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ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
The secret of a
successful aquarium is routine maintenance. However, this does not mean that it
is either difficult or time consuming.
In fact all it takes
is a few minutes each week to keep both your aquarium and your fishes in tip top
condition.
The truth is that if the aquarium is regularly maintained, the health of the
fish improves as the quality of the water is of utmost importance to them,
The following steps will ensure a good looking and healthy aquarium:-
DAILY
Check temperature - (24 -27 for tropicals)
Ensure all fish appear healthy (fins held erect and swimming normally)
Ensure all fish appear to feed and are swimming normally
Check for any signs of stress diseases (frayed fins or white spot etc)
WEEKLY
Prune any plants of dead or dying leaves
Clean front glass (magnet cleaners are ideal)
Using a gravel cleaner (details from any member of staff) clean the aquarium ,
gravel siphoning the water at the same time until 10-20% has been emptied into a
bucket. It is good practice to gravel clean l/3rd of the base of the tank
each-week so as not to unduly upset the beneficial bacteria in the tank. ( BUT
ONLY TO I CM DEEP )
Where any filter other than an undergravel filter is used (e.g. trickle filters,
Internal sponge filter) always wash the sponge etc. gently in water from the
tank never under the tap as this would kill the helpful bacteria contained in
the sponge. Also wherever possible do not clean all of the media each time as
this gives time for the old bacteria to re-colonise the newly cleaned media.
Replace with water drawn from the cold tap adding some hot water from a kettle
to bring the temperature to approximately the same temperature as that in the
tank. Then add some dechlorinator to the bucket before replacing it in the
aquarium. This too is important as the tap water often contains traces of
chlorine and heavy metals which even in small amounts can harm our fish.
Do not use rainwater as this is too soft for regular use in the community tank.
It is advisable to check your tank water regularly for pH, ammonia and
nitrite (details from any member of staff ) but the above guidelines are
normally all you need to know.
Finally do try to keep up with the water changes, as where they are neglected
the health of your fish will be affected. Also do not be tempted to change 1/3
or even 1/2 of the tank water as this too can seriously affect the balance of
the aquarium triggering bacterial blooms and subsequent stress diseases.
LITTLE AND OFTEN IS THE KEY with water changing and is the open secret of
successful fishkeeping.
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