Top 11 Secrets to a Successful Home Aquarium

"Top 11 Secrets to a Successful Home Aquarium"," They are skimpy eaters, they don't have to be walked, they don't scratch, they don't make noise, and you only have to clean up after them every couple weeks.
 The lighted tank with the gently bubbling water adds a touch of serenity, as well as a nice natural decor to any room.
 A great way to start the process is to visit several pet stores, look around and ask questions.
 If they are aware of your home setup they will be very valuable to you in the future when you need professional advice.
 Don't come home with a tank and a bag of fish on a whim and expect to immediately set up a tropical watery paradise for the fishes.


Frank Bulman, director of husbandry at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tenn.


Proper size and location.
3 lbs per gallon making a large aquarium quite heavy, so make sure the floor can handle the load.
 Avoid locating your aquarium in a south facing window as it will receive too much sun and may overheat in the summer or get too cold in the winter.


Adequate filtration.
 These bacteria need good water flow and oxygen just like the fish do.
 Filters that trap particulate waste are mechanical filters.
 Additional Info: A good filtration system will address biological, mechanical and chemical processes and keep your water safe for its inhabitants.


Creating an Environment.
 Now is the time to add a few decorations, but don't overdo it - make sure you leave ample room for the fish to swim around.
 Additional Info: The aquarium's interior should be designed to fit into the room in which it is located, so carefully consider the colors you choose for the gravel and decorative items.
 Treat it like a living work of art.


Selecting the right fish is important so do your homework before populating your tank.
 Additional Info: Very often juvenile fish are sold and they soon outgrow the aquarium, so be sure you know how large each one will get.
 Get the tank set up and ready before you introduce your new family to their habitat.


Take time and make sure you select healthy fish.
 Sick fish will often have their fins clamped close to their body or will be scratching or rubbing on objects in the aquarium.
 Additional Info: It may be necessary to set up a separate quarantine tank up at home to make sure new fish are healthy before adding them to your community aquarium.
 Healthy fish have clear eyes.


It is best to add a few fish at a few at a time to a new aquarium.
 A necessary purchase is a test kit to check ammonia and nitrite levels in your water.
 This is where your healthy bacteria population comes into play.
 Other bacteria will then metabolize the nitrite and convert it to nitrate which is not harmful to your fish.
 The ammonia and nitrite levels should be close to 0 ppm before adding additional animals.
 Float them in the plastic bag in which them came so they can slowly adjust to the temperature of their new home.


Don't over feed.
 When the fish start eating slower, stop feeding.
 Uneaten food will foul the water creating high ammonia levels.
 These fish are helpful for keeping the aquarium clean.


Don't over clean.
 This will wipe out the beneficial bacteria and will result in toxic water conditions.
 The dirt and debris trapped in the gravel is best removed by siphoning the gravel with a hydro clean tube.
 Replace the water that has been removed with new water that has had the chlorine neutralized and is similar temperature as the aquarium.
 Additional Info: Mechanical filters will eventually need to be cleaned.
 After cleaning, keep an eye on the water's ammonia level and feed lightly until the bacteria have a chance to repopulate.
 Use that water in turn to water your plants!

Provide proper lighting.
 This can be accomplished by using a timer or turning lights on in the morning and off in the evening.
 Additional Info: If the light fixture does not cover the top of the aquarium, a screen should be used to keep fish from jumping out.


Maintain proper temperature.
 Most often the ambient room temperature is too cool and a submersible heater is necessary.
 Additional Info: If the aquarium overheats and becomes too warm, try directing a fan toward it and that will usually cool it down to acceptable levels.
 Exposing a hot submersible heater to air will cause it to break.


It's important to pay attention to the behavior of your fish.
 These are signs of possible disease problems and if caught soon can be treated successfully with salt or medications.
 Your pet shop team will be able to help diagnose problems.
 In an aquarium with a large fish population it's just as important to watch for the fish that are not eating as it is to watch for those who are.
 That way, you will see each fish every day and can catch any problems very early.