Many pet owners will say that their fish is the best part of their day. Keeping fish is a fun hobby, but taking care of them can be a bit time-consuming especially if you live by yourself.
Regardless, these types of animals need a special kind of care one doesn't find in your average store. If you've been contemplating whether or not you should keep a fish tank you'll be glad to know there are some other good reasons to get started as well!
Set Up Their Tank Correctly
To take care of your fish when you are busy, it is important to set up the tank correctly. Follow these tips:
Choose the right tank size. A small tank can house one or two fish while a large tank can hold several dozen. The size of the tank is not as important as the type of water that it has.
Buy quality equipment. A good UV light is a key piece of equipment for keeping a fish tank healthy.
Give your fish plenty of hiding places. Your fish will feel safer if they have places to hide from predators and other animals that may be in the wild aquarium setting. Rounded rocks, artificial plants, and foam blocks are all good hiding places for your fish.
Choose the right kind of fish for your tank environment. For example, catfish prefer slow-moving water while cichlids thrive in motile waters with lots of prey.
Decorate The Tank
Another way to make sure your pet fish feels cared for while you're at work is to add some decorations to the tank. You can buy live plants and ornaments, or even create your own by putting small rocks and driftwood in the tank. While you are decorating, make sure the water is clean and clear so the fish can see everything they need.
Other ways to decorate are clinging plants such as moss, banana palms, and ferns. There is nothing more rewarding than spotting your hard work come to fruition when you get home from work, only to walk into the room to see the tank decorated with sweet flowers or a fascinatingly colorful sea mount!
Choose A Great Filter
With the right filter, you can ensure that your fish stay happy and healthy.
To choose the right filter for your fish, consider its tank size, type, and intended use. For tanks, up to 30 gallons in size, a mechanical filter like a power filter or prefilter should be fine. For tanks over 30 gallons, consider purchasing an aquarium pump and using a biological filter like a carbon canister or sponge filter.
For species like bettas and mollies that prefer water movements, gravel filters work great. Just make sure the filter is large enough to fit all the rocks and gravel your fish likes to swim around in. For bottom-dwelling fish, like cichlids or gouramis, a sponge filter will likely do the trick.
In addition to choosing the right filter, be sure to keep a close eye on your water quality and change it as necessary. Changing the filter every two weeks is usually enough to keep conditions optimal for most tanks.
Buy An Automatic Feeder
If you're like most pet owners, you're busy when you have to take care of your fish. That's why it's important to buy an automatic feeder so you don't have to spend time holding food in front of your pet fish every few minutes.
Automatic feeders work by dropping a pellet or chunk of food into the water and leaving it there to feed your fish. There are many types of automatic fish feeders. Some feeders even include a timer that tells you when the food is done feeding so you can stop watching the clock and concentrate on taking care of other things.
Clean The Sides Of The Tank
If you have a fish tank, it's important to keep the sides clean. This helps the fish breathe and keeps the tank from becoming rusty. There are a few easy ways to do this.
One way is to use clean water to rinse off the sides of the tank every day or so. Just fill a bucket with fresh water and pour it over the sides of the tank. The fish will likely follow the water around as you do this, so you can easily rinse off any debris. If your tank has a filter, be sure to turn it on while you're cleaning to help remove debris and bacteria.
Another way to clean the sides of a fish tank is to use a small plastic net or measuring cup. Put the net over the top of the tank, close the lid, and pour some hot water over the top. The hot water will loosen up any debris on the sides of the tank and you can easily scoop it out with your hands or use a spoon to transfer it to a waste can.
Keep in mind that if your fish tank has layers of gravel, it's important to remove these before cleaning in order to avoid scratching your fish's skin.
When you are busy working, it can be tempting to leave your fish unattended. But making sure they are taken care of is important, both for their safety and your own. With these tips, you'll have safe and healthy pet fish!
COMMENTS