An aquarium is one of the most common ways of adding a touch of elegance and luxury to a home. In fact, it’s a decorative installation that blends easily into any style of interior. While marine aquariums are somewhat more beautiful and pleasing to the eye, freshwater models are much more common in homes. However, like any piece of equipment, an aquarium requires a certain amount of maintenance. This not only ensures the survival of the fish, but also protects the artificial ecosystem created in the tank. If you have a freshwater aquarium at home, here are a few tips on how best to look after it.
Regularly check aquarium water quality
Water is the first thing to consider when looking after an aquarium. It would be a shame for the magnificent spectacle of swimming fish to be spoiled by dirty, cloudy water. In this case, it’s important to ensure the quality of the water in the tank. It’s also important for the survival of the fish and the aquarium’s ecosystem. If you’ve justinstalled a freshwater aquarium in your home, you’ll need to ensure that the pH of the water is maintained to match the needs of the fish.
Maintenance also involves changing the water. Indeed, to maintain a proper biochemical balance for fish and plants, it’s essential to change the aquarium water every week. This doesn’t mean emptying the entire tank, but rather changing between 15% and 25% of the water. However, you must ensure that the replacement water is at the same temperature as the water being replaced. If you wish to use tap water, we advise you to use a water conditioner to remove the chlorine it contains.
A man who has justbought an aquarium in Switzerland in which he has installed a number of freshwater fish species.
Your filtration system must be optimal
The filtration system is essential to the smooth running of an aquarium. The quality of the water and the balance of the system depend on it. It is also the element that ensures crystal-clear, deposit-free aquarium water. It also promotes gas exchange in the aquatic environment, if the gas discharge is correctly directed towards the water surface. With all these features, it’s important that the filtration system you choose for your aquarium is optimal. With this in mind, you can combine several types of filtration to offer maximum protection toyour freshwater aquarium’s ecosystem. Generally speaking, you can choose between :
- biological filtration using bacteria,
- chemical filtration using activated carbon as the main element,
- mechanical filtration using synthetic foams.
To set up the filtration system, you’ll need filters. There are different types on the market, depending on the type of tank and the type of fish in the freshwater aquarium.
Indoor filters
This filter is recommended for tanks with a capacity of less than 150 liters. It consists of a cylindrical device attached by suction cups to the inside corner of the tank. It is then connected to an electrical outlet.
Outdoor filter
This filter requires a second tank to be placed underneath the aquarium. Water from the first tank passes through a hose into the filter, and is then filtered and returned to the aquarium. Although this system is rather difficult to install, it’s nonetheless practical and very quiet.
The foam filter
The foam filter is suitable for aquariums with a capacity of less than 40 liters. It’s actually a simplified version of the indoor filter, with the difference that it’s not connected to an electrical outlet, but rather to an air pump.
Careful maintenance of your freshwater aquarium
Your freshwater aquarium should bemaintained daily, weekly and monthly.
Daily maintenance
Every day, you should take a close look at your fish and, above all, their behaviour. Detect the slightest unusual behavior and you’ll know very quickly when there’s a problem. You should also check that the water in the tank is at the right temperature and that the filters and other accessories are working properly.
Weekly maintenance
We recommend cleaning your freshwater aquarium once a week. This involves changing the water using the siphoning technique, vacuuming the bottom of the aquarium to remove waste and cleaning the inner walls of the tank. You should also test the water in the tank to ensure that it contains no nitrites or other pollutants that are harmful to fish health.
Monthly maintenance
Once a month, the aquarium should be thoroughly cleaned. However, avoid using chemicals, detergents, sponges or cloths used for household utensils. Instead, we recommend the purchase of specific cleaning utensils and products. The fish must be secured before cleaning. During cleaning, you’ll need to check the plants, the quantity and quality of water in the tank, and clean any glass or neon lights. Finally, make sure the water pump is working properly.
Pay the utmost attention to your fish’s health
Although the chances of a freshwater aquarium fish falling ill are slim, the risks are not excluded. Fortunately, there are a few tricks you can use to quickly spot any abnormality in a fish. First and foremost, you need to learn to observe your fish meticulously for the slightest change. Signs that should alert you include
- a glassy eye
- torn or damaged body parts
- fins placed in the wrong axis,
- the presence of red spots on the scales,
- swimming more timidly and less briskly than usual.
Once you’ve recognized a sick fish, it’s urgent to treat it as soon as possible to avoid contaminating the entire aquarium fauna. To do this, you can buy liquid medicines to add directly to the aquarium water. These are generally antibacterial disinfectants that can neutralize a large number of pathogenic microorganisms. After this treatment, your fish should quickly regain its original shape and start swimming as before.
