| Understanding your situation helps you decide | | | | populations by not disturbing or cleaning them off |
| what kind of fish are within your range for | | | | too much. Always replace only parts of the filter |
| keeping as pets. The lighting and filtration needed | | | | at a time (ie. replace the carbon but keep the old |
| in the tank, as well as other possible devices | | | | filter medium and sponges), don't disturb the |
| necessary for successful maintenance, vary with | | | | gravel excessively while cleaning waste off of the |
| the biological load and the needs of the inhabitants | | | | bottom and never change too much of the water |
| including fish and plant life. | | | | at once. |
| A new fish tank needs to be cycled for it to | | | | As far as size of tank always choose a large tank |
| become a healthy habitat for all its inhabitants. | | | | for healthy fish. The first step is to decide |
| Cycling the tank refers to establishing the nitrogen | | | | between an aggressive or community tank. The |
| cycle where beneficial bacteria convert ammonia | | | | fish you choose need to be compatible in |
| from the fish waste into nitrates which are then | | | | temperament as well as water quality. Aggressive |
| converted to nitrites that are not harmful to the | | | | tanks are often home to various types of cichlids |
| fish and can be used as fertilizers by plants in the | | | | and barbs, while community tanks might house |
| environment. This can be maintained by ensuring | | | | danios or tetras. Some semi aggressive fish, like a |
| sufficient habitat for beneficial bacteria to live and | | | | Gourami or Angel Fish, can be housed with |
| maintain this biological filtration of ammonia. | | | | peaceful schooling fish but will need more space |
| Beneficial bacteria live in the gravel bed, in the | | | | especially if more than a few semi aggressive fish |
| filter, and in the water itself. Using gravel with high | | | | are housed together. |
| surface area, meaning it has a rough surface, | | | | Some more common and easy to keep fish can |
| increases the area for the bacteria to grow as | | | | live in a range of pH, temperature and water |
| well as allowing oxygen to collect and help the | | | | qualities and are perfect for the inexperienced |
| bacteria grow. Lots of bacteria grow in the filter | | | | aquarist while others, that are often more |
| itself because it is more oxygenated, having gone | | | | expensive are harder to keep alive and might |
| through the pump, and the surface area of the | | | | require more precise conditions. Some fish need |
| sponges and other filter media in the filter give | | | | special foods, like live food or more meaty versus |
| ample surface area and a perfect environment | | | | vegetable foods. Make sure you know what the |
| for the bacteria to proliferate. When cleaning the | | | | specific needs of the fish you purchase are |
| filter and tank it is important to keep these | | | | before you take them home. |