55 Gallon Fish Tank (Please Comment)

This is my 55 gallon freshwater fish tank as of 9/23/09 FISH 1 Bala Shark 1 Tiger Oscar 1 Electric Yellow Cichlid 1 Electric Blue Cichlid 1 Red Belly Pacu 1 Common Pleco 1 Crayfish (Hid through the filming of this) PLANTS 1 Mellon Sword 1 Bamboo 1 Green Hedge 1 Onion Plant FILTERS 2 Aquaclear 70s BUBBLER 1 40 Gallon Wisper Air Pump w/ splitter OTHER 1 Driftwood 9 Sea Shells PH is 7.5 SONG Obadiah Parker - Hey Ya

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Tetra tank / Salmlerbecken @ a Zoo Aquarium [1/1]

TAKE A LOOK AT MY OTHER VIDEOS www.fischbottich.de +++ This is atank of a Zoo Aquarium near my hometown. We have a video of each tank in this Zoo. 18th of September 2009 (18.09.2009) For scale The front glass panel is 1,2 meter (3.93 feet) high. +++ The population of this tank: Silvertip tetra / Kupfersalmler oder Silberspitzensalmler (Hasemania nana) Black neon tetra / Schwarzer Neon, Flaggensalmler (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi) Dwarf sucking catfish or Golden otocinclus/ Gestreifter Otocinclus, Ohrgitter-Harnischwels (Macrotocinclus affinis) Panda corydoras / Pandapanzerwels (Corydoras panda) Ram cichlid / Schmetterlingsbuntbarsch (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) more coming soon... (If you are intrested in helping me classifying the other species in this tank, post your suggestions)

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Keeping Oysters In Saltwater Aquariums - Oyster Care Tips

Saltwater aquariums are a source of pleasure in many homes, and young and old people alike love to watch them. These tanks show us a wonderful glimpse of what life is like under the surface of the ocean. There is quite a variety of life that can survive in an aquarium. Plants and fishes are not the only life forms that live in the sea, so why restrict your aquarium by using these two categories alone, to beautify it?

Artificial oysters are common as a release for air bubbles in many aquariums - the oyster opens to let the bubbles out. But with more and more people trying to recreate the ocean floor with their saltwater aquariums, Pearl producing oysters are a special treat for those with home saltwater aquariums. However it is their lesser cousins you will normally find in home aquariums, and understandably so. Did you know that if you place an oyster or a scallop in your tank, they will require more care than any other life form in the aquarium? It is vital that you realize that before you get one for the tank. It is such a let down to see people spend good money on oysters, and later realizing they have bit off more than they can chew on.

Oysters demand a very special water condition. They are not for those of us who are a bit lazy when it comes to maintaining a clean aquarium. Keep in mind, they will not live very long if your tank gets dirt in it often - oysters need cleanliness and care. Nature has a nice way of dealing with this issue - oysters do clean out the water so they can balance the effect, but they can do it only up to a point and no more before it takes its toll on them. Did you know you will have to take special care of their diet as well? Don't say we didn't warn you! You need to feed every oyster separately through their pipette upstream. Here it is vital to note - keep the number of oysters in your aquarium minimum, unless you want to spend your entire day feeding them! You will need to give them nutrition supplements as well as a microscopic amount of plankton to keep them healthy.

Some varieties of oyster can survive more often in artificial environments than others. So if you are new at this, go for one of these. You could go for the more delicate ones once you are sure of your self. You will often see varieties like the spiny and the thorny in aquariums. These are such accurate names for these beautiful creations of nature. I bet this article has got you interested in getting an oyster into your saltwater aquarium. Why not visit your local store to see what they have available?

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Tropical Aquarium

My Oscars and My Tropical FreshWater

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Fully grown Perch and Pike in a tank / Flussbarsch- und Hechtbecken @ a Zoo Aquarium [1/1]

TAKE A LOOK AT MY OTHER VIDEOS www.fischbottich.de +++ This is a tank of a Zoo Aquarium near my hometown. +++ The population of this tank European perch or redfin perch / Flussbarsch oder Kretzer (Perca fluviatilis) northern pike / Hecht (Esox lucius)

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Quarantine Tank

The quarantine tank plays a crucial role in the marine aquarium hobby simply because there are a percentage of marine aquarium fishes that enter the trade with some form of disease or marine parasite. Most hobbyists will always tell you to quarantine every time you buy a new fish. But the vast majority of hobbyists simply do not quarantine and some end up paying the price for this mistake.

The problem with aquariums is the fact that it is a closed system, unlike the vast oceans that our livestock come from. As such, any parasitic organism, fungus or disease can quickly spread among the livestock like wildfire. This is especially true when dealing with marine ich and marine velvet.

While both parasites have the potential to wreak havoc on our aquariums, marine velvet does it in much quicker fashion. Specimens can perish as quickly as two days. This is because the marine velvet parasitic dinoflagellate tends to attack the gills which can eventually suffocate the fish or damage the gills so extensively that death comes quickly.

So the answer to the unknown organisms that are present on new fish is the quarantine tank. The quarantine tank is where all new fish are kept for a period no shorter than a month. It is where they are observed, treated and taught to accept prepared foods. It is especially handy when a specimen has a marine parasite as some parasite medication contains ingredients (copper) that will surely destroy the biological filter of the main display aquarium along with any invertebrates present.

Some fish stores do practice quarantining on their own but this varies from store to store. Some are trustworthy while others always seem to stock specimens that are suffering from one ailment or another. It is always better to err on the side of caution rather than risk your present livestock.

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African Cichlids

A salt water setup with coral and diverse species of fish portrays what you see when snorkeling or scuba-diving. When set up correctly in an aquarium, it can be a beautiful sight. However, if you want a similar experience without the potential problems associated with salt water aquarium set-ups, I highly recommend African Cichlids.

There are virtually thousands of species whose color combinations are fantastic. They can be inexpensive, but can cost as much as salt water species if not more. However, they are very hardy to most water conditions which makes them a clear favorite over salt water species, especially among younger hobbyists. Even when an aquarium is not maintained properly, these fish will survive. They tend to be very aggressive and should not be housed with other fresh water varieties. They have a character of their own and are intriguing to watch. They can be very territorial, so consider the habitat they are going to be housed in. Most species require a larger aquarium (55 gallons or more). Most African Cichlids are mouth-brooders.

The females hold the eggs in their mouth for a period of 28 days, until the young are free swimming. At this point, she will release them from her mouth, but will allow them back in if danger is imminent. Both parent take an active role in protecting their young. I would recommend having a proportion of 3 females to 1 male if considering breeding African Cichlids. This will decrease the stress level of the females and increase your chances of successfully breeding. Males can be very vigorous and relentless when mating. I highly recommend African Cichlids to the first time hobbyist.

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Types of Fish Food For Freshwater Aquarium Fish

If you want your aquarium fish to live a long and happy life, be sure that you are feeding them a high-quality diet that is appropriate for their needs. A large canister of fish flakes is not the appropriate food for all fish. A proper diet with strengthen the immune system of your fish, stimulating growth and activity. The often overlooked step of choosing the right type of fish food is crucial to the health of your aquarium. There is a surprising variety of fish food choices available.

Dry fish food choices include pellets, granules, flakes, and wafers. Each is formulated for a particular diet; some are based on plant materials, while others contain mainly animal or fish products. Some are fortified with vitamins or minerals, or are formulated to develop brighter colors in your tropical fish. Choose your dry fish food based on the species of fish. While dry foods are easy to store and use, they may not be the best nutritional option. Remember that the first ingredient listed on the food packaging is the primary ingredient. Avoid fish foods containing cornmeal or other ingredients that are not a natural food source for your fish. Feeding your fish poor quality foods will increase the amount of waste in the tank, reducing the water quality.

Small fish may do fine on fish flakes, though larger tropical fish require a specialized diet, and it is nearly always a much healthier option. If your fish is a carnivore or omnivore, their food source should include meat. Frozen bloodworms, small red mosquito larvae, are a very nutritious option for these fish. They are sold frozen into small blocks that look like ice cubes, making it easy to feed them to your fish. Other popular frozen foods for fish include brine shrimp or krill. Larger fish also enjoy earthworms and other worm species, which can be found at your local aquarium supply store. Large predatory fish enjoy eating small feeder fish, which is a natural food source for this type of fish.

Although high in protein, these options do not provide a balanced diet, and should not be the only food source. Instead, they should be used in rotation, adding variety to your fish's diet. Like people, they will grow tired of eating the same foods every day. Live or frozen foods can also be used to supplement dried pellets or flakes.

Fish that are herbivores tend to enjoy nibbling throughout the day, rather than eating large meals at specified times. An aquarium with real plants provides a valuable food source. Herbivores also enjoy eating spinach leaves, zucchini, cucumber, or peas, placed directly in the aquarium. Let these vegetables float in the tank for an hour or two before removing them. Some dried foods, particularly algae wafers, are also good choices for herbivores.

When choosing the healthiest foods for your fish, make sure that your choice reflects your fish's nutritional requirements, and don't forget to provide variety. A diet of dry fish food may not be enough. A balanced diet, chosen in consideration of the type of fish in your aquarium, will ensure that your fish have a chance to thrive. Be sure that you can commit to the unique dietary needs of each fish species before selecting the fish for your new freshwater aquarium.

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Do Not Buy Odyssea Aquariums: Introduction

Bruckner (AKA The Oscar Josey Wales): about six months old and 7". Tank: 100 gallon glass bowfront by Odyssea (or whatever they're calling themselves this week.) One of the rounded "edges" split after I'd had it 8 months. He and his Firemouth brother currently reside in a 90 gallon Aqueon. Kudos to Aquatics Unlimited for a killer deal and for taking care of my fish while I set the tank up: www.bestfish.com (Not incidentally, they don't carry Odyssea.)

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Aquarium Decoration and Styles

Designing a new aquarium can be a both fun and challenging hobby. Many things have to be brought into consideration when designing an aquarium. You will have to decide what kind of aquarium to buy and how big the aquarium should be. What kind of plants and decorations you are planning to put in the aquarium? What kind of fish are you planning to have in the aquarium? Can the different types of fish you want in the aquarium co-exist together? How colorful do you want the aquarium to appear? You should come up with a budget plan as well so you can get exactly what you want in your aquarium.

First thing you have to choose is what type of aquarium you are going to purchase. Acrylic aquariums are alot stronger than glass ones and yet softer at the same time. They are flexible so they won't break as easily yet durable and resist cracks better. If struck by an object they will scratch but will not crack as easily as glass. They tend to weigh about half as much as a glass tank the same size, and they reduces temperature changes as they are very good insulators. They also tend to appear clearer than glass aquariums. Acrylic tanks tend to take on many different shapes as glass has to be rectangular cause glass won't bend as easy. However glass aquariums won't scratch as easy as their acrylic counterparts yet they crack easier. Glass also tends to support water better as acrylic tends to bow and need a top to support the seems in the side. Glass also tends to be cheaper and lasts longer if not cracked or broken through damaging.

When deciding what fish to choose you have to decide if you want freshwater fish or saltwater fish as they can not be mixed together. A freshwater aquarium when all is said and done with basic supplies will tend to cost about $300. A saltwater aquarium under the same circumstances will run about $650. Then you can also do a reef tank which tends to be a bit more extravagant and can push the cost up towards $1200 or more. Saltwater fish tend to be much more expensive than freshwater fish. Some of the more uncommon saltwater fish can come with a pretty high price tag. Saltwater fish tend to be more colorful and pleasing to the eye. Saltwater is harder to upkeep. Changing the water can prove difficult as the new water has to be prepared days in advance.

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Aquarium Fresh Water Fish - 5 Tips to Keep Your Pets Healthy

Aquarium fresh water fish are loved by everyone since these pets are colorful and add excitement to the decor of a house. Most people are afraid of keeping freshwater fish since aquarium fish are considered very delicate but the truth is that with some basic guidance anyone can keep aquarium fresh water fish. Here are 5 tips that will help you keep your water pet healthy and happy.

1. Choose the Right Aquarium

Based on the type of material used to create aquariums, all the aquariums on the market can are either acrylic or glass units. Glass aquariums are always recommended since these aquariums do not scratch easily and they are considerably cheaper than their acrylic counterpart. The only benefits to buying acrylic units are that they are much lighter than glass aquariums and they do not break as easily as glass.

2. Choose the Right Size Tank

If you are new in the pet fish hobby, then most likely you are planning to purchase a 5 or 10 gallon tank and put 5 or 6 fish inside it. If you want to keep your fish alive for more than a few days, it is important to understand that you need to choose an adequately sized tank for your freshwater fish. A 15 or 20 gallon tank is perfect for beginners provided the tank is not overstocked with large fish.

3. Change Water Frequently

Most people who start out keeping fish make the mistake of changing 100% water once a month. Freshwater fish do not do well with complete water changes since complete water changes kill all the nitrifying bacteria in the tank. If you are interested in keeping your fish happy and healthy then you should investigate more information about the nitrogen cycle in aquariums. You should also make it a point to change 30% water every 5 days as well as siphon the gravel once a week.

4. Add a Good Filter

There are various types of filters and each type has its own purpose. If you are starting a new aquarium then you should aim for biological filtration as well as mechanical filtration. For best results you should opt for filters like sponge filters, internal canister filters and external canister filters. Hang-on filters are also very effective. The type of filter you select will depend largely on the size of your tank and the type of fresh water fish in the tank. Sponge filters are ideal for small tanks, internal canister filters are ideal for medium sized tanks and external filters are perfect for large tanks.

5. Continue to Learn about Your Hobby

The best way to gain knowledge about aquarium fish, both fresh water and salt water pets, is to dedicate a few minutes every day to reading about various types of aquarium fish. You should refer to several sources for information such as websites, articles and forums. Remember, no one has all the knowledge about fish and by reading from various sources you will acquire the required knowledge to keep your aquarium fresh water fish healthy and happy.

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Care of Freshwater Tropical Fish

Do you want to know what you need to do to maintain a beautiful aquarium of freshwater tropical fish? It's not difficult, but you must do these few basic tasks to ensure optimum pleasure from your aquarium.

Looking after your freshwater tropical fish is not difficult or time-consuming, but there are a few things that need to be attended to on a regular basis to ensure optimum health for your tropical fish, which will mean optimum pleasure for you.

Firstly, always be careful when introducing new tropical fish in to your aquarium. New fish will be stressed by the ordeal of getting to your house, and will be susceptible to disease. It is advisable to always keep new fish in a quarantine tank for a few days, just to make sure they are fit and healthy.

On a daily basis, feed your tropical fish, either once or twice a day is fine. Do find out the best food to give your fish, and give them variety, because fish can get bored with the same diet day after day. When you feed them, always ensure you don't give them too much food, because fish do not over-eat, so any unwanted food will remain in the aquarium and will go off very quickly. Be very careful who you entrust to look after your fish when you go on vacation. Many well-meaning people who have never had their own fish cannot believe how small a quantity of food fish really need, and before you know it the water is black, and the fish are gasping to breath, if not dead.

When you feed them, take a few moments to have a count, and make sure all your fish are present and correct. If you cannot see one, you need to locate it, it may just be hiding, or it may be sick or dead somewhere. Leaving a dead fish in your aquarium will soon pollute the water. Also check the filter is working correctly, the water is at the right temperature, and put back any stray bits of plant which may have come loose.

On a monthly basis, you need to do a partial water change. This involves removing 20-25% of the water, and replacing it with clean, de-chlorinated water, which is at the right temperature. Before you remove the water it is advisable to switch of the filter, and heater. At the same time have a tidy up of the aquarium by cleaning the glass, checking the airstones are not clogged up, (if you have any), and you may need to clean the filter, depending on the type you have. I personally use a 'gravel cleaner' which sucks the gravel up, and cleans it whilst removing the dirty water.

Once a year, take the time to give your aquarium a thorough clean, by emptying it, replacing all the water, and thoroughly cleaning everything. Do ensure that on chemicals are used while doing this, as these are not good for your freshwater tropical fish.

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