Aquarium Pet Supplies » Fish Care Articles

7 Solutions For An Aquarium That Leaks

Admin — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:36:27 +0000

Whether it’s a huge crack in a pane of glass caused by physical damage or a slight gap in the sealant thanks to natural wear and tear many fish keepers discover sooner or later that they are the owner of a leaky aquarium. The obvious question is what exactly can be done with a large and heavy fish tank which stubbornly refuses to do the very job it was designed for. Fortunately we have seven possible solutions for you today…

Replace The Glass

If you have a serious crack in your aquarium it may be possible to remove the damaged pane altogether and replace it with a new piece. The first step is getting hold of replacement glass and many glaziers or home improvement stores will not only sell you a piece of glass but will even cut it to size so careful measurement – of the thickness as well as the length and width – is essential. Then using a sharp craft knife loosen the sealant holding the damaged panel in place, remove it and in it’s place fit the new piece of glass before carefully resealing the joins.

Fix With Aquarium Sealant

If the crack is very small or it is actually the seal between two panes of glass that is leaking it is often quick and easy to reseal your leaky aquarium and make it water-tight again thanks to the use of some specialist aquarium silicon sealant. Simply apply the sealant to dry glass, smooth over using a finger or the back of a teaspoon then allow it to dry thoroughly.

Use It For Non Aquatic Pets

Just because your aquarium leaks doesn’t mean you have to throw it away. If repairing your aquarium doesn’t appeal or isn’t cost effective another solution is to put it to a slightly different use. A range of small mammals and exotic pets can be perfectly housed in a disused aquarium where the fact that it is no longer watertight won’t make any difference whatsoever.

Use For Semi Aquatic Pets

A wide range of fascinating amphibians like a moist environment but also appreciate dry land areas to be able to get out of the water and forage for food. In this way a leaky aquarium can be reused, placing a cat litter tray or similar item into the base to create a “pond” area and building an attractive artificial rainforest around it to house treefrogs, salamanders or newts for example.

As a side note, amphibians can be talented escape artists so if you’re considering this option ensure that you invest in a suitable lid to keep your new semi-aquatic pets safe and sound.

Sell It

If you don’t want your old leaky aquarium there may be other people who would be happy to take it off your hands for one of the purposes listed above. As a result you could try listing your aquarium for sale in the local newspaper or online in the hope of selling it, thus providing you with some cash to put towards a new water-tight aquarium.

Give It Away

Whilst it’s nice to sell an old aquarium the size and weight of many fish tanks mean that it may be quicker and easier to just give your old tank away rather than waiting for a buyer. In this way you may lose out on some cash but you can quickly clear space for a replacement tank and get on with your hobby sooner rather than later.

Recycle It

Lastly consider recycling your old glass or plastic aquarium rather than simply throwing it into landfill. By doing this you will be helping the environment – and as a result the fish that live in it.

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Keeping Goldfish Made Simple Thanks To New Free Goldfish Care Ebook

Admin — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:44:44 +0000

Want to learn the secrets of keeping goldfish properly? Then thanks to our brand new ebook your goldfish care challenges are over at last.

In this detailed free report you’re going to receive a masterclass in keeping goldfish in the home from what type of aquarium is best, to how to properly prepare the water, through filtration and lighting and even to the proper feeding of goldfish. Quite simply within the pages of this ebook you’re going to discover everything you need to know in order to keep your goldfish happy and healthy.

And best of all “The Insiders Guide To Keeping Goldfish” is now available for free. To download your own copy simply click the link below and then press the “like” button on our Facebook page. You’ll be given instant access the second you press the button.

Click here to grab your free copy of The Insiders Guide To Keeping Goldfish

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Keeping Tropical Fish With Amphibians

Admin — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:19:06 +0000

photo credit: Furryscaly

A growing number of different aquatic and semi-aquatic amphibians are becoming available in the pet trade. From African clawed frogs to fire-bellied toads and many more in between it is becoming ever more common to see these hardy, easy-to-care for creatures for sale in exotic pet shops and aquarium stores.

For the passionate fish keeper these amphibians represent quite an exciting opportunity. It is a chance to try your hand at keeping something a little bit “unusual” while being able to keep costs down by using most of the existing fish tank supplies you already own.

One of the questions I have been receiving quite a bit recently is whether amphibians can be kept with tropical fish or whether they should preferably be kept alone.

There are a number of factors to be aware of when making a decision like this. Firstly almost all amphibians are carnivorous and in the wild may feed on such items as live insects or small aquatic animals like beetle larvae or baby fish.

Some amphibians can also grow to a considerable size when compared to the babies for sale in many pet stores though there are those species which will grow to a far more manageable and reasonable size.

Whilst many amphibians will spend much time in the water most will also require an area of dry land where they can haul themselves out if they are to live a long and healthy life so it may be necessary to make some changes to an existing fish tank in order to successfully accommodate them.

In general therefore while some fish keepers *do* have success keeping the smaller species of amphibian in with their tropical fish while keeping them well-fed on special diets you should be aware that there is always a risk that an amphibian may attack or even kill some of your fish.

If you’re willing to risk a few guppies or tetras then you may want to take a gamble but if your fish are your major priority I would suggest keeping amphibians in a separate tank where they will pose no risk to your beloved aquarium fish.

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Using Invertebrates To Keep Your Aquarium Clean

Admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:10:38 +0000

photo credit: threefingeredlord

Whether you’re keeping a coldwater aquarium, tropical tank or marine fish there are a host of invertebrates which are available in the trade at a reasonable price. Not only do invertebrates add an extra level of interest to an aquarium but they can also offer practical benefits.

Quiet simply many invertebrates are grazers and will work their way around your fish tank finding leftover food and cleaning it up thus you not only have a very interesting aquarium tank but your tank also stays cleaner which means a more attractive aquarium and less manual cleaning required by you.

An example of an invertebrate worth considering are the various snails available who typically graze on algae. They will slowly work their way around your fish tank getting rid of any green algae on the glass of your aquarium, on your aquarium tank decorations and so on. Just be certain you have a tight-fitting lid on the top of your tank if you don’t want them to escape.

Depending on the species of fish you keep (please check suitability with your local provider of aquarium pet supplies before making an investment) there are also a range of other invertebrates you can consider. From shrimps to crayfish to crabs. All of these small crustaceans will slowly work their way across the bottom of your aquarium picking up any interesting food particles either ignored by your fish or too small for your fish to bother with.

There are a huge range of different sizes, colors and shapes of these crustaceans and so some research is well worthwhile before introducing one or more to your tank. If you have used invertebrates to help you keep your tank clean please leave me a comment and let me know what you did.

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The Importance Of Patience When Setting Up A New Aquarium

Admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 19:51:27 +0000

photo credit: Tambako the Jaguar

There are certain things in life that should never be rushed. A good bottle of wine is just one example. And another, rather more appropriate to this website, is setting up a new aquarium.

The simple fact of the matter is that setting up an aquarium properly takes time and those people who are in a hurry and want to cut corners are typically the kind of people who have problems when it comes to keeping their aquarium fish fit and healthy.

Let’s look at a few examples together…

When it comes to decking out your aquarium with various plants and aquarium decorations it is worth taking the time to consider what you are doing. Spend a few days coming back to your aquarium before you consider adding any fish to check that your design really does look as attractive as you initially thought. Also consider how the plants are going to grow up and try to imagine your aquarium in a few months time as it gets established to see whether any changes will be needed.

Various aquarium decorations themselves may require patience. No matter how well you wash everything before adding water to your aquarium you some decorations may still dirty the water to a degree. Dust from gravel, tannins from wood and minerals from some rocks may still cause your aquarium water to go cloudy when you fish fill it up and so again having the patience to wait a few days for all the particles to separate out can be a very smart idea indeed.

The water that you place into your aquarium is likely to be high in chemicals such as chlorine which has been added to the water to keep us safe but may cause harm to your fish. Whilst dechlorinating solutions are now available if you opt not to use them you really need to leave your aquarium water to stand few a couple of days so these chemicals can dissipate before adding it to your tank.

And then of course there is the sensitive issue of fish tank chemistry. We know more now than ever about the complex bacterial cultures that build up over time in our tank substrate and in our filter media and how these cultures help to break down harmful chemicals that our fish secrete.

These bacterial colonies take time to build up and therefore for our filtration system to become fully functional. “Seeding” our aquariums with fish flakes and/or a small number of very hardy fish will allow the bacteria to grow slowly before we start adding other, more sensitive fish and even then fish should ideally only be added a few at a time to allow our filter to deal with all the extra work that will be required of it.

The worst possible fish-keeping situation is one where you try to set up an aquarium in an afternoon and fill it with fish the next day. In contrast the best situations are those where the aquarium keeper is fully aware of the patience required of him or her and takes the time – often weeks – to slowly introduce all the elements necessary for a healthy fish tank.

If you’re just setting up your first aquarium and are chomping at the bit to create a completely planted and stocked aquarium just try to remember how important your patience is and appreciate that this small initial investment of your time will be rewarded for years to come.

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The Daily Rythmn Of Your Aquarium

Admin — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:51:02 +0000

photo credit: robstephaustralia

One of the common themes which keeps cropping up here from visitors is all about the daily cycles of an aquarium such as how long lights should be left on for, how long filters should be left on for, when fish should be fed and so on.

So in this article I thought we’d attempt to cover as many of those bases as possible to give you a better idea of how to run your aquarium on a daily basis and keep your fish happy and healthy.

Feeding

In the wild many fish will browse throughout the day rather like a gazelle as opposed to a lion feeding every few days and spending the rest of the time asleep. In addition to this any uneaten fish food has the potential to pollute the water in your fish tank, affect levels of nitrates and nitrites and either cause harm to your fish or require more regular cleaning.

Therefore it is generally advisable if you have the time to feed your fish smaller amounts on a more regular basis. Feeding before and after work, for example, tends to work well and by following this pattern it is reasonably easy to get into the habit.

Lighting

If you use artificial lighting in your aquarium like most fish keepers then it is wise to turn these lights off during the night. Leaving lights on 24 hours a day can stress your fish out, tire out plants and encourage algal growth so lights should ideally be turned on for 12-16 hours per day and for ease I generally use a timer so I don’t need to think about this aspect of aquarium care.

Filtration

Most fish don’t “sleep” as we humans do and so may still be active at night though typically less so than during the day. Because of this they may still defecate in the water and of course some excess food etc. may also still be present in the water so it is recommended that you leave your aquarium filtration system on at all times unless you are removing it to clean it during routine tank maintenance.

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Hiding Your Aquarium Filter

Admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:30:23 +0000

photo credit: majcher

One of the questions which I seem to have been getting quite a bit recently focuses on how to hide your aquarium filter from view. It seems that quite a few of our regular visitors are trying to create attractive, naturalistic aquarium setups and that having a plastic box buzzing away takes away from the overall effect.

If you are in the same camp of wanting to hide your aquarium filter then there are several possible steps you can consider but before we get onto these I’d like to issue a gentle warning.

The purpose of a filter is really to draw in dirty water, filter out chemical and physical debris and then eject the cleaned water back into the fish tank. By doing this your fish will stay much fitter and healthier and no established fish keeper would ever claim that filters are a luxury; filters really are an essential aquarium pet supplies if you really care about the health of your aquarium.

To a degree aquarium filters also have a second function in that the water being ejected from the filter causes ripples, bubbles or drops on the surface of your aquarium water, helping to aerate it so that your fish can breathe easily in their underwater world.

This means that whilst there are steps that can be taken to hide your aquarium filter it is just as important to consider that your filter is able to do it’s job successfully. The filter should be able to easily suck water in and spit it back out again. I have seen some aquariums over the years where a filter is tucked away behind dozens of plants but it is likely this filter isn’t doing as good a job as it could if it weren’t for the plants.

In other words, by all means hide the filter, but ensure it is able to do it’s job properly when you have finished making the changes to your fish tank.

So, with that said, how do you hide an aquarium filter?

Firstly of course you can consider placing your filter behind some plants or rocks so long as it will function properly in this way. However you can also take the next step and rather than using an internal power filter, you could consider using an external filter.

These external filters suck water out of the fish tank, into a separate filter compartment which is housed outside the aquarium, then the water is returned to the tank through another pipe.

In this way the main canister can be hidden away behind the fish tank or in a cupboard and the aquarist only has to worry about disguising a few clear plastic pipes rather than a large plastic box. In this way an external filter can be far more attractive to look at than an internal filter.

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Goldfish Bowls Versus Aquariums

Admin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:22:05 +0000

photo credit: madprime

The classic round goldfish bowl has been used for hundreds, even thousands of years – to keep fancy goldfish in the home. They are attractive, cheap to buy, easy to clean and show off fish well making an attractive display. And yet fewer people than ever choose a goldfish bowl over an aquarium. Why is this?

Aquariums of course come in all sorts of sizes and shapes which means the fish keeper has a wide choice when it comes to housing and almost any home can find a space for an aquarium of some size.

However it’s not so much the aesthetics which lead most people to choose an aquarium over a goldfish bowl as the practical elements. Quite simply when looking for aquarium pet supplies an aquarium makes it far easier to successfully keep goldfish and other coldwater fish than a bowl.

The first issue to consider is the volume of water. Water naturally warms and cools over time; cooler during the night and warmer during the day. But all sorts of other things can also make a difference. A window left open. A heater turned on. These fluctuations in water temperature can have a negative effect on your fish and the larger the change and the quicker it happens the more stressful it is for fish.

An aquarium typically holds more water which acts as a “buffer” and means temperature changes are less extreme and are felt more slowly leading to happier, healthier fish.

In an aquarium it is also far easier to fit hardware like filters to keep the water clean and pumps to aerate the water which are typically absent in a goldfish bowl further making keeping goldfish far easier.

Lastly there is the size of the surface area of the water to consider. The larger the surface area, the more oxygen can enter the water and the more fish you can safely keep in a given area. With the shape of a goldfish bowl, the top is typically very narrow, minimizing the amount of oxygen that can enter the water. Proportionately the aquarium has a larger surface area of water and so your fish will find it easier to take up the oxygen they really need to breathe.

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Choosing An Aquarium Hood

Admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:57:28 +0000

photo credit: xmatt

When it comes to choosing an aquarium hood there are really three key elements that you should consider before investing your hard-earned money. The first of these steps is to ensure you have carefully measured your fish tank to ensure you are buying the correct size for your aquarium.

Whilst this may sound basic and simple, aquariums come in such a wide range of sizes these days that it can be quite a challenge to find the right one unless you take careful measurements and this is particularly important if you have an unusually-proportioned fish tank.

The second step in choosing an aquarium hood is to consider the practical aspects. For example you will probably be wanting to include some form of artificial lighting so consider the space and fittings that a hood has to enable you to fit such a system. Is there a lighting unit that comes included with your hood or will you need to fit one separately?

If your hood already has a light fitting then check how easy it will be for you to find replacement bulbs when the time comes as the hoods some manufacturers make require unusual sizes of bulbs.

If you will be adding your own lighting setup then check that it will be easy to clip the tube(s) into place and also consider where the starter unit will sit.

Also consider the issues of both dealing with evaporation by being conscious of whether an aquarium hood has a built-in aquarium tray and also how easy it is to gain access to your tank in order to feed your fish. The more fiddly this is, the more annoying it will become for you.

When you have considered both the dimensions and the practical aspects of an aquarium hood the third and final step is to consider appearance. Try to find a hood which compliments your existing fish tank and that also matches the rest of your room so that the hood adds impact to your tank rather than attracting it away.

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Types Of Aquarium Pets

Admin — Sat, 22 May 2010 16:52:57 +0000

photo credit: laszlo-photo

Whilst when many of us think about aquarium pets we most commonly think of a range of fish – whether that’s coldwater fish, tropical freshwater fish or marine fish – there are actually quite a wide range of other pets that kept be kept in aquariums if you’re looking for something a little bit different.

In this article we’re going to take a closer look at some of the types of aquarium pets for you if for whatever reason keeping fish in your aquarium isn’t quite what you’re looking for.

Crayfish/Lobsters

Some aquarium shops sell these interesting arthropods from time to time. Whilst large specimens are seen from time to time it is most normal to find small youngsters of a few inches for sale. The specimens most normally seen are tropical freshwater creatures rather than their saltwater cousins.

Crayfish are reasonably easy to care for in captivity though have been known to nip at fish so it is recommended to keep them on their own rather than as part of a community fish tank.

A basic set-up of a tropical fish tank works well for these animals though there are a few minor changes that will be welcome. Firstly crayfish can be quite shy animals and like to hide away safely. Because of this a number of flat rocks are recommended behind which your crayfish can hide.

Whilst this will keep your crayfish much happier and healthier than being on display all the time, appreciate that you may only see your pet from time to time. The most likely time to observe your pet will either be late in the evening or whilst feeding.

Speaking of feeding, this is really the second major change you will need to make to your fish tank. Rather than feeding fish flakes or life food, most crayfish are scavengers and so it is best to feed them on sinking catfish pellets which they will readily run over to collect when they are dropped into the tank.

Newts

There are a surprising number of newts available from specialist reptile suppliers and many can be easily kept in an aquarium. Depending on the species involved they may require warm water or cold so check with your supplier before making a purchase.

In addition, many newts appreciate access to dry land where they can climb out of the water which may therefore require some modifications to your fish tank layout. However there are species, like the Japanese fire bellied newt, which are almost exclusively aquatic and a pair will not only live happily in a cold-water tank but well well also mate and lay eggs which can be a fascinating process to watch.

Triops

Triops are shrimp-like creatures which are the bigger, more exciting cousins of “sea monkeys”. These creatures are easy to keep and feed and may grow up to around 2 inches in length in a very short space of time.

Eggs and food can easily be bought from many online aquarium pet suppliers which are then hatched out at home. Unlike many of the other animals here you are unlikely to see too much fascinating behaviour but triops are cheap to buy, easy to care for and can make quite a pleasant change if only for the few months they will live.

Toads

Like newts, some species of toad can be kept in a totally aquatic environment while others will require a dry land area so they can leave the water from time to time.

Also like newts there are a huge range of species offering many different choices for the aquarium keeper. From large, grey clawed frogs that will happily live in the water at all times to the smaller, more brightly-colored fire-bellied toads which ideally like some dry land. As always, carry out suitable research on the species you are considering before investing but for me exotic toads are one of the most exciting types of aquarium pets.

Terrapins/Turtles

The final type of aquarium pet worth mentioning in this short article is the possibility of keeping turtles or terrapins. I mention both these words meaning the same thing: in the USA we typically refer to these reptiles as turtles though in Europe they are generally known as terrapins.

Turtles appreciate warm water together with an area where they can climb out of the water to bask in the “sun”. Because of this additional equipment will be required in the form of a basking lamp and a UV tube though if you already own an aquarium these pieces of equipment should be simple-enough to add to your existing setup.

Whilst some turtles can grow quite large, they are understandably popular as they are one of the few types of aquarium pet that seem to show some real personality. Over time they will gain confidence around you and may even become willing to eat out of your hand.

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Aquarium Pet Supplies » Fish Care Articles

7 Solutions For An Aquarium That Leaks

Replace The Glass

Fix With Aquarium Sealant

Use It For Non Aquatic Pets

Use For Semi Aquatic Pets

Sell It

Give It Away

Recycle It

Related Aquarium Articles:

Keeping Goldfish Made Simple Thanks To New Free Goldfish Care Ebook

Related Aquarium Articles:

Keeping Tropical Fish With Amphibians

Other Popular Aquarium Articles:

Using Invertebrates To Keep Your Aquarium Clean

Other Popular Aquarium Articles:

The Importance Of Patience When Setting Up A New Aquarium

Related Aquarium Articles:

The Daily Rythmn Of Your Aquarium

Other Popular Aquarium Articles:

Hiding Your Aquarium Filter

Related Aquarium Articles:

Goldfish Bowls Versus Aquariums

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Choosing An Aquarium Hood

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Types Of Aquarium Pets

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