The questions most frequently asked by other hobbyists and beginner aquarists. If you don't find the answer you're looking for, feel free to send an email via the contact page and we will post your question and answer.
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Is it necessary to empty all the water in the tank during cleaning?
Do not ever empty the tank. You can empty 25 to 30 percent of the water.
How long do I have to wait for my tank to cycle?
You have to wait until the nitrite spike has gone and nitrates are starting to rise, for a new aquarium this will be anywhere from 2-8 weeks, it is very wise to wait for this to end, because if you add more fish at this stage it will only put more pressure on the bacteria and most likely kill your fish.
Do I add the fish as soon as my aquarium is set up?
You should let the aquarium run for at least 24 hours before adding any fish. The most healthy way to add fish is to put one-fourth to one-third of the total amount of fish you plan to have in your tank, then add the remainder over the next four to six weeks. It is recommended that you float your new bag of fish in your aquarium for approximately 20 minutes. This will allow your new fish to acclimate to the aquarium's temperature.
How many fish can I keep in my tank?
A good guide for keeping fish in your tank is about 1” of fish per 1 gallon of water. For larger fish it is recommended only 1” of fish for every 3 gallons of water. Larger fish often have a higher strain on the tanks biological bacteria and filter media.
After gravel, rocks, plants, decor there will be far less volume in the aquarium. Ensure you are aware of the adult size the fish in the aquarium will grow. This will help in understanding how many fish to stock at this stage. It is no use stocking a 30 gallon tank with 25” of fish and then finding out that the fish will grow to 2” each, leaving you with 50” of fish.
Can I create a planted tank on a budget?
Yes, following the typical convention of high light, substrate, ferts and co2 is not the only route to a beautiful planted aquarium. Low-tech setups with low lighting and minimal fertilizers are an excellent budget conscious option. However it is recommended to only use low light plants such as java-ferns, Amazon swords, moss and anubais. Some stem plants will also do well in lower light conditions.
How long should I leave my lights on?
For a planted tank 8-10 hours a day will be more than sufficient. Be sure to keep the tank out of direct sunlight as this will only promote the growth of algae in the aquarium. Don’t leave the aquarium lights on for 24 hours a day, the fish and plants need to respire and rest. This would lead to the eventual death of fish and plants.
Why are all of my fish starting to die?
This may be due to a number of reasons. If it is a new tank, the tank may be going through the stage of turning ammonia into nitrite, in most tanks this can and will reach toxic levels and may kill your fish, to stop this do small 10-15% water changes each day.
Other reasons could be something contaminated put into the tank recently, a new rock or sculpture. Disease in some species of fish can be common; it is not unknown for a whole species of fish to suddenly die due to a break down in there immune system. Make sure the temperature is still high and you are feeding them a varied diet.
Check your water levels, you will probably find spikes of ammonia or nitrite in the water. Sometimes it can be more simple, if you forget to put water conditioner when you do a water change you have the chance of letting in toxic chlorine and chloramines, if this may be it, use some now.
What type of filter do I need?
The filter system is very important for maintaining a healthy environment in your aquarium. You need to make sure you have a "complete" filter system. The system should include a filter (or combination of filters) that performs these three functions:
Mechanical: Traps particles and strains and removes debris. It is important that this filter be cleaned or replaced once a month.
Chemical: Removes dissolved substances. Most chemical filters contain activated carbon and often they are incorporated within your mechanical filter. It should be changed monthly.
Biological: Converts ammonia (excreted by fish) to nitrites which in turn are converted to nitrates by bacteria. All filters perform some biological filtration. The larger the surface area of the filter, the better. Underground filters are popular. Filters that hang on the side of the tank also perform this type of filtration. The underground filter should be cleaned monthly or it will become clogged and not work properly. Your monthly partial water change and gravel vacuum will clean the underground filter.
Outside filter size: The rule of thumb is that the water flow should be 5 to 7 times the volume of the aquarium. Remember: Filters do not replace the need for partial water changes.
Do I need to remove fish while cleaning the tank?
No, fish should remain in the tank as much as possible. It is healthier for fish to be moved around as little as possible. They generally move away from the hose when using a gravel vacuum, but it's a good idea to watch to ensure you don't place the vacuum over a fish.
Why does my water look green?
Algae exists in all aquariums and is a natural occurrence. If it gets out of hand though, the water will begin to turn green. This generally happens when there are too many nutrients in the water, or the aquarium is being exposed to too much sunlight. An overcrowded tank or over-fertilizing will cause too many nutrients. Cleaning the tank with a gravel vacuum and wiping the glass with an algae scrubber purchased from your pet store may take care of the job. Two common preventative measures are adding plants to your aquarium and adding one of several types of fish that feed on algae. Your pet store retailer can guide you on types of fish that eat algae.
Why is the water in my new tank cloudy?
This is normal when an aquarium is first set up. It is referred to as a bacteria bloom. The cloudiness should be gone within anywhere from two days to a couple of weeks. You can do a 10 to 15 percent partial water change and gravel vacuuming after a week to speed it up. Some hobbyists like to speed up the cycle in a new aquarium by mixing a couple handfuls of gravel from an established tank with the new gravel. The recycled gravel will have "good bacteria" on it to jumpstart the normal cycle that occurs when a new aquarium is set up. If you don't have access to recycled gravel from an existing tank, ask your pet store if they will swap some of your new gravel for some recycled gravel out of one of their tanks. Live plants are also helpful as their leaves are coated with helpful bacteria.