Ruffled Feathers Aviary

Some aquarium owners excell at keeping fish happy and healthy, but do not have a green thumb when it comes to aquarium plants. Plastic aquarium plants are a viable alternative to natural. While most come with an attached cup to anchor in the gravel, it can be a challenge to keep plastic aquarium plants where you want them. Below is a list of five ways to anchor them in the substrate of your fish tank.

Anchor Plastic Aquarium Plants – The Provided Plastic Cup

Most plastic aquarium plants are built with the stems or leaves connected to a plastic cup at the base. This should be filled with the aquarium gravel and dug into it at the bottom of the fish tank. With some fish that enjoy moving the gravel or scavenging for food at the base of the plants, this cup can become dislodged relatively easily.

Anchor Plastic Aquarium Plants – Lead Plant Strips

Lead is a very heavy and flexible metal. It has been used for years to anchor natural aquarium plants to the floor of fish tanks. Pet stores and aquarium hobbyist locations should sell packs of these thin lead strips. Simply bend them around the bottom of the plastic aquarium plant and drop them into the tank.

Anchor Plastic Aquarium Plants – Fishing Weights

Like the strips mentioned above, fishing weights are most often made of lead. These can be purchased in any sporting good store and are usually tear-drop shaped with a hole on the top for the line. They can be tied to the base of plastic aquarium plants using fishing line or narrow plastic cored. Thread or wire is not suitable as it will degrade in the aquarium.

Anchor Plastic Aquarium Plants – Tying to Rocks Method

Another way to anchor your plastic aquarium aquarium plants is to tie them directly to rocks or ornaments already displayed in the fish tank. Using strong fishing line, simply wrap the ends of the plant stems to the rock itself. This method is often visible in the tank, and mostly recommended with very bushy plastic aquarium plants.

Anchor Plastic Aquarium Plants – Create a Weight

The final method of anchoring your plastic aquarium plants in the tank is to create a rock-based weight of your own. Use aquarium grade silicone sealant to build a blob around the base of the aquarium plants. Then, roll this in the aquarium gravel or other small rocks. You can also use the sealant to attach the plastic aquarium plants directly to a larger rock. Either way, the plant will sink to the bottom and stay there.

Every fish lover knows the basic needs when setting up an artificial seawater abode for fish at home or in the office, from the basic landscaping that gives out the effect of being in the real underwater scene to the saltwater, which should be always clean to assure the well-being of the beloved sea creatures. Regular cleaning of the whole aquarium, daily feeding of the animals and the effort to make the whole aquarium mimic the natural living conditions of our pet fish are the main responsibilities that come with the task of having fish as pets. However, it is important to take note of that one very important part of the aquarium scenario. The background of the aquarium may seem a tiny detail of no importance, but it helps fish get the feel of being in their natural habitat. More so, guests and family members are sure to enjoy the scene more with a good aquarium background that enhances that underwater look.

Making this is actually just a piece of cake. To start, get the measurement of the back side of the aquarium. Since there are various size and shapes of aquariums, one should be very careful and should be able to get the perfect stats of the aquarium. This is important in order to come up with a background piece that fits not only in terms of the design but in size as well.

For the base, a reflective paper is highly advised. This type of paper offers a really great effect on the overall look of the aquarium. One can choose the color according to the whole picture that is going to be portrayed on the background. Underwater scenes usually have a combination of sky bluish and emerald greenish hues. When the base is ready, proceed to cutting out different drawings and pictures of anything under the sea. Corals, fish and other sea animals are perfect additions to the scene. Glue them to the base paper and let them dry for a couple of minutes. When doing this, it is helpful to have all of the pictures cut out and ready already before pasting the pictures. Temporarily arranging them on the base paper before pasting is also a good way to get a view of how the output is going to look like. Be careful when arranging the pictures on the base paper. We cannot find huge coral reefs floating in the waters in real underwater scenarios.

Covering the background paper with plastic can help keep it from getting damaged when it gets wet. Then, attach it to the back of the aquarium using some water-resistant tape. This helps in keeping the background attached for a longer period of time.

One good thing about this is that we can easily change the background according to our wishes. With such basic materials and simple steps to follow, getting our own personalized aquariums is a simple walk in the park.

For many owning a fish or a group of them is a relatively easy and safe venture, at least when compared to owning the likes of a dog or cat. There’s less upkeep for one thing, so activities such as feeding is only small once a day time commitment. In addition, caring for any fish is minimal as changing the water the most strenuous task to preform. What many don’t realize is the cost of having an aquarium in there home. Sure recurring costs such as food are smaller then most other pet situations but the initial start up costs can be immense. That’s why so many wish to buy inexpensive used aquariums. However, there can be problems with that and I’ll explain that here.

First off, you have the risk of buying anything used. Sure the price may be cheap but there is no guarantee of the quality of the product. In fact, often there is no warranty to even speak of. This can be a problem if your dealing with a shark of a seller, someone who knowingly tries to sell you faulty equipment. If you don’t watch out for potential scams then you could potentially lose your money.

Another risk is the quality of the aquarium. One must look for cracks, age marks on the glass, rust if it has metal, or anything else that may suggest that it will be a risk to break. This would be terrible in a home as it would leave a mess, be harmful to kids, kill the fish, and you’d be back at square one.

Lastly, some folks believe that getting a cheap aquarium is all that they need to do and leave it at that. This simply isn’t the case. There are all kinds of equipment and supplies that are needed such as filters, heaters, food, decorations for shelter, pebble rocks, special fish tank water if needed, among other things. Building a good, fully functional aquarium is what you need to look into and unfortunately the extra accessories are where the money will be spent, not the actual glass tank itself.

So there you have it, a few tips for buying an aquarium used. be sure to double check all the qualities of what and who your buying from in order to make a safe purchase.

My dad and I used to go to Baltimore,

to see the fishies.

I wanted to see a big shark,

the kind that leap from the ocean,

and attack full grown seals.

The sharks were never that big,

even when next to my pint size body,

and I went home wondering when

I’d finally get to see a shark,

the king of the sea,

my only fear;

the coral striking my leg,

and me flailing in a pool of blood,

awaiting to be eaten by Mr.Great White.

But I still wanted to meet him,

just to say hi,

just to have lunch,

just to get to experience something different,

less mundane,

out-of-this-world.

I still search for my great white at the mystic aquarium,

and as I grow older I find my search broadening into

course selections and travel destinations.

I will find my shark,

the kind that leaps from the ocean,

and attacks full grown seals.

We’ll all find our sharks.

There is much more to keeping a pet fish then just buying an aquarium and fish. Here are some of the basics that you need to know to keeping fish happy and healthy.

Picking the right bowl or aquarium

First decided where you want to put your aquarium. A spot away from direct sunlight and breezes is best. Remember that aquariums are very heavy and difficult to move so pick your spot well. A 20 gallon aquarium weighs 225 lbs. Measure your space so you will have an idea of how large your aquarium should be. You will also need to decided if you want an acrylic or glass tank. Be sure to check any aquarium well before you buy. Keep an eye out for any cracks or scratches. Once you chose your aquarium you will also need to purchase a stand. Be sure to chose a stand that will support the weight of your aquarium.

Equipment for your aquarium

All aquariums should have a lid. Some fish tend to jump so be sure your tank is covered. Aquarium hoods are actually a lid and a light. Hoods can be made out of plastic or glass. Plastic lids are cheaper, weigh less, and and unbreakable. Glass lids are tighter which will help reduce evaporation, they allow more light into the aquarium and are easier to clean. Two basic lights you for you aquarium are incandescent and fluorescent. Incandescent bulbs give off more heat and can affect the temperature of your tank. They are cheaper to buy but cost more to use. Fluorescent bulbs are cooler and cost less to run. Aquariums will also need a heater. There are two basic types of heaters immersible and fully submersible. With immersible heaters you can adjust them without having to stick your hand in the water. and are also often cheaper. But they will become damaged if the water level in the tank will gets to low. Submersible heaters can be placed anywhere in the tank and are held in place by suction cups. Submersible are usually more expensive. You will also need a thermometer so you can keep an eye on the temperature of your aquarium. Your aquarium will also need a filtration system. There are three types of filtration systems biological, chemical, and mechanical. Mechanical filtration will remove waste by continuously passing water through foam or other material. Chemical filtration will filter out toxic metals, ammonia, and even odors by passing thru a material such as carbon. There are two types of beneficial bacteria known as “nitrofiers” grow in the tank. These bacterias convert harmful waste into something less harmful.

Choosing your fish

When choosing your fish you need to check size, water temperatures, and aggressiveness. Most pet stores will tell you the appropriate fish to group together and size of aquarium recommended for your fish. You will need to find out the right temperatures for each fish and if they will need a little salt added to the tank. Be sure to check the adult size of your fish since many fish in the store are not their full adult size yet. Also look to see if they are live-bearers or egg layers. Live-bearers can become over populated very quickly. Some live-bearers can give birth every month and have up to a hundred fry at a time. So keep in mind the size of your tank before buying and mating live-bearers. A good rule of fish care is 1 inch of fish for each gallon of water.

Fish and aquariums can be a wonderful and relaxing hobby. With proper care and maintenance your fish can live for many years and grow much larger then you expected.

The new Georgia Aquarium has been boasted as the world’s largest and most engaging aquarium, however upon entering this poorly planned attraction space it’s obvious that welcoming visitors is not what this place was built for. While there is one enormous window to gaze into the awe and splendor of sea life, there are many more small, unwelcoming and impossible to view windows into the other exhibits. The floor plan makes flow-through a logistical nightmare and with mandatory stroller parking before viewing the exhibits it’s extremely unfriendly to families with small children. When the sun sets, however, the inhabitants of aquarium are made to endure loud music and the disco lights of the after hours sponsored events.

Tickets to the aquarium are released on a timed entry basis. When you show up there’s no guarantee that you can just walk right in the door, though now that the initial anticlimactic awe has worn off walk-ups aren’t generally a problem on the weekdays. As you enter the aquarium through a small passageway you are forced to stop and figure out where you are and where you’re going, causing a backup at the front door. The exhibit halls stem off from the center, which is not one level plane, but a variety of stairs and random seating, making it impossible to easily get from one side to the other. The path through the exhibits themselves is mediocre and the windows to see the animals are pitifully small. If there’s a halfway decent crowd in there, as there would be on any given day of the week, there will be things you simply cannot see unless you bully your way to the front. Weekends are much worse. As a tourist attraction this aquarium is highly overrated. Even the exhibits themselves are poorly planned with African Penguins residing in the Cold Water Quest area.

If you happen to be lucky enough to get invited to a corporate sponsored event after hours it becomes apparent what the space was designed for and what could possibly be contributing to the death of the sea life. Georgia Aquarium opens itself up to weddings, birthdays and corporate events, mainly happening at night after the aquarium closes to the general public. With bars, food and DJs it transforms itself into a nightclub and while the animals are trying to rest, the band plays on. Two whale sharks have died in the past year, one as recently as June, with no explanations as of yet. The penguins, otters and sea lions can all be seen trying to sleep while party goers are gawking at them until almost midnight. Admittedly it’s quite possibly the coolest nightclub around but how about the poor animals?

Atlanta needs to take a hard look at what they built their aquarium for. As a tourist attraction and a provider of sea life information it is severely lacking. There are many more aquariums in the southeast, such as the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, that don’t have to boast the biggest and best of anything in order for them to truly BE the best. Atlanta needs to think about the animals that have been entrusted to them rather then how much money they can make off of corporations and in how many ways they can exploit sea life.

pH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity. 7 is neutral, above 7 is alkaline, below 7 is acid. Different fish have different pH preferences.

Fish from the Amazon region generally prefer acid conditions, so most South American fish including most of the tetras,like Neon Tetras, Cardinal Tetras, Emperor Tetras, Black Widow tetras, and Black Neon Tetras, Angel fish and Discus like a pH below 7. 6.5 would be better than 7 for these fish.

Not all the South American Fish like Acid conditions, Fish that prefer it not slightly Alkaline include Glass Bloodfin Tetras, Guppies, and Endlers Guppies.

Many of the African, Central American, Asian and Australian fish prefer alkaline conditions, so, for example, goldfish would be happy at 7.2.

Some fish can adjust to wide a pH range while others are fairly specific in their preferences

If you are keeping fish with special requirements you should investigate their requirements before you get the fish. A mixed tank is often best at neutral.

pH can be tested with a simple test kit using an indicator solution such as bromothymol blue.. For people with a large number of tanks that they want to test quickly there are meters available. The meters need to be calibrated occasionally.

pH can be adjusted by adding chemicals. To reduce alkalinity you can add Sodium biphosphate (sold as pH down), or to reduce acidity you can add Sodium bicarbonate (sold as pH up). Alternatively, if you prefer to use liquids, Liquid pH up is a dilute solution of Sodium hydroxide, while Liquid pH down is a dilute solution of sulphuric acid. In most situations pH should be adjusted slowly.

Safety Note

The liquid pH up and down are more dangerous than the powder ones. Do not use in aquariums the pH up and down solutions made for hydroponics. These can be very dangerous.

pH will change over time and should be retested regularly.

Adding a buffer can make the pH much more stable. Two commonly sold buffers are “Bull’s Eye” and “Proper pH”. These products are moderately expensive, but many people find them useful.

Sources

Ph for Fish.

Buying tropical fish can get very expensive. Breeding fish is a great way to add more fish to your aquarium. The first thing you should do is to choose a breeding tank. Individual fish mature at different rates. In order to breed some species that otherwise live happily in a community aquarium, you will need to alter the water chemistry very gradually. For best results place the parent fish in their accustomed tank water conditions in a separate tank and change the pH and hardness levels very slowly. When it comes time to breed, different fish mature at different rates. Most male fish are ready for breeding from two to four months. Some male fish are late developers. The late developers are are usually the larger fish. Female fish are usually breedable at three months. Female fish fill eggs and their rounded bellies indicate they are ready to spawn. To determine a fish’s age It is best to buy young fish and then you will know exactly how old they are.

When you have set up your breeding tank you need to have the right filter. Power filters with strong currents can suck up small fish. Under-gravel filters can pull babies down. Box filters can trap baby fish. The best filter to use would be an air-powered sponge filter. They provide gentle filtration and the biological surface of the sponge becomes a feeding ground for the baby fish. Another great idea is to use a breeding trap. This will allow eggs or newborn fish to drop through the openings and be safe from other fish. There are commercial traps available. You can even make your own using a plastic coated wire mesh. The mesh should be large enough to allow eggs or babies through, but not the adult fish.

Form it into a basket that is a little smaller than the breeding tank and suspend it in the tank by two pieces of wire. The top of the basket should protrude one inch or more above the water surface to stop fish from swimming out. Their are plants available to use for spawning. Or you can use a spawning mop. These are more convenient than real plants and you have full control of how it is used in the breeding setup. They can be of any size or density and it can be placed exactly where the fish want to spawn. Earthworms are a valuable food for breeding fish. The highly nutritious value of earthworms makes them an excellent food to condition larger fish for breeding. You can find them yourself sometimes. On a wet night shine a flashlight over the soil and lawn in your yard. You can store them in a peat-filled bait box. These worms can also be bought from fishing tackle stores.

Think about having an aquarium at home. It not only adds to the peaceful backdrop of your home but it also makes you feel happy and peaceful. I love watching my fish swim for hours. Keeping pets at home is a joy that we can share with our family members. I still remember the excitement of my daughter when I took her to the shop to get the fish tank and the golden fish. She jumped with joy and wanted to be there for hours. To make her feel happy I decided to get a fish tank and five gold fishes. All our way to home, she was chattering non-stop discussing about where to keep the fish tank and how she will feed the fish. She yelled with joy when we reached home. She even refused to eat her lunch till my husband helped her to place the tank at the place of her choice and let the fish swim in the fish tank. We got three orange colored gold fish and two black colored gold fish. Every day she will feed the fish and stand there watching the fish eating the fish food. Whenever I go and stand near the fish tank, the fish come swimming hitting the walls of the tank. Their mouth moved in excitement expecting me to feed them. It is really amazing to note that they know that some one stands there to feed them. We can’t expect these fish to make sounds as the birds do. They can express themselves only through their eyes and by the movements of their mouth.

Now it is summer here. Days are very hot. One day, two of the fish died. We now have only three. Only one orange colored gold fish and two black colored gold fish. To my surprise one day I found the color of the black fish turned to golden color. Now we have two orange colored gold fish and one black colored gold fish. It is really have fish at home that not only adds beauty to our house but to our minds also.