Plant Care for Freshwater Aquarium Setup

When you have a freshwater aquarium setup you must not think only of your primary inhabitants which are your fishes. Your aquatic plants also play an important role in that environment. We should bear in mind all the factor that is directly affecting them.

Photosynthesis and respiration are the most important processes for the plant to survive. So a balance amount of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and light is very important. These two alternate process is really needed by plants make their own food and to breath.

The pH value on the water should be checked from time to time. The pH value indicates whether the water is acidic or alkaline. Most aquarium plants can withstand pH in the range of 6.5 to 7.4 without any problems. There are some exceptions to this rule, but to a large majority of aquarium plants this is not critical. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14 with 7 being neutral. A low number indicates acidic water, while a higher number indicates more alkaline water. It's important to note that this scale of measurement is not linear, but logarithmic. What this means is that a pH reading of 5 is 10 times more acidic than a reading of 6, and 100 times more acidic than a reading of 7. So, where your fish are concerned a small numeric change in pH value to you could mean a dramatic change for your fish. pH stability is probably the most important factor for both your plants and your fish.

Hardness of the water also affects our water plants. When rainwater reaches the ground and flows through the soil, hardness-forming substances mix with the water in varying degrees. General hardness is determined by the quantity of dissolved magnesium and calcium ions. An ideal General Hardness would be 3 to 5 degrees. There are chemical substances sold in the market which will stabilize the pH and hardness of an ordinary tap water.

Plant fertilizer are also a good treat for our aquatic plants. These fertilizers comes in solid forms. Proper procedures must be followed for avoid rapid growth of algae in the tank. Read labels before applying such fertilizers so that you will know certain concentration needed for type of aquarium you have.

Substrate or the materials in the bottom of the tank should be ideal also to the plant growth. Certain nutrient and bacteria should be present. In addition, schedule of changing of your tank water and so as lighting and temperature also constitute on the condition of you substrate.

Maintaining a healthy freshwater aquarium setup means having a healthy plants, fishes, and other organism as well. You must think that you are making an ecosystem wherein each one is depending on each other.

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Well-lighted Setup Reef Aquarium

The most fascinating part about having an aquarium is to see those little water pets swimming on the aquatic world with a glimmering flashes of light. Before you light up that water world, there are few things you must consider to make it the ideal setup reef aquarium. The first thing that may come on you r mind will be the cost but it is also important to understand the purpose of lighting you fish tank.

Lighting you aquarium is not the same way of lighting your own room which you can choose whatever color or intensity you want. You must think first that your little friends should feel that they are on the real world. And what would be the ideal light, of course the sun itself. So, we need for look for lights which will give our fishes an impression that they are on a direct sunlight. Light also plays an important role on the body clock of our little friends. Sudden turning off of light supply may cause stress to them. It is very advisable to turn off your aquarium lights few minutes before you turn off the lights on your room. Same thing to do in the morning, turn on the light in your room first and then turn on your aquarium lights a few minutes later. It it normal not to have light at nighttime. Dark environment wont scare your fish, it is really dark at night on an underwater setting. The length of day and night time should be balance to maintain your fishes healthy. You must also think that its not only your fishes who needs light so as you aquatic plants which give oxygen to your little pets. If you choose a wrong type of the light, it may cause that your plants will not grow, but algae will.

According to aqua-fish.net, the most common lightings are Fluorescents tubes. They can be made in many color spectrum and many sizes. They lasts for about one year. They also can simulate daylight. Tungsten and Halogen Lamps are used in some cases, but they are not a good choice. They are maybe cheaper, but they need more energy and lasts for a short time. They also heat up the aquarium and they have not the right color spectrum for growing plants. This is also the the cause why normal lamps can’t be used. By the way, unlike like lamps specially made for aquariums, ordinary house lamps would not light up the whole aquarium the same way. Compact Fluorescents are like fluorescent tubes, but they last longer. They also need less energy even if they make more light. This can be possible because it looks like one long fluorescent tube shaped to U. Most lightings need more space, but this don´t. Compact Fluorescent and Fluorescents tubes.

Think first before you spend a dollar in your lighting so that your effort wont go into waste. There's no more place for your fishes to swim lively than a well-lighted setup reef aquarium.

Getting Started with your Aquarium

Setting up your aquarium is a little bit tricky considering the aquarium setup safety, cost, location and personal preferences. The first thing you should do is to picture out first what's your aquarium going to look like. You have an option to choose a smaller or a much bigger one. In my own opinion a container containing 20-30 gallons will do and the the shape will just depend on you. Take note that a smaller space will give your aquatic pets a little room to move and a little oxygen which could be fatal sometimes.

Location is one of the biggest factor to consider in your aquarium setup safety. Look for a space in the house which can be easily seen by visitors but is not directly hit by sunlight. Avoid placing your aquarium near the door or wherein people are passing by all the time. Noise may destruct and even cause stress to your aquatic friends. It is advisable to set it up on a much darker part of the room which also an advantage for if do some lighting effects in the future.

We already have an aquarium and a place for it, now its time to shop for accessories. You can visit your local pet shop for available accessories. Of course accessories will also depends on the the type of fish you want to put on you aquarium. Primarily the most important accessories are your gravel, filter, air pump, heater and etc. You can also ask advice from your local pet shop for quality products available. Once your aquarium is already set up pan to shop for fish the next day.