Properly setting up and taking care of your freshwater fish tank increases its lifespan and lengthens the lives of your fish. It’s not difficult to take care of your freshwater tank, as long as you follow a few simple care basics. Here are a few more tips to keep in mind.
Avoid Overstocking Fish
Just like you wouldn’t purchase a one-bedroom apartment for a family of five, it’s important to make sure that you aren’t overcrowding your freshwater fish tank. The size of your tank determines the number of fish you should stock. For example, a typical 10-gallon aquarium can easily accommodate 6-8 small fish. A 20-gallon aquarium can house 12-16 fish, and so on. If you choose a mix of fish that like to swim high and some low, your aquarium will have space for everyone.
Avoid Overfeeding Fish
Overfeeding your fish can cloud the water in your aquarium and harm your fish. A good rule of thumb for feeding your freshwater fish is 2-3 times per day and a few flakes at a time. Your fish should eat all the food in two minutes tops. Many fish require 16 to 24 hours to fully digest their food. If you notice that the fish are eating all of their food in a minute or less, you can slowly add a little bit more at a time, being careful not to let food remain too long in the tank uneaten.
Maintain Water Quality
When it comes to caring for your freshwater fish tank, maintaining the water quality is one of the most important things you can do — especially for your fish. Be sure to stock up on aquarium water test strips so that you can test your water quality often. You want to look out for ammonia, pH, nitrite, and nitrate. Use purified water when filling your tank and if you notice that the quality of your water is decreasing, take the necessary steps to improve it right away — even if it means completely changing out the water in your tank.
Avoid Over-Cleaning Your Tank
While maintaining water quality is a top priority in your freshwater fish tank, it’s also important not to overclean your tank. Throughout the life of your fish tank, beneficial bacteria will grow and you want that bacteria to stay. This bacteria can help eliminate the waste from your fish. Make sure you do your research to understand which types of cleaning products are safe for cleaning your tank.
At The iFish Store, we have everything you need for a beautiful fish tank! Visit us online today and shop all of the fish we have on sale now!