What The Fuss About Fish Tanks?

Fish tanks come in many shapes and sizes. It ranges from a small one-quart to a 55 gallon aquarium. The concept of fish tanks has changed over the years. It used to be viewed as a glass container for fishes, but now, a fish tank can also be viewed as an art, or an aqua furniture. For some homes, fish tank has become a design piece of art that is place in the living room. The focus is no longer the fish, a rather the fish tanks. These fish tanks can be designed to fit comfortably into a corner or all be recessed into a wall. Some fish tanks are built within the wall, framed by wood and appear to be a living painting.

And for some, the fish tanks are specially designed to feed into specific needs.

The materials used to build fish tanks have also changed over the years. The tradition material used to be glass. This is slowly replaced by molded acrylic as the primary material. The advantage to using this as a primary material is that it reduces the breakage danger, and prolong years of enjoyment with your fish tank.

Fish tanks are not complete without its accessories. These accessories not only helps decorates fish tanks, but it also helps to keep the fish healthy and happy. You do not require a huge investment if you have only a few fishes in a bowl. However, if you plan to raise bigger and more fishes, then you certainly needs more accessories for your fish tanks.

If your fish tanks hold 10 gallons or more of Water, then a water pump and filter will help to keep the water clean and moving. Otherwise, you would need to change the water frequently as they get it begins to get dirty easily. The water needs fresh air to be introduced constantly, otherwise the fish will suffocate. This is where the air filter comes in. The air filter helps to keep the air floating through the water constantly.

A light fixture that attaches to the top of the fish tanks help provides light into the water; it helps to keep the fish from sleeping all the time. If you live in an area where temperate changes constantly, then you may want to consider installing the heater to keep the water at a constant temperate. This will help to ensure that your fish won't be cooked as the water gets to hot or, becomes lethargic if the water gets too cold. The fish tanks accessories are pretty standard. But if you have unusual fish tanks shapes, then you will certainly need a manufacturer to design and build the accessories.

Given all the accessories, these fishes still need proper care. How healthy and happy your fishes are depend on the amount of time and effort you put into the care of the fishes and the fish tanks.

Building Koi Fish Pond - 7 Tips For Success

Are you thinking of building a koi fish pond? Keeping these magnificent fish in your garden can be great fun and it is not as difficult as you might think. With the right care koi can live for decades and some can become almost a meter long. Follow these tips to plan your pond properly so your koi will live long and happy life.

1 Depth is important

Depth of your pond is crucial. The minimum recommended depth is 4 feet, however it is much better to give your fish six or even 8 feet deep pond. This will ensure that your koi are protected from raccoons, cats and other animals who love a fish dinner. Deeper fish pond also helps to keep water cool in hot summer days

2 Make your pond as large as you can

Small ponds are not suitable for koi. Remember, with time koi can grow quite large and they will need a lot of room. Also there are so many color variations of koi, that with time you will probably want to add more fish to your pond. So it is better to create a large pond from the start than rebuild it later. About ten thousand gallons is a good size for a koi pond, bigger would be even better.

3 Use fish pond heater in colder months

Unlike tropical fish, koi don't suffer much from cold; however you should never let your pond freeze completely. Installing a proper pond heater will always keep an opening in the ice. Also keep in mind, that koi only grow when the water is warm, so with a heater your fish will grow faster

4 Plan some shade for your koi

When selecting a spot for your pond, make sure it is out of direct sunlight. Also keeping water plants like water lilies in your pond are a good idea - not only they add beauty to the overall design, but they also provide shade for the fish. However, you should avoid building your koi pond under trees. Cleaning a fish pond of fallen leaves is no fun.

5 Plan to install a bird net

There are many birds of prey that would love to steal your koi. Don't give them the opportunity; plan your pond location so it is possible to cover it with a net.

6 Keep insecticides away from your pond

When landscaping your pond keep in mind that you should not use any insecticides or herbicides near the water. Even a small amount of common garden poison can kill your beautiful fish.

7 Get proper equipment for your pond

Several accessories are absolutely essential for a healthy koi pond. Ideally you will have to invest into a water pump, filtration system, water aerator and an ultraviolet sterilizer. If the water in your pond is still, your fish might get sick and eventually die. Koi pond filtration systems are expensive, so as an alternative you can make your own homemade filters.

Choosing Fish For An Outdoor Pond

Although you may have favorite tropical fish for your indoor aquarium, when it comes to setting up an outdoor pond you may have to adjust your selections a bit. What works inside may not work outside where the environmental conditions can be harder to keep under control. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular pond fish for outdoor habitats.

* First, before you even think about putting fish into your pond you should make sure that you turn on the pump and filtration device and let it circulate for at least 5-7 days. This allows for everything in the pond to neutralize out and also lets you test your equipment. Better to find out before you put your expensive fish in the pond that something isn’t right! Don’t forget to test the pH as well at the end of the 5-7 days.

* Next, the golden rule of thumb is you should allow 24 square inches of pond for every 1 inch of fish. Goldfish and Koi Carp are two of the more popular outdoor fish that people place in ponds. However, if you want to spend a little bit more money you can also look into getting Japanese Koi and Israel Koi which can add some welcome variety to the pond.

* Once you’ve made your selection it’s time to introduce them to the pond. This is a multi-step process, and a bit more involved than adding them to an aquarium. First, float the sealed bag for at least 2-3 hours. This allows the temperatures to come up and match in both the bag and the pond. Next, open the bag and add some pond water to the bag and reseal. Re-float the bag for another 2-3 hours or overnight. Finally, after checking the overall health of the fish, you can release it into the pond.

* Based on what fish you chose, be sure to introduce some aquatic plants to your pond to help them feel more at home. An added benefit is the plants will also help to balance out your pond ecosystem. Again, don’t crowd the pond out with plants but make sure that you have enough to help reduce algae and provide a habitat for the fish. You may also find that over time Mother Nature may also add some of her own plants to the environment!

* Finally, with your new pond up and running and stocked, be sure to monitor how your fish are reacting. Some will take to their new home with ease, while others will require a longer getting acquainted period. The simple truth is some fish just don’t do well outdoors, and you may find that you have to change your plans as you learn what species work well outside and what don’t.