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Tropical Fish Tank Tips
A
tank full of fish offers a window where you can observe nature in miniature. But
fish are not “easy” pets to care for. You’ll need to spend time, money,
and energy to keep them alive and healthy. Unfortunately, since fish are cheap
to replace, millions die prematurely every year from improper care and
negligence.
But
that doesn’t have to be the case. You can provide proper care for these
aquatic animals by following a few simple guidelines. Water:
Most
tap water contains chlorine and ammonia that can kill your fish. Ask your
fish dealer if you need an additive in your area to neutralize these toxins.
Overfeeding:
Overfeeding
is one of the most harmful and common errors in caring for fish. The food
not eaten turns into toxins in the tank. Feed your fish small amounts of
food once or twice a day. If they eat the food in two to three minutes
and start looking for more, add another small pinch.
Water Temperature:
Some
species, such as goldfish, thrive in unheated water, but most fish need a
water temperature of 70 to 78 degrees.
Choosing:
Some
fish are very hardy and relatively easy to keep, while others are so fragile
that a temperature drop of a few degrees will kill them. Choose fish for
your tank that all require the same environmental conditions.
Outer Temperature:
Keep
your tank out of direct sunlight or near a heating or cooling source to
avoid algae growth and prevent the temperature from changing.
Filters:
Fish
constantly add waste and toxins to the tank, so filters,
especially an under gravel filter, is important to keep the water clear
and safe.
Replacing Water:
Once
a month, with a parent supervising, remove about one-third of the tank water. Replace it with treated
tap water at the same temperature.
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