| A freshwater aquarium is a familiar way to | | | | bigger. If you don't want to keep investing in |
| brighten up your home or office. Delightful | | | | larger aquariums, buy a small fish that will stay |
| freshwater fish are like living jewels. They're | | | | small. |
| easier to care for than saltwater species, and | | | | Your fish tank has a nitrogen cycle going on inside. |
| generally undemanding for the amount of pleasure | | | | The waste your fish give off creates nitrogen, |
| they provide. However, if you have a freshwater | | | | which forms ammonia. If you have the right |
| aquarium, it's important to take care of it | | | | bacteria living in your tank, the ammonia will be |
| properly, so your fish will grow and thrive. Here | | | | oxidized, turning into nitrites and nitrates. The |
| are some tips on setting up and caring for a | | | | latter the go to feed your plants and re-enter the |
| freshwater aquarium that will make you proud. | | | | nitrogen cycle. You must change your tank water |
| The first thing you should do is to plan what kind | | | | to make sure that the nitrates are not able to |
| of fish you intend to get. Not all fish live in | | | | poison your fish. When you set up your tank, you |
| harmony together, and some species require | | | | will want to make sure that the conditions are |
| special care. If you already have the aquarium | | | | right for the fish before you put them in. Use a |
| you're going to use, purchase fish that will fit it. | | | | water testing kit to check the ammonia and |
| Many people put too many fish in their aquarium, | | | | nitrate levels. Don't just dump the fish straight in. |
| causing the water to become dirty and the fish | | | | Put a little bit of their water into the tank and a |
| sick. A good rule is to keep a gallon of water in | | | | little bit tank water into their container every |
| the aquarium for every inch long your fish is. | | | | fifteen minutes or so. This way, they'll be able to |
| Therefore, a four inch fish needs at least that | | | | adjust to the new environment. |
| much water. Two five inch fish should live in no | | | | When you care for your fish, be sure to change |
| less than a ten gallon tank. If you make sure not | | | | their water out partially every couple of weeks. A |
| to overpopulate your tank, you'll be able to keep | | | | full water change will shock them and could kill |
| your fish beautiful and healthy. | | | | them, so it's best to change only half of it. If you |
| Another common mistake when buying fish is not | | | | live in the city, let the water you're putting into |
| to learn how large they'll grow. Many common pet | | | | the tank stand overnight to remove the chlorine. |
| fish are actually capable of becoming very large in | | | | Make sure you feed your fish a quality food that |
| time. Don't believe the myth that keeping them in | | | | is well suited to them. Do not over feed your fish. |
| a small tank will keep them small. A single gold fish | | | | Rotting fish food at the bottom of the tank will |
| can live upwards of ten years and get to be a | | | | poison the water more quickly and make your |
| foot long! There are other fish that can get even | | | | fish more likely to become sick. |