Keeping fish has been a popular hobby for many years. The popularity has lead to many improvements in techniques and practice. To familiarize yourself with the hobby itself and to introduce new, proper ways of keeping fish, Polly's Pets University is proud to offer this introduction to FISH CARE & MAINTENANCE.

Over the years hobbyists have relied on the professional advice of books and pet shops to get most of their information. It is our responsibility to offer the best knowledge and advice.

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Betta Caresheet



When a tank is first set up it is important to remember that the larger the tank the better. The more water in the tank the more stable the environment is. Also placement is an important factor. If you place a tank near a window or in a well lighted room you may get excessive algae growth or it may become to warm. If this happens the quality of the water is decreased and problems will occur.


Filtration:

When setting up a tank there are three types of filtration to choose from:


Biological:

Natural removal of ammonias and waste


Chemical:

Use of chemicals in the filter to remove ammonias and waste


Mechanical:

Uses high-powered water flow through mechanical means.


Each type can be used independently however using them together will give the greatest benefit. Proper water quality is imperative to the success of the hobbyist.

One type of biological filtration is the undergravel filter. This filter uses gravel as the source for the important nitrifying bacteria to live which in-turn helps to break down organic (fish) waste and debris. Nitrifying bacteria can live on essentially all surfaces in an aquarium including foam filters, gravel, glass and plants. They are embedded in a slime like film called a biofilm. If a bit of slime were magnified you would see hundreds of bacteria as well as worms and diatoms. The presence of a biofilm is the reason why goldfish can be kept in small plastic pools without any obvious filtration. The surface of the pools provide ample space for the nitrifying bacteria and biological filtration. The trick is never to scrub off this film as it would destroy the nitrifying bacteria and lead to water quality problems. Aeration is required for the fish and the bacteria.

When a tank is first set up hundreds of bacteria are associated with the gravel and tap water. As the temperature increases in the aquarium, the bacteria multiply until there may be more than 10 million per milliliter. That results in cloudy water. Eventually the bacteria clouds will disappear naturally. After the bacteria have divided several times they use up their energy reserves and they fail to multiply.

Also a bacterial bloom can occur when the gravel bed is disturbed if it is not cleaned routinely. A biofilm establishes and develops on the gravel and surrounds each piece of gravel. Various types of bacteria form within this film and can become trapped and deprived of the proper nutrients and oxygen. Many times the filter itself becomes clogged thus reducing water flow and oxygen. Anaerobic bacteria form and begin to decompose waste products. This anaerobic decomposition produces hydrogen sulfide. When cleaned, or disturbed, these bacteria, which were dormant, now begin to multiply in the presence of oxygen and nutrients and releases hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is released from gas pockets in the gravel, it is then absorbed by the gills and combines with the red blood cells of fish. Then the red blood cells cannot carry oxygen to the body and the fish suffocates.