Aquarium Aquarium LabLab

Setting up and maintaining Setting up and maintaining a healthy aquarium a healthy aquarium

ecosystemecosystem

SafetySafety

Electrocution!!!!!!!!! Need Drip Loops on plugsElectrocution!!!!!!!!! Need Drip Loops on plugs

Glass aquariums can breakGlass aquariums can break

Slipping on water on the floorSlipping on water on the floor

CleanlinessCleanliness

CleaningCleaning

Siphon out the water and remove contentsSiphon out the water and remove contents Do not use chemicals to clean in or outside-Do not use chemicals to clean in or outside-

residues can remain in scratches (NO windex residues can remain in scratches (NO windex near tanks!)near tanks!)

Rinse anything you clean with and place in Rinse anything you clean with and place in net soak to avoid tank contaminationnet soak to avoid tank contamination

Maintaining CleanlinessMaintaining Cleanliness Don’t overfeed your fish!Don’t overfeed your fish! Make a 25% water change once a monthMake a 25% water change once a month Vacuum gravel periodicallyVacuum gravel periodically

Tank Set-upTank Set-up

Situate tank where it will stay before adding anything!Situate tank where it will stay before adding anything!

Add in gravel, water, decor, then fishAdd in gravel, water, decor, then fish

Use natural or aquarium decor- simulate habitatUse natural or aquarium decor- simulate habitat

ALWAYS add water condition to remove chlorine & ALWAYS add water condition to remove chlorine & chloramine from tap waterchloramine from tap water

LightLight

Natural lighting is best for fishNatural lighting is best for fish

Florescent/UV lights are also acceptableFlorescent/UV lights are also acceptable

Black lights can be harmfulBlack lights can be harmful

Hood/CoverHood/Cover

Aquariums must be covered so that fish don’t Aquariums must be covered so that fish don’t leap outleap out

A hood can also house the lightingA hood can also house the lighting

Be careful not to get light in the Be careful not to get light in the water….electrocution!!!water….electrocution!!!

AirAir

Aquatic organisms breathe dissolved Aquatic organisms breathe dissolved oxygenoxygen

Air must be pumped in with a compressor Air must be pumped in with a compressor or can be put in with a powered filteror can be put in with a powered filter

Air stones increase surface area of Air stones increase surface area of bubbles & O2 contentbubbles & O2 content

TemperatureTemperature

Most fish can live at a range of 72-80 F (22-27 C)Most fish can live at a range of 72-80 F (22-27 C)

An aquarium heater can be placed in tanks that An aquarium heater can be placed in tanks that need higher temperatures (tropicals)need higher temperatures (tropicals)

3 types of Filtration3 types of Filtration

Biological filtrationBiological filtration Created by bacteria in gravel and on fish Beneficial bacteria breaks down waste products

in the nitrogen cycle

Fish food (protein N) Ammonia/ fish waste (NH3)Nitrite (NO2)Nitrate (NO3)H20 change

Use an under gravel filter to facilitate bacterial growth

FiltrationFiltration

Mechanical filtrationMechanical filtration Removes accumulated solids (mulm)

from aquarium

Usually accomplished with mesh in an electric pump

Can also be manually removed with a gravel vacuum

FiltrationFiltration

Chemical filtrationChemical filtration Purifies water using activated carbon-dissolved

impurities are absorbed by holes in carbon

Activated carbon must be replaced

Minimize use of chemical/medicines to rid tank of problems

Water testsWater tests

pHpH Measures acidity or alkalinity of water

Range• FW 6.6-7.6 • SW 7.8-8.4

A buffer can be added in to maintain a pH or make a 25% water change

Water testsWater tests

AmmoniaAmmoniaNitriteNitriteNitrate-Nitrate- Released from gills of fish and decaying

wastes

Range should be 0 ppm

Change 25% of water or replace carbon to lower level

Conditioning periodConditioning period

A conditioning (waiting) period of 1 week should A conditioning (waiting) period of 1 week should be allowed for new tank without a natural be allowed for new tank without a natural bacteria population establishedbacteria population established

Seed with old gravelSeed with old gravel

SaltwaterSaltwater

Saltwater can be obtained from the ocean (risky) or from a salt mix

Concentration: 32 ppt or .022 specific gravity

Freshwater- add 1 tsp /5-10 gallons for health

Water levelWater level

Add water to within 1’’ of top

Water must be added every so often due to evaporation

Don’t forget water conditioner! !

Aquatic OrganismsAquatic Organisms

How to buyHow to buy

Find a reputable fish dealer and establish a buyer relationship

Never buy from a tank with dead or sick-looking fish

Be sure to ask questions- these guys are experts!

How many?How many?

General rule- 1 inch of fish/gallonGeneral rule- 1 inch of fish/gallon Ex. A 30 gal tank can have:Ex. A 30 gal tank can have:

1- 30 inch fish1- 30 inch fish2-15 inch fish2-15 inch fish3-10 inch fish3-10 inch fish30-1 inch fish30-1 inch fish

What to get?What to get? Freshwater:

Plecostamus (sucker fish) Tetra Platties Guppies Mollies Beta Gouramis Danios Tiger Barbs Bala & Red Tail Sharks Catfish Angel fish NO CICHLIDS!!!!

Saltwater: Damsels Tangs Wrasse Puffers (brackish-low salt) Snow Flake Eels

Try to utilize all the areas in your tank by adding fish that live in different parts of the water column

Ex. a bottom feeder (scavenger), a mid-water swimmer, a top feeder

Helpful Websiteshttp://freshaquarium.about.com/od/fishspecies/tp/fishprofiles.htm

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/Saltwater-Fish_c_15.html

http://fishprofiles.com/  

How to add?How to add? Dumping fish in your tank from a bag can shock them

Float the bag for 15-20 minutes to gradually adjust the temperature

Then, pour out half of the water in the bag and add in water from your tank

After 15-20 more minutes the fish should be acclimated to your tank

Also, feed the resident organisms in the tank as you are releasing new fish from a bag, to keep them preoccupied

This allows the new fish to enter gently, without being harassed by current resident “bullies”

How much to feed?How much to feed?

Feed fish only what they will consume in 5 minutes, twice a day (once for us)-cover food!

Remove excess food, so as not to pollute the tank

One day of fasting is recommended (feed 6 out of 7 days)

ASK what the fish eats when buying them!

SicknessSickness

If an organism appears sick, it should be removed from the tank so as not to contaminate the rest of the organisms

A separate “hospital” tank can be set up to help or medicate a fish

Plants?Plants?

Just like land plants, aquatic plant need natural light to survive, as well as minerals from a substrate

Aquatic plants are often hard to maintain without adequate lighting and can deteriorate in your tank

My advise……. Go plastic!

Remember!!Remember!! **SAFETY!!****SAFETY!!**

NO AQUARIUM WATER DOWN the Sink! NO AQUARIUM WATER DOWN the Sink! Dump it outside in the drain. Dump it outside in the drain.

Don’t let the sink run continuously.Don’t let the sink run continuously.

No rocks/gravel in the sink.No rocks/gravel in the sink.

Clean up after yourself.Clean up after yourself.

*Safety!!!!* *Safety!!!!* Pull out all décor clean/rinse, and put on table Wash and rinse out the empty aquarium. Do not allow any gravel to go down the drain! Wipe off the lid. Plug it in and make sure the light works. Wash the filter. Remove as much algae as possible. Wash any gravel you want to use thoroughly before you put it in your aquarium. Do not

allow any gravel to go down the drain! Put the gravel in the aquarium. Fill the aquarium with water. Attach the filter to the side of the aquarium. Prime it (put water in it). Plug is in to see if it

works. Wash and rinse any and all toys you plan on putting in your aquarium. Place them in the aquarium. Remember, fish like “structure” so that they can hide and play! Get an air compressor, hose and air stone from me. Use only hose to allow you to put the

air stone on the bottom where you want it. Plug in the air compressor. Put the lid on your aquarium and allow to set up. If you have a marine aquarium, add 2 boxes of salt and check the level daily. Use a

hydrometer to measure the salt levels. The recommended specific gravity is 1.020 to 1.024.

If you have a fresh water aquarium, you may add fish after the filter and air compressor has been running for 4 days.

In observations, record your filtration type and describe how your air is supplied (where is it running from?)

Must bring in at least one of the following: towels, fish, décor, gravel, rocks

Set Up Day 1Set Up Day 1

Day 2Day 2

Drain 50%, refill, water conditioner, CDrain 50%, refill, water conditioner, C