recommend 8-10 hours of light each day. If the
above controls are being properly administrated and you still have an
algae problem, then there are water additive products that can help.
Problem:
Algae is free floating in the water.
Freshwater
Solution: Use proper dose of Hagen "P" Clear (available at
Brian's Fish World). This product will help your filter collect
particulate matter and will clear your tank in about one hour.
Saltwater
Solution: Use proper dose of Corallife Marine Tank Clarifier.
(available at Brian's Fish World)
Problem: Algae growing on glass,
gravel and decorations.
Solution:
Clear as much of the algae as you can and then add the proper dose of
algae destroyer in order to prevent regrowth.
what
can I do about my goldfish that is bloated and/or swimming abnormally?
Problem:
Typically, the problem with Goldfish is a lack of variety in their
diet. Generally, the use of dry, flake or pellet food is fine as a
daily staple. However, Goldfish are very prone to constipation when
only fed dry food.
Solution:
We recommend periodically introducing algae wafers or the live plant
Anacharis either of which add sufficient ruffage to the diet of the
Goldfish. Another food that helps is live or frozen brine shrimp.
Additional
Hint: Goldfish remain even healthier if you add one tablespoon
of aquarium salt per 10 gallons of water in your tank. If fish other
than Goldfish are present in the tank then add one teaspoon of aquarium
salt per 10 gallons of water in your tank. NOTE: Only add more salt
after doing a water change proportional to the actual amount of water
changed. For example: A 25% water change in a 20 gallon tank would
exchange 5 gallons of water, so only add back a half teaspoon of salt.
getting
started: starting a brand new tank.
- Rinse the new aquarium with
cold to lukewarm water only. Never use soaps or detergents in an
aquarium.
- Assemble the filter
according to the instructions. Please call Brian's if you have any
questions.
- Place the heater in the
aquarium according to the directions. DO NOT PLUG IN THE HEATER
UNTIL THE WATER HAS BEEN IN THE AQUARIUM FOR 30 MINUTES.
- Rinse the gravel in a clean,
new bucket until the water becomes clear. Again, do not use any soaps
or detergents. Gradually pour the clean gravel into the aquarium.
- Fill the aquarium with water from the
faucet. If you use a faucet that has a hose attached, be sure to run
the water for 2-3 minutes to clear all existing water and any sediment
that may be present.
- Add the proper amount of water
conditioner to remove toxins such as chlorine from the water that can
be harmful to your fish. Start your filter
but do not forget to wait 30 minutes before you plug in the heater.
- Once you have plugged in the
heater, adjust it periodically until you have the proper water
temperature in your tank. (75-80 degrees F)
- Once the
aquarium is maintaining a stable temperature, you are ready to start
cycling your aquarium with starter fish.
getting started: cycling your new tank.
- When you come into Brian's
Fish World, be sure to let one of the store assistants know if you are
setting up your first aquarium.
- We will set you up with the
proper number of hardy, inexpensive starter fish to get the bacteria
cycle working in your brand new aquarium.
- These starter fish should be
the only additions to your aquarium for the first 4-6 weeks.
- Take the fish directly home
and float the bags in your new aquarium for 10-15 minutes to equalize
the temperature of the water in the bags with the water in the aquarium.
- Open each bag and add a
small amount of your aquarium water. Roll down the edges of the bags to
keep them floating. Do not pinch the bags or droop them over the edge
of the tank. This will cut off the oxygen to the fish. After another 10
minutes, let the fish swim out of the bags.
- During the first two weeks,
the ammonia levels in your tank will rise. Your starter fish should be
fine as long as you feed them only a small amount each day. Feed an
amount such that the fish are able to eat all the food off the surface
of the water within two minutes. Do not put so much food in that the
excess falls to the bottom of the tank.
- During the third to sixth
weeks, the nitrite levels will rise in your new aquarium. This is the
first sign that the bacteria cycle is starting in your aquarium. Again,
do not overfeed.
- Bring in
a sample of your aquarium's water (half a zip lock sandwich bag) after
fish have been in the tank for four weeks. We will test your water for
you for free and instruct you on what to do next.
any questions?
don't hesistate to stop by -- we'd love to show you all the tricks!
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