Aquarium Care Basics

A generation ago, a 10 gallon aquarium was the popular choice for the beginner aquarium hobbyist. Aquarium care sprung from what could be learned from an aquarium handbook or by word of mouth from a person with experience. The local mom-and-pop fish store was center stage in the aquatic community and aquarium care had a homespun feel. There was a sense of simplicity to the process.

Aquarium Care Today

Aquarium care is very different today. The basics are the same, but there’s a wealth of aquarium care information available with a click of a mouse. Instant access is a good thing, but all of the aquarium care ideas can be overwhelming. Hopefully this searchable aquarium care site makes it easier, giving aquarium hobbyists a place to find information, share experiences, and help others find answers to aquarium care questions.

10 Keys To A Healthy Freshwater Tank

For beginners or an experienced pros, the great thing about fish keeping is that aquarium care basics are the same. While there are many things to consider, there are 10 important things to always keep in mind:

Aquarium setup needs to be proper from the start;
Choose compatible fish species to create the right aquarium dynamic;
Make sure the aquarium size is appropriate for the fish species chosen;
Be patient while during aquarium cycling;
Be patient and make changes slowly and methodically;
Avoid overstocking fish;
Avoid over feeding fish;
Maintain aquarium water quality by testing early and often;
Avoid over cleaning to protect your good bacteria;
Conduct a partial aquarium water change regularly.

Properly setting up an aquarium helps set a tank on the right trajectory. Choosing aquarium substrate over aquarium gravel is a choice that is best made at set up time. Adequately cleaning aquarium gravel at setup is always better than trying to make partial aquarium water changes regularly enough to replace cloudy aquarium water once the gravel is in the tank.

Choosing compatible fish species is necessary in developing a safe aquarium dynamic. And it’s not just about choosing fish species that may be compatible as tank-mates. It’s also about choosing fish species that are appropriate for the size and dimensions of the tank. Avoid overstocking or stocking too many roughens. A high fish count or too many rough fish leads to aquarium water quality issues.

Patience with fish keeping is critical. It’s important to always proceed slowly. Its good practice to adjust water parameters by changing one variable at a time. Also, an aquarium needs time to cycle properly in order for good bacteria to grow. Protecting good bacteria is a necessary for maintaining aquarium water quality. After the aquarium has established, aquarium water needs to be partially changed in regular amounts at regular intervals to keep water quality up and maintain safe levels of Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, pH, General Hardness and Buffering Capacity.

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