Find Time To Watch The Aquarium

In my ‘9-5 day job’ I sometimes have to deal with various aspects which I do not enjoy and at other times have various amounts of work which well get’s me down.

The past few weeks have been like this for me. I have found that I am coming home tired, grumpy and at times taking it out on my family. To me that is unacceptable. The whole reason I go to work is primarily to ensure that I am able to provide for my family and secondly to challenge/better myself.

In the past few weeks due to the various pressures from work I have at times pondered a career change. I know that this feeling will pass when work calms down a bit however it is something I have been feeling of late.

I am a great believer in job satisfaction and at the moment I am not receiving that satisfaction.

I at one point even considered starting my own aquarium shop but quickly realised that I should not make my hobby or passion if you will my job. Before long my hobby would become a job and I do not want to dislike this hobby in any way.

For me I find that coming home, sitting in front of my aquarium and quietly watching the tranquillity of the fish elegantly swimming around, the corals swaying in the water currents exceptionally soothing. Similar to what it is supposed to be like with a cat or dog, having them on your knee and gently stroking them.

Don’t get me wrong I also like both the technical and scientific side of the aquarium but these in their own right can be equally headache causing - sometimes a piece of equipment wont quite fit just right, a coral wont just stay where you want it to stay, the water parameters are not just correct etc.

At the end of the day you simply cannot beat just sitting in front of the aquarium quietly watching it. There is so much satisfaction to be gained from the aquarium. The life in there is so dependent upon us yet so free at the same time. They have no fear of predation - well hopefully not anyway, they are fed when they need to be fed, the water is maintained at optimal conditions and at times I feel that they are better in an aquarium than they are on the reef!

As well as watching the main display aquarium I also personally enjoy watching the refugium and the deep sand bed. It always amazes me how much life actually lives in these areas. Some digging, some hiding, others scuttling around and probably loads more that I will never see.

Of course I do not sit in front of the aquarium all the time. The maintenance must be performed, the care for the corals/fish must be done, research must be completed but even this cannot take over your life. There is little point in keeping an aquarium if you never get to watch it is there.

Being an aquarist does not mean that you have to be solitary though. There is nothing better than sharing your aquarium with other aquarists or other people who are not aquarists themselves but are simply interested. Showing off your aquarium and telling others all about is, in my opinion is an area that we should do more of.

Why not give it a try and find five minutes to yourself, simply sit down and watch the aquarium. Trust me it is worth it!

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Tags: aquarium, fish-tank, marine-aquarium, reef-tank, saltwater-aquarium

Fish Disease - What To Look Out For

When the aquarist obtained the desired fish for the display aquarium hopefully time was spent observing them. Just because fish are ‘new’ and in a dealer’s sale tanks does not mean they are problem free. This isn’t having a go at dealers at all; fish can have problems that don’t become apparent sometimes for weeks. The point of purchase is the initial line of defence.

The aquarist should look for fish that have bright eyes, unblemished skin, clear fins and a rounded body. Any fish with blemishes or spots on the skin or fins is suspect, as are cloudy eyes. Most marine fish are active and visit all parts of the aquarium, so a fish that is skulking in a corner is also suspect. The breathing rate (watch the gill beat) should be normal, though this can be a little difficult as different fish have different rates. However, it is often fairly obvious if a fish has an elevated breathing rate. There could be a good reason for this, such as bullying and harassment with nothing actually wrong with the fish. Caution though is the order of the day. There isn’t anything wrong in asking to see fish feed, particularly if the fish is a known or possible problem feeder. If feeding is a known potential problem this fish is not for the beginner.

Fish chosen should be compatible with each other and any that are already owned. Failure to choose such fish can lead to harassment causing stress. Obtaining fish unsuitable to the tank environment also causes stress, for example surgeon fish need plenty of swimming space. Stress could lead to disease.

It is assumed that the fish are properly and successfully introduced to the display aquarium and all is well. They all feed properly and get on with each other. Everything from this point on should be fine. Nowadays it is easy (compared to much earlier years) to maintain high quality seawater. A large number of aquarium fish do not encounter disease, probably the majority.

Besides maintaining the aquarium to the highest standards, it is the responsibility of the aquarist to keep a watch on the fish. This is easy as one of the greatest pleasures is simply observing beautiful fish and also perhaps a thriving coral reef. Seeing the fish isn’t a chore. They need to be examined though, not just looked at, for a little while. Are they all present? If not, which is missing and how long before it re-appears? If it does, is it acting normally? If it doesn’t, maybe it has died. Is there any ammonia present (mostly unlikely with modern bio filtration)?

Are the other fish acting normally? Do they have any marks or spots on the body or fins? Any cloudy eyes? Any increased breathing rates? Are they all feeding as usual? Is the swimming style of each fish normal or are any displaying unusual motion?

Taking the time to spot anything unusual, even though it may seem not much, is good husbandry. Treating some ailments, particularly in a reef aquarium, isn’t easy. The earlier a potential problem is spotted the earlier a diagnosis can be attempted. Some problems are easy to diagnose, others not so.

A simple check as described when observing the aquarium is worthwhile and could under certain circumstances prevent a population of fish being wiped out. Not a pleasant thought!

It must be mentioned that sometimes a fish will scratch on a rock and the aquarist, particularly a beginner, may twitch with apprehension. Most fish occasionally rub a rock probably for the same reason humans scratch an itch sometimes. It doesn’t necessarily indicate a health problem. Similarly, a mark may be seen on a fish’s skin - this could be where the fish has caught a rock. A watch on that particular fish will often indicate that there isn’t a problem.

Fish in our aquariums live in a tiny world compared to their wild home. For ongoing wellbeing they rely entirely on the aquarist. Maintenance and observation is a very small price for a living display of such beauty.

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Tags: aquarium, fish-disease, fish-tank, marine-fish, reef-fish, saltwater-aquarium

The Aquarium Background - Is There A Best Colour?

One of the joys of owning a marine aquarium is building it, putting in all the support equipment. Then there’s designing the shape of the reef or general rockwork if fish only, which applies to both inert and live rock types. There’s one job though that is simple but will make such a difference to the finished and stocked aquarium, be this reef or fish only.

That simple job is colouring the back glass. When the aquarium is stocked the back glass is what the inhabitants will be viewed against and so it needs to have the correct impact.

The back is easily coloured, the simplest method is to apply paint directly to the glass on the outside. This is more easily accomplished before the tank is placed in position. Care should be taken to apply the paint evenly so that light patches which will be noticeable are not created. For this reason two coats could be appropriate. The paint to use is the oil based type which will resist any salt water that gets to it. This type of paint can be obtained in matt which (in my opinion) is the best finish to use. There isn’t a reason why non-oil based paint cannot be used, though it will probably not be as durable.

An easier way of colouring the back glass is to leave the glass itself alone and use a thin back panel. This can be of plywood, hardboard etc. This can be fitted after the aquarium is in place. The panel should be painted on all sides to resist warping and any seawater drips. Again, attention should be given to having an even overall colour so that the eye is not drawn to irregularities. When the paint is thoroughly dry the panel can be fixed to the back glass with several lumps of silicone sealer on each side out of view. The panel will need support until it the silicone has cured. Alternatively, perhaps some simple clips can be devised.

Some aquarists obtain a pre-prepared water proof paper roll which has a marine scene printed on it. This is placed against the back glass ensuring there aren’t any wrinkles or other blemishes. These will definitely detract from the marine scene.

Personally, I’m not a fan of the background in the last paragraph. This is because as time passes the back glass will become covered with various types of different coloured algae. Some aquarists will attempt to keep this glass completely clean and this is fair enough, but it will slowly become more difficult - the back glass is usually quite awkward to get to and corals grow.

My favourite back glass decoration (and one side glass in my case) is algae growth. This isn’t the long stringy green stuff or dark coloured thin ‘skin’ which are both a nuisance, but the encrusting algae which appears and can be of various attractive colours. All mixed together it is very attractive. Desirable algae will develop in any aquarium which is reasonably cared for.

What about the period when the algae is developing, when it appears in small patches? The plain coloured background is fine for this period, allowing the algae to develop yet maintaining attractiveness. It doesn’t look like an eye attracting blotch - maybe it’s psychological but the overall appearance doesn’t seem to be diminished. Maybe the knowledge in the aquarist’s mind that it is a ‘good thing’ does the trick.

So what is the best colour? I believe the best colour is mid blue - it gives some impression of front to back depth and space. That’s me of course. I have seen back glass coloured green which wasn’t bad, and black which I definitely didn’t like. However the aquarist who had the black back glass did like it and that is the whole point.

The aquarium belongs to the aquarist. He or she decides.

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Tags: aquarium, fish-tank, marine-aquarium, marine-fish-tank, reef-tank, saltwater-aquarium

What Does A Beginner Need?

This isn’t going to be a list of what is considered to be essential in the way of equipment, or a list of compatible fish, or anything down those lines.

This is going back to absolute basics, the very beginning, before the dawn of individual experience.

This is what was considered when the idea of this website first arose. How can the complete beginner best be assisted? Or those who, though started, still have problems?

To obtain an answer to the question, consideration was given to what the basic problem is that a beginner faces. For example, picking an aquarium is easy, and if it is from a reputable manufacturer then it will be properly constructed. It isn’t necessarily individual pieces of equipment that present a problem, though explanations are needed.

It is the explanations themselves that are often the problem. The beginner without any marine experience needs straightforward answers. So there lies the answer to the question: the beginner needs simplicity.

I recall opening a book many years ago and seeing something that made me close it again! I haven’t the book any more, but it could have been like this:

W =               H - S              =              8000 - 0.5
                      A - B - C                         A - B - C

The above is in fact a part of a simple lighting calculation, useless on its own. There are others that are far more complicated. A beginner, however, looking at the above would be likely to ‘turn off’ and go elsewhere.

What the beginner requires is simple down-to-earth advice.

Go on the internet and ask a question and there are likely to be well intentioned answers and opinions, but ones that differ, and so the struggling beginner is still left with problems on which way to go.

So it seems best to offer ‘guidelines’, sure footholds to trust along the way. Also to give straightforward explanations where these are needed. This is the premise that the website is based on.

Keeping to the above, there are ‘Guides’ to walk with along the path. There are Articles to explain ‘what’ and ’why.’

It seems to be working - the feedback mainly by Email and also by on-site comment has been very good. We did have a complaint, and that was that a ‘Guide’ had not downloaded. This was because there was a computer hitch. When downloaded the aquarist was delighted.

This could sound a little like self-congratulation, but it isn’t. We’re delighted of course, but are always aware that anything can be improved somehow.

On the basis that the website is intended to be a ‘simple help’, it has been expanded and now includes the facility to look at the top marine equipment suppliers so that a choice can be made. There is also a ’Social’ section. We have not lost the original concept however.

When I started keeping marines there wasn’t an internet - home computers were also unheard of, though they were not that far away. How wonderful if there had been an internet, what a resource it is!

As always, we are open to suggestions (not too rude!) about how we can develop bearing in mind the concept of simplicity.

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Tags: aquarium, fish-tank, home-aquarium, marine-aquarium, reef-tank, saltwater-aquarium

Here’s A Place For A Spot Of Aquarium DIY!

There’s a lot of aquarists around who like DIY. Not surprising really - anything can be built in this hobby from a stand and canopy to various devices, such as protein skimmers, calcium reactors, sand beds etc., even the aquarium itself.

One of the biggest problems is the pre-work. By this I mean working out what is required in material. Then of course there’s the procedure of actually building it.

Here’s a website that brings all that pre-work on many items together, so that the aquarist doesn’t need to. Plus a ‘how to proceed’ section.

For example, if a stand is to be built, then type in the length, width and height of the aquarium it will support, advise what the aquarium will be constructed of (glass, acrylic etc) and the rest will be done. Advice is given on aquarium glass thickness, and a cutting list for timber provided. Then there is a ‘follow this procedure’ advisory.

There are quite a few items that could be of interest to the aquarist who is into DIY.

Just go to the website given below. On the left hand side scroll down to ‘DIY’ and expand the section. Then pick and away it goes.

http://www.garf.org

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Tags: aquarium, DIY, fish-tank, home-aquarium, marine-aquarium, reef-tank, saltwater-aquarium

Is This The Most Popular Hobby In The World?

There are many hobbies that people enjoy. Some people have a hobby that is a consuming passion, others its just something that is an enjoyable way to pass the time.

There are lots of different hobbies, some depending on the area of the world the hobbyist lives in. For example, gardening. This is a very large group, but it is mainly restricted - but not wholly - to temperate areas. Growing flowers in a desert is difficult! There are cacti of course and they have their own following.

The hobbies that are available vary from large numbers of participants to small. Stamp collectors may enthuse greatly, but their numbers are comparatively low. Amateur photographers run into much greater numbers, but those numbers are not that large. So it goes on: scuba divers, kite flyers, hang gliders, sailing, painting, art collecting, athletics, cooking, DIY, written competitions - well, you get the idea, the list could be very long.

None of the hobbies I can think of seem to equal the popularity of marine aquarium keeping. Maybe I have the wrong idea of the numbers involved in some other hobbies, or perhaps I have missed a massively popular one.

Look at the marine aquarium hobby. Some are interested in fish only aquariums, others in pure reefs and others, probably the most, in mixed reefs. It doesn’t matter whether the hobbyist is rich or of more modest means, all can participate.

Then there are the internet forums and other websites that have sprung up, and there are large numbers of them.

I receive Emails from around the world on various aspects of marine aquarium keeping.

Then consider industry. It was not that long ago that manufacturers had little interest in the hobby. If there are few hobbyists, there isn’t a viable market. But look at it now, there are manufacturers producing equipment in competition with one another, and additives to allegedly enhance the aquarium environment etc. It is a vibrant industry and, again, would only be viable with a large enough customer base.

Marine aquariums can exist anywhere in the world, hot or cold. All that is required is the equipment to maintain the seawater at the required temperature, be this heaters or seawater chillers, and have other equipment and of course livestock availability. This marine hobby is worldwide.

I suspect that hobbyists are the most numerous in the US and the EU. In those two the hobby really is very big. However, other countries, large or small, have representatives, perhaps just a few up to a good number.

So this hobby of ours could be the biggest in the world. In a relatively short period it has grown from diminutive with just a few determined and often struggling followers, the pioneers, to the position it holds today.

This wonderful hobby grows because it is so interesting and educational, and the marine aquarium creation so beautiful. It is also addictive!

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Tags: aquarium, fish-tank, home-aquarium, marine-aquarium, reef-tank, saltwater-aquarium

Locating A Marine Aquarium

A marine aquarium, be it fish only aquarium or a marine reef aquarium, is very attractive. Therefore it is quite understandable that the aquarist wishes to place it in an area with the most visual impact. The aquarium could go nearly anywhere in the house without too much difficulty.

Marine aquariums are in fact sometimes placed in bathrooms and kitchens as well as other more obvious areas in the house. There’s nothing wrong with this, provided proper consideration is given to the welfare of the fishes and other livestock.

The very first consideration is the size of the aquarium which will indicate the weight. Before the system is even designed, the location should be carefully considered. In addition to whether the aquarium will fit the chosen area properly, there must be an electrical supply that is accessible with the aquarium in place, and the aquarium must be easily accessible for maintenance. Any sump that is going to be used has to be taken into consideration.

If the aquarium is small there could be a temptation to place it on a piece of household furniture. Great caution is needed as much furniture today is not particularly strong. Seawater is heavy, for example the seawater in a net 100 litre aquarium (circa 26.5 US gallons) will weigh around 100 kg (circa 220.5 lbs). Then there’s the weight of the rocks, sand and the aquarium itself to add on. This size of aquarium is not considered big, but I wouldn’t like to trust a piece of home furniture with it, or a smaller aquarium for that matter. It is better to use a proper aquarium stand which will be strong enough.

Another consideration applies to larger aquariums. They will need proper stands, or have supports made individually for them if décor is important, and, in addition, the floor must be strong enough. Solid floors may well be fine, but a suspended floor may need to be checked for suitability, and strengthened if necessary.

It is best not to site an aquarium next to electrical equipment, such as a TV etc. The location may be excellent for visual effect, but seawater next to electrical equipment is not a good idea, as electricity and seawater are not a friendly mix! There could well be dangerous problems, particularly during maintenance of the aquarium.

An aquarium is best sited away from an area of heavy foot traffic, to afford a level of peace to the inhabitants. Some reasonable traffic is not a problem as it does not seem to adversely affect the fish, but constant heavy traffic, such as children, is excessively disturbing.

Similarly, do not place an aquarium against or close to a central heating radiator or an air conditioning outlet vent. In the first case a hot radiator may heat the seawater and in the second cool it (causing heaters to switch on thus costing more). Also, a radiator or outlet vent may need servicing at some point.

Aquarium lighting nowadays is advanced and can provide sufficient spectrum and power for the aquarist’s needs. So there is no requirement for the aquarium to receive any sunlight. Allowing the aquarium to receive sunlight could be detrimental, in that excessive algae growth could be caused (subject perhaps to other additional conditions) and if the sunlight was available for long enough the seawater could be heated. It would not be a good idea, for example, to site an aquarium under a large glass area in the roof or in a garden glasshouse.

Choosing a good location is a really good idea when the weight of the stocked aquarium is considered. Moving it ’as is’ is impossible. Breaking down a stocked aquarium, particularly a reef, to move the system is not fun when it could have been avoided in the first place.

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Tags: aquarium, fish-tank, home-aquarium, marine-aquarium, reef-tank, saltwater-aquarium

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