Care of Live Aquarium Plants

Author: Li Ming Wong

To add that special effect and enhance the natural setting within your aquarium, try using live plants instead of fake plastic plants. The use of live plants will not only add a pleasing visual appeal, but will also help maintain your tank. By adding oxygen to the water, the use of live plants helps keep your aquarium balanced and will aid in fish health.

The most important factor in growing and maintaining healthy aquarium plants is the lighting used. For a well planted aquarium, it is suggested to use 2-3 watts per gallon of water. The use of fluorescent bulbs is practical and adds a nice lighting effect. Take caution when deciding to use florescent lights if your tank has a depth of 20" or more. The low growing plants, or plants with multiple leave levels will suffer from a lack of light as the florescent rays will not provide enough light.

Once you have figured out what type of lighting you will use, you must turn your attention to the hardness of the water. The majority of aquarium plants will thrive in water that has a hardness between 4-12 dH, and between the range of 6.5-7.2 for pH. Plants need clean and clear water to survive best in, so proper cleaning and maintenance should be performed on the aquarium. Most plants will not survive if there is too much debris or waste in the water, so keeping up with cleaning is essential.

Once your plants are established in a clean, well lighted tank, you must care for them by making sure they receive the nutrients required for healthy growth. Plants need both macro- and micro nutrients. Macro nutrients are usually found naturally in tap water and in the fish themselves. These nutrients include nitrates, sulfates and phosphates. Macro nutrients should never need to be added to the water of the tank. They exist on their own. Micro nutrients are needed in very small amounts. Copper, iron and zinc are among the micro nutrients live plants will need to survive in the aquarium.

Generally, the water and the fish in the tank will provide the nutrients and fertilizers needed for plant growth. It is rare that any supplements will need to be added. One important factor in having healthy plant life is your filtration system. Stay away from under gravel filters because they produce a steady flow of bubbles that disturb the surface. The filter plate on under gravel filters also limit's the composition of the gravel in which the plants are rooted. All other kinds of filtration systems will work well. The only things to be concerned about are if your filter causes too much disruption to the water surface. When this happens, carbon dioxide is lost and plants will suffer. Also make sure the filter creates a current that keeps nutrients moving throughout the tank.

By having a good chemical balance in the aquarium and having an efficient filtering system, you will be sure to have healthy live plant growth. These plants will add to the beauty of the tank and will also keep your fish relaxed because it will be a natural setting for them. If you are considering adding plants for decoration within the aquarium, consider the great benefits of using live plants.

Via: Articlesbase.com

Video: Aquariana 2007

Here is a video collage from my visit to Aquariana 2007. I used my digital camera (samsung A7) to take the video and compiled it with Windows Movie Maker on Windows Vista. FInally, I uploaded it to Youtube.

Please enjoy!

Report on Aquariana 2007

Aquariana 2007 held at one of the campus building of Ghent University (Belgium) was quite a success. I did not manage to take quality photos, because I failed to take good shots, a lot of them were blurry and had glare effects. (I learned a lesson that I should prepare more on photography techniques). I will present the video collage in the next post.

Well, it seems like the event was managed professionally, as all the aquarium setup was nicely presented. The aquarium stand were not as much as I expected but they present enjoyable setups ranging from asian region aquarium, african, reptiles, even they present an aquarium simulating a mangrove environment.

Overall it was an enjoyable visit. This visit attracted a lot of Gentenaars (inhabitants of gents), young and old, hobbyist or not, they came to see, respect and enjoy the event.

For the aquarium fish presented, again I did not note down the species name, well some of them I know, like barbs, cichlids, rasbora, tetras. I really liked how they focused a lot on designing the aquascaping.

Overall (again), this show was worth the money (we had to pay 2.5 euro to get in).
Wait for the video collage on my next post!

Here are some photos I took. Please enjoy!

Mangrove aquascape with blue crab?

Rainbow fish

Again rainbow fish

half water half plants.. (Darn... I gotta learn to take better pics)

Aquarium Accessories to Enhance the Appearance of your Fish’s Habitat

Having an aquarium can be much more than just a place to put the fish. Using the right aquarium accessories, you can turn the aquarium into a fine piece of decoration in the house. With the proper accessories, you can add to your fish’s habitat and dress up the overall appearance.

When selecting aquarium accessories, you first want to identify the type of water and the type of fish you have. There are some accessories that will not hold up in salt water like they can in freshwater. Also, some accessories are not good for various types of fish.

For a salt water aquarium, coral can be a great addition because of the elegance it adds. It will fill the aquarium up nicely and make it look less dull. There are several different kinds of coral to choose from giving you options to decorate the aquarium.

Rocks are another accessory that can suit an aquarium perfectly. There is a plethora of different sizes, styles, and colors of rocks to choose from. This way you can match the rocks with the scenery you have already added. Some options include rainbow rocks, lace rocks, and carved lava.

If you have a freshwater aquarium, there are just as many options to choose from to spice up the tank. As with saltwater, you can opt to place all different kinds of rocks with no problems. An accessory that is only suitable for freshwater is driftwood. Driftwood comes from swamplands and sinks naturally to the bottom of the tank. This will keep it from tangling up and injuring the fish.

Aside from adding style to your aquarium, you also need maintenance aquarium accessories like pumps and filters. These will help keep the tank free from toxic waste that could harm your fish.

Lastly, you will need additives for the water. Additives will allow you to keep the fish healthy and free of any kind of harm. For a saltwater aquarium, you can use a reef solution to enhance the lifestyle or your fish. For freshwater aquariums, there is a solution that can be used to stimulate the appetite of the fish.

Aquarium accessories are crucial to enhancing the appearance of the tank and the overall lifestyle of the fish. Everything from coral to rocks to pumps and filters should be considered when looking for accessories. While decorating the tank adds to the appearance, pumps and filters can keep fish healthy and lively.

Author: Danny Wright
Via Articlesbase.com

3D Fish School Screensaver 3.94

3D Aquarium Fish Screensaver from Gelios Software features schools up to 100 salt-water or fresh-water fish swimming among bubbles within beautiful underwater backgrounds at the same time. You can set the number of fishes or bubbles, customize as fish swim their way around and change the underwater background with very soothing underwater effects. If you have multi-monitors, you can display 3D Aquarium Screensaver on them via settings of your virtual desktop.

Version 3.94 displays a new registration screen.
Can run on Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista

Download here!

Cichlid Mating Behaviour

This is how Cichlid behave when they are mating.

Video from calwhiz

Aquarium Show at Gent!

I will attend an aquarium expo "Aquariana 2007" at the 16 september 2007 in Ghent, Belgium.

Off course, I will report things that I found there!

Barbs in Fish Care and Aquariums

Tiger barbs, Rosy barbs, Red Barbs, and Sumatra barbs are various types of freshwater fish that are easiest to breed and maintain. However, the larger barbs are best suited with fish of their own size. The larger barbs will steer up trouble in communal tanks, as well as uproot your fancy plants. It seems the larger barbs demand more attention than the smaller barbs; therefore, the barbs should be grouped and separated.

The Black Ruby and Purple Head Barbs come from Ceylon. The fish grow around 2 ½ inches in size and live well in communal tanks. The female barbs produce colorful environments with their yellow-gray figures that share dark stripes in vertical lines and in blotches. The male counterparts are brownish-black and/or black with frontals that present vermilion red. Unlike the boisterous Puntius Conchonius groups, this fish will live well in communal waters. The fish is not finicky; therefore, this breed will feast on all foodstuffs. In addition, the fish does not place high demand on water conditions, yet they will live well in neutral waters, which is moderately hard. Like the Puntius, this breed is one of the easier fish to breed. The barb lays around 300 eggs, and spawns like many other barbs.

The Tiger Barb and Sumatra are of the Capoeta Tetrazona species. This specie comes from Borneo and Sumatra, which they grow around 2 inches in size. The colorful fish set off communal tanks with its reddish-yellow figure that presents a wide array of black stripes. This fish has a changeable attitude, which makes this one of the most diverse fish on the market. The fish according to few will bully other fish and nip at their fins, while others claim that the fish has a calming nature.

The Tiger and Sumatra fish require the same water conditions as other barbs. The Tiger Barbs and Sumatra tend to inhabit well in practical or impartial alkalinity water. As well, the fish do well in judicious hard water. It is recommended that fish owners set the temperature at 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The Tiger and Sumatra fish have a hearty craving for provisions, in view of the fact that the fish will eat all foodstuffs. Breeders will benefit from the Barbs, since all barbs are healthy spawns.

Female Tiger and Sumatra fish are plump, which differ from the male counterparts slim and colorful figures. The female are plain Jane, which breed as that of other barbs. The fry however tend to endure bladder problems and their fins tend to rot. The water then should be in extreme spotless conditions. The tank should also be monitored during breeding, since mutants will gnaw at the spawn laid by Tiger and Sumatra fish.

Cherry Barbs or Capoeta Titteya fish originate in Ceylon, which the fish grow around 2 inches in size. The fish compose a figure of yellow-brown, or red-brown. The fish are distinguished by their dark top to bottom black stripes. The fish make great communal fish, and request the same feeding and water conditions as that of other barbs. Capoeta Titteya male counterparts have darker colors and when bred the fish will change colors. The colors usually appear black and cherry red, which the stripes virtually evaporate.


The Cherry Barbs breed in the same fashion as other barbs, and will lay up to 200 eggs. The Cherry Barbs come in variety, which some barbs will feast on their barbs, while others will not.

In conclusion, if you are just getting started in fish care and aquariums, check out the line of Harlequins.

About the Author: John Ugoshowa. For more information about Aquariums and fish care see the art aquarium and fish care section of The Free Ad Forum at: http://www.thefreeadforum.com/infowizards/CAT/Aquariums-Fish-Care_83_1.html

Source: easyarticles.com

Aquarium Pumps Are Essential For Any Aquarium

Author: Darren Lintern

If you have a fish tank, than an aquarium pump is essential to the functioning of the aquarium, and must be chosen with great care. Without a pump, your fish would not be able to get the oxygen that they need.

Finding the pump that is right for you can be difficult if you are not familiar with the industry. In many cases, when you purchase a new tank, it is likely that most of the necessary equipment including the filter pump come pre-packaged. This makes the set up so much easier, as you will instantly know that you have everything needed.

But in the event that you are in the market for a new aquarium pump, here are some important points to keep in mind including the resistance offered by the pump, heat generated, noise production and number of returns.

A mistake that is commonly made while buying a filter pump is to instantly opt for the biggest and most powerful pump available irrespective of the size of the fish tank. This of course should be avoided under all circumstances since large pumps will generate a lot of heat and can endanger the fragile ecosystem prevailing in the fish tank by raising the temperature of the water.

On the other hand you should not opt for smallest possible pump as they may lack sufficient power to pump water. This may force you to install an additional pump to save the aquarium and fishes. The most important point that you must keep in mind while buying pump, is the volume of water to be stored in the tank.

In a closed system or a static system, it is necessary for a more powerful pump to be installed to generate the pressure needed. This is due to the water needing to be filtered through the canister or the module filters. These pumps will also require a comparatively higher turnover rate. In the open system aquariums the pump turnover rate is much lower. Wet and dry filters are a typical example of open system aquarium pumps.

You should not increase or decrease the intake or the return of the aquarium pumps. If the intake of the pump is lowered this could lead to overheating of the pump. The pump life can also be affected if you reduce the return of the pump. This will be due to the resistance of the pump building and causing the temperature to rise.

Make sure to check your pump regularly as part of the maintenance schedule. Any pump that you find to be giving problems must be replaced immediately. It would be a wise investment to purchase an extra aquarium pump in the case of emergencies. This way, if something happens, you will be able to quickly swap them over, keeping your fish in healthy, oxygenated water.

via articlesbase.com

Matrix Crayfish

This time my post is not about aquarium fish. I want to show you a pic I randomly found. It is a culture system to raise crayfish (found by blueyabby.com) called extreme density unit (EDU).

It reminds me to a scene of the matrix movie! Just take a look at the pic (Maybe they were inspired by the movie?).


Do you think its a little bit cruel?


original pic from blueyabby.com

Tips For Treating New Fish

Here are some tips to do if you just brought back your newly purchased fish back home.

1. Always transport your fish at moderate temperature - excessive heat or cold can severely stress and possibly kill the fish. When transporting a large number of fish use a white polystyrene box. Most quality aquatic outlets will provide you with one.

2. On arriving back to your aquarium, float your new fish (still sealed in the bag) for 20 minutes, ideally with the lights switched off to reduce stress.

3. Open the bag and add 5 to 10 drops of Stresscoat, Aquaplus or Stress Guard. At this point add a disease preventive (such as Protozin) to the aquarium. Remove any carbon or polyfilters from your filtration etc. for two or three days, as these will quickly absorb remedies or treatments.

4. Slowly add a small amount of water from your aquarium in to the bag with the new fish in and allow the bag to float for 2-3 minutes.

5. Repeat step four, 4 or 5 times until you are confident that the water in the bag has reached the same temperature as the water in your aquarium.

6. Do not introduce water from the bag to your aquarium, as this will contain fish waste.

7. Gently net the fish out of the bag and free them in to your aquarium.

8. Monitor your water quality daily (Nitrate, Nitrite, pH and Ammonia) for the next week to ensure the new introductions do not adversely affect the condition of your aquarium, either through increased feeding or otherwise.

Source Shirley Aquatics

Related articles:
Decorating your tropical aquarium
How to select an aquarium
Setting up your new aquarium
Very good aquarium for beginners
How to clean a dirty aquarium

Keeping Killifish and Loach Fish in Aquarium

Loach fish come in a wide variety, including the family of Cobitidae. The prime fish are made up of nocturnal and are relate to catfish. The fish primarily live at the bottom of waters, which barbels help them to sift through gravel. The Kuli Loach is one of the Loach fish that has a long snake-like body. The fish is a favorite aquarium choice. Some people describe the Kuli as having a worm shape body. Kuli does not tolerate bright lights, and prefers hiding areas. The fish tends to habitat in the back corners and enjoys cave environments. The fish is shy in nature, unless you keep fish of its kind in the same tank. Kuli enjoys feasting on Tubifex. The fish has a thin, long body, which grows up to 3 inches in size. The fish has a peaceful nature, and lives will in communal tanks.

Loach fish come from the family of Cobitidae, Acanthophthalmus Semicinctus, and the Botia Macracantha group, which you can find these fish in most pet stores. One of the easiest to care for in the Loach category is the Botias. This fish enjoys moderate hard water, or alkalinity based water. It is recommended that you avoid acidity waters. In addition, the water temperature should remain at 70 degrees Fahrenheit and no higher than 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The Botia makes a welcoming communal tank neighbor. Botia also includes the Tiger and Clown Fish. To learn more about these fish check online or consult with your supplier.


Kuli Loach Preferred Water conditions
Kuli enjoys slight acidy waters, or neutral water, and does not have a pH preference. Tank condition: This shy fish does not care for bright lights; therefore, you should give him a home in plant dense aquariums with plenty of areas to hide.

Feed:
Kuli takes delight in feasting off Tubifex, yet he will eat frozen foods, as well as a selection of dried foods.

Killifish come from the family of Cyprinodontidae. The fish is widely distributed and has the brightest colors of all freshwater and saltwater fishes. This fish is ideal for starters, since it will dwell in communal tanks without a problem. The fish habitat in African Sub-Saharan waters. The streams dry out during particular seasons, which this fish dies. Yet the offspring or spawns live well in dry climates, which resurrects the Killifish. The fish will live in small tanks, and desire water conditions set at 70 degrees, or 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The fish live longer in 70-degree temperatures. Killifish grows to 2 or 4 inches in size.

Water conditions
Peat filtered waters is ideal, yet the fish will tolerate soft, hard, or slightly acidy waters.

Food
The fish will eat a wide assortment of frozen and dried foodstuff. The downside about the Killifish is that you will rarely find this bred in pet shops. The AKA (American Killifish Association) group can help you find areas where the fish are sold.

About the Author: John Ugoshowa. For more information about Aquariums and fish care see the art aquarium and fish care section of The Free Ad Forum at: http://www.thefreeadforum.com/infowizards/CAT/Aquariums-Fish-Care_83_1.html

Image of killifish from wikipedia.org.