Search Results for: blog quarantine tanks

The Pets Blog Week in Review for Oct 8-14

Today marks the middle of the month. Say what? Didn’t it just start? Where the heck is the time going? I have no idea, but if you’ve been as busy as I have and didn’t have time to stay on top of the Pets Blog this week, no worries. Here’s the Week in Review that summarizes what Aimee and I wrote about on: Monday, October 8 In honor of Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, I gave six reasons why you’ll never regret adopting a dog. Aimee’s been doing a great job with a series of blogs on tropical fish, in … Continue reading →

Quarantine Tank Setup

Setting up a quarantine tank doesn’t have to be a huge ordeal. A relatively simple aquarium will suffice for your hospital tank. Here’s what you will need: A tank between ten and twenty gallons — larger if you have larger fish. A filter — use a filter without activated carbon, because carbon can remove medication from the water. A heater — your fish need appropriate temperatures just as much when they are sick. An aquarium test kit — to make sure the pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels are all safe and appropriate. An airstone — to increase surface agitation. … Continue reading →

Quarantine Tanks

What is a quarantine tank? Also known as a hospital tank, a quarantine tank is used to isolate sick fish to (hopefully) prevent the spread of disease to other fish. A quarantine tank doesn’t have to be a complicated setup — for most aquarium owners, a tank between ten and twenty gallons is enough. If you keep freshwater fish, you may not need a quarantine tank as much as you would if you had a saltwater tank. Why? Because freshwater fish are generally better suited to life in captivity. Many freshwater fish are born and raised in tanks, and aren’t … Continue reading →

Eight More Hardy Fish for Your Saltwater Aquarium

Although there are hundreds of fish available for saltwater aquarium keepers, some are easier to keep than others. If you are just starting out in the saltwater aquarium hobby, you might want to consider some hardy breeds that have a better chance of surviving tank mistakes. Here are a few more choices that may work well in a beginner tank: Hawkfishes — these saltwater fish are VERY hardy. Larger species of hawkfish may prey on smaller fish. Smaller hawkfish can do well in a community tank if introduced after peaceful species have already settled in. Comets — these fish are … Continue reading →

Betta Fish and Tank Size

You may have heard that betta fish should be kept alone. That’s a simple solution to a more complicated question! Male betta fish will fight each other if they are too close together in an aquarium. So if you’ve got a small tank (like twenty gallons and under), it’s probably best to have just one male betta fish. Females are somewhat more tolerant of each other, and can share if there is adequate room in the tank. In nature, there will be more than one male betta fish in a body of water — but that body of water can … Continue reading →

DIY Aquarium Leak Fixes

Has your glass aquarium sprung a leak? All is not lost yet… here’s a relatively easy way to fix a small leak in your tank. Most leaks happen at the joints — where two panes of glass meet. If your glass aquarium is leaking from a crack in the glass itself, you might have an easier time just getting a new aquarium! Here’s what you’ll need: A felt tip marker, like a Sharpie. Razor blades (the kind without a handle). Paper towels or a soft cloth. A residue remover like acetone. A tube of 100 silicone sealant. Conditioned/prepared water to … Continue reading →

DIY Aquarium Backgrounds

Feeling artistic? Think about painting your own aquarium background. Why use an aquarium background? It adds color to your home and aquarium — there are many different backgrounds available at your local pet store or online retailer. Find one to coordinate with your room. It helps hide wires. It helps hide aquarium equipment. Already have fish in your tank? No problem — you’re not painting on the inside of the tank. Paint on the inside surface of the tank can be very harmful to your fish. Here’s what you’ll need: Glass or acrylic cleaners (plain old water and vinegar works … Continue reading →

Common Saltwater Fish Diseases

Saltwater fish are susceptible to some of the same disease you see in tropical aquariums. As always, determining the cause of the illness is the most important thing! Many diseases are caused by stress in the fish, whether from transport, water quality, or trouble acclimating to the tank. Quarantine tanks are even more useful for saltwater aquarium hobbyists than they are for tropical aquarium hobbyists! Your saltwater fish can live in your quarantine tank for a few weeks before entering the main tank; this gives them time to acclimate and time for you to make sure the new fish are … Continue reading →

More Common Freshwater Fish Diseases

Here are some more diseases you may see in your tropical aquarium. Fin rot — symptoms include rotting fins, loss of appetite, and fish lying on the bottom of the tank. Fin rot is caused by a bacterial infection. It is often a result of poor water quality, but may also be brought on by bullying from other fish. Increase the quality of your food, check your water parameters, and try separating your fish from any bullies. If those things don’t work, pick up medication at your local pet store. Fish fungus — a white or gray cotton-like growth on … Continue reading →