Yet More Winter Projects – A Family Aquarium for Fin Fans of All Ages

I’ve been a fin fan all my life. I like fish, fishing, a fish entree, fish photography, and I’ve never lost my fascination with aquariums. I have an aquarium project planned for this winter, in fact.

An aquarium is a great way for us to learn about nature’s wonders. The whole family can share the experience of learning from an underwater laboratory. Some basics, though, are needed to start and maintain a trouble-free aquarium. First, make sure the aquarium is clean inside. If soaps or other cleaning products may have been used to clean it, make sure all traces of these chemicals are rinsed out! A cubic foot of water weighs 62.5 lbs, so we must ensure that our aquarium base is firm and solid, realizing that trying to move a full aquarium is likely to end in disaster. A 30-gallon aquarium holds about 4 cubic ft. of water, weighing at least 300 lbs if we including tank and accessories.

Water is the most important component of any aquarium, so before any fish are added, our water must be properly conditioned. We should set up the aquarium, adding filter, gravel, rocks, plants, and finally water. Turn on the filter and wait a couple of days for the water to clear and stabilize at room temperature. Any chlorine from chlorinated water will evaporate during this period. A combination light/canopy is a great way to cover the tank, minimizing evaporation, heat loss, and fish suicides while allowing access for feeding and cleaning.

The fish species we plan to keep should be compatible. Not only should they get along, not eating their neighbours, but also they should share similar water and space requirements, with temperature and PH being the main considerations. So, next we adjust the aquarium’s heater over a few days to gradually reach the ideal temperature for our fish. We also use our PH test kit to gradually arrive at the ideal PH – (the proper acidity or alkalinity) for our fish.  Once this has been achieved we leave things alone for a week or so to stabilize, then make any necessary adjustments. PH should be monitored and corrected every month, and so should ammonia, accumulated from fish droppings.

Speaking of fish, we should now be ready to add some. They should be purchased from a reputable pet shop, because a sick fish introduced to your aquarium usually means the disease spreads, you lose everything, have to disinfect the aquarium and start over. It is also very important to avoid temperature shock, which can kill or seriously weaken fish, making them susceptible to fungus and other parasitic organisms. Fish can handle a reasonable range of water temperatures, but a sudden change of a few degrees can spell big trouble. To avoid this, we should get the fish home ASAP and insulate them during transit. Then, place the bags or jars, still unopened, into the aquarium and leave them for a couple of hours so that the water in the containers gradually becomes the same temperature as the aquarium water. Then open the containers and allow our fish to swim out, healthy and shock free.

The most common mistake we make keeping fish is killing them with kindness. Overfeeding will do just that – they require food only once or twice a week, and only as much as they can eat in 5 minutes or so. Uneaten food will spoil, foul our tank, cloud the water, and smell so bad we’ll be sorry for taking up the hobby. Our fish will reward the kindness by turning belly up, upsetting the family and so on. Avoid overfeeding!

Cleaning the aquarium’s interior can also be overdone. Every month we should perform tank maintenance. We should siphon fish droppings off the gravel, replacing about 20% of the aquarium’s water with fresh water of the same temperature. If our tap water is chlorinated, we can draw it off in a container and let it sit overnight to allow the chlorine to evaporate. Aquarium water needs partial replacement regularly because evaporation leaves dissolved minerals behind, gradually becoming more concentrated. This is a great time to also check ammonia level and PH, adjusting gradually if necessary. Pet shops sell an abrasive pad that is great for keeping the inside front of the aquarium clear and reasonably free of algae. We just roll up our sleeves and do it, no need to empty the tank or remove the fish. I leave algae growth on the sides and back because it makes a natural looking underwater environment. Remember, we use no soaps or household cleansers whatsoever, except on the outside of the glass (if we must)! A simple monthly maintenance schedule like this requires no messy “annual housecleaning” or anything more.

Now that we know the basics, we’re ready to start an aquarium. Remember – Don’t be in a rush, don’t overfeed or over-clean. The hobby can really be that easy, trouble-free and almost effortless, while providing many hours of pleasure and learning! We’ll follow up with some other aquarium ideas later.

Please stay on the line …