Saltwater Fish Tank Setup - Setting Up a Tank for Seahorses

Seahorses are one of the most graceful creatures you can keep on your tank. But they are also very fragile and just a basic salt water fish tank setup won't be enough to keep them happy and healthy. In this small article we will explore the differences between a standard tank and a seahorse tank.
Starting with the size of the tank, unlike for other saltwater creatures, bigger is not always better. For dwarf seahorses you need to provide nano tanks, which are just 2 to 20 gallons, but even for standard tanks you shouldn't go above 60 gallons because seahorses are slow swimmers and won't be able to reach food in large tanks.
And the format of the tank should also be different. Usually tanks are wide, but for a seahorse the taller the better. At the very least you should have three times the length of the seahorse, but if you can get one even taller (or build one yourself).
As for the floor of the tank, I prefer sand, which is better for bacteria (necessary because seahorses are messy eaters). Also use a lot of rocks, algae or trunks because seahorses need places to perch - if they don't have any they will cling to aquarium equipment, which may hurt them, or die of exhaustion.
Some keepers like to have a feeding station, which is a part of the tank where they feed their seahorses. Like I said, seahorses are very messy eaters and if you only feed them on an easy to clean area with lots of objects for them to perch on it will make cleaning the tank easier. I prefer to have a crew of cleaners (usually snails) and get good filtration.
Which brings us to the pump. Be careful because seahorses can't fight strong currents and they prefer tanks with little turbulence. Some seahorses have even died because they were sucked by stronger pumps.

Pet Jellyfish Facts: Feeding Jellyfish and Aquarium Maintenance

 You may find this hard to believe but a jellyfish tank is actually easier to maintain than a standard saltwater aquarium. You can learn how to keep your pet jellyfish alive and healthy in no time at all. Jellyfish have slower metabolisms than fish. You can use a smaller filtration unit and water parameters will still remain well within acceptable tolerances. A 25% water change twice a month is more than sufficient to keep your tank clean. You may occasionally have to remove algae from the walls of your tank but this would need to be done with virtually any tank.
There isn't even too much reason to be concerned about a jellyfish sting. Of the three most popular jellyfish kept in home aquariums, the moon jellyfish has the most potent sting. A moon jellyfish sting is typically not fatal or even dangerous to humans. Their sting is no more serious than a bee sting. Of course just like a bee sting, everyone reacts differently to a particular animal's sting. Keep vinegar handy to neutralize the sting area. Vinegar is not a treatment for the sting but it will prevent further nematocysts (stinging cells) from firing. What do you feed a pet jellyfish? That depends on the size of the jellyfish in question. All jellyfish are carnivores. Smaller jellyfish thrive on zooplankton. Larger jellyfish often eat fish and crustaceans. Of course the larger the jellyfish, the larger the prey it can consume.
Jellyfish in a home aquarium can be fed brine shrimp. Brine shrimp is available at any fish store that carries saltwater fish. They are cheap to buy and keep well in a refrigerator for a week or even longer. Many saltwater enthusiasts prefer to raise their own brine shrimp. If you provide your jellyfish with sufficient nutrients their mass will grow accordingly until they reach their maximum growth potential. If you need to spend a weekend out of town you can even skip feeding them as long as you feed them a little extra before and after. Larger jellies can be fed ghost shrimp or other inexpensive feeder shrimp, or feeder fish.
If the idea of constantly buying or breeding and maintaining live food seems needlessly time consuming there is an alternative. You can even order frozen plankton for your pet jellyfish online.

Use Protein Skimmers to Save Your Fish

So if you're reading this, then that must mean you are, or will become, an avid collector of fish. That's an incredibly fun hobby. But have you ever had any problems with keeping your aquarium clean? Have you ever found that your fish die out because of the lack of cleanliness of your aquarium? If you've ever had these problems, despite of your experience or inexperience in cleaning aquariums, maybe you should look to newer options to help you out! Why not look for some special devices from your local aquarium supplies store?
There are many filters and devices out there that can help you maintain the cleanliness of your aquarium, but if there are two devices that rank high in keeping your aquarium clean, they would be protein skimmers and canister filters. These are integral in keeping large aquariums clean and maintaining a great environment for your fish to survive. But if you remain unconvinced, why not read on?
Protein skimmers and what they do:
- A protein skimmer is usually used in sea water aquariums that hold sea water fish. Because sea water fish that are contained in an aquarium are more prone to be sensitive, it is very important that you maintain their aquariums clean. This is where a protein skimmer comes in. A protein skimmer is used to break down any organic material that may be floating within an aquarium so that they don't end up decomposing within the tank to become nitrogenous waste. Protein skimmers also lift a heavy load on your biological filtration device, if there is one installed
Canister filters: how exactly do they work?
- A canister filter stands outside of an aquarium. This alone can count a lot for the space that remains within an aquarium, it gives your fish more room to roam and at the same time remain clean. Canister filters function by pumping out the dirty water in the aquarium and passing it through the canister itself which contains. A canister filter can contain any type of filter that you may want to employ or may suit your personal preference. The canister filter then pumps the clean water back into the aquarium so that your fish don't have to remain in a filthy mess
While these two methods are very impressive means on their own, but in the aquarium supplies store, there is a great variety of parts, filters, methods, and even DIY processes that can help you maintain your aquarium, without the extra hassle of devices, and without the heavier price tag on any of them!
Before you but anything on impulse, however, make sure that you do some research on the different and important precautions you should take before you make any changes in the environment of your fish. Just make sure to go down to your local mall and find the aquarium supplies store, and make sure to inquire about what may be the best method for you to employ. Make sure your fish remain safe and healthy, be the responsible pet owner.

Koi and Pond Fish for Your Water Garden

Many homeowners enjoy having a water feature in their backyard. They are visually appealing, and the sound of running water is both soothing and can mask traffic noise. A popular choice for many people is a water garden with fish. With a little basic information, the homeowner can properly plan and maintain such a water feature.
Water gardens should have plants covering 50-75% of the water surface. Water hyacinths, water lettuce, and other floating plants help accomplish this. A good filtration system is needed to keep proper water quality. The number of fish should be limited, as too many fish generally cause problems. The less fish there are, the healthier the water garden tends to be. The two most common pond fish are koi and goldfish.
Koi are descended from common carp. The Japanese used selective breeding to produce what we know as koi. In the early 20th century koi began to be raised and bred in Europe and North America. Koi come in a range of colors and patterns, and are classified by their Japanese names. They can grow to three feet in length and can weigh up to 35 pounds. Koi require very good water quality to stay healthy. They should be kept in large ponds containing 1,000 gallons or more, with a sophisticated water filtration system. Properly maintained koi can live a number of years.
Goldfish are the most popular choice of fish for backyard water gardens. They are less expensive than koi and easier to maintain. Goldfish are suitable for any size pond. They come in many varieties and colors. Two popular types of goldfish are the comet and the fantail.
Common pond predators are herons, owls, hawks, and raccoons. Leaf netting is effective in keeping predators out of ponds, although some homeowners dislike the look of covering their pond. Some type of protection is especially important during the winter months, when aquatic plants tend to die back and there are fewer places for the fish to hide.
As the weather cools, a fish's metabolism slows down. They should be fed less, usually two or three times per week. When the water temperature drops below 50 degrees, the feedings should stop until spring.
Keeping backyard ponds with koi and other pond fish is a growing hobby. The South Carolina Koi and Water Garden Society was formed to encourage an interest in water gardening, and to promote the keeping of koi and pond fish. Their 2010 Regional South Carolina Koi and Goldfish Show will be held October 1-3 in Simpsonville.

5 Tips to Deal With Algae on Tropical Fish Tanks

Overgrowth of algae in tropical fish tanks can be a very frustrating problem, it can ruin your perfectly designed aquarium in no time if you don't follow few simple guidelines. Here they are:
1.Cleaning
If you spot algae developing on any of your aquarium decorations or on the glass just scrape them, ( go to your shop of choice for special aquarium scrapers) remove the stones and rocks and scrub them. If you don't act fast they can reproduce to the point that you won't be able to simply scrape them.
2.Change water regularly
Make sure you do weekly water changes, 10% is a good amount to reduce your nutrients level.
3.Too much lighting
Make sure that the sunlight don't operate on your tank as it can increase the algae population very very rapidly. Also make sure that your aquarium lighting is not too strong.
4.Overfeeding your fish
Don't put too much fish food into the tank, basically if your fish can't eat the amount you gave them in 2-3 minutes you are overfeeding them. By doing that you not only make your life harder ( more cleaning) but also you "feed" the algae which grows on excess nutrients.
5.Algae eating fish
You can also buy fish which base their diet on algae, they won't eliminate your problem if you have a big overgrowth of them but can be helpful. Make sure that you match their water requirements with rest of your fish. Black Molly, Otocinclus and Plecos are a few of those algae eating fish species.
Stay tune for more great article about tropical fish tanks.

Know Your Koi Fish With More Information

For centuries, the common Koi has been regarded with a sense of wonder and fascination that belies its humble beginnings.
Once bred as a food resource in China, it wasn't until after it was adopted by the Japanese, that it was quickly recognised more for its incredible splendor than its food potential, and therefore began the production of the most brilliant Koi colors via selective breeding. The Koi was from this point on no longer Ordinary, but an aesthetic object of beauty - much loved and designed to be the envy of all.
The word Koi actually comes from the Japanese word meaning Carp. Since the early twentieth Century, Koi have been bred and cross-bred to create a myriad of jewel-colored mutations and, whilst formerly a popular distraction of the Japanese, Koi have since turned out to be equally popular in the wider international community.
Considered to be the most stunning and admired of all ornate freshwater fish, Koi are nowadays the centre piece of scores of Koi garden ponds the world over. Featured right through the record of Chinese and Japanese Art, Koi are also considered to be vessels of good luck, wealth and happiness. With such positive symbolism surrounding Koi, it is no surprise that they have been embraced with enthusiasm by the Western World in an attempt to create a place of serenity within the home.
Establishing your own peaceful Koi Garden Fishpond might seem like a mammoth task, but, with the right research and groundwork, is completely doable and unquestionably worth the effort.
Merely close your eyes for a moment and visualise yourself sitting on a rock at the edge of your fishpond, watching and waiting as each one of your Koi come up to meet you. You've chosen names for each of them as you would for your children - it's all about how they look and their particular personalities! Yes, Koi have personalities too and will in general interact with you willingly, especially at feeding time! In fact, once they learn to recognise you, you won't want to leave them. Rearing and caring for Koi is often such a rewarding and enjoyable pastime. Let's face it - anything that reduces stress, can only be a good thing!
Knowing where to begin - now that's a good question!
How many Koi Fish should I get?, How large does my Koi Pond need to be?, What kinds of Koi Fish are there and what should I get?, What do I feed my Koi Fish?, What do I do if my Koi Fish becomes sick?, How do I construct a Koi Fish pond?, Is it hard to breed Koi?, What Koi Fish Equipment do I need to buy? - and the questions keep going!
The best place to begin is regularly at the Start - sounds corny, I know, but it's so true. Many people just do not know where to begin and therefore jump in at the middle or the end, instead of at the beginning. Before they realize it, they've used up a load of time and money, everything goes wrong, and they end up wishing they had never begun at all! This is absolutely NOT how you want your story to go. So, follow some straightforward rules and you can't go wrong!
The 4 R's
Research! Review! Revise! Relax!
Research - there's no point in starting anything, least of all a Koi Pond, without doing your homework to start with. That's just stupid - kind of like hopping in the vehicle and trying to drive to Someplace Special without a Map and ending up in Nowhere Inparticular. Make yourself a list of questions and then carry out some research until you find the answers. Also make yourself a list of what you will have to Spend on your Koi Fishpond and what you will need to Do in order to Build your Koi Pond. Once you have these 3 tasks completed, you can begin to chart out your journey to Koi Pond Paradise.
Review - every step of the way, review your plan and be certain that everything is on the right track, both timewise and moneywise!
Revise - now and again, even the best-laid plans can hit a bump-in-the-road, so remember to be Flexible. If you hit a snag, then Revise your plan and find a solution to get you back on course as quickly as possible.
Relax - once your Koi Garden Pond is completed, you can rest and begin your life-long enjoyment of being a truly devoted Koi Fish enthusiast!

Items for Cats

Have you passed by a pet accessories store and find that cat bed really cute? You simply find it adorable and comfortable for these pet's favourite hobby, which is sleeping. But then again you don't have a pet. Well, you can still buy pets' accessories even if you don't own a pet, some of your friends might be or maybe a family member. Buying stuff like this can be fun so here are some examples of pets' accessories that you can give to your friends or family members who own a pet.
1. Cat Cave Bed with Heart Design - pets love to sleep and his sleep would be more comfortable with this Cat Cave Bed with Heart Design not to mention this pet bed is truly fashionable. It has foldable top so it can be changed to sofa or bed and the pets will surely love it. It comes in color beige with cute hearts design. So now pet can be fashionable too even while sleeping. This is really a nice gift and for sure not only the pet will love but also the pet owner too.
2. Avila Kitten Cat Play Centre Scratcher Tree - this item is perfect for kittens that are just starting to develop their claws. Cats have the habit of scratching their claw and owners can't afford it if the pets will scratch just anywhere in the house so a cat scratch post is very appropriate to give as a present. This will help satisfy the pet's need to scratch their claws and at the same time will keep the furniture and carpet in the house safe. Avila Kitten Cat Play Centre Scratcher Tree has 1 foldable plate, 1 post and 2 scratching boards so it's perfect for friends who have two or more kittens in the house.
3. Catwalk Cat Bed Cairo Plush Mini Brown/Beige - with this cat bed, the cat will surely look like a king or queen. Catwalk Cat bed Cairo Plush has a very elegant structure perfect for any types of pet. This is actually large enough to accommodate more than 1 pet. It comes in color brown beige and has a soft plush cover making it ultra comfortable for pets.
4. Catwalk Scratcher Venice Cat Scratcher Post - this is an easy to assemble cat scratch post and features robust thread to let your pets do their thing. It is definitely better to have them scratch their claws in a pet scratch post like this rather than in your carpet or any furniture at home. This also features unique design that owners and pets will undoubtedly love. This is really perfect to give your best buds who love pets.
Choosing cats' accessories can be relaxing and fun. It's like choosing things for babies. So if you have friends who own pet do not hesitate to give something for their beloved pets. Or since you love these things so much maybe you want to take care of cats too? Well this could be a beginning of something that you will enjoy the most.