Tuesday, 24. November 2009
Deciding what kind of fish you want is just one of the first steps in setting up an aquarium. Your local pet store will offer a myriad of choices inside all those colorful tanks lined up on their wall. The question is, which to get?
With the many varieties of fish to choose from, it can be so easy to pick the wrong fish. You would naturally want to get the fish that you think are attractive or have a certain look that you want your aquarium to have. After you have narrowed down your choices, it’s best to try to answer these three guiding questions before you make your final decision. How large do these fish grow? What water quality do the fish need? How well will they live with the other fish that I’ve chosen?
Community fish are fish that are usually about one inch or less. Fish keepers usually choose to populate their tanks with groups of similar community fish. Some examples of community fish are sword tails, guppies, Dwarf Gourami and Platies. When you have chosen a variety, find fish that are close to the same size. Get some advice on which varieties get along well with each other if you want to mix them. Avoid getting just one community fish because they are used to swimming in schools and will just be lonely in your aquarium. As a rule of thumb, provide one gallon of aquarium water for every inch of these fish.
Other bigger species of fish can grow from 6 inches to several feet in length. They are generally best kept alone for they are known to attack or eat smaller or weaker fish. You will need a larger aquarium to keep them in. A ten gallon tank may suffice while they are still young, but eventually, you will need to transfer them to something bigger.
It’s best to just buy the appropriate aquarium for their adult size when you first get the fish. Select the species you want, and then determine the aquarium size requirements for this fish at its adult size. This is not always one gallon per inch of full-grown fish, like it is for the smaller community fish.
There are some varieties of fish that will survive almost any water condition. A popular example of these is the goldfish. They have a reputation for being almost invincible. They will most likely flourish even without lighting or filter, but this is not good aquarium practice.
Tropical fish are a little bit more particular especially with regard to the smaller range of water temperature they need. They also require high quality aquarium water. Testing the water frequently and having an excellent filter are just some of the ways to make sure that the fish are swimming in quality water. To lessen the need for constant maintenance, there are products like, EcoBio-Block, which helps to improve the quality of your aquarium water. Make sure to do some research regarding all the fish you have selected for their specific water quality requirements. There are some fish that require aquarium water to have a specific pH level, for example.
The last category of fish includes saltwater or marine varieties. These are tricky to keep, and are best left until you have fishkeeping experience with freshwater fish. In addition to temperature, light, and water quality requirements, you must also keep an eye on the salt levels in the aquarium. These beautiful fish require a lot of work to keep them healthy, and you cannot mix freshwater fish with saltwater varieties.
And lastly, examine every fish closely before you buy them. Check that they have healthy bright eyes, intact tails and fins, no missing scales or injury of any kind. Observe if they have healthy appetites and a high level of activity. Choose only bright and healthy looking fish.
Deciding on what fish to have should really be a matter of careful consideration. A well thought out selection will definitely provide you with many years of enjoyment with your pet fish and aquarium.
Leonard Boyler has been keeping fish for more than 20 years. His favorite products really make aquarium care and maintenance so easy everything from the start up to being able to clarify cloudy aquarium water. To learn more about how to keep water clear and fish healthy , please visit ONEdersave.com.
Posted in Pets by Leonard Boyler -
Friday, 6. November 2009
Owning a koi pond requires regular maintenance in order to keep the nutrients in balance. A healthy and clean pond insures that it will sustain life without the aggravation of fungi and other unwanted diseases. A healthy koi pond is beautiful. One way to achieve this is to clean the pond naturally with products such as Bioverse’s all-natural pond cleaners.
For many years, the only way to clean a pond was to use harsh chemicals which weren’t good for the environment. Nowadays, with attention to products being eco-friendly, there are better choices for naturally cleaning ponds. These cleaners use all naturally derived ingredients that don’t introduce foreign chemical based products into the water.
Here are a few things to think about when looking for a natural cleaner.
1. Make sure the product is biodegradable. If it isn’t, the ingredients of the solution will not break down in the soil. Being biodegradable is also a sign of being eco-friendly and won’t hurt the environment around the pond.
2. Is it safe? The cleaner used should not only be safe for wildlife and fish, it should also be safe for children. Some companies even produce special dispensers that will dissolve over time, leaving no waste or chemicals in the water.
3. Make sure it is effective. Do a little research to investigate the cleaning companies that may be in question. Don’t be afraid to call and get more information if not completely satisfied.
Having a beautiful, clean koi pond will brighten any back yard. Using a natural cleaner such as Bioverse produces can help maintain the pond and keep the fish and its surroundings healthy.
Trey Casselman enjoys writing and taking care of ponds. For additional information about water clarity products like aquarium cleaner or to learn about others such as koi pond cleaner products, go to the Bioverse site today.
Posted in Pets by Trey Casselman -
Wednesday, 16. September 2009
If you want to have healthy fish, you need to have the right type of water in your fish tank. Many people who are just beginning to set up a fish tank don’t understand how important it is to test your water and treat it for any imbalances. You need to have the right water for your fish.
Different fish have different requirements when it comes to the condition of the water that they will do best in. It is always a good idea to test your water for the pH, gH, and kH levels and try to get fish that thrive in water similar to the water that you already have. This will mean less work for you when it comes to fish tank water treatment.
Tap water tends to be the best type of water for your freshwater fish tanks, but it does need some treatment before it can be used. Chlorine is not good for fish, so you need to remove the chlorine from the water before adding it to your tank. You can use a conditioner as a way to try to correct any imbalances in your water and add beneficial substances. This type of fish tank water treatment is common. It will get rid of the chlorine. You can also leave tap water sitting out for 24 hours to get rid of chlorine, though this will not correct any other imbalances.
If the pH of your water is not at the right level, or is not remaining stable, you might need to do a fish tank water treatment in order to correct this. Sometimes this can be as simple as mixing a small amount of spring water in with the tank water. Other times you will need to treat whatever is causing the pH fluctuation.
You also need to make sure that the kH, or concentration of carbonates and bicarbonates, in your water is at the proper level. These help to buffer the water so that the pH stays more constant, otherwise as time goes on it will get acidic. There are a number of different options you can use for fish tank water treatment if you have high or low kH levels, including various chemicals you can purchase at the store.
You gH is the general hardness of your water. Some fish prefer harder water and some prefer softer water. You can use peat moss to soften the water, or add rocks to help harden the water. The simplest thing to do is get fish that suit the water that you already have so you don’t need to do too much treatment of your water.
Dustin Williams is a writer and hobbyist who has kept aquarium fish for several years. He has learned much about owning a home aquarium from reading books and personal experience. To learn more about proper fish tank water treatment please visit HomeAquariumSupplies.com.
Posted in Pets by Dustin Williams -
Sunday, 13. September 2009
Throughout history, animals have been an integral part in lives of people all over the world.
Pets have brought joy to their owners whether they have been used for company, esthetic purposes or hunting.
For instance, dogs and various types of birds often were domesticated in ancient Rome. Evidence that those animals were utilized as a means of relaxation and comfort can be found on many sculptures and mosaics saved from that period of time. The Greyhound, formerly called the Italian Greyhound, is an ancient dog breed still popular today; they were used as “hot pillows” for Romans who found themselves shivering from a cold. Dogs in ancient Rome always had names, unlike the cats who often remained without a name. Popular names for dogs in that era are Sila, Titus, Juba and Sasca.
Four thousand years ago, the Egyptians were the earliest people to make cats their pets.
Cats quickly became a source of esteem and idolization in ancient Egypt, although they were initially used as rodent chasers. Cats are clearly illustrated as an important part of day-to-day life on some Egyptian tomb scenes. To shield owners from bad luck and evil spirits, statues of cats were also put in front of people’s homes. The feline goddess that protected all cats and children was named Bastet. Ancient Egyptian law reflected the love and admiration the people had for cats; harming a feline warranted a death sentence to the perpetrator. Armies were instructed to go on reconnaissance missions to retrieve smuggled cats from nearby countries; exporting cats out of Egypt was illegal.
Having fish or reptiles as pets was something that occurred years ago, as well. There is evidence that suggests that during the years 220 to 390, people in the Chun dynasty had goldfish as pets. Buddhist monasteries, royal houses, or individuals who had high rankings in society were usually the ones who owned and bred Goldfish. But, during the Ming Dynasty, it was very common to have a goldfish in almost any home, kept in glass bowls or other containers. Having a goldfish as a pet became very popular, and in the 15th century, the “Golden carps” were seen in Europe and Japan. It was said that if you had a goldfish in your house, you would have prosperity and luck. People also loved to watch how they moved, which made them feel more relaxed and at peace.
In all sorts of times and areas, animals have acted as wonderful companions and partners for individuals.
A lot of us cannot currently imagine living if wer’e deprived of a pet. However, it is important to remember that we are accountable for the pets we take in. Careful preparation is required before a pet is obtained and should not be a decision made off the cuff. Our pets count on us to give them a joyful and healthful home. Cats and dogs need attention and love and having them is not to be taken lightly. Like the people of the past, we need to show the same degree of TLC to a pet. In today’s times we are able to get all the best playthings, treats and other bells and whistles for our cats and dogs. So, it is extremely simple and basically inexpensive to spoil our pets. In addition to buying all these things for them, make sure we also show them love and appreciation in return for all they do for us.
To find out how you can treat your favourite animalby visiting petshopessentials.com
Posted in Pets by mason holmes -
Friday, 4. September 2009
Koi Fish Guide. Whilst the potential color variations are never ending, breeders have identified and named a number of particular categories. The most trendy group at the moment is Gosanke, which is made up of the Kohaku, Taisho Sanshoku, and Showa Sanshoku varieties.The common carp is a tough little fish, and koi maintain that durability. Koi are cold-water fish, but benefit from being kept in the 15-25 degrees C (59-77 degrees F) range and do not react well to lengthy cold winters, their immune system switches off under 10 degrees Celsius.
In Japanese, ‘koi’ is a homophone for another word that means ‘affection or love’; koi are thus symbols of love and friendship in Japan. Koi tattoos have also become a fashionable trend in North America.Koi varieties are distinguished by coloration, patterning, and scalation. A number of the foremost colors are white, black, red, yellow, blue, and cream.
Culled fry are commonly destroyed (perhaps fed to other fish), while older culls, within their first year between 3″ to 6″ long (also called “Tosai”), are quite often sold as lower-grade ‘pond-quality’ koi. While the potential color grades are practically infinite, breeders have identified and named a number of particular categories. The most common group is Gosanke, which is made up of the Kohaku, Taisho Sanshoku, and Showa Sanshoku varieties.The common carp is a hardy little fish, and koi maintain that durability. Koi are cold-water fish, but benefit from being kept in the 15-25 degrees C (59-77 degrees F) range and do not react well to lengthy cold winter temperatures, their immune system ’switches off’ under 10 degrees Celsius.
In Japanese, ‘koi’ is a homophone for another word that means ‘affection or love’; koi are therefore symbols of love and friendship in Japan. Koi tattoos have also become a fashionable trend in parts of North America.Koi varieties are distinguished by their coloration, patterning, and scalation. A number of the foremost colors are white, black, red, yellow, blue, orange and cream.
Koi will churn out thousands of offspring from a single spawning. However, unlike cattle, purebred dogs, or more relevantly, goldfish, the large majority these offspring, even from the finest champion-grade koi, will not be acceptable as nishikigoi (they have no appealing colors) or could even be genetically defective. These unacceptable offspring are culled at various stages of development based on the breeder’s expertise and closely guarded trade techniques. Culled fry are ordinarily destroyed (perhaps fed to other fish), while older culls, within their first year between 3″ to 6″ long (also called “Tosai”), are frequently sold as lower-grade ‘pond-quality’ koi. Koi Fish Information
Fantastic Information on Koi Fish Here
Posted in Pets by Janine Rose Morley -