By Arturo Ronzon
If you have invested in a salt water fish tank, you are certain to want to acquire fish that will thrive in the environment. Many salt water fish need special conditions to be happy and healthy. Be certain you do the research on any species to provide you with the information you need to provide the fish with what they need.
There are many species of fish that are adaptable to most salt water fish tanks. The specific fish you choose should be largely based on what you are intending to accomplish with the tank. If you are looking to add color and life for your room, you may want to look for species that are more brightly colored. Many of the most popular colored fish are the damselfish and the many varieties of wrasse. These have been used for years by people looking to add color and flair.
If you are looking to fill your tank with more rare and exotic fish, you may need to do a little more research. Many of the normal pet stores or fish suppliers may not have these species readily available. An exotic salt water tank will be a topic of conversation for people who view it and the more exotic the fish. Many of the more exotic species that will thrive could include any form of lionfish or even a seahorse. These are not common to salt water fish tanks, but they should have no trouble living in your tank.
If you have recently set up an aquarium tank, you will need to fill it with fish. The species listed above are just a few examples of the thousands available. Be certain that the pet you purchase will be healthy in a salt water tank and is what you are looking for. Since it is your aquarium, you will need to decide what species are going to give you the most satisfaction.
For more information about Salt Water Fish Tanks, feel free to visit us at: http://www.fish-tanks-land.com/article-6-Salt-Water-Fish-Tanks.html
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
Is Your Goldfish Suffering With Eyestrain?
By Elaine Rushmore
All that glitters is not goldfish friendly. Your goldfish may need protection from things you may not see. Goldfish have very well developed vision; in fact the optic lobe--the vision center--is the largest part of your goldfish's brain. Though a little short sighted, they have an almost 360 degree view of the world because their eyes are on the sides of their head. That lets them see two things at the same time - which is great for finding food and for keeping an eye open for predators.
Like us, goldfish see in color, but they can also see ultraviolet light. They have greater sensitivity to light than we do but, unlike us, they have no eyelids because their eyes are constantly bathed in water. That gives them a problem we don't have; they can't shut their eyes to avoid bright lights. Furthermore, they can't dilate their pupils, so their eyes adjust to changes in light levels much more slowly than ours. It can take goldfish twenty minutes to adapt to lights being turned on or off, which is why they often dash for cover when you turn on a light. It's impossible for them to look away so all they can do is try to hide behind rocks and plants.
It's important to protect your fish from bright lights and sudden movements and to spend a little time working out the right location for their tank.
Avoid placing your tank on or near a windowsill - the worst place for bright sunlight. If you can't avoid putting the tank near a window, make sure you shade it from the incoming light using window blinds, or the wrap-round tank 'wallpaper' that most fish shops sell.
Remember that bright sunlight isn't a problem only in the summer months. It can be worse in winter because the winter sun is lower in the sky. Think how dazzling it can be when you are driving your car towards the sun, and think how much worse it could be for your goldfish in their tank if they have to suffer that all day, every day.
Add some stones or a small upturned flower pot for your fish to find refuge in.
There may be problems with bright light that you haven't noticed. Try crouching down at each end of the tank and look through it to see what your fish see. Check for mirrors or other shiny objects that may be causing a problem for your fish but which have never been a problem for you.
Room lights can be another problem for your goldfish. Although you may think nothing of it when you switch a room light on or off, your goldfish needs up to twenty minutes to adapt to the change in light. If your tank doesn't have a lid, it's a good idea to get one, especially if you have a ceiling light shining directly into the tank. If your fish tank is fitted with a light, turn the room light on first and then wait fifteen minutes before turning on the tank light so your fish has time to adjust to the light.
At night, switch the tank light off fifteen minutes before you switch the room light off. If you have dimmer switches for any of the lights near your fish tank the job is easy. You could also consider putting your tank light on a timer so it comes on after you start your day, and goes off before you go to bed.
Sudden movement is something else your fish can't close their eyes to. When you're positioning your fish tank, it's important to think about the activity that will happen near the tank. Avoid the hallway and kitchen if you can. Both these locations might seem like good ones, but each has drawbacks. The hallway is likely to be one place in your house that gets a lot of traffic so your fish may see a lot of giant fast moving objects hurtling towards their world.
The kitchen, though a common place to put a fish tank, can also be a busy place. Cooking involves constant moving about between refrigerator, work top, cooker, and cupboards. If your fish are nearby they get a constant stream of rapid and unexpected, and possibly frightening, movement they can't escape from.
A quiet corner of your living room is often a much better location, and provides you with the opportunity to sit and relax watching your goldfish. But even here it's not necessarily relaxing for your fish. Make sure the tank is not in line of sight of the TV - a rich source of sudden movement. Your bedroom is a good location, because most of the time there's not much happening there. Your child's bedroom, however, could be a very active place, depending on the age of your child.
Of course, in every home there will always be some bright lights and some sudden movement. However, by using tank 'wallpaper' to cover one or more sides of the tank, you can protect your fish from the worst of them, and create a greater sense of security for your fish. Keeping plenty of healthy plants in the tank helps screen fish from visual noise, and makes the tank more interesting for you to look at. Developing a fish eye view of the world helps you give your fish a more comfortable and healthier home, and a longer life.
Elaine Rushmore is the author of 'The Goldfish Doctor' - a top quality, step-by-step guide to the diagnosis, treatment and cure of sick goldfish. Goldfish owners around the world have benefited from the information this book contains.
Protect your family's goldfish now - http://www.goldfishdoctor.com
All that glitters is not goldfish friendly. Your goldfish may need protection from things you may not see. Goldfish have very well developed vision; in fact the optic lobe--the vision center--is the largest part of your goldfish's brain. Though a little short sighted, they have an almost 360 degree view of the world because their eyes are on the sides of their head. That lets them see two things at the same time - which is great for finding food and for keeping an eye open for predators.
Like us, goldfish see in color, but they can also see ultraviolet light. They have greater sensitivity to light than we do but, unlike us, they have no eyelids because their eyes are constantly bathed in water. That gives them a problem we don't have; they can't shut their eyes to avoid bright lights. Furthermore, they can't dilate their pupils, so their eyes adjust to changes in light levels much more slowly than ours. It can take goldfish twenty minutes to adapt to lights being turned on or off, which is why they often dash for cover when you turn on a light. It's impossible for them to look away so all they can do is try to hide behind rocks and plants.
It's important to protect your fish from bright lights and sudden movements and to spend a little time working out the right location for their tank.
Avoid placing your tank on or near a windowsill - the worst place for bright sunlight. If you can't avoid putting the tank near a window, make sure you shade it from the incoming light using window blinds, or the wrap-round tank 'wallpaper' that most fish shops sell.
Remember that bright sunlight isn't a problem only in the summer months. It can be worse in winter because the winter sun is lower in the sky. Think how dazzling it can be when you are driving your car towards the sun, and think how much worse it could be for your goldfish in their tank if they have to suffer that all day, every day.
Add some stones or a small upturned flower pot for your fish to find refuge in.
There may be problems with bright light that you haven't noticed. Try crouching down at each end of the tank and look through it to see what your fish see. Check for mirrors or other shiny objects that may be causing a problem for your fish but which have never been a problem for you.
Room lights can be another problem for your goldfish. Although you may think nothing of it when you switch a room light on or off, your goldfish needs up to twenty minutes to adapt to the change in light. If your tank doesn't have a lid, it's a good idea to get one, especially if you have a ceiling light shining directly into the tank. If your fish tank is fitted with a light, turn the room light on first and then wait fifteen minutes before turning on the tank light so your fish has time to adjust to the light.
At night, switch the tank light off fifteen minutes before you switch the room light off. If you have dimmer switches for any of the lights near your fish tank the job is easy. You could also consider putting your tank light on a timer so it comes on after you start your day, and goes off before you go to bed.
Sudden movement is something else your fish can't close their eyes to. When you're positioning your fish tank, it's important to think about the activity that will happen near the tank. Avoid the hallway and kitchen if you can. Both these locations might seem like good ones, but each has drawbacks. The hallway is likely to be one place in your house that gets a lot of traffic so your fish may see a lot of giant fast moving objects hurtling towards their world.
The kitchen, though a common place to put a fish tank, can also be a busy place. Cooking involves constant moving about between refrigerator, work top, cooker, and cupboards. If your fish are nearby they get a constant stream of rapid and unexpected, and possibly frightening, movement they can't escape from.
A quiet corner of your living room is often a much better location, and provides you with the opportunity to sit and relax watching your goldfish. But even here it's not necessarily relaxing for your fish. Make sure the tank is not in line of sight of the TV - a rich source of sudden movement. Your bedroom is a good location, because most of the time there's not much happening there. Your child's bedroom, however, could be a very active place, depending on the age of your child.
Of course, in every home there will always be some bright lights and some sudden movement. However, by using tank 'wallpaper' to cover one or more sides of the tank, you can protect your fish from the worst of them, and create a greater sense of security for your fish. Keeping plenty of healthy plants in the tank helps screen fish from visual noise, and makes the tank more interesting for you to look at. Developing a fish eye view of the world helps you give your fish a more comfortable and healthier home, and a longer life.
Elaine Rushmore is the author of 'The Goldfish Doctor' - a top quality, step-by-step guide to the diagnosis, treatment and cure of sick goldfish. Goldfish owners around the world have benefited from the information this book contains.
Protect your family's goldfish now - http://www.goldfishdoctor.com
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
What Fish Can I Put in My Freshwater Fish Tank?
By Arturo Ronzon
There are literally hundreds of species of fish that can thrive in a freshwater fish tank. The type of fish and the quantity will be up to you and what you are looking to accomplish with the tank. Anyone knows that there are a lot of fish that will not live in freshwater tanks and should be avoided.
There are many sorts of fish that can add to your freshwater fish tank. Many of these fish are very brightly colored and some can be very costly. An employee at a pet or fish store will help you in deciding which fish to buy. Goldfish and guppies are popular choices but you could choose to get a little fancier. Betas or African Cichlids are more rare species but will add much needed color and value to your freshwater fish tank. It is common belief that it is not healthy to the fish to overcrowd your tank.
Experts say that the proper rule is to have one fish for every 4 gallons of water your tank holds. This will give each fish the proper room needed for swimming and allow them to feel like they have their own territory. Some species of fish can be fairly aggressive and this will relieve them of some of the pressure to assert themselves on the other fish. No matter what type of fish you choose, you should be able to fill your fish with the color or variety you are looking for.
Most people know that tropical or saltwater fish should not be placed in a freshwater tank. These fish require different things in order to thrive. If you are uncertain as to what kind of water a fish needs, consult a fish store employee or research the fish's online. This will keep you from wasting your money on species that are not going to do well in your freshwater fish tank.
Choose your fish wisely, and you should be able to fill your tank with the freshwater fish you want. Make certain you only get enough fish to give them the room they need and in no way put tropical or saltwater fish into your freshwater fish tank.
For more information about Freshwater Fish Tanks, feel free to visit us at: http://www.fish-tanks-land.com/article-8-Freshwater-Fish-Tanks.html
There are literally hundreds of species of fish that can thrive in a freshwater fish tank. The type of fish and the quantity will be up to you and what you are looking to accomplish with the tank. Anyone knows that there are a lot of fish that will not live in freshwater tanks and should be avoided.
There are many sorts of fish that can add to your freshwater fish tank. Many of these fish are very brightly colored and some can be very costly. An employee at a pet or fish store will help you in deciding which fish to buy. Goldfish and guppies are popular choices but you could choose to get a little fancier. Betas or African Cichlids are more rare species but will add much needed color and value to your freshwater fish tank. It is common belief that it is not healthy to the fish to overcrowd your tank.
Experts say that the proper rule is to have one fish for every 4 gallons of water your tank holds. This will give each fish the proper room needed for swimming and allow them to feel like they have their own territory. Some species of fish can be fairly aggressive and this will relieve them of some of the pressure to assert themselves on the other fish. No matter what type of fish you choose, you should be able to fill your fish with the color or variety you are looking for.
Most people know that tropical or saltwater fish should not be placed in a freshwater tank. These fish require different things in order to thrive. If you are uncertain as to what kind of water a fish needs, consult a fish store employee or research the fish's online. This will keep you from wasting your money on species that are not going to do well in your freshwater fish tank.
Choose your fish wisely, and you should be able to fill your tank with the freshwater fish you want. Make certain you only get enough fish to give them the room they need and in no way put tropical or saltwater fish into your freshwater fish tank.
For more information about Freshwater Fish Tanks, feel free to visit us at: http://www.fish-tanks-land.com/article-8-Freshwater-Fish-Tanks.html
Monday, November 19, 2007
Some Beginner Tips For Aquarium Hobbyists
By Richard Gilliland
However, amateur aquarium hobbyists are prone to make mistakes that could endanger the lives of their tiny aquatic inhabitants. Not to mention, it would do nothing to add to the beauty of your home. If you are entering into an aquarium-keeping hobby for the first time, you should bear some things in mind. Here are some tips that people who are new to the aquarium keeping hobby can use:
The location of the aquarium is the first important concern. Your aquarium should be placed in a corner where there is adequate light. If you place an aquarium in a dark corner, not only will it not be seen properly, but it will also be detrimental to the health of the fish. At the same time, do not keep an aquarium at a place where there is an overabundance of sunlight. Reflected sunlight will be good, but not direct sunlight, especially if your tank houses temperate climate fish. If you are buying a big aquarium tank, then a corner placement will not do justice to it. Place it then against a prominent wall of the room.
The shape and size of the tank is another thing to be concerned about. The basic rectangular glass tanks are the cheapest ones, and they also show the fish very nicely. If you want some interesting shapes, then you could go for curved shapes or hexagonal or octagonal cut tanks. Round tanks are also good to look at, but they are difficult to clean, so amateur aquarium hobbyists would do well to avoid them. Do not buy a tank that is too big or too small for the fish. One cannot really say how many fish you can place in a tank, because the size of fish can greatly vary. Just make sure you don't have to cramp your fish in it.
You must consider how easy it will be for you to clean the tanks. Again, rectangular tanks are the easiest to clean. Do not get deep tanks while starting out; they will only be too difficult to clean. Also, acrylic tanks are easier to clean (and unbreakable) as compared to glass tanks. You must clean the tank regularly too, because stagnant water can allow algae to breed in them, which are undesirable in any tank. Keeping the water well circulated using an aquarium pump is also a good idea.
There are two types of aquarium that you can keep - saltwater and freshwater. But if you are a beginner, the saltwater tanks are the best avoided. These tanks are difficult to clean, and the fish that thrive in saltwater need several conditions for thriving. There are many other aspects such as pH value of the water in the tank, the nitrogen content, and even the minerals in the tank bed gravel that you need to be concerned about. A little change in the tank could be fatal to the fish. Freshwater tanks are several times safer.
At the least, you will need a good quality filter for your aquarium. An aquarium filter works continuously to remove the impurities and fish waste products through a set mechanism and keeps the water at a healthy level. There are several types of filters available, such as power filters, under-gravel filters and canister filters. All of them are good, but you can do a little bit of research and decide which of these will be suitable to your tank. The power filter is recommended because it is easy to clean and maintain and it can be hidden behind the aquarium tank.
SaltySupply.com offers the most premium aquarium supplies on the net. We offer protein skimmers, powerheads, pumps and more for your saltwater aquarium.
However, amateur aquarium hobbyists are prone to make mistakes that could endanger the lives of their tiny aquatic inhabitants. Not to mention, it would do nothing to add to the beauty of your home. If you are entering into an aquarium-keeping hobby for the first time, you should bear some things in mind. Here are some tips that people who are new to the aquarium keeping hobby can use:
The location of the aquarium is the first important concern. Your aquarium should be placed in a corner where there is adequate light. If you place an aquarium in a dark corner, not only will it not be seen properly, but it will also be detrimental to the health of the fish. At the same time, do not keep an aquarium at a place where there is an overabundance of sunlight. Reflected sunlight will be good, but not direct sunlight, especially if your tank houses temperate climate fish. If you are buying a big aquarium tank, then a corner placement will not do justice to it. Place it then against a prominent wall of the room.
The shape and size of the tank is another thing to be concerned about. The basic rectangular glass tanks are the cheapest ones, and they also show the fish very nicely. If you want some interesting shapes, then you could go for curved shapes or hexagonal or octagonal cut tanks. Round tanks are also good to look at, but they are difficult to clean, so amateur aquarium hobbyists would do well to avoid them. Do not buy a tank that is too big or too small for the fish. One cannot really say how many fish you can place in a tank, because the size of fish can greatly vary. Just make sure you don't have to cramp your fish in it.
You must consider how easy it will be for you to clean the tanks. Again, rectangular tanks are the easiest to clean. Do not get deep tanks while starting out; they will only be too difficult to clean. Also, acrylic tanks are easier to clean (and unbreakable) as compared to glass tanks. You must clean the tank regularly too, because stagnant water can allow algae to breed in them, which are undesirable in any tank. Keeping the water well circulated using an aquarium pump is also a good idea.
There are two types of aquarium that you can keep - saltwater and freshwater. But if you are a beginner, the saltwater tanks are the best avoided. These tanks are difficult to clean, and the fish that thrive in saltwater need several conditions for thriving. There are many other aspects such as pH value of the water in the tank, the nitrogen content, and even the minerals in the tank bed gravel that you need to be concerned about. A little change in the tank could be fatal to the fish. Freshwater tanks are several times safer.
At the least, you will need a good quality filter for your aquarium. An aquarium filter works continuously to remove the impurities and fish waste products through a set mechanism and keeps the water at a healthy level. There are several types of filters available, such as power filters, under-gravel filters and canister filters. All of them are good, but you can do a little bit of research and decide which of these will be suitable to your tank. The power filter is recommended because it is easy to clean and maintain and it can be hidden behind the aquarium tank.
SaltySupply.com offers the most premium aquarium supplies on the net. We offer protein skimmers, powerheads, pumps and more for your saltwater aquarium.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Removal Of Fish From Your Aquarium
By Richard Gilliland
Removing dead fish is a very simple process actually, but you have to be sure the fish is really dead. Dead fish will temporarily sink to the bottom of the aquarium, but then soon enough, they will begin floating in the tank in the infamous belly-up position. This is the time when the fish will begin releasing toxins into the water. When you see a fish in this manner, remove it as soon as possible. It is not a good idea, however, to actually handle dead fish. You must use small nets or gloves to remove the fish from your tank.
However, it is not just dead fish that you will need to remove from your tank. Fish that are obviously sick must be immediately quarantined, which you can do by putting them into a fishbowl so that they do not spread their disease to the other fish in the tank. You can understand if fish are sick by looking at their movement in the water. If the fish are sluggish in the way they move (you must compare with how they move normally), or if they are spending a lot of time behind the rocks or plants in the aquarium, or simply lying lethargically on the aquarium bed, then something is wrong with them. The eyes of the fish could also be indicators of disease. If there is anything different with the eye, first remove the fish from the aquarium, and then get it checked by a qualified person.
But the most difficult thing is to remove a live and healthy fish from the tank. There are many reasons why you would want to remove a live fish. The fish might have outgrown the capacity of the tank, or the tank might be getting crowded, or simply the fish might be a danger to other fish due to its violent nature. Betta fish are notorious for attacking other fish in the tanks. Whatever the reason may be, removing live healthy fish from the tank is always a challenge.
There are some obvious problems. Live fish will squirm and wriggle around a lot in protest when you try to remove them. Some fish, like the surgeonfish, will also harm you if you try to touch them. Then there are toxic fish that you have to be worried about. Also, when you try to remove a live fish, there will be a lot of thrashing and flailing about, due to which the entire setup of your aquarium tank could be disturbed.
Your best bet to take out a live fish from your tank would be to use a line, hook and bait, just like you do when you go fishing. But you will have to use a blunt hook so as not to harm the fish. Tie up a morsel of the fish's favorite food on the hook and dangle it in the tank keeping the line tight. The fish will take the bait, and then you can transfer it to another tank.
Another way to do this effectively is to confuse the fish. Most fish are startled when there are sudden changes in light, because deep under the water in their natural habitat, there are never any quick light changes. Anyways, you can keep your tank in darkness for several hours and then suddenly put all the lights on in the room. Taking advantage of the confusion of the fish, you can manually take them up, using protective gloves. An alternative to this is to come up to the tank in the middle of the night and then to shine a torch suddenly at them.
Putting fish into a tank is many times easier than removing them, especially if you want to retain fish that are still alive. You will need to be patient and careful so that you accomplish the task without harming the fish in question and the other inhabitants of the tank.
SaltySupply.com offers the most premium aquarium supplies on the net. We offer protein skimmers, powerheads, pumps and more for your saltwater aquarium.
Removing dead fish is a very simple process actually, but you have to be sure the fish is really dead. Dead fish will temporarily sink to the bottom of the aquarium, but then soon enough, they will begin floating in the tank in the infamous belly-up position. This is the time when the fish will begin releasing toxins into the water. When you see a fish in this manner, remove it as soon as possible. It is not a good idea, however, to actually handle dead fish. You must use small nets or gloves to remove the fish from your tank.
However, it is not just dead fish that you will need to remove from your tank. Fish that are obviously sick must be immediately quarantined, which you can do by putting them into a fishbowl so that they do not spread their disease to the other fish in the tank. You can understand if fish are sick by looking at their movement in the water. If the fish are sluggish in the way they move (you must compare with how they move normally), or if they are spending a lot of time behind the rocks or plants in the aquarium, or simply lying lethargically on the aquarium bed, then something is wrong with them. The eyes of the fish could also be indicators of disease. If there is anything different with the eye, first remove the fish from the aquarium, and then get it checked by a qualified person.
But the most difficult thing is to remove a live and healthy fish from the tank. There are many reasons why you would want to remove a live fish. The fish might have outgrown the capacity of the tank, or the tank might be getting crowded, or simply the fish might be a danger to other fish due to its violent nature. Betta fish are notorious for attacking other fish in the tanks. Whatever the reason may be, removing live healthy fish from the tank is always a challenge.
There are some obvious problems. Live fish will squirm and wriggle around a lot in protest when you try to remove them. Some fish, like the surgeonfish, will also harm you if you try to touch them. Then there are toxic fish that you have to be worried about. Also, when you try to remove a live fish, there will be a lot of thrashing and flailing about, due to which the entire setup of your aquarium tank could be disturbed.
Your best bet to take out a live fish from your tank would be to use a line, hook and bait, just like you do when you go fishing. But you will have to use a blunt hook so as not to harm the fish. Tie up a morsel of the fish's favorite food on the hook and dangle it in the tank keeping the line tight. The fish will take the bait, and then you can transfer it to another tank.
Another way to do this effectively is to confuse the fish. Most fish are startled when there are sudden changes in light, because deep under the water in their natural habitat, there are never any quick light changes. Anyways, you can keep your tank in darkness for several hours and then suddenly put all the lights on in the room. Taking advantage of the confusion of the fish, you can manually take them up, using protective gloves. An alternative to this is to come up to the tank in the middle of the night and then to shine a torch suddenly at them.
Putting fish into a tank is many times easier than removing them, especially if you want to retain fish that are still alive. You will need to be patient and careful so that you accomplish the task without harming the fish in question and the other inhabitants of the tank.
SaltySupply.com offers the most premium aquarium supplies on the net. We offer protein skimmers, powerheads, pumps and more for your saltwater aquarium.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
The Process Known as Painting or Juicing Tropical Fish
By Paul Bromhall
The process of painting started in the late 1970's with the Glass Perch (Chanda ranga or Chanda wolfii ) and was soon noticed by the aquarium keepers of the day, protests followed and it seemed that the process had been stopped. However in the late 1980's early 1990's the process started again but this time spread to many more species. The rather worrying fact is that most people who buy these modified fish are totally unaware of the disgusting process involved to juice their fish or are unaware that their fish have been modified at all.
There is more than one method to alter the colour and appearance of tropical fish. Some are more barbaric than others but all have some significant health consequences. Coloring fish stresses them and makes them more susceptible to disease. Young fish that are not fully grown are often stunted by the painting process. The mortality rates are a staggering 80%. This process shows another example of man's disregard for nature and is obviously fueled by greed. The methods for painting are:-
Treated Food -
Fish, normally young fish are fed treated foods that will tint them. This dye certainly stunts their growth. Once these fish have been purchased and are no longer fed the modified food then their colour eventually fades.
Dye Injection -
Needles are used to puncture and inject dye under the skin, like a tattoo. This process can only colour a small area each time so fish will receive many, many injections to achieve the desired effect. The dye remains as liquid until the fish's immune system removes it. Many fish will succumb to other infections cause by the puncture wounds. The fish who survive this process will begin to lose their colour after six months. Only 10% of fish that survive this ordeal will keep their colour for any length of time.
Dipping in Dye -
If you thought injecting was barbaric then dying is even worse. The fish are bathed in a caustic solution that strips off their protective outer slime coating (mucoprotein coating), dipped or injected with dye and finally bathed in another chemical that stimulates re-growth of the slime coat. Again the fish undergo extreme stress and not surprisingly the death rate is very high. It is rumoured that foreign breeders have even offered to dye words or emblems onto fish with a laser.
The only real way to stop this despicable trade is to stop buying them and boycott any fish store that still supplies or offers to supply them. Always ask your dealer if the fish are painted or juiced before buying.
More information about fish painting and a list of the most common fish painted can be found at The Process of Painting Fish. When buying fish try to prevent disease by selecting only healthy fish.
For all other tropical fish information can be found at http://www.mytropicalfishworld.com
The process of painting started in the late 1970's with the Glass Perch (Chanda ranga or Chanda wolfii ) and was soon noticed by the aquarium keepers of the day, protests followed and it seemed that the process had been stopped. However in the late 1980's early 1990's the process started again but this time spread to many more species. The rather worrying fact is that most people who buy these modified fish are totally unaware of the disgusting process involved to juice their fish or are unaware that their fish have been modified at all.
There is more than one method to alter the colour and appearance of tropical fish. Some are more barbaric than others but all have some significant health consequences. Coloring fish stresses them and makes them more susceptible to disease. Young fish that are not fully grown are often stunted by the painting process. The mortality rates are a staggering 80%. This process shows another example of man's disregard for nature and is obviously fueled by greed. The methods for painting are:-
Treated Food -
Fish, normally young fish are fed treated foods that will tint them. This dye certainly stunts their growth. Once these fish have been purchased and are no longer fed the modified food then their colour eventually fades.
Dye Injection -
Needles are used to puncture and inject dye under the skin, like a tattoo. This process can only colour a small area each time so fish will receive many, many injections to achieve the desired effect. The dye remains as liquid until the fish's immune system removes it. Many fish will succumb to other infections cause by the puncture wounds. The fish who survive this process will begin to lose their colour after six months. Only 10% of fish that survive this ordeal will keep their colour for any length of time.
Dipping in Dye -
If you thought injecting was barbaric then dying is even worse. The fish are bathed in a caustic solution that strips off their protective outer slime coating (mucoprotein coating), dipped or injected with dye and finally bathed in another chemical that stimulates re-growth of the slime coat. Again the fish undergo extreme stress and not surprisingly the death rate is very high. It is rumoured that foreign breeders have even offered to dye words or emblems onto fish with a laser.
The only real way to stop this despicable trade is to stop buying them and boycott any fish store that still supplies or offers to supply them. Always ask your dealer if the fish are painted or juiced before buying.
More information about fish painting and a list of the most common fish painted can be found at The Process of Painting Fish. When buying fish try to prevent disease by selecting only healthy fish.
For all other tropical fish information can be found at http://www.mytropicalfishworld.com
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
How Hard is it to Set Up a Tropical Fish Tank?
By Arturo Ronzon
This will greatly depend on the amount of knowledge you have on the subject. If you are not that knowledgeable, you may want to research the project before beginning. The process is basically simple, but if done wrong, your fish will pay the price.
The first thing required, is the purchase of the proper elements to keep your tropical fish tank working properly. The most important thing you will need is a tank heater. Since the fish you will keep are used to swimming in warmer water, you will need to keep your tank at that temperature. A good heater will allow the fish to swim as if they were in their own local water, resulting in a better overall tropical fish tank.
A filter is another key feature to the installation of a tropical fish tank. The filter should be large enough to handle the size of your tank. The filter is the main source of keeping the water clean and clear to better keep your fish healthy. The lack of a filter or an improper filter could lead to green water and alga deposits on your tank. This is not the desired effect of any tank and should be avoided.
The stand for your tropical fish tank will add emphasis to the tank. It can be bought or built to add style to what has been known to be an eyesore of a room. The stand must be strong enough to handle the weight of your tank and the water it will hold. Make certain that the stand can handle your specific tank or the result could be costly.
Setting up the proper tropical fish tank is not a difficult process. If you give yourself the proper tools needed, you should have no trouble. The heater, filter and stand all play a pivotal role in keeping a tropical fish tank. They are all necessary and should not be left out of the process. They will allow you to enjoy your tropical fish tank to the fullest.
For more information about Tropical Fish Tanks, feel free to visit us at: http://www.fish-tanks-land.com/article-5-Tropical-Fish-Tanks.html
This will greatly depend on the amount of knowledge you have on the subject. If you are not that knowledgeable, you may want to research the project before beginning. The process is basically simple, but if done wrong, your fish will pay the price.
The first thing required, is the purchase of the proper elements to keep your tropical fish tank working properly. The most important thing you will need is a tank heater. Since the fish you will keep are used to swimming in warmer water, you will need to keep your tank at that temperature. A good heater will allow the fish to swim as if they were in their own local water, resulting in a better overall tropical fish tank.
A filter is another key feature to the installation of a tropical fish tank. The filter should be large enough to handle the size of your tank. The filter is the main source of keeping the water clean and clear to better keep your fish healthy. The lack of a filter or an improper filter could lead to green water and alga deposits on your tank. This is not the desired effect of any tank and should be avoided.
The stand for your tropical fish tank will add emphasis to the tank. It can be bought or built to add style to what has been known to be an eyesore of a room. The stand must be strong enough to handle the weight of your tank and the water it will hold. Make certain that the stand can handle your specific tank or the result could be costly.
Setting up the proper tropical fish tank is not a difficult process. If you give yourself the proper tools needed, you should have no trouble. The heater, filter and stand all play a pivotal role in keeping a tropical fish tank. They are all necessary and should not be left out of the process. They will allow you to enjoy your tropical fish tank to the fullest.
For more information about Tropical Fish Tanks, feel free to visit us at: http://www.fish-tanks-land.com/article-5-Tropical-Fish-Tanks.html
Sunday, November 11, 2007
How To Set Up A New Fish Tank, And Stock It With Fish
By Chris Emmerson
So you think it is easy to set a tank up with a few tropical fish in it, think again folk's.
If you get into the technical side of things "oh boy" you are going to need a P.H.D.
in everything, but that will not happen on this page, I plan on simplifying this material for you.
First things first.
1. Buy a tank and all of the other paraphernalia you are going to need.
2. You will need a water heater, pump, filter, gravel, plants, rocks and a background if you are going to use one.
3. Fill your tank with water it sounds silly but make sure it is on something sturdy, because when full they are extremely heavy, check for leaks then empty the water.
4. Wash your gravel and rocks under running water, you will be amazed at the dirt that comes out. When you think it is clean do it again, remember this is going to be your fishes home for a long time to come.
5. Put all the clean gravel in the bottom of the tank add your rocks, fit the background at this stage and make sure it is secure. Install your filter, heater and pump at this time.
If you are going to equip your aquarium with lights do it now, it is also a good idea to plant up before filling the tank with water. These are simple to do just place the plants directly into the gravel, you may have to trim them a little.
Now you can fill the aquarium with water, to me this is the exciting bit. But I hope you have not bought any fish yet, fish do not like chlorine and tap water is full of it.
You will need to buy a water conditioner there are plenty of different types on the market, that needs to be put in the tank.
It is time to turn everything on the lights, heater, filter and pump you will hear some noise and see a flow of bubbles, these will settle down to a nice steady rhythm.
If you have a friend or relative who keeps fish, you want to be going around to their house because I want you to scrounge some of their water and if they are not looking pinch some gravel.
You are going to add this to your tank as this will help to establish your water more quickly with nitrogen and bacteria, beneficial to the fish and plants.
Just make sure none of your friends fish are diseased, if they are you will only be transferring it to your tank.
Run the tank like this for five to seven days, do you recall what I said about chlorine well after this space of time it will all have dissipated.
This is without doubt the best part of keeping fish going to the pet shop to purchase some. I am going to give you a few more tips here please read carefully.
1. While you are in the pet shop looking at the tanks of fish ask the shopkeeper if he has a quarantine tank, he should have because any sick fish should be in here receiving treatment.
2. If there is no tank for sick fish leave the shop and go elsewhere.
3. After all if he does not have quarantine tanks, it means he may be selling sick fish to the public.
4. Choose your fish wisely, the kids will try to tempt you into buying fish you do not need.
5. Stick to your guns, the worst thing you could do is get some fish that will outgrow your tank, or a species that will eat every other fish in sight.
I hope you do some research before dashing off to buy fish, there are plenty to pick from and it is nice to know what you want, it beats a shopkeeper selling you what he wants to sell you.
Above all have fun, the hobby is sure to grow on you the more you become involved with it, cheers.
Chris Emmerson full of aches pains and woes but sorry folks still around contrary to some folks wishes.
Why don't you pop over to my site http://www.bulldogsandallpets.com
have a look around folks I am sure you will find something to interest you, don't worry its not all to do with bulldogs.
So you think it is easy to set a tank up with a few tropical fish in it, think again folk's.
If you get into the technical side of things "oh boy" you are going to need a P.H.D.
in everything, but that will not happen on this page, I plan on simplifying this material for you.
First things first.
1. Buy a tank and all of the other paraphernalia you are going to need.
2. You will need a water heater, pump, filter, gravel, plants, rocks and a background if you are going to use one.
3. Fill your tank with water it sounds silly but make sure it is on something sturdy, because when full they are extremely heavy, check for leaks then empty the water.
4. Wash your gravel and rocks under running water, you will be amazed at the dirt that comes out. When you think it is clean do it again, remember this is going to be your fishes home for a long time to come.
5. Put all the clean gravel in the bottom of the tank add your rocks, fit the background at this stage and make sure it is secure. Install your filter, heater and pump at this time.
If you are going to equip your aquarium with lights do it now, it is also a good idea to plant up before filling the tank with water. These are simple to do just place the plants directly into the gravel, you may have to trim them a little.
Now you can fill the aquarium with water, to me this is the exciting bit. But I hope you have not bought any fish yet, fish do not like chlorine and tap water is full of it.
You will need to buy a water conditioner there are plenty of different types on the market, that needs to be put in the tank.
It is time to turn everything on the lights, heater, filter and pump you will hear some noise and see a flow of bubbles, these will settle down to a nice steady rhythm.
If you have a friend or relative who keeps fish, you want to be going around to their house because I want you to scrounge some of their water and if they are not looking pinch some gravel.
You are going to add this to your tank as this will help to establish your water more quickly with nitrogen and bacteria, beneficial to the fish and plants.
Just make sure none of your friends fish are diseased, if they are you will only be transferring it to your tank.
Run the tank like this for five to seven days, do you recall what I said about chlorine well after this space of time it will all have dissipated.
This is without doubt the best part of keeping fish going to the pet shop to purchase some. I am going to give you a few more tips here please read carefully.
1. While you are in the pet shop looking at the tanks of fish ask the shopkeeper if he has a quarantine tank, he should have because any sick fish should be in here receiving treatment.
2. If there is no tank for sick fish leave the shop and go elsewhere.
3. After all if he does not have quarantine tanks, it means he may be selling sick fish to the public.
4. Choose your fish wisely, the kids will try to tempt you into buying fish you do not need.
5. Stick to your guns, the worst thing you could do is get some fish that will outgrow your tank, or a species that will eat every other fish in sight.
I hope you do some research before dashing off to buy fish, there are plenty to pick from and it is nice to know what you want, it beats a shopkeeper selling you what he wants to sell you.
Above all have fun, the hobby is sure to grow on you the more you become involved with it, cheers.
Chris Emmerson full of aches pains and woes but sorry folks still around contrary to some folks wishes.
Why don't you pop over to my site http://www.bulldogsandallpets.com
have a look around folks I am sure you will find something to interest you, don't worry its not all to do with bulldogs.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Controlling Algae In Your Aquarium
By Richard Gilliland
First, let us see the factors that promote the growth of algae.
1. Sunlight - Just like for any other plant life, sunlight is absolutely essential for the growth of algae too. Though sunlight looks very good for the water of the aquarium, the same sunlight can cause algae to grow, which could be hazardous to the other living organisms. Not just direct sunlight, but any form of artificial aquarium light too would promote algal growth if it is kept on continuously for more than 10 hours per day.
2. Nutrient levels - Algae will grow faster if there is an overabundance of nutrients in your aquarium. All plants require nitrates, phosphates and silicates for their better growth. When you introduce nutrients into the aquarium, the levels of these nutrients might go higher, which would facilitate algal growth.
3. Plant population - Algae will grow faster in a tank if there are very few plants in the tank to compete with, because then they can get all the resources present in the tank.
Now that we know what the major factors promoting the growth of algae in aquatic tanks are, we can try to understand the methods that can be employed in order to check the growth of algae. The following are some algae control methods that can be employed even by amateur aquarium owners:-
1. There are some species of fish that eat algae. These fish are called as tank cleaner fishes. Some of the cheaply and popularly available tank cleaner fishes are the otos or dwarf suckermouth catfish, Siamese algae eater, bushy-nosed pleco, twig catfish and even the Japanese algae eating shrimp. You can introduce one of these fishes into the tank once it begins to show an algal infiltration. You can also include a hermit crab or a snail, since they feed on algae too.
2. Using a protein skimmer could be a very good option too. Protein skimmers are devices that remove the unwanted proteins from the tank environment. They will remove the dissolved organic compounds from the tank, which would otherwise promote the growth of algae. They bring the nutrient level down. Protein skimmers also reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide from the tank, which the algae, being plants, need for food preparation through photosynthesis.
3. Reduce the amount of actinic lighting in your aquarium setup. The actinic lighting is the blue light, and it helps to promote the growth of algae if used in excess. The ideal situation would be use 50% of actinic light mixed with 50% of white spectrum (daytime) light. Also, the light sources must be replaced periodically. All VHO (Very High Output) fluorescent lights need replacement after every eight months. Metal halide lamps will do with an annual replacement. It must also be remembered not to keep the artificial light source continuously on for more than 10 hours in a day.
4. Carbon dioxide is directly responsible for the growth of algae because, after all, they are plants. If your carbon dioxide filter has choked up, then there is a possibility that the level of carbon dioxide in the tank will be high. Using a pump in the aquarium to allow the water to circulate continuously is way of reducing on the amount of carbon dioxide in the tank. You can find out when the carbon dioxide level in the aquarium is going up by checking the alkalinity and pH value of the water within the tank. If these levels show an abnormal dip, then it is time to do something about increased carbon dioxide levels within the tank.
SaltySupply.com offers the most premium phosban reactor on the net. We offer protein skimmers, powerheads, pumps and aquarium controllers.
First, let us see the factors that promote the growth of algae.
1. Sunlight - Just like for any other plant life, sunlight is absolutely essential for the growth of algae too. Though sunlight looks very good for the water of the aquarium, the same sunlight can cause algae to grow, which could be hazardous to the other living organisms. Not just direct sunlight, but any form of artificial aquarium light too would promote algal growth if it is kept on continuously for more than 10 hours per day.
2. Nutrient levels - Algae will grow faster if there is an overabundance of nutrients in your aquarium. All plants require nitrates, phosphates and silicates for their better growth. When you introduce nutrients into the aquarium, the levels of these nutrients might go higher, which would facilitate algal growth.
3. Plant population - Algae will grow faster in a tank if there are very few plants in the tank to compete with, because then they can get all the resources present in the tank.
Now that we know what the major factors promoting the growth of algae in aquatic tanks are, we can try to understand the methods that can be employed in order to check the growth of algae. The following are some algae control methods that can be employed even by amateur aquarium owners:-
1. There are some species of fish that eat algae. These fish are called as tank cleaner fishes. Some of the cheaply and popularly available tank cleaner fishes are the otos or dwarf suckermouth catfish, Siamese algae eater, bushy-nosed pleco, twig catfish and even the Japanese algae eating shrimp. You can introduce one of these fishes into the tank once it begins to show an algal infiltration. You can also include a hermit crab or a snail, since they feed on algae too.
2. Using a protein skimmer could be a very good option too. Protein skimmers are devices that remove the unwanted proteins from the tank environment. They will remove the dissolved organic compounds from the tank, which would otherwise promote the growth of algae. They bring the nutrient level down. Protein skimmers also reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide from the tank, which the algae, being plants, need for food preparation through photosynthesis.
3. Reduce the amount of actinic lighting in your aquarium setup. The actinic lighting is the blue light, and it helps to promote the growth of algae if used in excess. The ideal situation would be use 50% of actinic light mixed with 50% of white spectrum (daytime) light. Also, the light sources must be replaced periodically. All VHO (Very High Output) fluorescent lights need replacement after every eight months. Metal halide lamps will do with an annual replacement. It must also be remembered not to keep the artificial light source continuously on for more than 10 hours in a day.
4. Carbon dioxide is directly responsible for the growth of algae because, after all, they are plants. If your carbon dioxide filter has choked up, then there is a possibility that the level of carbon dioxide in the tank will be high. Using a pump in the aquarium to allow the water to circulate continuously is way of reducing on the amount of carbon dioxide in the tank. You can find out when the carbon dioxide level in the aquarium is going up by checking the alkalinity and pH value of the water within the tank. If these levels show an abnormal dip, then it is time to do something about increased carbon dioxide levels within the tank.
SaltySupply.com offers the most premium phosban reactor on the net. We offer protein skimmers, powerheads, pumps and aquarium controllers.
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