A tropical fish tank can be an eye-catching addition to your home which can be both good-looking and therapeutic. It will be enjoyable for guests and householders and both children and adults will be fascinated and entertained. For a novice setting up a tropical fish tank for the very first here are some tips to assist you to make the most of your new fish tank and to keep it healthy and looking attractive.
Research the different types of fish you will be putting into your fish tank before you go to buy your fish. Make sure you appreciate how large the fish are going to grow and how many can be comfortably accommodated in your tank once they are fully grown. A too crowded tank will not be a healthy tank! Then look into the species of fish that can be kept together. A tank that contains different fish species that can live peacefully together is called a community tank. A number of fish, for example rosy barbs and tiger barbs, can be fine when they are small but grow up into belligerent bullies. There are numerous fish that can be put into a community tank including Guppy, Harlequin Rasbora, Hatchetfish, Head Tail Light Tetra, Horseface Loach, Leopard Catfish, Lyretail, Molly, Neon Tetra. Opaline Gourami, Pearl Gourami, Penguin Fish, Platy, Rainbowfish and loads more.
Now that your fish tank is stocked here are some tips to help to keep it healthy:
* Do not overfeed – Rotting food left in the tank will emit noxious chemicals and hurt your fish. Only add as much food as your fish can eat completely in approximately three minutes, two times a day. Fish are meant to be hungry nearly all of the time and if they don’t come up to to the top of the tank as you start to add the food you are feeding them too much!
* Every two weeks partially change the water. Wipe the glass often with an algae scraper and every month or so take out synthetic plants, rocks and decorations to clean off any algae. Don’t remove all the water or wash out the filter, rocks, decorations etc all at the same time. This will eradicate all the beneficial bacteria that you tried so hard to establish when you set up the aquarium and cause stress to the fish as the ammonia levels escalate.
* When the water gets low, top up with water that is chlorine free. If you do not want to use chemicals to de chlorinate the water, set aside a covered container of tap water for two days to let the chlorine to evaporate
* For new fish or fish with signs of illness you will need a small quarantine aquarium. Put any newly bought fish into the quarantine tank for about seven days to prevent the introduction of any diseases into your main aquarium.
* Carry on testing the water for ammonia, nitrite and pH levels once or twice a week to discover any problems before suffering is caused to your fish. If the levels of ammonia or nitrites start to rise a partial water change can often help without resorting to any chemicals.
Last but not least enjoy your new pets and consider going to a local club. Chatting with other fish keeping enthusiasts is a good way to find out more about your hobby.

