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Aquarium Lighting Basics Part Three

-Lighting Requirements for Planted Aquarium

For the photosynthesis of aquatic plants, plant growth lights are a great tool with numerous benefits, like enhancing the color and growth of plants. However, too much light will cause algae to thrive in your tank. So, how about the light requirement for a planted aquarium? Generally, the lighting requirements vary from high light, medium light, and low light plants. In today’s article, we will talk more about that.

Content Table

Will LED lights grow plants in an aquarium

Will LED lights grow plants in an aquarium or let’s put it another way, are there the best aquarium-led lighting? Yes, definitely, as long as there is a right light spectrum. There are a plethora of benefits to adding a LED light to your planted tank.

A LED light is an energy-efficient lamp, which mimics the sunlight and glows in various light colors. White light color is helpful to promote the photosynthesis of plants, while it also enhances the colors of plants. Actually, red, green, and blue light color is necessary for freshwater aquatic plants. And then, plants will release oxygen into the water, which will improve the oxygen level in the tank. Besides that, ultraviolet LED lights are beneficial to sterilize, especially in reducing the bacteria infection risk of fish disease. Additionally, the vivid light improves the ornamental value of your planted tank.

By the way, what should you consider when finding the best aquarium-led lighting for your tank? In general, the following factors should be taken into account, including the tank size (width and depth), light coverage area, 24/7 light spectrum and timer, types of aquatic plants, and others. Take a 30-gallon planted tank as an example. Provided that the 30 gallons tank is about 36 inches in length, 26 inches in width, and 16 inches in height. Then, the length of your LED light should be 36 inches at least.

Besides, if you keep Hornwort and Moneywort in the tank, you should keep the light on for about 10–12 hours. Also, Hornwort and Moneywort are mediums to highlight plants. Accordingly, the ideal light intensity should be 20–40 lumens per liter.

Lighting requirements for planted aquarium

When it comes to the light requirement for planted aquariums, the lighting hours, light intensity, PAR values, wavelength, or others should be taken into consideration.

  • Lighting hours: It means the time you keep the aquarium light on.
  • Light intensity: It refers to the brightness of the aquarium light.
  • PAR values: It measures the amount of light for photosynthesis.
  • Wavelength: the distance of two points on a wave of energy. Generally, plants photosynthesize through visible light, ranging from 380 nm to 750 nm. But the available PAR of plants focuses on 400-700 nm.

Next, we will cover the common lighting requirements for different types of aquatic plants. The table below is a division for common plants and does not represent the needs of all aquatic plants.

Types of aquatic plants Lighting hours Light intensity PAR values
Low light plants 8–10 hours 10-20 lumens/liter 10-50 μmol/s
Medium-light plants 10 hours 20-40 lumens/liter 50-120 μmol/s
High light plants 10–12 hours More than 40 lumens/liter 120-200 μmol/s (or higher)

Is blue light bad for aquarium plants

Blue light is not damaging to aquarium plants. On the contrary, it is suitable and essential for many plants’ growth. Blue light can be absorbed by chlorophyll, which makes sense in the photosynthesis of aquatic plants. Specifically, blue light affects aquarium plants. Commonly, the low to medium intensity of blue light is enough for photosynthesis. Because blue light is high-intensity light. Consequently, the plants grown under blue light are prone to be shorter and have thicker leaves. Hence, blue light can be used as supplementary light color. Besides that, the color of plants’ leaves will be darker under the blue light. Moreover, blue light makes the plants’ stems healthier.

By the way, a bluetooth LED light is an excellent plant grow light for plants that need more blue light. For instance, stem plants and some carpeting plants. With the free dimming of RGB three primary colors, there are 300+ colors for you to choose from. Also, the brightness and color temperature can be adjusted. Accordingly, the light gives bright light effects and a different vision for your planted tank.

Which type of lighting is important for aquarium plants growing

In this part, we will take freshwater aquatic plants as an example and take a look at the important lighting type for aquarium plants growing.

Ideal light spectrum

  • The wavelength range of 630-700 nm: at least 50 percent of red light
  • Wavelength range of 500-580 nm: at least 35 percent of green light
  • Wavelength range of 435-495 nm: less than 15 percent of blue light

Light colors

  • Red light: It is helpful to promote the production of chlorophyll, which is vital for photosynthesis and plant growth.
  • Greenlight: It maximizes plants’ exposure to light and makes sense for plant growth.
  • Blue light: It makes the colors of plants’ leaves darker. Also, it is good for stem growth.

Additionally, we will list some examples here. As for stem or carpeting plants, a LED light with a lot of blue light may be the best aquarium-led lighting. On the other side, low-light plants, like Anubias and Java fern, may need more red light.

How many plants can grow with a 72w LED light?

Take a 72W LED light as an example, it can be used in 48-55 inches tanks. Actually, the light is ideal for various types of planted aquariums with different light requirements. As there are ten levels of brightness and seven colors for the light setting. The multiple brightness change can promote photosynthesis. Consequently, the plants can get better living conditions. Besides that, there are four available programming modes, including the Default mode, DIY mode, Gradient mode, and All-day all-optical mode. The 4 light modes are very infinitely for what this light can do. You can use the 72W LED light in a fully planted tank 55 inches.

By the way, if you are confused about the light setting, you can know more in the article – How to Set a Light Timer with Hygger 957 Programmable Light.

Reminder

In a nutshell, a full spectrum light is best for aquatic plants. Also, just set the light according to the aquatic plants in your tank. Just keep in mind, it’s important that get prior knowledge of the plants’ lighting requirements before adding the plants to your aquarium.

Related topics:

That’s all for today. For additional information about aquarium lighting, just stay tuned for the article – Aquarium Lighting Basics Part Four – Lighting Requirements of Tropical Fish, which will mainly focus on the light requirements of diverse fish. Finally, thank you for your time and we hope this article helps.

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What Size Wavemaker Do I Need for a 400 Litre Tank

Wavemaker in an aquarium is a great tool with a plethora of benefits. And that is what the following article will mention. We hope today’s article will give you more ideas about wave makers, like how to choose the ideal size wavemaker for your tank and where to place wave makers in the aquarium, etc. OK, rant over, let’s get started.

The purpose of a wavemaker in the aquarium

By rotating the aquarium water and circulating the water flow, a wave maker helps to blow away the fish feces or waste to the pump suction inlet. And then they would be sucked away from the aquarium. Consequently, adding a wavemaker is beneficial to keep an aquarium clean and maintain great water quality. Besides that, there would be less injury in your tank. As the fish are distracted by the water flow, hence show less aggression. Accordingly, they fight less. Furthermore, a wave maker can create strong water flow, which mimics fish’s natural environment. Then fish are forced to move around the tank, which is helpful to strengthen the fish’s bodies.

A wave maker does make sense in an aquarium. Nonetheless, whether should you add one is determined by the aquatic pets in your tank. In general, tanks with fish native to fast-moving waters need a wave maker to create strong water currents. While it is not necessary to add one for fish coming from slow-moving waters.

Wavemaker size for a 400-litre tank

When it comes to wavemaker size, have you ever been confused about what size wavemaker you need? Especially when you have a big tank of 400 liters. Generally, you should consider the tank size, water flow rate, and aquarium substrate. In general, compared with small aquariums, large aquariums need a wave maker with a higher water flow rate. Also, the aquarium water should be cycled 10 times at least. Furthermore, substrate, like fine sand, will be blown around your tank easily. In this case, you should be cautious about the power, flow rate, and outlet angle of the wave maker.

Next, we will list some suitable wave maker sizes for diverse tank sizes.

Tank size Recommended wavemaker size
50 gallons 6W mini wave maker
180 gallons 18W inverter wavemaker pump
200 gallons 12W double-head wave maker
400 liter (105 gallons) 6W aquarium wavemaker pump

Where to place wavemakers in aquariums

After choosing the right pump, where to place the wavemaker to maximize its effectiveness? The most important point is that you should place it in the aquarium which creates optimal water circulation. Also, the inlet or outlet of a wavemaker should not directly point to the fish. Otherwise, it would cause stress to the inhabitants. Generally, placing a wavemaker on the bottom of the tank will help to clean residues or other unnecessary substances. Also, if you want to create waves for fish surfing, just place them in the middle of the tank. Because the water movement will force fish to move.

Furthermore, a wavemaker on the upper of the tank will make waves on the water, which avoids stagnant water in the aquarium and aerate the tank.

For a smooth wave process, the wavemaker should be placed in an area where there are no obstructions, such as rocks, piers, or other structures that can disrupt the waves, so it can generate the maximum amount of waves with the highest quality.

As for a planted tank, it is best to avoid strong water currents. Otherwise, it may influence plant growth. Because aquatic plants prefer a gentle water flow. Adequate water movement enables plants to absorb carbon dioxide and nutrients through leaves and stems. In this case, you can just add a powerhead. It can increase water movement and clean up debris and dead spots. Therefore, in planted aquariums or tanks with aquatic plants, you should keep the wave maker far away from the bottom and top of the tank. The former may blow away the substrate, and the latter would cause turbulence. Hence, pacing in the middle of the tank is an excellent alternative.

Wavemakers for beginner

So in this part, let’s learn wave makers for beginners, huh? A smart wave maker is a great option, which is perfect for 5–55 gallons of aquariums. With a built-in controller, the smart aquarium wavemaker mimics ocean waves by setting various flow modes, power, and frequency according to sunrise and sunset, as well as day and night. And you can set the strength of the wave, flow mode, levels of frequency, and ten minutes auto-off mode for feeding.

The 360 degrees motor fan moves the water up and down, while the coral reef sways back and forth naturally with soft waves, it’s a huge benefit for Torch coral(Euphyllia glabrescens). Also, the strong magnetic suction cup makes the wave maker install and detach easily. And the energy-efficient magnetic propellers and motors can circulate water quietly. Consequently, it is feasible to add the smart wave maker to reef tanks and saltwater aquariums, which keep the creatures that are native to the ocean areas.

On the other side, the ultra-quiet aquarium wave maker is another excellent choice, which is ideal for 20-130 gallon aquariums. Featuring 360 degrees motor fan and a strong magnetic base, it is easy to adjust and use. The wave maker can control the water flow direction and make equalized water temperature. Also, two strong magnetic brackets make the absorption more stable, which avoids falling off. And the stable magnetic base reduces noise. Accordingly, the wave maker circulates water quietly.

Additionally, the wave maker mimics natural currents, like rivers and oceans. It helps to blow away fish feces and uneaten food in an aquarium, while it also creates water movements and improves water circulation to increase the oxygen level in the tank. Thus, it is safe to use in freshwater, saltwater, and coral aquariums.

That’s it. For more additional information about wave makers, please feel free to share with us in the comment. We’re happy to receive your sharing. Finally, thanks for your reading.

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Aquascape Aquarium and the Golden Ratio Part Two

Hey, guys, after reading the Aquascape Aquarium and the Golden Ratio Part One, can not wait to learn more about aquascaping. Now, Part Two is coming. Today’s article will share the protagonist in aquarium aquascape and the other 10 aquascaping styles. Without further ado, let’s get started right away.

Protagonist in aquarium aquascape

From the perspective of the protagonist in aquarium aquascape, there are mainly five styles, including fish-oriented and rocks-supplementary, fish-oriented and plants-supplementary, plants-oriented and fish-supplementary, integration of fish and landscape, and three-dimensional style. Following this part, we will walk you through something you need to know about aquarium aquascape styles. So let’s dive in.

1. Fish-oriented and rocks-supplementary

Featuring diverse shapes and sizes of live rocks, a mountain landscape will be formed in your aquarium, including styles of plates, peaks, stone forests, cliffs, caves, or others. However, schools of colorful and vibrant fish should be the focal point. Fish swim around the aquarium, which improves the ornamental values. Moreover, here is one tip. The rocks or other aquarium decorations should be hard but smooth, and soluble compounds free.

2. Fish-oriented and plants-supplementary

When it comes to fish-oriented and plant-supplementary styles, schooling fish should be the first choice, like neon tetras and zebrafish. And fish similar in size are the best alternative. As for the aquarium decorations, just add some aquatic plants.

3. Plants-oriented and fish-supplementary

Imagine that, the light shines on the plants, and some fish swim around the aquarium. Is there an attractive picture formed in your mind? Exactly, it is feasible to add substrate to your tank, and then plant different types of plants, including tall, relatively short, or floating ones. But you should avoid too many types. At the same time, you can introduce some small fish. They will add color to your aquarium. Nonetheless, you should pay attention to the plants’ layout. Otherwise, your aquarium will be a mess. For instance, tall plants are usually placed in the back of a tank, while short ones are in the front.

4. Integration of fish and landscape

The integration of fish and landscape style is not fish-oriented or landscape-oriented. Actually, it is just like a combination. Various fish species are introduced to the aquarium, while there are other aquarium decorations, including aquatic plants, rocks, stone, caves, wood, artificial aquarium pavilions, and others.

5. Three-dimensional style

Aquariums of three-dimensional style will take up a lot of space. The aquarium indoors should be kept space from the walls. And there are no covers around the aquarium, which allow light to penetrate the aquarium. In general, the three-dimensional style aquariums will be built in restaurants, the hall of a villa, or somewhere with enough room.

Aquascaping styles

Before we get into the details of the most popular aquarium aquascaping styles, let’s review the aquascaping styles mentioned in Part One.

Most popular aquarium aquascaping styles
1. The Dutch Aquascaping Style 2. The German Aquascaping Style 3. The Southeast Asian Aquascaping Style
4. The Japanese Aquascaping Style 5. The Chinese Taiwan Aquascaping Style 6. The Chinese Aquascaping Style
7. The African Aquascaping Style 8. The South American Aquascaping Style 9. The Terraqueous Plants Aquascaping Style
10. The Marsh and Plants Aquascaping Style 11. The Clump-shaped Plants Aquascaping Style 12. The Vivarium Aquascaping Style
13. The Cichlid Fish Aquascaping Style 14. The Stream Aquascaping Style 15. The Nature Aquascaping Style
16. The Saltwater Aquarium Aquascaping Style 17. The Reptilian Pets Aquascaping Style 18. The Hardscape Only Aquascaping Style

Next, we will cover the last 10 aquascaping styles in this segment.

1. The Terraqueous Plants Aquascaping Style

Generally, the rocks are placed in the back of the aquarium, and the rocks can be above the aquarium water surface. Then, it is feasible to plant aquatic plants on the substrate or rocks. On the other side, you can also divide the aquarium into two parts – the front and back. The back part can be used as a filter cell, and it is feasible to place rocks above the cell. In addition to this, you can decorate the aquarium with artificial aquarium buildings, figures, or other aquarium accessories.

2. The Marsh and Plants Aquascaping Style

The Marsh and Plants Aquascaping Style consists of herbaceous plants and marsh aquascaping, sphagnum and marsh aquascaping, as well as aquarium wood and marsh aquascaping. Specifically, the herbaceous plants and marsh aquascaping feature wetting soil and standing water. And moss and plants from the Poaceae family are used in aquascaping aquariums. Besides that, sphagnum and marsh aquascaping need sufficient water, low temperature, and nutrients supplement. And you can add some small and hardy aquatic plants. Additionally, wood and marsh aquascaping includes wood and plants. It is feasible to plant some moss on the wood. Also, other plants in the aquarium should adapt to the wetting soil.

3. The Clump-shaped Plants Aquascaping Style

The Clump-shaped Plants Aquascaping Style is ideal for offices, homes, or anywhere with limited space. A necessary tool can be a fish bowl or other available utensils. Then, knead the turfy soil with some water, and wrap it with moss. After that, add plants. Finally, give it some water.

4. The Vivarium Aquascaping Style

The Vivarium Aquascaping Style mimics the rainforest scenery. Generally, you should add an aquarium lid to maintain high humidity. Aside from that, the aquariums of the Vivarium Aquascaping Style demand lighting, temperature, oxygen level, and others. Consequently, it is best to add an aquarium light, an aquarium heater, an aquarium air pump, or other necessary aquarium equipment.

5. The Cichlid Fish Aquascaping Style

The Cichlid Fish Aquascaping Style aquariums are not difficult to set up, which mainly include cichlid fish, some aquarium decorations, and pieces of aquarium equipment. Compared with planted aquariums, they need less time to maintain. Commonly, rectangular aquariums are better alternatives. Because it makes rock and stone selections easier. And you should avoid rocks and stones with sharp edges. Or it may cause injury to fish.

Next, we will share an example. You can use white sand as a substrate. In this case, it is recommended to choose black, gray, or off-white rocks. As for the light, blue light is best. Furthermore, adding some aquatic plants is feasible.

6. The Stream Aquascaping Style

The stream Aquascaping Style aquariums also mimic the natural scenery. In general, rocks, stone, aquarium sand, or gravel are applied to create rivers or streams in the aquarium. The stones or rocks are not in the same shapes or sizes. Moreover, you can introduce some freshwater shrimp, and add some aquatic plants along the stream.

7. The Nature Aquascaping Style

The Nature Aquascaping Style aquariums take the nature aquascape scenery as the prototype. Compared with planted tanks, they are easier to build and maintain. And they are lower-cost options. Because they are not demanding lights, carbon dioxide levels, filtration systems, or others.

8. The Saltwater Aquarium Aquascaping Style

The Saltwater Aquarium Aquascaping Style aquarium may be classified into saltwater fish aquariums, soft corals aquariums, hard corals aquariums, and other types. They are varicolored and attractive.

9. The Reptilian Pets Aquascaping Style

Reptilian Pets Aquascaping Style? Yep, sounds interesting, right? Definitely, it is feasible to keep reptilian pets in aquariums, in addition to fish, shrimps, and plants. Crabs, snails, lizards, axolotls, and turtles are excellent alternatives.

10. The Hardscape Only Aquascaping Style

Just as the name implies, some are no aquatic plants in the Hardscape Only Aquascaping Style aquariums, which only consist of stones, rocks, wood, tree trunks, and other hard landscapes.

Aquascaping aquarium

In short, no matter which aquarium aquascape style you choose, it is vital to determine the aquarium layout before starting aquascaping. For additional aquascaping styles, you can read the part one article – Aquascape Aquarium and the Golden Ratio Part One.

That’s it. Hope you will have an enjoyable aquascaping experience. Finally, thanks for taking the time.

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Hygger Aquarium Heater Troubleshooting Fix

Aquarium heater helps to maintain warm and stable water temperature, which is critically crucial for tanks, like tropical fish tanks. In our guide below, we will cover common troubleshooting of hygger aquarium heaters, along with how to repair the heater and how to set a heater’s temperature. After reading, you will know more about aquarium heater fixes.

Common troubleshooting of aquarium heaters

To begin with, we will list the common troubleshooting of aquarium heaters:

  • Improper placement
  • Excess temperature
  • Too low temperature
  • Temperature difference
  • Over voltage fault
  • Sensor fault
  • Components fault

Besides that, sometimes you may be confused about the error codes. Consequently, next, we will share some specific examples.

1.001 Submersible Aquarium Heater

Error code Causes
E1 The aquarium heater is exposed to the air
HH The water temperature is above 95℉
EE There is a 5° temperature difference detected by the two sensors
E4 Over voltage fault
H1 H2 E2 E3 The temperature sensor is short-circuited protection

2.003 Variable Frequency Aquarium Heater

Error code Causes
LL No.1 temperature sensor fault
HH No.2 temperature sensor fault
E1 The heater is out of water
E2
  • The heater is placed somewhere with bad water recycle
  • Components fault
E3
  • The heater is placed somewhere with bad water recycle
  • Components fault
E4 Flat power grid interference

3.007 Quartz Submersible Aquarium Heater

Error code Causes
E1 The aquarium heater is exposed to the air
HH The water temperature is above 95℉
EE There is a 5° temperature difference detected by the two sensors
H4 Over voltage fault
H1 H2 E2 E3 The temperature sensor is short-circuited protection

4.011 Smart Aquarium Heater

Error code Causes
Er & beeping The heater is out of water/Sensor fault
Water temperature flashing & beeping The water temperature is above 96.8℉ & poor water circulation or improper placement of the heater
Ec Components fault
E3 Relay fault
H1/H2 Temperature sensor fault
White or yellow dirt adheres Incrustation scale

 5.045 Tiny Titan Water Heater

Error code Causes
Er The heater is out of water
EE flash The temperature is above 95℉
The heater turns red indication when it is out of water Failure of the out water shutoff function
The heater is working but can not reach the setup temperature The ambient temperature is below 50℉
H1 Probe is broken
H2 Probe is broken
E1 Probe is broken
E2 Probe is broken
E8 Probe is broken
EL Reminder after 10,000 hours of use

6.060 Ultra Short Aquarium Quartz Heater

Error code Causes
LL The temperature is lower than 59℉ (15℃)
HH  The temperature reaches 95℉ (35℃)
EE Sensor fault
L1 The heater is out of the water and exposed to air

7.921 Aquarium Water Heater

Error code Causes
ER The heater is exposed to air
EE Water temp exceeds about 97°F
H1 Temp sensor one is short-circuited protection
H2 Temp sensor two is short-circuited protection
E1 Temp sensor one is open-circuit protection
E2 Temp sensor two is open-circuit protection
E3 The relay is melted

8.969 hygger aquarium heater

Error code Causes
Er The heater is exposed to air
EH The water temperature is above 97℉
Ec Communication failure
E3 The relay is melted
H1 Temp sensor is short-circuited protection

How to repair an aquarium heater

In this segment, we will list remedies for some common heater faults.

Faults Solutions
The temperature is below the minimum level (too low temperature) Increase the water/room temperature (e.g. add another aquarium heater/warm water for water changes/open heating fan/add an aquarium heating blanket)
The temperature reaches the maximum level (excess temperature) Decrease the water/room temperature
(e.g. open the air condition/open the cooling fan/add float ice packs in the water/avoid direct sunlight)
Sensor fault Return the heater
The heater is exposed to air or out of the water (improper placement) Fully submerge the heater in the water
5° temperature difference detected by sensors Discard the heater
Over voltage fault Discard the heater
The temperature sensor is short-circuited or open-circuit protection Discard the heater
Several degrees of differences between the water temp and desired temp Place the heater on the tank with great water circulation
(e.g. the stream of a powerhead/the inlet or outlet of the aquarium filter/water pump)
Components fault Check whether the water temp is over the maximum level or not. If it is above the maximum point, discard the heater.
Flat power grid interference Restart
Relay fault Re-plug in. If the heater can not restore, then discard it.
Incrustation scale Rinse the heater with clean water

How to set an aquarium heater’s temperature

Additionally, how to set an aquarium heater’s temperature? Take a fully submersible heater as an example, you can set the desired temperature easily by pressing the “SET” button, and you can choose between 59 and 93℉. Provided that your set temp is 82℉, the heater will shut off automatically once the temp reaches the set point. Moreover, while heating, the light on the display will flash. And it will stop flashing once it reaches the set temp.

Reminder

If you want to get an aquarium heater, you should refer to the chart of the recommended tank and heater size, then you can choose the most suitable heater for your aquarium. Also, for safety during the cleaning process, you should unplug the heater first and leave it in the tank until it is cooled.

That’s all for today. For additional questions about hygger aquarium heaters, welcome to leave messages in the comment or contact us. We are happy to help you out. Finally, thanks for your time.

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The Complete Guide of How to Cycle A New Fish Tank

By Gilad Susel from petfishonline.com

Cycling a fish tank is an essential process to ensure a healthy and thriving aquatic environment for your fish and other invertebrates.

The process involves the development of beneficial bacteria that convert harmful toxins like ammonia into nitrite and then into nitrate. It is necessary to eliminate toxic chemicals from the water and maintain good living conditions for aquatic pets.

This article will provide a detailed step-by-step guide on how to cycle a fish tank, including cycling a tank with and without fish and how to take care of a tank once it is cycled.

Step-by-Step Guide for Cycling a Fish Tank

Cycling a fish tank is a time-consuming process, but it is crucial for the well-being of your aquatic pets. There are two methods to cycle a fish tank: with fish and without fish.

However, the best option is to cycle your fish tank without adding fish, as it is less stressful and does not harm any living creatures.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cycle a fish tank using both methods:

Step 1: Set Up Your Fish Tank

Before starting the cycling process, you need to set up your fish tank with the necessary equipment. You will need a heater, a filter, and an air pump.

A heater is required to maintain the water temperature between 75-85 °F, which is ideal for the beneficial bacteria to grow.

A filter is necessary as the beneficial bacteria colonize in the filter. An air pump will keep the tank well-oxygenated, which is essential for the beneficial bacteria to thrive.

Step 2: Add An Ammonia Source To Your Fish Tank

To start the cycling process, you will need to introduce ammonia into your tank.

Firstly, treat the water with a water conditioner to eliminate chlorine and chloramine from the tap water.

Now, you can introduce ammonia in your fish tank by adding food or directly adding ammonia. Directly adding an ammonia liquid is the faster way to cycle the fish tank.

Step 3: Wait For Ammonia To Spike

Now, all you have to do is wait for ammonia to occur in your tank. It will take 2–3 weeks for ammonia to convert into nitrite.

During this period, use an aquarium test kit to test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels in the water. Keep adding ammonia to maintain the level between 3-5 ppm.

Step 4: Watch For Nitrite To Occur

After 2–3 weeks, nitrite will occur in the water. It is toxic to fish and can cause severe harm to them.

Continue adding ammonia to maintain the level between 3-5 ppm and wait for the nitrite to convert into nitrate. This process will take another 2–3 weeks.

Step 5: Look For Nitrate To Occur

After 2–3 weeks, nitrate will occur in the water. It is the final stage of the cycling process, indicating that the beneficial bacteria are established in the tank.

At this stage, stop adding ammonia to the tank and wait for the nitrate level to rise to around 20 ppm.

Step 6: Check For 0 ppm Ammonia, 0 ppm Nitrite, And Some Nitrate

Once the nitrate level reaches 20 ppm, use an aquarium test kit to check for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels in the water.

If you find 0 ppm ammonia, 0 ppm nitrite, and some nitrate, it indicates that your tank has cycled successfully.

Can I Cycle the Tank With Fish Inside?

Cycling a fish tank with fish is not recommended as it can be stressful for the fish.

However, if you still want to cycle your fish tank with fish, follow these steps:

Step 1. Get Your Fish Tank Ready By Setting It Up.

Set up your fish tank with all the necessary equipment like a filter, heaters, and air pumps.

Step 2. Add Fish To Your Tank.

Add a few hardy fish to your tank to start the cycling process.

Hardy fish like zebra danios or plates are recommended for cycling tank fish.

Step 3. Wait For Ammonia To Spike.

The fish you have added will produce waste that will convert into ammonia.

Test the water regularly for ammonia and nitrite levels and make sure to keep the levels under control.

Step 4. Keep Maintaining The Ammonia Level And Watch For Nitrite To Occur.

Maintain the ammonia level in your tank and wait for nitrite to occur.

Keep testing the water regularly and keep the ammonia and nitrite levels in check.

Step 5. Keep Maintaining The Ammonia And Nitrite Levels And Look For Nitrate To Occur.

Keep maintaining the ammonia and nitrite levels and wait for nitrate to occur.

Nitrate is not harmful to fish at low levels and will indicate that the tank has completed the cycling process.

Step 6. Look For 0ppm Ammonia, 0ppm Nitrite, And Some Nitrate.

Test the water regularly and wait until you see 0ppm ammonia 0ppm nitrite and some nitrate in your tank.

Once you have reached this stage, your fish tank has completed the cycling process, and you can add more fish to your tank.

How Can We Speed Up The Cycling Process?

The cycling process usually takes 4–6 weeks to complete, but there are some ways to speed up the process.

One way to speed up the process is to use beneficial bacteria supplements. Beneficial bacteria supplements like Seachem Stability or Tetra SafeStart can introduce beneficial bacteria to your tank and speed up the cycling process.

Another way to speed up the cycling process is to use live plants in your tank. Live plants can provide a surface for beneficial bacteria to grow and can speed up the cycling process.

What Should We Look For Before Adding Fish To Our Tank?

Before adding fish to your tank, make sure the cycling process is complete, and the water parameters are stable.

Before cycle the water in the fish tank, you should test the water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels and make sure they are within the acceptable range.

The acceptable range for ammonia is 0ppm, nitrite is 0ppm, and nitrate should be less than 40ppm.

Also, make sure the water temperature and pH are within the acceptable range for the fish you plan to add to your tank.

How To Take Care Of A Tank Once It Is Cycled?

Once your fish tank has completed the cycling process, you need to take care of it to ensure the well-being of your fish and other invertebrates.

Here are some tips to take care of your tank:

1. Perform Regular Water Changes.

  • Perform regular water changes to keep the nitrate level in your tank low.
  • Regular water changes will also remove any harmful substances from the water and keep the water parameters stable.

2. Feed Your Fish In Moderation.

  • Overfeeding your fish can result in excess waste in the tank, leading to high ammonia and nitrite levels.
  • Feed your fish in moderation and remove any uneaten food from the tank.

3. Maintain The Filter.

  • The beneficial bacteria colonize the filter, so it is essential to maintain the filter properly.
  • Clean the filter regularly to remove any debris or waste that can clog the filter.

Conclusions

In conclusion, cycling a fish tank is an essential process to maintain a healthy and thriving aquatic environment for your fish and other invertebrates.

The process involves the development of beneficial bacteria that convert harmful toxins like ammonia into nitrite and then into nitrate.

There are some ways to speed up the cycling process of your fish tank, such as using established filter media, adding bacteria supplements, increasing the water temperature, and increasing aquarium aeration.

Regardless of the method you choose, it is important to cycle your fish tank before adding any fish to maintain a healthy and thriving aquatic environment.

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Top 10 Bottom Feeder Fish For Freshwater Community Tank

In aquariums, some fish prefer living in the upper of the tank, while some are fond of swimming in the middle. Also, others take a fancy to the bottom of the tank. In today’s article, we will walk you through something about the bottom feeder fish for freshwater community tanks.

Bottom feeder meaning

Here comes a question, what are bottom feeders? If you know little about them, just continue reading. Actually, bottom feeders are those animals living or feeding on or near the bottom of the water. Concerning the bottom feeders in aquariums, some are helpful to remove algae and clean the aquarium, like Otocinclus catfish, snails, and shrimp.

Besides, as for the bottom feeder fish in aquariums, you can recognize them by observing the mouth placement (usually a lower mouth placement), barbels near the mouth (sensory organs to identify food), and mouth shape (some fish have mouth shaping like suction). Furthermore, aquarium bottom feeder fish are commonly classified into three categories – Loaches, Catfish, and Carps. Loaches fancy building homes on the substrate in the aquarium. Catfish feature obvious barbels. Carps possess soft fins, like the Prussian carp.

Top 10 bottom feeder fish

In this segment, we will share ten bottom feeder fish that are most popular in aquariums. After reading, you can choose your favorite one for tanks.

1. Kuhli Loach

Featuring a long body with strips, Kuhli Loaches like to hide. They usually burrow under the aquarium substrate. Thus, you should choose sand or fine gravel as the substrate for Kuhli Loach aquariums. Moreover, it is better to keep the schooling of Kuhli Loaches in a tank. And aggressive tank mates should be avoided, like cichlids. Additionally, Kuhli Loaches are active at night. So, you can keep a light on at that time.

Origin Southeast Asia Swimming level Bottom
Adult size 3–5 inches Diet Omnivore
Lifespan 10 years Ideal water temperature 75-86℉
Temperament Peaceful Ideal pH level 5.5-6.5
Care Level Easy-Moderate Minimum tank size 20 gallon

2. Zebra Loach

Zebra Loaches come with strips on the body, which are different in color and thickness. They are hardy and can adapt to changes in water conditions. In general, you can hold the Zebra Loaches with other Loaches. However, Zebra Loaches are not good tank mates for fish with long tails and fins, like Angelfish. Because Zebra Loaches may nip their tails and fins. Aside from that, Zebra Loaches need adequate hiding places, great water conditions, and dim light. And contrary to the Kuhli Loaches, Zebra Loaches are not nocturnal.

Origin Southern India Swimming level Bottom
Adult size 3.5 inches Diet Omnivore
Lifespan 10–15 years Ideal water temperature 73-79℉
Temperament Peaceful Ideal pH level 6-7.5
Care Level Easy Minimum tank size 30 gallon

3. Yoyo Loach

Yoyo Loaches are peaceful and can get along well with other Loaches. Nevertheless, never keep them with extremely aggressive or timid fish. Otherwise, it may cause injury. Actually, most Loaches are fond of digging under the tank substrate, the same goes for Yoyo Loaches. On the other side, Yoyo Loaches are demanding water conditions. Hence, monitoring the water conditions regularly would be necessary. Also, Yoyo Loaches are active and may jump out of the tank. Consequently, it is recommended to add an aquarium lid.

Origin North and Northeast India Swimming level Bottom-Middle
Adult size 2.5-3 inches Diet Omnivore
Lifespan 5–8 years Ideal water temperature 75-82℉
Temperament Peaceful Ideal pH level 6.5-7.5
Care Level Moderate Minimum tank size 20 gallon

4. Cory Catfish

Cory Catfish feature barbels extending from the face. And there are diverse colors and sizes of Cory Catfish. Also, they come in different types, for example, Albino Cory Catfish, Panda Cory Catfish, and Pygmy Cory Catfish. Besides that, they enjoy hiding behind plants or rocks in the wild. Therefore, it is best to add aquatic plants in the Cory Catfish aquarium, such as Java Moss, Java Fern, and Hornwort. It will provide an enjoyable living environment for them.

Origin South America Swimming level Bottom
Adult size 1–3 inches Diet Omnivore
Lifespan 5 years Ideal water temperature 72-82℉
Temperament Peaceful Ideal pH level 6.5-7.8
Care Level Easy Minimum tank size 10-20 gallon

5. Otocinclus Catfish

Otocinclus Catfish are also famous as Oto, which are schooling fish and like living in groups. Aside from that, they can eat algae quickly and need a lot of algae to survive. However, they are small and peaceful. Hence, you should not keep them with large cichlids. Otherwise, it would cause injury.

Origin South America Swimming level Bottom
Adult size 2 inches Diet Herbivore
Lifespan 5–7 years Ideal water temperature 72-82℉
Temperament Peaceful Ideal pH level 6.5-7.0
Care Level Easy-Moderate Minimum tank size 10 gallon

6. Twig Catfish

The Twig Catfish are long and thin. Unlike other active fish, Twig Catfish usually stay or attach to the object’s surface. And they may not a good choice for small fish tanks, where toxic substances may accumulate easily. Since Twig Catfish require clean water to survive.

Origin The Orinoco and Panara Rivers basin Swimming level Bottom
Adult size 5–7 inches Diet Herbivore
Lifespan 10–12 years Ideal water temperature 75-80℉
Temperament Peaceful Ideal pH level 6.0-7.5
Care Level Moderate Minimum tank size 20 gallon

7. Synodontis Catfish

The patterns and spots on the body make Synodontis Catfish attractive. They can be an excellent addition to African cichlid tanks. Also, they may show interesting behaviors. For instance, swimming upside down.

Origin Eastern Africa Swimming level Bottom
Adult size 4 inches Diet Omnivore
Lifespan 8–10 years Ideal water temperature 75-82℉
Temperament Peaceful Ideal pH level 6.5-8.5
Care Level Easy Minimum tank size 20 gallons

8. Siamese Algae Eater

Siamese Algae Eaters are called the king of algae eater fish. Black beard algae, hair algae, and uneaten food are food sources for Siamese Algae Eaters. They require sufficient oxygen and plenty of room to move around the tank. Accordingly, a large tank is perfect to hold them. Nonetheless, they may attack small fish occasionally. So, just be careful to avoid small tank mates.

Origin Southeast Asia Swimming level Bottom
Adult size 6 inches Diet Omnivore
Lifespan 10 years Ideal water temperature 75-79℉
Temperament Peaceful Ideal pH level 6.5-8.0
Care Level Easy Minimum tank size 30 gallon

9. Bristlenose Pleco

Bristlenose Plecos have protruding bristles on the mouth and nose. Sometimes, their brown body color makes them invisible in tanks. Also, they are not aggressive. Consequently, they can keep peace with other fish in aquariums. Moreover, Bristlenose Plecos are beneficial to clean aquariums and maintaining ideal living conditions. Because they eat algae, decaying plants, fish feces, fish uneaten food, and other waste. In addition, the sucker-shaped mouth can clean the aquarium glass by adsorbing on the glass.

Origin South America Swimming level Bottom
Adult size 4–5 inches Diet Omnivore
Lifespan 5 years Ideal water temperature 70-80℉
Temperament Peaceful Ideal pH level 6.5-7.5
Care Level Easy-Moderate Minimum tank size 30 gallon

10. Bumblebee Goby

Bumblebee Gobies are small and have strips on their body, which look like bees in the water. They are active and usually swim around the aquarium. Also, they prefer living in a group of six at least. Additionally, they can thrive in brackish water.

Origin Southeast Asia Swimming level Bottom
Adult size 1.5 inches Diet Carnivore
Lifespan About 3 years Ideal water temperature 72-84℉
Temperament Peaceful Ideal pH level 7.2-8.5
Care Level Moderate-Difficult Minimum tank size 10 gallon

What bottom feeders are good for a 5-gallon fish tank

In addition to all the bottom feeders mentioned above, are there bottom feeders for a 5-gallon fish tank? Seeing that 5 gallons are a relatively small aquarium, you should be cautious about the quantities of tank mates. Otherwise, it may cause overstocking. When it comes to the bottom feeders for a 5-gallon fish tank, Stone Catfish, snails (e.g. Apple Snails, Mystery Snails, Nerite Snails), and shrimp (e.g. Ghost Shrimp, Red Cherry Shrimp, Amano Shrimp) are excellent alternatives. For instance, if you have a betta fish tank, it is feasible to keep one betta plus two or three ghost shrimp in the tank.

The bottom line

After reading, do you know more about the bottom feeder fish? Actually, some of the bottom feeders are excellent cleaner fish, like Otocinclus Catfish and Siamese Algae Eaters. By the way, if you are interested in other aquatic pets fish, or cleaner fish, you can learn more from the article – Cleaner Fish Profiles – Best Cleaner Fish for Freshwater. That’s all for today. Finally, thanks for your time, and we hope this article helps.

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Advice for Keeping Flowerhorn Fish Active

Featuring brilliant color, Flowerhorns are freshwater fish with big foreheads. They are hybrid fish. In this article, we will study something about flower horn fish, such as features, temperament, and maintenance guides. Without further ado, let’s get started.

What is flowerhorn – fish with a big forehead

Flowerhorns are large fish, belonging to the Cichlidae family. They are also called Flowerhorn cichlid. Generally, flowerhorn comes in red, blue, black, white, orange, or green colors. The big forehead on the fish is named a nuchal hump.

Moreover, flower horns are omnivorous. You can feed earthworms, shrimp, squid, krill, insects, pellets, vegetables, or other meaty food. The food you provide should be rich in nutrients and contain color-enhancing molecules. But never overfeed. Commonly, twice a day is great. Furthermore, flower horn fish can grow up to 12–16 inches. Consequently, the ideal tank size for them should be 75 gallons at least. However, a breeding tank should be 150 gallons or larger. Also, the average lifespan for flower horns reaches 10–12 years.
fish with big forehead

Is flower horn fish-friendly

Flowerhorn fish are aggressive and territorial. They will defend an area that they believe to be their own. In general, it is best to keep flowerhorn fish alone in a tank. Two or more in the same tank is not recommended. If you want to keep more than one flower horn in a tank, you’d better divide them with egg crates or acrylic dividers. Furthermore, if you want to introduce tank mates for flowerhorn, jaguar Cichlid, tiger Oscar, and Leopard Pleco are great options. But in a nutshell, keeping one flower horn fish in a tank is the optimal alternative.

How to make a flowerhorn fish active

Flowerhorns may be inactive. But it does not mean that the fish just stay at the bottom of an aquarium. Inactive flower horns are lying at the bottom of the tank and not swimming as usual. Also, there are some appearance symptoms of inactive flowerhorns, like fading of body color. Causes of inactive fish may include improper water temperature, poor water conditions, external infection, or others. After knowing the causes of inactive flowerhorns, next, let’s learn how to make them active.

Maintain consistent water temp

Consistent temperature is necessary for flowerhorn aquariums. Generally, you should keep the water temperature of 80-85℉ (26-30℃). Accordingly, a variable-frequency titanium heater will help you a lot. When the water temp is 0.1-0.9℉ lower than the set temp, the heater will switch to the frequency conversion constant temp mode to work to consistently the water temp for flowerhorn.

Maintain great water conditions

The vital maintenance points consist of creating great water conditions, which helps keep flowerhorn fish happy and healthy. Seeing, flowerhorn fish may produce a lot of feces and waste. Consequently, you should do frequent and regular water changes. Otherwise, poor water quality would pose threats to fish growth and health.

Generally, it is recommended to change 20-30 percent of water twice a week. Also, it is feasible to change 30-50 percent of water once a week for flowerhorn cichlid. Aside from water changes, an aquarium filter helps to filter unnecessary substances in aquariums, while it also makes sense for beneficial bacteria growth.

Also, in the face of oxygen deficiency, flowerhorns will become stressed or even dead. Fortunately, an aquarium air pump is effective in improving the oxygen level in the water. By pumping air into the aquarium water, the pump prevents stagnant water, leading to uneven water temperature and oxygen concentration.
flowerhorn

Keep regular aquarium cleaning

Besides that, you should clean the aquarium while changing the water. Because waste or unnecessary substances may hide in the aquarium substrate. In this case, an electric vacuum cleaner will help you out, which makes the cleaning more convenient. The DC safety water pump provides strong water flow, which is powerful and can do a quick water change, plus remove debris and fish waste. Also, the black filter sponge prevents large debris from clogging the motor.

Additionally, it is better to check the water parameters after the water change and aquarium cleaning. Flowerhorn fish prefer a pH level of 7.4 to 8.0. Acid water would cause flowerhorns to lose body color or even get sick. By the way, testing the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels is necessary. Furthermore, the fish need clean water with a TDS of less than 250. (Tip: TDS means the total dissolved solids in the water)

Other remedies

As for external infection, it is best to treat the fish as soon as possible. And it is best to quarantine the sick flowerhorn. Otherwise, the contagious disease may infect other healthy ones. When sick, one cure would be active gradually.

On the other side, you can check the poop color of inactive flowerhorn fish. If the poop is red and the fish float in the water, it is recommended to feed garlic-soaked pellets. Nevertheless, if the poop is white and the fish lose the desired appetite, you should take the white poop treatment.

Some facts about flowerhorn cichlid

Flowerhorn cichlids are hybrid fish. They are artificial fish, which do not exist naturally. In addition, flower cichlids are egg-layers. The gestation period of the cichlids lasts 1–2 weeks. And they can reproduce up to 700–1000 eggs at a time. The young ones will get sexually matured at about 1-year-old.

That’s it. For additional interesting facts about flowerhorn cichlids, welcome to leave messages in the comment. We’re happy to receive your sharing. Finally, thanks for your reading, and we hope this article will give you a hand.

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Betta Fish for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide to Owning Your First Betta

By Wesley Oaks from bettafishbay.com

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, beautiful addition pet to your home – look no further! Betta fish is an unbeatable choice. They’re so easy to care for that they almost care for themselves! Not only do they require minimal effort on your part, but these little wonders offer huge returns in joy and satisfaction.

These incredible creatures have long been beloved by everyone, from experienced aquarists to absolute beginners. With their vibrant colors and graceful swimming style, bettas make an eye-catching addition to any tank or bowl. And best of all, they don’t need much space or specialized equipment to thrive.

Plus, taking care of fish can be incredibly rewarding — watching them swim around the tank will bring countless hours of pleasure into your life.

No matter what type of beginner you are, owning a betta can provide you with endless enjoyment without needing too much work.

Read on to learn more about this magical species and discover why they’re such great companions for those starting in the world of aquatic pets!

Characteristics Of Betta Fish

Betta fish are an exciting choice for novice aquarists. These stunning, low-maintenance fish come in a wide range of colors and shapes, making them incredibly beautiful additions to any aquarium.

Male bettas have long-flowing fins, while females tend to be smaller with less extravagant finnage. Bettas are also quite hardy; they can survive in a variety of water temperatures, from 75 °F – 82 °F. They’re also fairly low maintenance and require regular feedings only once or twice daily. Plus, they love interacting with their owners.

In addition to being attractive and easy to care for, betta fish don’t need much space to stay healthy and happy. A single betta can live happily in as little as five gallons of water.

This makes them ideal inhabitants even for small tanks or bowls without filtration systems–just make sure you do frequent water changes, so your betta stays clean and healthy!

Advantages Of Keeping Betta Fish As Pets

There are many advantages of keeping betta fish as pets that you should consider before deciding to get one.

Because these fish can live comfortably in smaller tanks than other aquatic species, it is easy and affordable to set up a suitable habitat for them.

In addition, these beautiful creatures boast vibrant colors that come alive when given proper care and nutrition. So if you’re looking for something special to add color and personality to your home decor, look no further than a betta fish!

Watching them flit around will provide entertainment while also helping you relax after a long day at work or school.

Plus, since they love interacting with humans – whether through talking or hand-feeding – having one living in your home can feel like having another family member around!

Disadvantages Of Keeping Betta Fish As Pets

Betta fish can be a great addition to any home, but some important disadvantages should be considered too.

Bettas are solitary creatures by nature which means keeping two together can result in aggressive behavior as well as health issues due to stress.

In short, owning betta fish does come with some responsibility when it comes to care and upkeep, so prospective owners must consider this before making the commitment.

It’s also essential that adequate living conditions are provided since inadequate habitats can lead to significant problems down the line, including poor health or even death from exhaustion.

Proper Aquarium Setup For Betta Fish

An aquarium is a dreamy home for any betta fish, and setting it up correctly can be surprisingly simple. To get started, you’ll need no more than five essential items: fish tank/bowl, filter, heater, substrate, and decorations.

The size of the tank should depend on how many fish you have; typically for one betta fish, anything from 5–10 gallons would be ideal.

The filter will help keep the water clean, so your pet can live in a healthy environment. A betta heater may also be necessary depending on the temperature of your room.

Substrate helps maintain water quality by acting as a natural filter and adding vital minerals to the water.

Finally, decorations such as rocks or plants add depth to create an eye-catching aesthetic that mimics their natural environment.

With proper setup, they will enjoy living in the new home while giving years of joy back to you.

Tank Mates For Betta Fish

While betta can live alone, you may be wondering if it’s a good idea to add tank mates.

In general, betta fish don’t always do well with other fish in the same tank. This is because they’re territorial and have an aggressive nature towards other species of similar size or shape. They’ll often attack each other out of instinct, even when there’s plenty of room in the tank for all inhabitants. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to choose compatible tank mates that won’t provoke aggression from your betta.

Some suitable tank mates include small snails like nerite snails, ghost shrimp, rasbora tetras, corydoras catfish, and some peaceful bottom-dwelling species such as loaches or dwarf froglets.

All these animals need very little care and tend to stay out of harm’s way – which makes them great companions for bettas! It’s also important to provide adequate hiding places within your tank, so all inhabitants have somewhere safe to retreat when needed.

Adding tank mates should only be done after careful consideration; improper selection could lead to stress and possible injury for both your betta and its newfound friends. With the right combination of compatible creatures, however, everyone will benefit from living together harmoniously in one beautiful aquatic paradise!

Feeding And Water Requirements For Betta Fish

Now that you know potential tank mates for your betta fish, let’s discuss feeding and water requirements. Betta fish are omnivorous creatures; their diet should be a combination of live food like brine shrimp, blood worms, or daphnia, as well as frozen foods and dried pellets.

Here is an overview of the essential aspects to ensure proper nutrition:

  • Feed your betta twice daily in small portions.
  • Offer a variety of proteins such as plankton and insect larvae.
  • Do not overfeed them – excess food will rot in the tank and contaminate it.
  • Remove all uneaten food after 10 minutes so it does not pollute the aquarium water.
  • Supplement with vitamin-enriched flakes for growth and health maintenance.

When it comes to water parameters, Bettas prefer warm conditions ranging from 75F – 82F (25C – 28C). Furthermore, they favor soft, acidic water between 6.5pH – 7.5pH, although some can tolerate harder alkaline waters up to 8pH if acclimated properly.

Also, keep up on regular partial water changes every two weeks with dechlorinated tap or purified bottled water to prevent disease and promote overall healthiness in the habitat environment. In short, by following these guidelines you can contribute significantly to creating an optimal living space for your betta!

Common Diseases In Betta Fish

Betta fish are prone to certain diseases that can affect their health if not taken care of properly. It’s essential to be aware of these common illnesses so you can take steps to keep your betta healthy and happy.

The first illness is fin rot, which is caused by an infection on the fins or tail area due to poor water conditions, such as lack of filtration or too much ammonia in the tank. Symptoms include redness or discoloration around the edges of their fins and tails, as well as fraying or holes appearing on their fins. The best way to prevent this from happening is to ensure good water quality in your aquarium by regularly changing the filter media and doing weekly partial water changes.

Another common disease among Bettas is bacterial infections, which can manifest themselves in different forms like dropsy, body sores, or cotton wool-like growths on the fish’s skin or gills. To stop it from spreading, it’s important to quarantine affected fish immediately and treat them with antibiotic medications prescribed by your veterinarian. Regularly testing your tank’s parameters will help you spot any irregularities before they become more serious issues, thus enabling you to act quickly and efficiently when necessary.

Tips On Selecting A Healthy Pet Betta

Now that you know some of the common diseases in betta fish, it’s time to start looking for a healthy one. When selecting your new friend, look for one with bright colors and clear fins.

A healthy betta will have vibrant color and be active in the tank. If the fish is sitting at the bottom of the tank and not moving much, this could indicate an underlying health issue.

You should also inspect the betta’s eyes and fins closely. Their eyes should be clear, and their fins should appear full without any signs of tears or rips. Additionally, check if any white patches on its body may signify fungus or parasites. Lastly, observe how they respond when you put food into the tank; a healthy betta should become excited by food rather than ignoring it completely.

To Betta or Not to Betta: The Beginner’s Dilemma

In conclusion, betta fish can be a great choice for beginner aquarists because of their low maintenance requirements and vibrant colors. With proper care and attention to the species’ specific needs, betta can make wonderful additions to any home aquarium.

Regardless of your level of expertise in keeping aquatic pets, bettas are the ideal option if you’re looking for something that is both beautiful and relatively easy to maintain.

The key is understanding what they need – from setting up the right kind of tank to providing them with adequate food and water – so that you can ensure that your pet betta remains happy and healthy for years to come.

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Easy Fish Tank Maintenance Tips for Beginners

Due to being new to fish tanks or being up to the neck at work, are you still on the fence about setting up a fish tank? Hey, my friend, take it easy. Actually, there are some low-maintenance fish tanks. Why not take a look at these tanks? Sounds not bad, right? If so, just continue reading, this article will walk you through something about low-maintenance fish tanks and maintenance tips, along with the low-maintenance fish for a 5-gallon tank. After reading, we believe you may take action to have your fish tank. OK, rant over, let’s dive in.

Low-maintenance fish tank

What constitutes a low-maintenance fish tank? Commonly, a tank, pieces of aquarium equipment, and some low-maintenance fish are necessary. In general, the equipment includes an aquarium heater, a thermometer, an aquarium filter, an aquarium light, a water pump, a wave maker pump, and others.

Aside from that, here is an example of a low-maintenance fish tank. You can keep a betta fish with some aquarium plants, such as Java moss, Java fern, and Anubias. The substrate can be gravel or sand, plus aquarium soil. Additionally, you should add an aquarium heater to keep warm water for the betta tank. While it is better to build a great filtration system to keep clean water.

Proper fish tank maintenance tips

Low maintenance does not mean that it never needs any care. So, given below are some low-maintenance tips for fish tanks.

Keep regular water changes

The recommended frequency of water changes is once a week. It is feasible to change 20-30 percent of the water once a week, but for low-maintenance tanks, it is not necessary, you can do it every two weeks. In this case, an electric vacuum cleaner will help you a lot, which makes sense in easier changing water, removing dirt, and cleaning the substrate.

Aquarium filter cleaning

The frequency of cleaning the aquarium filters is determined by the quantity of fish in your tank, the amount of food you feed, and the number of aquarium filters you add. In general, it is feasible to rinse the filter once a month. However, never let your filter keep working until the water flow becomes slow. It is not good for filters and reduces their lifespan. Furthermore, there is also one tip. It is best not to clean your filter with chlorinated water. Otherwise, it will kill the colonies of beneficial bacteria in filter media, which are beneficial to the nitrogen cycle.

Monitor the water parameters

Too high a nitrate level is damaging to fish because it is toxic. Hence, you should monitor the water conditions regularly. Ask the aquarium test strips for help. It can test and read the levels of hardness, total alkalinity, carbonate root, nitrate, nitrite, free chlorine, and pH. With the help of test strips, you can build a better tank ecosystem.

Things should be avoided

Never overstock and overfeed. Just keep in mind, that fewer fish means less waste, hence lower tank maintenance. Furthermore, overstocking and overfeeding may cause health problems. For example, the fish feces may be decomposed into toxic substances, which are damaging to fish. In addition, do not place your tank under direct sunlight. Otherwise, the tank may face algae issues.

When there is less organic matter in the fish tank, the harmful substances will not be harmful. The plants will automatically form a new ecosystem in a concise period of time for low tank maintenance.

Low-maintenance fish for a 5-gallon tank

Low-maintenance fish are those that minimize your time and effort in the fish-keeping journey. Generally, they are hardy and possess great adaptability. Consequently, low-maintenance fish are excellent alternatives for beginners. In this segment, we will cover some low-maintenance fish for 5-gallon tanks. After reading, you can choose your favorite one for your tank.

1. Betta fish

Featuring various tails, colors, and patterns, there are surprising types of betta fish for you to choose from. Usually, they can reach 3 inches and live up to 2–5 years. Consequently, a 5-gallon is suitable for betta fish. Moreover, they are aggressive, hence be cautious to introduce tank mates to betta aquarium. Besides that, the best tanks for betta fish usually include the substrate, aquarium light, aquarium heater, aquarium filter, and aquatic plants.

2. Guppy fish

Guppy fish are tropical freshwater fish with colorful and slim bodies, plus attractive fins. They are peaceful. Thus, guppy fish are excellent alternatives for beginners. Furthermore, the average lifespan for guppy fish is 2–3 years, which can reach 1.5-2 inches. So the minimum tank size should be 5 gallons. Additionally, they can reproduce once a month or twice every three months. As for guppy breeding, you can read Are You Ready for Guppy Breeding.

3. Clown killifish

Clown killifish are native to West Africa. In general, they can grow up to about 1.4 inches and live up to 2–3 years. Accordingly, 5 gallon fish tank is great for them. The peaceful temperament makes clown Killifish a great choice for beginners.

Quick questions & answers about tank maintenance

– How often should clean the tropical fish tank?

Generally, most aquariums need cleaning once a week or once every two weeks. However, if your tropical fish tank faces algae issues, then cleaning it more often may be necessary. Or you can introduce some algae eaters to deal with the algae problem.

– Where do you put the fish when cleaning the tank?

Actually, it is recommended to leave fish in the tank while cleaning. Removing fish from the tank may pose risks of stress, injuries, or even death. As for deeper cleaning, you can put the fish in a container with water from the aquarium. Furthermore, the article How to Clean the Inside Glass of an Aquarium shares pointers about inside tank glass cleaning.

– Is it a lot of work having live plants in a freshwater tank?

Whether a freshwater tank with live plants needs a lot of work or not depends on the types of aquatic plants and the status of the tank. For instance, rhizome-type plants demanding low light need lower maintenance, like Anubias and Java fern. There is no need to trim them very often. Commonly, trimming once every several month is feasible. On the contrary, fast-growing plants would need trimming regularly, like once a month. By the way, you can go to the tutorial –  How to Clean Sand in a Heavily Planted Aquarium to learn more about cleaning freshwater tanks with live plants.

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How Does a Fish Tank Filter Pump Work

As the fish feces and other substances accumulate, your tank may face poor water quality. In addition to frequent and regular water changes, are there other proposals to deal with this problem? Exactly, the brief and definitive answer is yes. A filter pump for the fish tank will help you a lot. With the help of a filter pump, you can reduce the time to change aquarium water. So, in today’s article, let’s learn more about filer pumps, like their functions, roles, how fish tank filter pumps work, and others.

Filter and pump for fish tank

The significance of filtering fish tank

Seeing that fish produce feces, which may cause bad water quality and be damaging to fish after being decomposed. As a result, filtering the fish tank is critically crucial. It helps to remove the unnecessary substances in the tank and maintain clean water and great water quality, providing a comfortable living environment for fish.

The roles of pumps in the fish tank

Aquarium pumps What is the pump Roles of the pump
Air pump 1. A mechanical device to circulate water with electricity

2. An aquarium aerator, which uses air stones to collect and release oxygen

 1. Oxygenate aquarium water

2. Expel excess carbon dioxide

3. Increase the water pressure

4. Running equipment, like a corner filter or a protein skimmer
Filter pump One piece of aquarium equipment to make sufficient surface agitation and remove profitless and harmful substances 1. Remove excess waste and toxic substances

2. Convert the harmful substances into harmless ones

3. Circulate the water and then aerate the tank

4. Promote the nitrogen cycle

5. Maintain stable water quality

6. Promote the generation of beneficial bacteria
Water pump One piece of aquarium equipment creates water movement, which enables aeration by mixing the water on the surface and the rest 1. Keep good water quality by circulating and filtering the water

2. Improve oxygen level in the tank

3. Prevent the disease of fish through regular and frequent water circulation

Can the aquarium run the pump and not filter

Is there a pump that functions as an air pump, a water pump, and a filter pump? Exactly, yes. The 5-in-1 new aquarium filter pumps are a tool for oxygenation, filtration, and bacteria cultivation to purify water and quickly create a suitable air tank for fish. It cycles water at 100 gallons per hour, which is suitable for freshwater and saltwater aquariums of 10–30 gallons.

052 aquarium filter pump

052 aquarium filter pump

Also, the internal filter pump provides two stages of filtration. The mechanical sponge captures debris, while the bioceramic balls provide plenty of space for the rapid growth of beneficial bacteria. Furthermore, a dual-chamber media container allows for customizable media.

Besides that, the filter pump is equipped with a venturi nozzle to connect to air tubing for improved oxygenation in fish tanks. The directional flow nozzle allows for free rotation as desired. As an internal filter, it can also provide fast flow.

How does a fish tank filter pump work

In this part, let’s take a look at how the fish tank filter pump works. Take a fish tank filter pump as an example. It functions in water purification, filtered water, water circulation increasing oxygen, and pumping water. Moreover, it possesses two water outlets, including a spray bar and a duckbill outlet. The spray bar provides high and low natural rainwater oxygenation and improves aquarium ornamental value. The duckbill outlet provides water circulation, which increases oxygen and continues to produce blisters to make fish move lively.

Aside from physical filtration, the filter pump has activated carbon filter cotton and mesh filter cotton, which helps fish tanks form a nitrification system quickly. Additionally, three powerful suction cups can be installed vertically or horizontally on the glass surface. Hence, it is suitable for various fish tanks with diverse water levels.

032 fish tank filter pump

032 fish tank filter pump

As a UV filter pump, while using the UV timing sterilization function, you can adjust the working time of the germicidal lamp according to the actual use requirements. The working time of the germicidal lamp respectively are 4 hours each day (the red light is on), 8 hours each day (the green light is on), and 24 hours each day (the red and green light is on). Also, it would stop working (the red and green light is off) once the set time is reached, and the indicator light will flash precautions. It can turn green water to clear in 3–7 days. Nevertheless, there is also one tip – the filter with UV function can not be looked at directly during operation.

What are some alternatives to filter pumps in aquariums?

Additionally, this segment will cover what can we do in the case of no filter pumps. Occasionally, introducing some cleaner shrimp or cleaner snails is one temporary alternative to filter pumps in aquariums. However, considering that stagnant water may cause low oxygen levels. Consequently, it is best to do a water change if there are no filter pumps and air pumps in your tank. Besides that, cleaner shrimp or snails may not help to remove harmful substances. Accordingly, you’d better add a filter pump as soon as possible after changing the water. Otherwise, your fish may suffer health problems.

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