Freshwater fish tend to be hardier than their saltwater counterparts, which makes a freshwater aquarium easier to care for. Still, you have to follow some basic rules in setting up your aquarium. You need a tank, of course, as well as substrate or rocks to line the bottom. In addition, a filter and lighting is required. One of the basic things to know is that all of your fish are compatible. They must require the same temperature and P.H. and have similar diets. They should also be of roughly the same size. One truth about fish to remember is that if one fish is small enough to fit into another's mouth, it will probably end up there. If this does occur, don't be discouraged but learn from it. It's part of nature, but you can minimize it by careful planning. Feed your freshwater fish twice daily; only give them a small quantity of food at a time, what they can consume in around five minutes. Overfeeding, a common mistake made by novice aquarium owners, will cause the excess food to dirty the tank. It's important to keep the water regulated; you should test it weekly, and correct and discrepancies in P.H. and temperature. This will minimize stress to the fish. You cannot ignore stress, because it is a major cause of illness. That's why it's vital to closely monitor the general behavior and condition of your fish. Do not overcrowd your tank; this can be a cause of stress. It isn't hard to spot signs of stress. If you notice fish that are slow-moving or lethargic, purchase a stress coat at your local pet store. Only change about one third of the aquarium's water at a time; this reduces any disturbance to the tank's inhabitants. Change this much water every two or three weeks, using either a bucket or siphon. When adding water, be sure to remove any loose or floating debris you spot. It is also crucial to make sure that the new water is close in temperature to the water already there, within two degrees or so. The sides of the aquarium should be scrubbed regularly to remove an algae build up. Again be careful not to disturb the fish. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling the aquarium. Lastly, check the manufacturer's recommendation on filters and change them accordingly. Filters collect any fish waste or left over food. They can't function properly unless they are clean. When your tank is new, start with hardy fish. These are fish that can tolerate the higher nitrite levels which are present in a new aquarium. Some such fish are live bearers, gouramis, barbs and danios. Do not add more than three or four small fish per week. Before adding fish, check with your retailer or do research, as acclimation times vary per species.
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Freshwater fish tend to be hardier than their saltwater counterparts, which makes a freshwater aquarium easier to care for. Still, you have to follow some basic rules in setting up your aquarium. You need a tank, of course, as well as substrate or rocks to line the bottom. In addition, a filter and lighting is required.
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