| By :
Bob Finklea
What you can't see may kill your fish. Basic practice of prevention and cure is a vital part of treating disease and are practical in maintaining an aquarium of healthy fish. Even books in shelves need regular dusting to prevent the accumulation of dirt that may lead to the shredding of its pages and spell death, so how much more with aquariums where there is life at stake, either of fish, amphibians and snails or even of living plants and rocks. It is always a useful idea to regularly clean-up one's aquarium. Unwanted elements such as nitrates and phosphates gradually develop in aquariums either from food decay or digestive wastes of the aquarium's inhabitants. These may be invisible. An aquarist does not have to wait for their aquarium to become cloudy white to gray or their pets sticking their heads to the surface to breathe to realize that something is wrong with the tanks water. How often then do you need to have a freshwater aquarium water change in your tank without harming your fish? Being a closed systems aquariums regardless of size, require patient but easy maintenance. Generally, a regular water change either weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. For smaller but heavily loaded tanks, the more frequent water change, the better. we recommend that you change your tanks water form 10 percent to 25 percent per change on the regular basis. For lightly stocked tanks, it is okay to change water monthly but this should be the maximum gap between water changes. For best results however, a true-blue aquarist should change the whole water at least once a month or bi-weekly depending on the size of the tank, and to give your pets a 100 percent fresh breather. Merely adding new water to your aquarium does not guarantee a clean-up as waste is not removed from top to bottom of the aquarium. High levels of nitrates and phosphates as well as drastic changes in water temperature, and a poor mixture of tap water into your fish tank can cause severe stress to your fish. This is manifested in stunted growth, problems with reproduction, and vulnerability to diseases with symptoms like abnormal breathing, loss of color, dropping-off of scales and general loss of appetite. Some elements in an of themselves are not a danger to your fish but they help create other elments that are toxic to your fish. this is dangerous for the fish and any pets in this high a level. In fact, nitrate accumulation is known as old tank syndrome, which is a call for aquarium owners to wake up from negligence of responsibility. The following are useful tips in changing the tank water in a freshwater aquarium. First, turn off the heater or maintain a lower level, to avoid shock to the fish. Fish can remain in the tank or you can temporarily transfer them to another container of "aged water" or previously prepared water that is dissolved of harmful gases for a so-called pH balance. Second, scrub-off algae from the glass, plants and ornaments using an algae sponge or scraper. Particles that stick on them for days would be separated and will be evident in the water, later sinking at the bottom. It is not necessary to uproot live plants and rocks. For artificial plants and other decor, remove them from the tank but never use soap in cleaning them to avoid the development of nitrates. Instead, use warm salty water to rinse them. Third, disconnect the filter and drain water according to the percentage you desire using a gravel cleaner or a siphon attached to a faucet. You can choose to do it manually with the use of a bucket. Fourth, slowly fill the tank with aged water up to the original level. The tap water that you use must have the same temperature reading as the water presently in your fish tank which will avoid shock to your fish and treat the water for chlorine. Use a de-chlorinator which should be added to the water before finally pouring it in the tank. Don't shake the filter as this might break something and it is better soaked with the same water before you made the change then all new water. Try and keep the filter soaking in the old tank water while doing a water change as this is the best way to keep the beneficial bacteria alive that is present in the filter. Fifth, place back your artificial plants and decor while your fish can freely swim again in their newly-cleaned provided home. Lastly, the filter can be reconnected, the heater plugged back in and the pump restarted. the steps involved are realitively easy and you should always pay close attention to the detail. there are available for home use, test kits at near bye stores that are used for PH and nitrogen levels that you will need to buy. These test kits will let you know haw your water is doing toxins wise and come with manuals with charts in them for your aquarium waters upkeep. You will not get bored nor tired as long as you regard the fish as your close friends. You can play your favourite music or even meditational albums while changing your tank water. The session can also be a bonding moment with your family, friends, officemates and lovers. Remember that accumulated junk in the water is not the only reason refreshing new water should be given to your aquarium, and that as time goes by, natural water minerals are also used up or are filtered out of the tank through natural or semi natural causes. Being in water all its life, we can assume that a fish takes a bath everyday, but it is different when it is placed in an enclosed ecosystem. Compared to the larger river, lake, seas and oceans where biological cycle of things somehow take form, aquariums need attendance and regular maintenance by its owners. It is always a good thing for your aquariums pets to be refreshed with new water. With proper maintenance, your fish can bloom in their best colors, fins, scales and exhibitions. Everyone wants to be their best especially in company, and your fish are no exception.
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