by Mike LaVallee
If you have come to the conclusion that you would like to set up a tropical fish aquarium for the enjoyment of yourself and your family, then you are probably in need of some directions in how to get started. If you have never had an aquarium before, then it is recommended to start out with freshwater aquarium fish because they are easier to care for.
Freshwater aquarium fish, as opposed to their bright and flashy cousins of the saltwater variety, can be a good experience for people who have never cared for fish before. Saltwater aquarium tanks can be quite challenging to set up and properly maintain. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that those new to fish keeping, look first at starting with freshwater fish. After you have been able to master the challenges of keeping freshwater fish alive and their aquarium in good order, at that point you might want to broaden your fish keeping horizons and branch out into the saltwater aquarium realm.
Ultimately, it does not matter what kind of aquarium or tank that you choose for your freshwater aquarium fish, as far as care and maintenance is concerned. However, if you cannot keep to a regular, weekly schedule of cleaning and maintaining the tank, then perhaps you should not even bother setting up an aquarium.
In addition, you will also need to monitor your tropical fish tank on a daily basis. You need to be sure that the water is always properly in balance for your freshwater aquarium fish and that the correct and comfortable temperature is constantly maintained. The other daily task that you must remember to perform is to make sure that your fish receive the proper amount and type of food as needed.
After you have determined that you will be able to keep up with the regular required maintenance of freshwater aquarium fish, then you can start deciding on what kind of fish you want to include in your tropical aquarium. The tropical fish tank that you choose must be large enough so that it can properly accommodate the number and types of fish that you plan to purchase. The overcrowding of a tropical fish tank can be a deadly mistake because it can cause polluted tank water and can lead to diseased fish. Before making your final decision, make sure you ask how large the selected fish will be at maturity, as size can vary a great deal depending on the species. A newbie to fish keeping might want to start with a 10 to 20-gallon tropical fish tank and fill it with the smaller and heartier freshwater fish varieties.
In order to maintain a healthy environment for your freshwater aquarium fish, you will also need to have a quality water filtration system, a reliable heater and some nice aquarium decorations and accessories. When setting up your freshwater tropical aquarium, be sure to choose a location in the house where light and temperature can be controlled so that it remains constant. And, remember that once your tropical fish tank is set up and filled, it will be very heavy, so be sure that it is on solid footing with flooring that can handle the load.
Mike LaVallee is the webmaster of Tropical Aquarium Care a website for the
Tropical Fish Hobbyist including
SaltwaterAquariums. Here you will find articles, advice and resources on many tropical aquarium topic
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October 12 2008 | Fish and Getting a Pet | No Comments »
By Jennifer Koretsky
The Christmas holidays are fast approaching! While you’re busy decorating and preparing your home for guests, here are a few important tips to keep your dog safe this season.
The Christmas Tree
Tinsel, small ornaments, and ornament hooks are major choking hazards for dogs. It’s best to avoid tinsel altogether and keep small ornaments high on the tree, out of the dog’s reach. Also, make sure there are no stray ornament hooks on the floor!
If your family has a real tree (as opposed to an artificial tree), it’s best to block off the area around the tree with a screen or gate. Many dogs become ill from drinking tree water and ingesting pine needles. Vacuum the area around the tree regularly.
Holiday Guests
It’s exciting to have family and friends over during the holidays—even for your dog! But there are certain precautions you should take when having company over.
Dogs can easily slip out the door when people are continuously going in and out. Make sure your dog is wearing an identification tag with your phone number, even if he is micro-chipped. Not everyone who finds a lost dog knows to have him checked for a micro-chip.
Your guests may adore your dog, but don’t let them give your dog any food without asking. Children especially may want to give the dog a treat—hand them a safe treat and supervise while they give it to the dog. Under no circumstances should your dog be given turkey or chicken bones. They are too small and are a serious choking hazard. As an alternative, buy a marrow bone at the grocery store as a special holiday treat.
Why You Shouldn’t Give Dogs as Gifts
Bringing a new dog into the family is a wonderful thing, especially if you adopt a dog from a shelter. However, giving a dog as a Christmas gift is never a good idea. Regardless of whether the dog is a puppy or an adult, his first few days in your home should be all about him. The holidays, for most families, are too chaotic and busy for a dog to get used to his new environment, and he may become anxious or frightened.
A great idea for families who want to give their children a dog for Christmas is to gift wrap a dog bone. When the child opens it, tell them it’s for the new dog that you’ll be getting in a few weeks. Or you can leave a note from Santa explaining that he didn’t have enough room on his sleigh and will be coming back with the dog. Animal shelters are flooded every January with dogs who were given as Christmas gifts—so January is a great time to adopt a dog who needs a home.
Lastly, it’s always a good idea to have your vet’s phone number posted in a visible spot. Your vet’s office should have someone answering the phone 24/7.
The most important thing to remember, amidst all the chaos of the holidays, is to always know where your dog is and what he’s up to. That way everyone in your home, including the four-legged family members, can have a Merry Christmas.
Copyright (c) 2007 Jennifer Koretsky
luvmutt.com is a website dedicated to mixed breed dogs and the people who love them. Meet a new dog every day at http://www.luvmutt.com .
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October 08 2008 | Dog & Puppy and Getting a Pet and Pet & Child and Pet Care | No Comments »
When goldfish swim up to the glass of the tank, does it mean they are smart enough to recognize people?
Goldfish sure are smart not in the sense as dogs are, but they are smart. They will swim up to meet you probably because they think you are going to feed them. They might not be able to differentiate between one person and the other but they do know that the people they live with are the caregivers. Know that they depend on you and hence love you.
Why is a new goldfish not moving in its bowl, when he is very much alive?
Well first of all, he probably hates being in a bowl. Goldfish do not like bowls even though humans think the bowls are cute. Put him in a tank with a compatible companion goldfish. Meanwhile watch the fish. Is he coming up to the top of the tank when you feed him? If he is then, he’s probably just getting used to the new bowl. If it looks like he has difficulty swimming and that he keeps sinking to the bottom he might have a swim bladder disorder caused by too much dry food and bad water.
Why is a goldfish swimming to the top every once in a while?
Goldfish keep swimming to the surface of the tank because that’s where they get their oxygen. Always make sure that there is enough empty space at the top. Do not fill up the tank to the brim, as leaving space will give them the required oxygen. If your fish are normally active, swimming and chasing each other a round, don’t worry if they swim to the top every once in a while.
Why do goldfish always seem starving?
That’s because they are greedy! Don’t get tempted enough to feed them whenever they ask for it because overfeeding will cause them more harm. Besides, goldfish can never starve to death; they are always nibbling away at something or the other.
Why would one goldfish lie motionless most of the time whilst the rest swim around? Is it a social outcast?
If you have different varieties of goldfish, make sure they are compatible. The slower fancy varieties might get stressed out by the faster ones like comets. Yes, they might feel like outcasts and keep to themselves. Some goldfish might even get aggressive with another and in that case you need to one that is being badgered to another tank.
Why are all the goldfish so lifeless and tend to stay at the bottom of the tank most of the time, like they are very tired?
If they aren’t swimming as they usually do, something is definitely bothering them.
If you tank is brand new and the goldfish are having a problem because the tank has not been cycled. Wait a while and watch. Make sure you cycle the tank before you put them in because a new tank cannot deal with the ammonia that the goldfish produce.
If you tank is an old one and the goldfish are suddenly more still than usual it could be that the toxicity of the water is bothering them. So change the water. When your goldfish seem inactive, you must check the water for nitrites and the pH level.
If you would like to find the answers to more Goldfish related questions such as - What is the reason why some Goldfish attack eachother? or, What can I do to save my Goldfish from dying when suddenly it turns on its side? - Please visit my site to find the answers these questions plus a great deal more information relevant to everything Goldfish. Click here to visit.
By Dane Stanton
Dane Stanton is an expert on goldfish health care. To visit his website visit http://www.goldfish-secrets.com for more information on Goldfish care and other aquarium related topics
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October 04 2008 | Fish and Pet Health | No Comments »
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