Category Archives: Guest Post

Aquarium gravel and water

It wasn’t too many years ago that the home aquarist paid very little attention to the water in an aquarium. Perhaps some of that was due to the fact that most of the water used was collected from ponds or rainwater catch. Now most of us get our water from our water taps. The water has been processed to insure that it is safe for us to drink. Our safe drinking water is not necessarily the best water for fish. Chlorination is usually part of the water cleaning process. That and other chemicals added to our tap water can be stressful and even fatal to some fish.

Fish cannot survive in waters that are too acid or too alkaline. The acidity is measured on a scale that is known as the pH scale, shorthand for potentiometric hydrogen ion concentration. A pH scale starts with the strongest acids measuring pH 1, and ending with the strongest alkali as low as pH 14. In the wild, waters that harbor fish can a range from an acidic pH of 4 to a basic pH of 9. Most home aquaria should be kept near a neutral pH of 7 unless the specific species you have require something else.

There are ways to measure the pH of the water in an aquarium. The easiest is probably the litmus paper strip. To obtain a reading, dip the paper strip into the water and compare the color of the paper with a chart. This is a fast and easy method but can be inaccurate. The chemically treated paper can be affected by age and storage conditions.

A better and more accurate way to test the water is to obtain a kit that provides a vial and indicator chemicals. Water is collected in the vial and then the chemicals are added. The water changes color to indicate the pH.

Besides the source of the water there are other factors that can affect the pH and the degree of hardness of the water (DH). The aquarium ornaments we add to our tanks can slowly leach out calcium and magnesium salts. The ornaments include aquarium gravel, stones, or metals that are place in the water.

Prevention and cure of a pH or DH problem starts with using only aged water. That is water that has been collected and allowed to sit in a loosely covered pail for a day or two before adding it to the aquarium. Another preventative step is to buy aquarium gravel approved for aquarium use by being pH and DH tested. Rocks and stones should be of a non-metallic nature and free of limestone.

Before placing anything in an aquarium it should be washed and allowed to soak in clear water for a few days. The water should be tested before and after the soaking. If the pH or DH changes discard the object or try treating it with a mild solution of Hydrochloric acid then rinse thoroughly. Try the soaking and testing again. Your fish will thank you.

Related Post

Essential advice for starting a home aquarium
Aquarium stands, options and considerations
Aquarium backgrounds

Experiences in setting up a home aquarium

My aquarium experiences started off as something of an accident. My partner and I were given a 5-gallon fish tank with a simple over the side fiberglass filter. The tank also included a few guppies and mollies.

We set up the tank on a small aquarium stand near our eating area. It turned out that the tank became our mealtime TV. We could watch the fish swim and eat while we ate our evening meal. The slow movement through the water was accented by the mating chase and the territorial disputes. It was exciting the first time we saw a baby fish being born. It was just as moving to see that same baby fish become fish food.

Knowing very little about having an aquarium we also knew very little about how to best keep our newborn fish alive. One store suggested we use a breeding cage. The idea of the breeding cage is to place the mother inside a mesh cage or trap that would permit her to give birth. The babies would fall through the cage openings and the mother would not consume them. As you can easily imagine, this only protected the fry from the birthing mother and not from the other fish. In order for that method to be effective it would require that each mother have a tank of her own until she was finished giving birth. That did not sound like a workable idea for us.

Similar to the cage is a breeding plate. This is a mesh plate that is inserted into a tank slightly above the aquarium gravel. The idea is that the fry can fall below the plate and have a protected area to start their life. We did not like the appearance of the plate and it made cleaning the gravel impossible. For a breeder who wanted to collect young fish and didn’t care how the tank looked this might be a good method of separating newborns from adults.

Another suggestion was to have lots of plants for the fry to be dropped in or near. They could then hide and avoid being eaten by all the bigger fish. This idea at least was workable. In our ignorance we planted the whole bottom of the aquarium in plants. The plants were not properly anchored down and soon we had one of the biggest floating gardens I have ever seen. All we could see was the floating garden, no fish. With a little practice, observation and a bit of advice from knowledgeable shop owners we learned the proper balance of plants to fish and other aquarium ornaments.

Related Post

Essential advice for starting a home aquarium
Aquarium gravel and water
Aquarium Stands, Options and Considerations
Aquarium backgrounds explored

Keep Your Cichlids Healthy – It’s Easy

Guest Post

The hobby of keeping cichlids can be a very enjoyable and rewarding experience. Most people just getting started in keeping these very intelligent aquarium fish have lots of questions. Even as an experienced aquarist, I seem to learn something new everyday. Here are some tips to get you started.

The first thing that you need to do when keeping cichlids is to consider what size that your cichlids will be when they are fully mature. If you have gotten bitten by the Oscar bug and have fallen in love with these very personable fish, you are simply going to need a large tank.

Most people will recommend at least a 55 gallon aquarium to keep a pair of Oscar fish. That is simply the bare minimum for these big guys. If you have a smaller variety, you just need a smaller tank. Simple, right?

Second, ph level and water salinity, among other water chemistry levels, can be very different between the different types of cichlids. Just consider African Cichlids. They are found in different lakes in Africa. Each of these lakes have their own unique water chemistry, so if you are keeping Africans, it is very important to do your research if you are going to replicate their native habitat.

If your cichlids are going to thrive, whether they are African or New World Cichlids, temperature and water chemistry must be monitored.

Plants and cichlids sometimes just do not match well. Many cichlids are very intelligent, but they love to make lettuce out aquarim plants. Its a challenge, but it can be done.

American varieties of cichlids seem to be able to tolerate plants in their aquarium better that Africans do. But having made that point, Oscars love to destroy plant life. Angel fish, on the other hand, seem to tolerate plants very well.

Angel fish can be some of the most enjoyable cichlids in my opinion. They even do very well in community tanks because they are generally docile and tolerate plants very well.

Visit cichlid care to learn how to keep cichlids healthy, colorful and happy. And visit keeping cichlids to learn how to keep your cichlids stress free.

A Closer Look At A Diverse Brisbane

Guest Post

Brisbane, located in Australia, is much different then many of the tourists destination throughout the world. It offers a diversity in the available activities for one to enjoy, and it is all within a short distance to the center of the city. In the city, itself, you can enjoy a wonderful day shopping at some of the greatest stores around and dining at the many locales throughout. There are street side markets, local cuisine and talent spread out in this city area. When the night time comes rolling in the fun does not have to stop. There are a variety of clubs, shows and concerts for you to enjoy before you call it a day.

If you want to venture outside of Brisbane there is also much for you to see and do. There are fabulous beaches, great parks, thrilling amusement parks and incredible rain forests, all a short drive away. You can spend a day touring the local vineyards, talking a tour through the rain forest or having a picnic in the park.

One thing that everyone loves, about Brisbane, is the spectacular views that it offers. The views from Kangaroo Point and Story Bridge are like no other that you will ever witness. Let us also not forget about the cliffs that overlook the city, as they too offer some of the most breathtaking views anytime of the day.

The Moreton Bay area makes up one that’s unbelievably contrasting. It extends the unparalleled experiences of the Moreton Harbor and among Australia’s biggest marinas, then merely a scant ferryboat ride away you’ll witness the tender dunes of Moreton Island. This unbelievable island escape can be ideal for a day of four wheeling as well as dolphin watching or remain a couple of days at the astounding Tangalooma Resort or camping along the shore of this exquisite tropic island.

While visiting Brisbane you are also guaranteed that the weather will be perfect for the beach. Brisbane has year round moderate temperatures, which makes for a great escape when the colder months set in. There is such a diverse selection of activities and entertainment in Brisbane that you can be sure everyone will find something to enjoy.

There are numerous brisbane hotels that you can choose from while planning your Brisbane holiday. When you are ready to reserve your brisbane accommodation go to www.brisbaneinformation.com.au.

Complete Your Vacation By Scuba Diving in Hawaii

Guest Post

Some of the most popular activities on the beautiful Hawaiian islands are, surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and much much more. Scuba diving in Hawaii is one of the most popular things to do, and you shouldn’t skip out on it.

Hawaii has many companies which offer scuba diving tours. All of them have certified and professionally trained instructors. If you are brand new to scuba diving they will help you with the basics so that you can enjoy your tour. If you already have your certification, they can still take you out to some of the most popular dive spots.

Hawaii also offers the chance for you to get your certification while you are there. Most of the tour companies will help you get your certification while you are there.

Thanks to the warm waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands, scuba diving is wonderful there. Some of the popular items you will be able to see are arches, lava tubes, and caverns. If you like to go on adventures, you can look for pygmy killer whales, whale sharks, and even spotted dolphins. But be sure to have a guide with you at all times.

Scuba diving can be a great experience for everyone. You can also take your kids on the scuba diving tours, the instructors will make sure everybody will enjoy the tour and be safe. Make sure you don’t forget your water proof camera to take pictures of the many fish.

Scuba diving tours are designed for a small group of people. The reason for this is so the instructors can have as much one on one time as possible, to make sure the tour is fun for everyone. There is no doubt that you will have a great time. Hawaii scuba diving is something that should be high on your do list, many of the things you will see you won’t have the chance to see them anywhere else.

Want to find out more about Hawaiian vacation reviews, then visitHawaii scuba diving tour reviews to help you choose the perfect scuba diving tour for your Hawaiian vacation.