Frequently Asked Questions
Compatibility & Stocking
1) How many fish can I keep in my tank ?
Short answer: A general guide is 2cm of fish for every litre of water in the tank. That is assuming that volume of water is being filtered 4 times per hour, and 25-30% of the water is being changed fortnightly.
Long answer: Please read the FAQ on filtration and water changes.
Remember to base all measurements on the mature / adult size of the fish. Most fish are sold as juveniles and will continue to grow, thus producing more waste as they increase in size.
Some fish will produce more waste than other fish or similar size, and this needs to be considered when stocking a tank. Goldfish, Axolotls, Turtles and Loricariid catfish (plecos and their relatives) are of the highest waste producing aquatic animals. To factor this in your calculation add a few extra centimetres to your estimated size of these fish.
Size and waste production are not the only factors that are necessary to consider when stocking a tank. Compatibility of species is of the utmost importance. Please read the FAQ on compatibility for more information. We are always happy to discuss fish options and stocking recommendations at Aquarama.
2) Which fish can I keep together?
Filtration & Maintenance
1) What is the nitrogen cycle?
Short answer: A process in which the bacteria convert ammonia. Ammonia comes from fish waste which is poo and wee and uneaten fish food. Ammonia is converted into nitrite, and then into nitrate.
Long answer: Like all animals, fish excrete nitrogenous waste. Unlike terrestrial animals that excrete urea, fish excrete nitrogen as ammonia, which is highly toxic. In the wild, fish live in large bodies of water, thus the concentration of this waste is insignificantly small. In the home aquarium however, this waste builds up quickly.
Fortunately, there is a bacteria that feeds on ammonia. However, this bacteria releases nitrite as a by-product, which is also toxic to fish. Again, bacteria comes to the rescue, as there is another bacteria that feeds on nitrite.
This bacteria releases nitrate as a by-product. Nitrates are not toxic to the fish until they and in excess of 40ppm. Nitrates are one of the main reasons why fortnightly water changes are required, as there are no bacteria that will absorb them.
These bacteria enter the aquarium from the air or can be added with products such as Seachem Stability or you can introduce water or use filter media from an established aquarium. If starting an aquarium for the first time we recommend letting the system run for at least 2 weeks before adding a small number of fish. This gives the bacteria a chance to colonise your filter media. Filter media is a porous to allow maximum space for bacteria to develop.
Adding small amounts of fish at a time ensures that there is not more ammonia than the bacteria can process.
Actively growing plants will absorb ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, so these are a recommended addition to a system if you accommodate them.
2) How often should I change water? And how much?
Short answer: 25-30% every fortnight. This assumes a maximum stocking density of 1cm of fish per litre of water and a filtration rate of 4x the volume of the tank per hour, though quality filter media.
There are a few more points to consider with water changing:
*Never clean the filter media in untreated tap water, as this will destroy the beneficial bacteria responsible for keeping your water clean. Syphon some water from your tank, and use this to clean the filter and media, then discard.
*With exception of Siamese Fighting Fish bowls that lack a filter, never change 100% of the water in the system. This can shock your filter bacteria and fish.
*Discus require larger more frequent water changes to thrive.
*Large regular water changes may be necessary to control the spread of algae, as water changes remove nutrients from the water. Up to 50% weekly water changes may be needed to get on top of problem algae.
We are happy to help you with your maintenance routine at Aquarama.
3) How much and what type of filtration do I need?
Short answer: At a stocking density of 1cm of fish per litre of water, you need enough filtration to change the volume of water in your tank 3-4 times per hour, through quality filter media. This assumes you change 25% of the water every fortnight.
Long Answer: The quantity of filtration, stocking density and water changes are very closely related. What you are trying to achieve is clean water, and each of these 3 factors affects the cleanliness of your water positively or negatively. If you increase the number of fish you have in the tank, the water becomes dirtier. Therefore, you will need more filtration, and/or more water changes to restore cleanliness. Large tanks with few fish will require less filtration. If you happen to have plenty of filtration in a large tank with few fish, you can perform water changes less frequently. Plants take up some fish waste, so a system with actively growing plants require less filtration than one without.
For smaller tanks (2ft or less) an internal or hang-on filter will do the job nicely. For tanks 3ft or larger, we recommend a cannister filter. These filters are external to the tank, are almost silent, require less frequent cleaning and allow a wider range of media options when compared to internal and hang-on filters. The only way you can be sure about how well your filtration and water change schedule is working, is to test your water. Either bring a sample in store for us to check or invest in a test kit that tests for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. We at Aquarama are always happy to help you understand your water chemistry.
4) What temperature is ideal for tropical fish?
Short answer: 26°C
Long Answer: A range between 24°C and 28°C is tolerated by most species without complications. Discus fish will require a slightly higher temperature. If the temperature of the tank drops below 22°C tropical fish can experience immunosuppression, making them significantly more susceptible to disease. A submersible aquarium heater is the easiest method by which to warm a tank. Simply set the desired temperature and attach to the wall of the aquarium, ensuring it is completely below the water line. These heaters can be left in year-round, as they turn off when the desired temperature is reached.
Too Cold? Fish being in too cold water is a common factor involved in white spot outbreaks – should you notice white spot in your system, be sure to check the temperature of your tank. Fish can also be inactive, and their metabolism slows down in a tank that is not heated to the correct temperature.
Too Hot? Temperatures in excess of 32°C can be harmful to fish. The most effective way to chill your tank is to buy a chiller. If this is not in your budget, do not use your lighting in the hottest part of the day and leave your lids of if possible. purchase an Aquarium fan that blows air across the surface of the tank or arrange a pedestal fan to do this. Increase aeration to provide more oxygen in the water. Containers of ice can be floated in the tank to help reduce the temperature if required. Do not add ice directly to the tank unless it has been appropriately treated with a dechlorinater. A constant temperature is paramount. Do not let the temperature of the tank change by more than a few degrees per day.
Any questions on temperatures we are glad to help at Aquarama.
5) Do I need a heater? What heater wattage will be needed to heat my tank?
Short Answer: All fish will benefit from the even temperature a heater will provide. When buying a heater, one watt for every litre of water is a general guide. E.g. A 50-litre tank requires a minimum heater size of 50watt.
Long Answer: The wattage of the heater required depends largely on how far above room temperature the tank water needs to be. In most cases, one watt per litre is a slight overestimation of what is actually required. However, an overestimation is not necessarily a bad thing, as there is nothing wrong with having a higher wattage heater than what is needed. This just means that the heater will be on for shorter periods of time.Having the correct wattage is not the only important factor when it comes to heating a tank. The placement of the heater in the tank must be such that the heat is distributed more or less evenly around the tank. Positioning near filter outlets, powerheads or in sumps will ensure that your tank is heated evenly.If you have fish that are particularly sensitive to temperature changes or are of significant value to you, you may want to consider using two heaters simultaneously. While the heaters we stock at Aquarama are of high quality, there is always a chance, however slight, that a heater can fail and either hear the water too much, or not heat it at all. The risk of a heater failing increases with age and use. Using two heaters allows a fallback should one fail. If one heats too much, the other will turn off. If one does not heat, the other will take over, ensuring your fish do not suffer from temperature related problems.
Any questions about heating your aquarium please ask us.
Snails & Algae
1) How do I get rid of algae?
Short Answer: Reduce the amount of light and nutrients in the water.
Long Answer: Algae comes in a few varieties. Common in the new tanks is brown diatom algae. This can be scrubbed off the walls, but for best results introduce a loricariid catfish such as a bristlenose or pleco that will eat it. Green spot algae grows on the glass, ornaments and slow growing plants. It is usually a result of too much light hitting that area. Reduce lighting to combat this algae. Black beard algae will be eaten by young Siamese Flying Fox. All algae growth is a result of a nutrient imbalance. Water changes and live plants can help to restore this balance. If you are dosing plant fertilizers, you may need to revise your fertilization schedule. We at Aquarama suggest you put your lights on a timer. maybe an hour or so before you leave the house and back on in the evening for a few hours. Total light time should not exceed 6 to 8 hours.
2) How do I get rid of snails?
Short Answer: Avoid over feeding, use a snail trap, introduce a predator to eat them or use a fish safe pesticide.
Long Answer: Snails are often introduced into the aquarium accidentally, by hitch-hiking on plants, ornaments and driftwood. They then tend to reproduce in large numbers and quickly become an eyesore. Snails require a food source, so reducing the amount of food you feed your fish will help to slow the reproduction rate of the snails but will not eliminate them entirely. The quickest, most effective and straightforward solution to control snails is to introduce a predator to eat the snails. The clown loach is ever popular due to its otherwise peaceful nature and striking colours. Other members of the loach family are also useful such as the Pakistani or Yoyo loach, and the dwarf chain loach. Kuhli loaches may eat a very small number of snails of smaller snails and are not as effective as the other species. Make sure these species are compatible with your existing fish. Ask us for recommendations. There are snail eliminating products you can add to the water. However, this will also kill other invertebrates that you may want to keep, such as apple snails or shrimp. A more innocuous method is to use a snail trap. These traps, when baited with food, will attract large amounts of snails. The unit can then be removed and cleaned to be rebaited for later use. To avoid getting snails in your tank, it is recommended to quarantine your new plants and driftwood if wet.
We are happy to help you at Aquarama if by chance you end up with a snails.
3) The water in my tank has gone cloudy/green...
Short Answer: Turn off the light. Drastically reduce feeding. Increase the frequency of water changes. Check the filter.
Long Answer: This cloudy green water is aptly referred to as “green water” and is a result of a drastic increase in the number of algal cells living in the water column. This is a free-floating type of algae, different to the attached types, but the same control strategies apply.
Reduce the amount of nutrients in the water by drastically reducing feeding. Stopping lighting for a few days will also help. Change 25-50% of the water every 3-7 days to reduce nutrients in the water column.
Adding activated carbon or Seachem Purigen to the filtration system will also help to reduce the cloudiness of the water.
Do not be concerned about the health of the fish unless they are showing signs of distress, indicating a problem beyond the green water. Green water is largely an aesthetic issue. The most important thing to remember is that these things take time to fix, so be sure you do not ruin your system by being too hasty.
Happy to discuss your green water issues at Aquarama.
Fish Care
1) What should I feed my fish?
Short Answer: Feed a high-quality granulated food as the staple diet, with bi- weekly feedings or frozen and/or live food. Flakes are also an option. We at Aquarama stock the complete range of Hikari, Sera, Tropical and Dymax Foods.
Long Answer: As with most animals, a varied nutritious diet is the key to longevity. While most fish can live for many years on simple dry flake food, you can enhance the life span, colour and general appearance of your fish by simply feeding them a range of foods. For the vast majority of fish, a range of live food with the addition of a quality dry food supplement is the best possible diet. After all, we ourselves don’t eat the same thing every day. Finding a range of live food isn’t always practical, so below are a few suggested feeding regimes. Alternate between dry and frozen food daily, and feed live food once or twice a month. Or feed dry food through the week and frozen or live food on the weekend. Feed flake food with the occasional live feed. In most cases fish need to be fed a plentiful diet in order to breed.
We are happy to help you at Aquarama to devise the best eating plan for your fish.
2) How often/much should I feed my fish ?
Short Answer: Once or twice a day. If feeding twice, feed half as much as at each feed. Feed as much as they will eat in 30 seconds.
Long Answer: Determining how often to feed your fish can be a bit of a balancing act. It’s important to consider the type of fish you have and their natural eating habits. Most fish do well with one to two small feedings a day, but the specific needs can vary based on factors like species, size, and age.
Feeding schedules can also be influenced by whether your fish are nocturnal or diurnal. For instance, you’ll want to feed daytime fish in the morning or afternoon, while those that are active at night should be fed after the lights go out. By understanding these basic feeding principles, you can help ensure your fish remain healthy and active.
What Factors Influence Feeding Frequency?
- Species: Different species have varying dietary needs and feeding frequencies.
- Age: Juvenile fish may require more frequent feedings than adult fish.
- Size: Larger fish may need more food, but less frequently.
- Activity Level: Active fish may require more frequent feedings.
- Tank Environment: Planted tanks or tanks with live prey may influence feeding schedules.
Feeding frequency for your fish depends on several factors. Species is a major consideration, as different types of fish have varied dietary needs. Goldfish, for instance, often do well with once or twice daily feedings, while younger fish and fry may need to be fed more frequently.
The age and size of your fish also matter. Younger fish generally require more frequent meals to support their growth. Larger adult fish usually need less frequent feeding, typically once or twice a day, depending on their species.
Activity level is another important factor. Active fish may need more frequent feedings to match their energy expenditure. Be sure to tailor your feeding schedule based on these individual factors to maintain your fish’s health and well-being.
Why Is Proper Feeding Important?
- Health: Adequate nutrition supports growth, immune function, and overall health.
- Water Quality: Overfeeding can lead to poor water quality and algae growth.
- Behavior: Proper feeding can reduce aggression and promote natural behaviors.
Proper feeding is crucial for maintaining your fish’s health and well-being. Overfeeding can lead to obesity and pollution in the tank, while underfeeding can cause malnutrition. Providing the right amount of food helps your fish grow properly and stay active.
Feeding your fish the right way ensures that they get the necessary nutrients. Different species have specific dietary needs, and giving them suitable food keeps their immune systems strong. This reduces the chances of diseases and infections.
Testing and adjusting the feeding schedule based on your fish’s behavior and activity level ensures optimal care. By observing how much they consume, you can better understand their needs and help maintain a clean and balanced environment.
Plants
1) What fish will destroy my plants?
Short Answer: Most African cichlids, Goldfish, Silver Dollar species and some tetras.
Long Answer: Fish with herbivorous habits are more likely to make a snack of your plants than those what prefer meatier foods. However, many fish will graze on plants a little without doing enough damage to destroy the plant. Livebearers, barbs and some tetras will nibble on aquatic plants, but this usually is not an issue.
Plants struggle a lot more in the presence of fish such as Goldfish, Silver Dollar species and some tetras. Sometimes these fish will avoid tougher plants such as Anubis and java fern, but there are no guarantees.
Plants rarely fare will in African cichlid tanks for two reasons. The water conditions are not suitable for most plants, and African cichlids like to rearrange the tank, digging up the developing root systems of the plants. Some have success keeping established Anubis and cryptocoryne species in African cichlid tanks, as these are tougher plants that can tolerate a range of conditions.
2) What are the benefits of live plants?
Short Answer: They will absorb fish waste, oxygenate the water and give a natural feel to the tank.
Long Answer: Live plants perform a variety of functions in the aquarium, not least of which is their decorative role. They provide a source of nourishment for fish, as well as providing a hiding place to make fish feel secure, thus reducing stress. Their surfaces provide an anchoring point for beneficial bacteria, which will help filter the water. The plants themselves will also absorb ammonia, nitrite and nitrate created by fish waste, which means a much healthier environment for your fish.
While plants will drop dead leaves from time to time, these small fragments of organic matter disintegrate into “detritus” which is an important food source for microorganisms that can be fed on by baby fish, shrimp and other small aquatic life.
Nothing beats live plants in creating a natural riverine feel to an aquarium, and this is usually the reason plants are selected. They also present some interesting challenges, as some plants are tricky to grow, and most are hard to grow well.
We have an awesome range of plants, fertilizers and equipment to make the best aquatic garden. Come in and check them out.
3) What do I need to keep a lush planted tank?
Short Answer: Nutrient rich substrate, quality lighting, a fertilization schedule, water changes and preferably carbon dioxide injection.
Long Answer: Keeping a densely planted aquarium growing well is a challenge, but one that is more easily met with the right investment of time and equipment. To grow well, plants need a few things:
*Light (intensity and duration is dependent upon plant species, LED s or T5 lights are preferred)
*Nutrients (mainly Nitrogen, Potassium & Phosphorus, with Iron also being important in some species)
*A specific plant substrate which is nutrient rich is the best option. or a 1-3mm gravel which is non compactible can be used with selected fertilizers.
*Carbon Dioxide (DIY kits available, or CO2 cylinders can be used)
The interactions between all these factors are complex and vary wildly depending on the species and type of aquarium kept. Do not hesitate to ask us here at Aquarama about how you can turn your aquarium into an underwater garden.
4) Is it okay to prune aquatic plants?
Short Answer: Yes
Long Answer: While it is mostly okay to prune aquatic plants, some plants will tolerate this better than others. The removal of dead leaves is always a good idea, as it stops the addition of organic waste to the water column, however, when we consider pruning, we are concerned with cutting the live parts of the plant.
Stem plants, such as Wisteria ,Cabomba, Elodea and Milfoil, can regrow roots from the cutting if you choose to plant them again. Alternatively, they can be discarded and the plant will grow from the top of the recent cut.
Rhizomatous plants such as anubias and java fern, can be cut along the rhizome to seperate them into two individual plants. However one must take care to ensure that the plant has reached a significant size before seperating it into two, as seperation of a small plant can stunt its growth.
Deep rooting species such as amazon swords and crypts can be pruned back, but in most cases the stem which was cut will die back, and a entire new stem and leaf will form. Plants such as val can be trimmed back with ease. No new plants will grow from the cutting, but the original plant will grow back what you have removed.
Plants that grow from runners such as val and amazon swords, can be detached from these runners if necessary. However, we recomend waiting as long as possible to do this, as those runners are providing nutrition from the already established plant.
5) How long should my lights be on for?
Short Answer: Photoperiod should be around 12-14 hours.
Long Answer: While 12-14 hours is the reccomended average,this should be adjusted in response to algae growth. If you are noticing a significant amount of algae growth,reduce the lighting period by a few hours.
Algae growth is also a symptom of out of date bulbs. Fluorescent tubes need to be replaced every 6-12 months as the amount of usable plant light they emit degrades quickly over this time. If you are using and old tube on your plants, they may be experiencing functional darkness. That is, although they are under a light, the light is not of the right nature for photosynthesis.
Disease
1) My Siamese fighting fish is not eating what should i do?
Short Answer: Provide your fighting fish with a heater. Tempt him with some live food. Check for diseases and treat as needed.
Long Answer: This problem is regularly encountered in winter, when the fighting fish is cooler than normal. Fish are ectothermic/poikilothermic or simply cold-blooded, meaning that they lack the ability to regulate their body temperature and will be forced to match the temperature of their environment.
Metabolic processes slow down as the temperature becomes cooler. This means your fighting fish has less capacity for movement and is consuming less energy. Because of this, it is unlikely to want to eat, as it does not need more energy.
Being this cold is not entirely healthy for a fighting fish. They are a tropical fish and do benefit from heating during winter. Heating your fighting fish will make him less prone to disease and increase his lifespan.
If the temperature is not the issue, he could be diseased. Check for abnormal signs, such as lost scales, fin damage or strange growths.
2) My fish are covered in white dots, what should I do?
Short Answer: If it looks like salt has been sprinkled on the fish’s body you have white spot disease. Go out and grab some white spot medication ASAP.
Long Answer: Do not waste too much time reading the long answer now, the quicker you get onto this problem the better chance your fish have for survival. In the short term your fish will need to be treated for this protozoan disease. Raising the temperature of the tank by a few degrees will decrease the lifecycle of the parasite (causing them to drop off the fish), but if there is no treatment in your water, your fish will become reinfected.
Once you have the medication, use it as directed. You will need to increase the frequency of your water changes (before or after treatment) and gravel vacuuming is a must. Cleaning the gravel will remove the cysts of the white spot parasite, reducing the numbers of the parasite in the aquarium.
White spot disease is usually present in most aquaria, but will not easily infect healthy fish. If large numbers of your fish suddenly become infected with the disease, something may have gone wrong in your system. Check filters and heaters and get your water tested.
The use of a quarantine tank can help prevent introducing this disease into your aquarium.
Please visit Aquarama with photos of the effected fish and a water sample from your tank. We will try our best to offer the best solution to this problem.
3) My fish has a fuzzy looking growth on it, what should I do?
Short Answer: Your fish has a fungal or bacterial infection. You need to medicate it.
Long Answer: As with most diseases the sooner treatment commences, the better chance the fish will live. Methylene blue is a good starter antifungal treatment, and this should be your first point of call.
If this fails to have an effect, the problem may be bacterial, thus antibiotics are a better solution. m.
Best option is to visit the store with photos of the effected fish and a water sample. We may be able to help diagnose the problem and offer a solution.