Whether you’re the proud owner of an impressive fish tank or are looking for a pet fish store near me, this article is packed with an abundance of useful information about fish tanks. We answer any questions you might have pondered about buying a fish tank – such as how many fish it will hold, discuss how to clean a fish tank and even how to decorate a fish tank with household items. You’ve come to the right place for everything you need to know about fish tanks!
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What size fish tank should I buy?
When thinking about purchasing a fish tank the question in most people’s minds is – how many fish will fit in it? Here we will outline how many fish you can expect to fit in the following fish tanks:
How many fish in a 5 gallon tank?
A 5 gallon tank is pretty small, so make sure you don’t crowd too many fish in there as it will be an unpleasant experience for them and they may not survive. It would be better to go for fish that are on the smaller size for a 5 gallon tank, so think about purchasing betta fish or white cloud mountain minnows. Most experts suggest that for every inch of fish you have in the water you need a gallon of water. However, if you need to add a filter or ornaments this will mean you can fit less fish in the tank. Ensuring the fish have lots of room to swim and grow is essential so going for less fish is often the best (and humane) way forward.
How many fish in a 10 gallon tank?
If you’re thinking of purchasing a slightly larger tank then a 10 gallon tank is a good option. The same one inch of fish per gallon of water rule applies, with this number reducing if you want to decorate your fish tank with ornaments and plants. Make sure you think about how big the fish will grow if they are not yet at their full size when you buy them. A good choice of fish for a 10 gallon tank would be fancy guppy, neon tetra, cory catfish or a zebra danio (but make sure you only choose breeds that get along!).
How many fish in a 20 gallon tank?
For an impressive feature in your home a 20 gallon fish tank is bound to catch the eye of your guests. If the smaller tanks are restricting you in your choice of fish then think about opting for this larger variety of tank. As before, you can use the one inch of fish per gallon rule as a ballpark but make sure you reduce this if you have a filter and are adding plants and decorative items inside the tank. For a 20 gallon tank, you can broaden your choice of fish and can think about molly fish, swordtail and platyfish.
How many gallons is my fish tank?
If you are the owner of a fish tank already and this article has got you thinking ‘how many gallons is my fish tank?’ you can usually calculate this using an online aquarium calculator. You will need to measure the tank width, height and depth and the calculator will work out the number of gallons or liters the tank can hold.
How to decorate a fish tank with household items?
When you have purchased your fish tank and have it installed in your home you will no doubt wish to decorate it so that it looks beautiful, as well as being an interesting abode for your fish. Fortunately, there are plenty of household items that you can use to decorate your fish tank so you don’t need to spend lots of cash on buying specific ornaments.
There are some materials that you should definitely avoid putting in your fish tank such as wood, some rock types, and some types of plastic. Suitable materials are things like clay pots, ceramic mugs and non-sharp glass items such as marbles or rocks. If you want to have a go at making your own decorations for the fish tank there is non-toxic aquarium glue that you can use for your creations. Just make sure the materials you are using are not going to affect the water (and your fish) first!
How to move a fish tank?
Whether you are moving house or you are making some alterations to your home there may come a time when you need to move your fish tank. Moving a fish tank can be a tricky task and it is certainly not the case that you can just unplug, move and plug it in again. To ensure the health of your fish and to conduct the move safely, follow these steps:
#1. Get the equipment
For the move, you will need to gather up some essential equipment. The basics include a fishnet, siphon hose, some large buckets, bubble wrap, strong tape, moving box.
#2. Prepare your fish
Once you have all the equipment together you are ready to make the move. Make sure your buckets are clean, fill with water, and add your fish. Have a few buckets so that your fish are not overcrowded during the move.
#3. Pack up your tank
Now the fish are safely in their buckets it is time to get your fish tank packed up. This is a good opportunity to give everything a good clean so, once everything is unplugged, take out any ornaments and plants you have. Give them a clean and a good dry and pack them away in the bubble wrap. Then remove any of the other equipment in the fish tank and pack it safely away.
#4. Take out the water
It is not time to drain the water. If you have a large tank, this can be done with a siphon hose and save as much as you can ready to refill the tank (so you don’t waste too much water). Once the water is drained and the tank has been dried you can pack it away in the box ensuring it has adequate protection for the journey.
You are now ready to move your fish tank! When your fish tank arrives at its new destination make sure you set it up in the usual way, ensuring that the PH, chlorine, and ammonia levels are safe and that the tank is at the right temperature for the fish before you return them to the tank.
Why is my fish tank cloudy?
A common problem that fish tank owners come across is a cloudy fish tank. This usually happens to new fish tank owners when the aquarium is first set up. The reason for the cloudy tank is because the variety of microscopic organisms that you have put in this new environment are getting used to that space. The bacteria in the water that should nitrify the water is still getting going so while everything finds its balance the tank will look a little cloudy for a while.
It can be tempting to do something to get rid of the cloudy water, however, the best thing to do is let the tank adjust as it needs to and the water will soon look clearer. You could add some suitable live plants to the water as these will add good bacteria and help the biological balance in the fish tank. Not adding to many fish and not overfeeding your fish are also good ways of preventing a cloudy tank.
How to lower pH in a fish tank?
The pH level of the fish tank relates to the acidity level of the water, and the pH level needed in the tank will depend on the type of fish you have. If your pH level has got too high and you need to lower it this can be done by a variety of means. For a quick and easy solution, you can add an alkaline solution to the water which will bring the pH level of the water down pretty quickly. If you’re looking for a more natural method then adding a piece of driftwood, peat moss or almond leaves to the tank is a good natural way of lowering the pH level in your fish tank.
How to cycle a fish tank?
If you’re a new fish tank owner then you may not know that cycling your fish tank is a great way of ensuring healthy and happy fish from the off. Cycling is necessary in order to neutralize the ammonia that is released from fish excrement from the water as this is harmful to the fish. ‘Cycling’ refers to putting your fish tank through the nitrogen cycle and this is done by adding ammonia and nitrates to your fish tank (before you add your fish) and wait for it to release the necessary bacteria which will neutralize the fish waste. This process can take a while and the bacteria levels will need to be checked during this time using an aquarium test kit.
How to get rid of algae in a fish tank?
Another trial faced by fish tank owners is the build-up of algae. This is the green gunk that you may find on the interior walls of your tank and maybe even growing on your ornaments. The best way to deal with a break out of algae is with a natural solution, and often involves changing some of your fish tank habits.
Some of the things you can try are reducing the light inside the fish tank, reducing the amount of food you feed your fish, change the water in the tank regularly to keep it clean, increase the water flow and give all of the filters and gravel a good clean inside the tank. These practices should see the algae reducing in your tank in no time.
How to clean a betta fish tank?
Betta fish are a popular choice for fish owners thanks to their beauty and amazing colors. Keeping a betta fish tank clean is essential to ensure your fish stay healthy, and that the fish tank continues to look impressive. To clean a betta fish tank, follow these simple steps:
#1. Remove the fish
First, carefully take out your betta fish using a fish-net and add your fish to either a jug, bowl, jar or bucket of freshwater. As betta fish like to ‘jump’ make sure whatever you put your fish in is covered by a small piece of cardboard or lid.
#2. Clean the decorations
The next step is to remove and clean any ornaments that you have in your fish tank.
#3. Drain the fish tank
Now it is time to drain that dirty water. If you have betta fish it is likely that you have a small fish tank so you can simply pour this water down the sink. If you do this carefully you should be able to keep the gravel in the bottom of the tank.
#4. Rinse the gravel
Grab a sieve and give the gravel a few rinses through with freshwater so that it gets a thorough clean.
#5. Clean the tank
Using a brush, you can give the fish tank a good scrub using warm water removing any gunk and debris that may have formed. Make sure the tank is thoroughly rinsed if you use any detergent on it.
#6. Put it all back together
Now everything is sparkling clean you can put the fish tank back together, adding the ornaments and clean water and then putting your betta fish back in their freshly cleaned tank!
Conclusion
Any fish owner will tell you that owning a fish tank is a great thing, but it does come with a few maintenance tasks to keep your fish and tank healthy. If you’re thinking of becoming a fish tank owner then use our excellent search tool above to find a fish tank supplier near you. With our top tips, you’re sure to be able to keep a happy and healthy fish tank in your home.