Important Information On Aquarium Maintenance Service

By Lora Jones


For fish to be given a healthy aquatic environment, regular aquarium maintenance service can be scheduled. Thus, with the aquatic environment healthy, it can be expected that the fish would last longer and have better productivity. It is possible to avoid major maintenance services by carrying out short maintenance every week. Some thirty minutes every week would do. In so doing, even major maintenance would cost much less.

Stability is perhaps the single most vital factor taken into account in tank maintenance. Obviously, the health of the fish is more important that all other aspects. Consequently, as long as systems are operating smoothly and the fish are in good health, no major changes should be considered. This is irrespective of whether the pH of the water has changed or not. However, if the main water parameters were to change, there would have to be prompt action to correct that in time.

One major part considered in maintaining aquariums is the regular change of water. This needs to be done after every fortnight. Usually, about 10 to 15% of volume of the tank is just sufficient. A preferred method is to do the water replacement while vacuuming the gravel. The purpose of this is to get rid of foods that were not eaten as well as other residues that settle on the substrate.

In the course of replacement, the parameters of both the tank and the water for replacement need careful consideration. Water that is supplied by cities in taps normally contains chlorine and chloramine. Chlorine tends to lose air at a fast rate and should be kept aerated for some twenty four hours or so before being used. Chloramine is a combination of both ammonia and chlorine. To neutralize chlorine in both cases, water conditioners are used.

Neutralization hardly ever gets rid of ammonia. It remains in the water after that process. However, the bacteria in the aquarium are able to break the ammonia down, but at a slow rate. The rate is so slow that the fish cannot tolerate which is a disadvantage and may end up being dangerous. There are other elements that are found in tap water as well, namely phosphates, iron and heavy metals.

Whereas well water is harder than tap water, it does not contain the element chlorine. Water that is filtered needs regular checking and is meant to be part of the consideration for aquarium maintenance service. The membranes that do the filtering should be checked once in a while and even replaced before they expire.

Filter inserts need to regularly be changed for efficient filtration. This should preferably be done once in every four weeks. With high fish loads, replacement would take a much shorter time. Food particles that are trapped in the filter end up decomposing and blocking them in the process. The filters ought to be cleaned once every month.

Heating of aquariums is recommended in very cold places, which is why heater repair should be part of aquarium maintenance service. When water is being changed, the heater ought to be placed low enough so that it does not crack or shock people. It could also be unplugged for enhanced safety. If all maintenance practices are taken into account, fish would thrive.




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