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Slide 1: ==== ==== Visit this site to learn more on how to set up and maintain your freshwater aquarium: http://www.freshwateraquariumcareguide.com/ ==== ==== Keeping fish is a common hobby today as many people have aquariums or are planning to get one. It seems like and is a fulfilling experience but just like any other pet, it is essential that you take care of the fish with devotion. The freshwater aquarium is their home and one has to maintain it. Freshwater aquarium maintenance is an easy task if you know the essentials. Appearance of Your Freshwater Aquarium The first step in freshwater aquarium maintenance is to judge what the condition of the water is. Just as your fish can easily convey the state of their health to you, the general appearance of your freshwater aquarium is a good measure. The water should be clean and fresh at all times and if there is any sign of algae or the water or glass has a greenish tinge to it, you should immediately clean the tank. Changing the water may not be always necessary but if you see food, feces or algae accumulating then changing the water is important. Remember that the health and wellbeing of the fish has everything to do with the cleanliness of the water and tank. The Filtration System The filtration system is almost an automatic maintenance tool but you need to keep an eye on it. You may think that the filter is perfectly fine while in reality, the pipes may be clogged and no actual filtration is taking place. You should change your filter about once a week or every 10 days. The change is a simple process, as you only have to replace the filter bag. However, you should keep a constant check after changing it to see that it is not clogged quickly. If that happens, then you will either have to cut down the amount of food that you are giving or there are too many fish in your tank as their waste will be clogging the filter. Water Change Changing the water, seems like a simple enough task but is really the one that requires the most caution. The important thing to remember is that you are refreshing the water and not changing it. The best way to go about his is to take out a quarter of the water in your tank and putting in the same amount of de-chlorinated water. The water must be chlorine free as chlorine can have devastating effects on the fish. Always check the pH and nitrate levels of the water and remember to make sure that the temperature of the water is the same as the tank water. To take out the water, you will need a water siphon, which you can get at the supermarket or pet shop. This serves the dual purpose of siphoning out the water and waste at the same time, saving you a lot of time. While there are many chemicals and other products promising to make tank maintenance a piece
Slide 2: of cake, you should always take the utmost care when using these, as there can be side effects. You should always do what you think would be best for your fish. Don Hill is a Fresh Water Aquarium Expert. For more on information on setting up and maintaining yours visit http://freshwater-aquariumsanswers.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donald_P_Hill ==== ==== Visit this site to learn more on how to set up and maintain your freshwater aquarium: http://www.freshwateraquariumcareguide.com/ ==== ====