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The Pets Blog Week in Review for Oct 1-7

How did Aimee and I usher in October in the Pets Blog? Well, if you missed it, you’re in luck. Here’s your handy dandy Week in Review to encapsulate it for you in a nutshell. Monday, October 1 Do you know what’s in your tank water? Aimee listed a number of things you should look for to keep your fish safe and healthy. Tuesday, October 2 Aimee detailed the basics of the nitrogen cycle in tropical fish tanks and why you should put your tank through this process before you add the fish. Do you know what you get when … Continue reading →

The Nitrogen Cycle: Stages

There are three stages in the nitrogen cycle. The process takes time — anywhere from two weeks to two months or more — so you have to be patient. Stage one of the nitrogen cycle is the introduction of ammonia. Ammonia can come from uneaten fish food, tropical fish waste, and other sources. Waste and food can break down into ionized ammonium (NH4) or un-ionized ammonia (NH3). Ammonia is what can be harmful or deadly to your fish. The water’s pH level will determine what the food and waste break down into — ammonium or ammonia. If your pH is … Continue reading →

Aquarium Maintenance

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Very few pets are of the “set it and forget it” variety. They need constant care to stay happy and healthy! Keeping an aquarium clean and safe for your fish can take quite a bit of work… but it’s worth it! Daily checks should include: Observing the fish. Watch for signs of illness, including breathing difficulty, discoloration, and weird growths. Watch how your fish interact with each other. Check temperature and filtration system. A thermometer stuck to the glass or hanging from the top of the tank is a quick and easy way to make sure the water is comfortable … Continue reading →

How to Do a Partial Water Change

Aquarium cleaning can be a messy chore — despite all the water involved! A partial water change is a good way to clear the water in your tank without destroying all the good bacteria that keep your fish healthy and happy. When doing a partial water change, you only want to remove twenty-five to thirty percent of the water. This leaves enough good bacteria behind to help repopulate the tank and keep harmful chemicals out of the water. Take too much water away and you run the risk of having to start the nitrogen cycle all over again. There’s no … Continue reading →

Under-Gravel Filtration for Your Aquarium

The purpose of your aquarium filter is to establish and maintain beneficial bacteria colonies. If you’re wondering why there needs to be bacteria in your aquarium, take a moment to learn about the nitrogen cycle: The basics Stages of the nitrogen cycle Starting fishless An under-gravel filtration system is a popular choice for aquarium filtration. Here’s how they work: a plastic grid or plate sits underneath several inches of gravel. The filter draws water down through the gravel (through colonies of healthy bacteria). Lift tubes and airstones at the corners of the plate create suction and keep the water cycling. … Continue reading →

Filthy Fish

For an animal that lives in the water… fish sure are dirty! I might not have even realized this if not for my job at the cats only boarding facility. We have an aquarium and three fish for the kitties to watch during the day. It’s probably a fifteen or twenty gallon tank, I’d guess. Over the weekend, I decided to roll up my sleeves and clean the fish tank. That’s when I learned the dirty truth about our little fishy friends. Safety first! Always unplug all electrical equipment before doing anything to or in your aquarium. Ours has three … Continue reading →

Reef Coral Basics

If you’re looking for something beyond fish for your aquarium, take a look at reef coral. They can be colorful and intricate and add visual appeal to your fish tank. Here are some reef coral care basics! Coral require the following water conditions: Calcium should be between 400 and 450 parts per million (ppm). Ammonia and nitrite levels should be at or near zero. Nitrate levels should be below 10 parts per million — as close to zero as possible. Phosphate levels should be below 0.3 ppm. pH level should be between 8.2 and 8.4. Alkalinity should be between 3.2 … 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 →

Fish Feeding Tips

Your fish need a varied diet in order to be healthy and happy. Many flake foods are formulated to provide all the vitamins and nutrients your fish need, but variety will keep your fish happy! Fish are cold blooded. They don’t need food energy to keep their body temperatures up like warm blooded animals do. Fish also don’t need food energy to stay afloat. This means that your fish can get by on a very small amount of food unless you want them to breed. Fish feeding tips: Two or three small feedings per day is better than one large … Continue reading →

Common Freshwater Fish Diseases

Yes, even fish can get sick! Here is a list of some common freshwater fish diseases, symptoms, and treatments. Before you treat your fish, be sure you properly diagnose your fish and figure out why they are sick. There may be water quality or food issues that need to be taken care of before you can cure your fish! Many diseases are a result of the stress of transport, so take time to acclimate your fish to your tank. Ammonia poisoning — symptoms include red or inflamed gills. You may see your fish gasping for air at the surface of … Continue reading →