Mike’s Fish Tank – Helpful Hints for a New Tank

This is the time of year when people get their first ever fish tank. I know a lot of people get aquariums for Christmas.

So for all you first timers, here are some great guidlines to help you be a success.

1.  Go  slow when adding fish to your new tank. There is a good bacteria that has to grow and that bacteria will eat the urine the fish produce. For example a new 10 gallon tank should be started with only 3 or 4 small fish.

2.  Do not add an algae eater to a new tank. There is no algae yet.

3.   Feed your fish small amounts 3  times a day if possible. Do not over feed. Too much food will pollute your tank and cause it to be cloudy.

4.   Purchase a siphon and siphon 20 to 25% of the water monthly. Always siphon from the bottom not the top. You want to get the extra waste and excess food off the bottom of the tank.

5.   Watch your lighting. Do not leave the tank light on 24 hours a day. Fish want to sleep too. Also too much light means too much algae. Have your tank light on from 4PM til 11:00 PM. Something like that.

6.   When you buy new fish, go right home and put them in the tank. It’s not a good idea to go shopping while your fish sit in a bag in your car especially if it’s really cold out.

7.   Only float the bag of fish 5 minutes. There is not that  much water in the bag.  It will only take a few minutes for that water to reach the temperature of your tank. Floating too long can result in death.

8.    Tropical  fish like warm water, 78 to 80. Goldfish like cold water. Some people mix them, it may or may not work.

9.   Some fish will get along with other fish  very  nicely, such as: tetras, mollies, platys, swords, guppies, dwarf gouramis, Many of the barbs are aggressive as well as the  bigger gouramis.

10.  Remember the bigger the tank, the better your fish will get along with each other. There’s enough space so they all have room and  aggression is less likely to happen.

Pets A Plenty is located in the Blockbuster Video Plaza, Rte 281 Cortland, 753-9213. Open 7 days a week. We now have a website. www.petsaplety.biz. check it out. I post care sheets, coupons, new animal arrivals, contests and more. Any questions, email me at friskyy@hotmail.com

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