Planted Aquarium Problems
Problems that you may have with a planted aquarium are as follows: If you have fish in your tank they may nibble on the plants or even dig up the roots. If you have this planted aquarium problem, then you may opt not to have live plants, but rather put in rocks, caves, or fake plants. But if you are careful enough, you should be able to find plants that your fish will not want to ingest. Fast growing plants can handle a few nibbles, so if your fish are nibblers then consider getting a strong, fast growing plant.
Another planted aquarium problem is having dead and decaying plants in your tank. Even though plants can act like natural filters by absorbing the nasty compounds found in the water, they can also re-release those compounds back into the water if they die. So always observe your plants and if they look unhealthy or dying, remove them as quickly as you can.
Plants need light to survivor. So avoid any plant growth problems by having adequate lighting for the types of plants you put into your aquarium. Fluorescent lights are the best for this, but some plants even require stronger lights, and if your a beginner aquarium keeper, it is not recommended that you start out with plants that require very demanding lights.
So to sum up some of the problems that you may have with a planted aquarium, you will not want to have fish that will eat up your plants, nor do you want fish that can dig away at the roots. It is also important that you prune and remove any plants, including loose leaves, so as not to allow them to die and pollute your aquarium. Lastly, you will want to make sure that you have the proper lighting for you plants so they can grow. Avoid these common problems with planted aquariums and you will find joy and satisfaction in keeping a beautiful aquarium with plants.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Freshwater Aquarium Problems You May Encounter
Freshwater Tank Problems
Having an aquarium can be a truly satisfying hobby, especially if a tank is well maintained and filled with colorful and attractive fish, rocks, plants, and other creatures. But even a clean, beautiful aquarium can become very unsightly if it becomes dirty, if you have sick fish, or if the tank is covered by algae.
This can become a major problem if you do not take care of your tank. An aquarium may appear to run on autopilot, but it doesn't in actuality. You must stay on top of your tank or you will have problems! What can you do to make sure you don't run into major problems with your aquarium?
The most important thing is to make sure your water is clean, fresh, and healthy. Adding a good filter can help to ensure this. A filters job is to cycle your water while removing waste and other substances that are in your aquarium. If you are using a filter that utilizes a filter cartridge, then you will want to check this on a daily basis and make sure it is still clean. If not, then you will want to change it. Monthly cartridge changes are highly recommended!
If you are not careful, algae can overtake your tank very quickly. And it will get all over everything in your tank. A simple solution is to add fish that feed on algae, such as a Pleco. You may only need one or may need a few, depending on the size of your aquarium.
If your tank has substrate at the bottom, such as gravel, you will want to use a siphon to vacuum any buildup of debris that has embedded itself into your substrate. While you are siphoning out debris you will also be taking out dirty, nasty water. A good rule of thumb is to remove about twenty percent of your water each time you clean. This will keep your water mostly fresh and it will not disrupt the ecosystem too much.
You will want to add back clean, fresh water into your aquarium, but be don't put cold or hot water in. It is good to check the temperature of the replacement water prior to adding it to your tank and make sure that it is fairly close to your tanks temperature. And make sure that no harmful chemicals are being added into your aquarium via your tap water. Always test your tap water, and if you detect even a hint of a dangerous chemical, such as chlorine, then you will want to add another chemical that will de-chlorinate it.
Once your tank is fully established it won't take much to keep it maintained. However, if you slack in maintaining your aquarium it won't take long to look dirty and gross. Heed this aquarium keeping advice and your will avoid having problems in your freshwater aquarium.
Having an aquarium can be a truly satisfying hobby, especially if a tank is well maintained and filled with colorful and attractive fish, rocks, plants, and other creatures. But even a clean, beautiful aquarium can become very unsightly if it becomes dirty, if you have sick fish, or if the tank is covered by algae.
This can become a major problem if you do not take care of your tank. An aquarium may appear to run on autopilot, but it doesn't in actuality. You must stay on top of your tank or you will have problems! What can you do to make sure you don't run into major problems with your aquarium?
The most important thing is to make sure your water is clean, fresh, and healthy. Adding a good filter can help to ensure this. A filters job is to cycle your water while removing waste and other substances that are in your aquarium. If you are using a filter that utilizes a filter cartridge, then you will want to check this on a daily basis and make sure it is still clean. If not, then you will want to change it. Monthly cartridge changes are highly recommended!
If you are not careful, algae can overtake your tank very quickly. And it will get all over everything in your tank. A simple solution is to add fish that feed on algae, such as a Pleco. You may only need one or may need a few, depending on the size of your aquarium.
If your tank has substrate at the bottom, such as gravel, you will want to use a siphon to vacuum any buildup of debris that has embedded itself into your substrate. While you are siphoning out debris you will also be taking out dirty, nasty water. A good rule of thumb is to remove about twenty percent of your water each time you clean. This will keep your water mostly fresh and it will not disrupt the ecosystem too much.
You will want to add back clean, fresh water into your aquarium, but be don't put cold or hot water in. It is good to check the temperature of the replacement water prior to adding it to your tank and make sure that it is fairly close to your tanks temperature. And make sure that no harmful chemicals are being added into your aquarium via your tap water. Always test your tap water, and if you detect even a hint of a dangerous chemical, such as chlorine, then you will want to add another chemical that will de-chlorinate it.
Once your tank is fully established it won't take much to keep it maintained. However, if you slack in maintaining your aquarium it won't take long to look dirty and gross. Heed this aquarium keeping advice and your will avoid having problems in your freshwater aquarium.
Planted Tank Filter Advice for Beginners
Planted Aquarium Filter Advice
To make an aquarium look really awesome you may want to consider adding some freshwater plants. Why? That's a really good question to ask. The reason they are awesome is because of all the things that plants can do to enhance your aquarium. For example, most freshwater plants are colorful, thus adding beauty to your tank. Plus, they can help in maintaining your aquarium, acting as a natural filter, as well as give shelter for any fish that you may have.
It does require some work on your part in order to have live plants in your tank. But the benefits are spectacular! Its not hard to have freshwater plants and if you have the right kind of lighting and you don't put in any kind of fish that may eat the plants, you'll be good.
If you think back to chemistry class, you may remember the topic of photosynthesis and how light plays a major part in the growing process. But in addition, the real benefit of plants is they consume the nutrients in the water that are given off by fish, and thus is harmful, but in return they give off oxygen, which can enrich your tank! Having a good lighting system is imperative to this process. So basically, if you put in live plants in your tank, you are actually adding a live filter.
But you will still need additional filters to make your tank run smoothly. Don't use an under gravel filter, but you may consider any hang on the back (HOB), that is big enough for the size of your aquarium. Try to avoid any filter than can cause a lot movement with the water. You want your water to cycle but you don't want a huge under current.
Yes, adding live plants to your aquarium is certainly beneficial plus it makes your tank look beautiful. Using plants as natural filters is a good route to go and it is more natural for fish than fake plants. Always add an additional filter to remove excess debris, but avoid too much current flow. Hopefully this filter advice for planted aquariums will help you in setting up an aquarium filled with beauty.
To make an aquarium look really awesome you may want to consider adding some freshwater plants. Why? That's a really good question to ask. The reason they are awesome is because of all the things that plants can do to enhance your aquarium. For example, most freshwater plants are colorful, thus adding beauty to your tank. Plus, they can help in maintaining your aquarium, acting as a natural filter, as well as give shelter for any fish that you may have.
It does require some work on your part in order to have live plants in your tank. But the benefits are spectacular! Its not hard to have freshwater plants and if you have the right kind of lighting and you don't put in any kind of fish that may eat the plants, you'll be good.
If you think back to chemistry class, you may remember the topic of photosynthesis and how light plays a major part in the growing process. But in addition, the real benefit of plants is they consume the nutrients in the water that are given off by fish, and thus is harmful, but in return they give off oxygen, which can enrich your tank! Having a good lighting system is imperative to this process. So basically, if you put in live plants in your tank, you are actually adding a live filter.
But you will still need additional filters to make your tank run smoothly. Don't use an under gravel filter, but you may consider any hang on the back (HOB), that is big enough for the size of your aquarium. Try to avoid any filter than can cause a lot movement with the water. You want your water to cycle but you don't want a huge under current.
Yes, adding live plants to your aquarium is certainly beneficial plus it makes your tank look beautiful. Using plants as natural filters is a good route to go and it is more natural for fish than fake plants. Always add an additional filter to remove excess debris, but avoid too much current flow. Hopefully this filter advice for planted aquariums will help you in setting up an aquarium filled with beauty.
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