�MAINTENANCE������ VACATIONS������ DISEASES�



�� Filtration and Aeration

Filtration is the backbone of the aquarium's biosphere. Fish produce a variety of wastes
which can quickly build to toxic levels. Overfeeding, organic material such as discarded
leaves or dead fish only make matters worse. Wastes must be removed before they
can cause pollution.� The overall efficiency of a filter depends on two factors:
������������������������������� 1.� Sufficient and effective filter media
������������������������������� 2.� Quantity of dirty water passed through the filter media per hour

To ensure the removal of debris from the water and to assist the breakdown of harmful waste,
an effective filtering system is a must. There are basically two types of filter systems that have
proved effective for most aquariums. These are the under gravel 'biological' filter and the
mechanical filter.

The under gravel filter has proved to be simple and reliable in small and medium sized tanks,
particularly where the number of fish kept is small. It is made of a perforated plastic plate that sits
on small projections which hold it about 5/8" off of the aquarium bottom.� An air pump or lift
connected to this plate causes water to be drawn from beneath it and fresh water to be
drawn through the plate and the covering gravel to replace it. This flow of water draws with it
any suspended matter in the water, depositing it in the gravel where it is quickly broken down
by bacterial action into harmless chemicals. The size of gravel and the depth of it is important.
It should be at least 2 inches deep, even better if it's 3 inches deep.

Mechanical filtration involves passing the water through a layer of nylon floss that traps all
the solid waste matter. Once a week, or more often if necessary, you must remove the filter from
the aquarium and wash out or replace the nylon floss. there are many designs of mechanical
filters today. Some being rectangular boxes that sit inside the aquarium, others clipping to the outside
of the aquarium. The inside the tank box type is usually air operated with a pump. The most
powerful ones run on motorized water pump, these are known as power filters. They are an excellent
addition to even a 10 gallon aquarium. The outside power filter has many advantages. It is
very efficient, can be run at high speeds, and is readily accessible for cleaning and for changing the
filtering medium. However an outside power filter is not recommended for a tank with fry
(newly hatched fish) they may get sucked up into the filter intake stem.

Biological Filtration

The removal of organically produced nitrogenous wastes by bacterial action. Without
strong biological breakdown of toxins, the fish will literally poison themselves.
For a more detailed understanding refer to the� NITROGEN CYCLE .
The best known filters designed to actively promote bacterial growth are under-
gravel filter plates. They are used to turn the gravel in the aquarium into a
suitable biological filter media.

Aeration

It is certain that vigorous aeration is helpful to the well-being of fish and aids in the
disposal of carbon dioxide which might prevent saturation of the water with oxygen.
The use of an air pump to provide streams of fine bubbles to help stir the water
even further. Aeration and lots of it is very important in keeping an aquarium at
it's best for the health of your fish.
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Heating and Lighting

Heating
It is extremely important to maintain a constant temperature in your aquarium.
Heaters with reliable controls are essential if the temperature is to be maintained
within close limits. This is no place to conserve on expense. You usually get what
you pay for.� When you consider the dollar amount of fish you may have that
could be lost due to a heater that doesn't work properly, this investment is well
worth the money you spend. Aquarium capacity will determine the wattage required.
Under relatively ideal conditions a rule of thumb of at least 5 watts per gallon
can be used. If the aquarium is in a cool room or basement the wattage should be doubled.
If in doubt, obtain the next higher available wattage. Use of a thermometer is vital
to monitor the proper temperature.

Lighting
Lighting in your tank is essential if you are to show your fish to their best advantage.
You will want to see those beautiful fishes in action. An incandescent lighted hood
will have a tendency to heat the water if the light is left on for an extended time.
A fluorescent lighted hood will be more expensive but have the advantage in that
they supply a cooler light without significantly affecting the water temperature. They are
actually cheaper to maintain since a fluorescent bulb is more efficient than an
incandescent one and gives out more light than an incandescent bulb of the same wattage.
The aquarium can be placed where it receives indirect daylight but should not be
placed directly in front of a window or where it will receive too much direct sunlight, or
rapid algae growth will be the inevitable result.
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A well planted aquarium is not only attractive to look at, but easier to maintain.
Plants take carbon dioxide from the water and convert it to oxygen. The amount of light
required by plants varies from one species to another. Most aquatic plants are able to
extract nutrients from the water through their leaves and do not rely on their roots
for this function. There is also a wide range of plants that are able to extract nutrients
with both roots and leaves and these are usually the easiest to grow in an aquarium.
In order to thrive, some plants need calcium and some don't. Plants are therefore
divided into two groups; calciphilous plants, which are those that are calcifugous
which are those needing calcium and, consequently, hard water, and those that are
calcifugous require soft, slightly acid water. Obviously, plants from both groups
will not do equally well in the same tank.
Before planting, any damaged or browning leaves should be cut off and the root tips trimmed
to stimulate the growth of fresh root shoots. Correct planting is important and should be
made with the use of a planting stick. Plants are very buoyant and may need stones
or lead weights placed around the stem to hold them down until the roots are firmly
anchored. It is usually best to plant two or three plants from the same species. Give your
plants room to grow according to their growth rate. If your plants are small and lack
growth, it is likely that the water is too hard and requires the addition of distilled
water, or rain water, to soften it. Excessive algae growth can be caused by too much light
and also by too much calcium in the water. Remember that some fish do eat plants
which can be a benefit or a total mess can be made out of an aquarium in no time at all.

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Maintenance

The best formula for successful fish keeping is to keep a regular maintenance schedule.
This must be habitual, weekly or bi-weekly. Surprisingly little effort is required on
a weekly basis, but pays big dividends.� Maintenance usually takes less than 1/2 hour
a week and prevents a collapse of the biological system in the aquarium.

Wastes accumulate continuously.� Remove as much as possible every cleaning. At
the same time remove some old water and replace with new water.

Weekly maintenance includes algae removal from inside glass surfaces.� Us an
approved algae cleaning pad so the glass is not scratched. Clean the gravel using a proper
sized siphon cleaner. Drain between 15%-25% of the water. Never take more than 30%
of water out even if you haven't gotten to vacuum the whole tank. You will rob your
fish of too much good bacteria at once. Just removing water without vacuuming the
gravel is of no use, you need to vacuum the gravel to get excess wastes.
NEVER take out all the water and clean the entire tank, the biological filtration will be
destroyed. Be sure you replace any water you remove with properly conditioned
and de-chlorinated water of the same temperature as what is already in your tank.
Drastic temperature change causes stress and disease for your fish.

Filter media should be checked and regularly changed as required. Only change part
of the old media leave some to promote the bacterial population of the new media.
Changing too many things at once may result in having to biologically restart the aquarium.

When removing and replacing water from an aquarium, use this nitrate rich water for watering your house
plants, it already has a great fish fertilizer added!
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A well maintained aquarium should be able to survive a few missed cleanings a year.
Often a vacation means the fish will be unattended. Vacation foods are available
to provide nutrition to the fish. They come as a slow released block. They also
neutralize and purify the water. When placing the blocks in your aquarium, ensure
a constant flow of water passes over them. It is not really necessary to have friends
feed your fish while your away. They will survive quite well for up to two weeks without
food, assuming they are in healthy condition. If left for longer periods you may
want to have an experienced fish keeper check in on them.

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