Almost everybody loves aquarium. Others wanted a variety of fish inside it – while others prefer a solitary fish inside, like flowerhorns or oscars of the freshwater tropical variety. This latter fishes are predators, they practically feed on smaller fish, even their own kind…hence, they are better left alone…
Some claim that aquariums have this health benefit like getting you relaxed everytime you look at the fish or fishes inside. It has sedatory effect to many, accordingly. The graceful movements of goldfish and the quick swimming barbs, koi (Japanese carp), mollies and sharks brings the observer in a different environment, a totally separate world that creates a calming effect on a tired body, sheer magic. You feel that silent joy everytime the fish reacts to your feeding or by simply toying them with your fingers…
But that’s not everything…Its not all at the bright side. The sad part of having an aquarium is the cleaning part…Most people hate cleaning their aquariums because aside from being messy and laborious, fishes get killed in the process or fishes get sick afterwards. So, as an unsolicited advice from somebody who is not an expert but experienced on experimenting things, here’s some tips in maintaining a freshwater aquarium:
1. Do not overfeed your fish. Fishes tend to eat everytime you give them feeds. They just dont stop eating, like goldfish and koi. More food, more waste. Your aquarium gets dirty easily. Feed your fish just enough for the day, once or twice a day, at most..this is actually subjectively done…
2. Get a good filtration system. Either you use a powerhead filter which uses a submersible pump and an overhead filter tank to filter dirt or you may use an undergravel filter which needed peebles and uses suction effect to collect the dirt under the filter.
3. Do not overcrowd your aquarium. More fish, more feeds, more dirt.
4. Try adding a janitor fish or corydoras in the aquarium. These guys are cleaners because they feed on excess feeds and controls algal growth inside…
5. Try using floating feeds. Its more convenient and easy to collect excess feeds.
6. Lastly, be patient. Fish do not grow instantly in aquariums. So, you need not overfeed them. If you want them to grow fast, put them in the ponds or concrete tubs.
Hi Bottom Lines,
I have reared fish a few times before. Disasters is the only way I may describe my love for fish and managing an aquarium.
Even with the help of a friend who taught me how to go about it – I failed.
I guess the poor creatures died from too much love and attention.
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