How to Keep Your Fish Healthy in a Small Aquarium

Different people have different kinds of hobbies and interests, mostly for de-stressing or just plainly for fun and satisfaction. One very healthy hobby is keeping an aquarium. Most people think that unlike other pets, fish have shorter lives. This is a misconception. Did you know that a typical fish in an aquarium, depending on its kind of species has a life span of about three to seven years, even longer? A goldfish for instance can live up to twenty years or more! That is a fact.

Most new hobbyists would like to start in a small fish tank aquarium. Of course, to learn a new thing, one should start small.

Here are a few basic tips to keep your fish healthy and your aquarium vibrant with life

To begin with, a small tank aquarium must have a decent stand of its own to bear its load. Don't just place it above a strong appliance or furniture, if it is filled, it has a heavy weight despite its small size. So better be safe than sorry. Start right.

Lighting is a vital part for plant growth in an aquarium. You can't put too much or too little light. Too much creates more algae, too little on the other hand, hinders the growth of plants, which are necessary for your aquarium fish to survive. Fluorescent lights are what's best and practical to use. Fluorescent tubes are available in the market to fit small fish tank aquariums , these artificial lighting has been proven to be energy efficient and can provide just the amount of light fish need.

Aquariums should be maintained with clean water. Tap water, when dechlorinated artificially, or naturally (letting it stay for few days in a container, aerating overnight), is best for most kinds of tropical fish and plants. Also have your water frequently changed, a 10 to 20 percent partial change weekly would be sufficient.

Avoid overpopulating, this makes the water difficult to maintain, especially for small tanks. Just keep a small, balanced community. The majority of this community should be schools of fish of the same species, this creates visual harmony. Keep a minority of fish in the cleaning department. For small fish tank aquariums, choose algae eaters that do not grow too large.

Have a daily check on your little tank of wonder. Look for signs of health dangers. Most behaviors of fish are obvious if their health is at peril. Such as, lurking, gasping and drifting. Change your filter media in accordance to the manufacturer's instruction. If neglected, a filter media can have too many toxins to handle, thus, pushing some of it back into your aquarium! Don't wait for that to happen.

These are a few basic steps to keeping your fish healthy in a small aquarium. Of course, there are many others to consider. When you love your little ecosystem, you will find many ways to protect it and keep it as healthy as possible. Even a small tank aquarium can work wonders for you, physically, mentally and emotionally.

There are many good resources on the internet for these small underwater worlds, one very popular online store is http://www.firstclassaquariums.com

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