| A freshwater aquarium is a familiar way to brighten up | | | | are other fish that can get even bigger. If you don't |
| your home or office. Delightful freshwater fish are like | | | | want to keep investing in larger aquariums, buy a small |
| living jewels. They're easier to care for than saltwater | | | | fish that will stay small. |
| species, and generally undemanding for the amount of | | | | Your fish tank has a nitrogen cycle going on inside. The |
| pleasure they provide. However, if you have a | | | | waste your fish give off creates nitrogen, which forms |
| freshwater aquarium, it's important to take care of it | | | | ammonia. If you have the right bacteria living in your |
| properly, so your fish will grow and thrive. Here are | | | | tank, the ammonia will be oxidized, turning into nitrites |
| some tips on setting up and caring for a freshwater | | | | and nitrates. The latter the go to feed your plants and |
| aquarium that will make you proud. | | | | re-enter the nitrogen cycle. You must change your |
| The first thing you should do is to plan what kind of fish | | | | tank water to make sure that the nitrates are not able |
| you intend to get. Not all fish live in harmony together, | | | | to poison your fish. When you set up your tank, you |
| and some species require special care. If you already | | | | will want to make sure that the conditions are right for |
| have the aquarium you're going to use, purchase fish | | | | the fish before you put them in. Use a water testing kit |
| that will fit it. Many people put too many fish in their | | | | to check the ammonia and nitrate levels. Don't just |
| aquarium, causing the water to become dirty and the | | | | dump the fish straight in. Put a little bit of their water |
| fish sick. A good rule is to keep a gallon of water in | | | | into the tank and a little bit tank water into their |
| the aquarium for every inch long your fish is. | | | | container every fifteen minutes or so. This way, they'll |
| Therefore, a four inch fish needs at least that much | | | | be able to adjust to the new environment. |
| water. Two five inch fish should live in no less than a | | | | When you care for your fish, be sure to change their |
| ten gallon tank. If you make sure not to overpopulate | | | | water out partially every couple of weeks. A full water |
| your tank, you'll be able to keep your fish beautiful and | | | | change will shock them and could kill them, so it's best |
| healthy. | | | | to change only half of it. If you live in the city, let the |
| Another common mistake when buying fish is not to | | | | water you're putting into the tank stand overnight to |
| learn how large they'll grow. Many common pet fish | | | | remove the chlorine. Make sure you feed your fish a |
| are actually capable of becoming very large in time. | | | | quality food that is well suited to them. Do not over |
| Don't believe the myth that keeping them in a small | | | | feed your fish. Rotting fish food at the bottom of the |
| tank will keep them small. A single gold fish can live | | | | tank will poison the water more quickly and make your |
| upwards of ten years and get to be a foot long! There | | | | fish more likely to become sick. |