The Best Kind Of Betta Fish Tank Water

Oftentimes tropical pet fish lovers think that if their aquarium water isn’t a green or brownish looking color that their betta fish couldn’t survive and thrive.

However, if you take a look at a natural water environment you’ll notice that it has some unique ways for providing small tropical fish just the right type of conditions needed to sustain abundant fish life. And it’s amazing ability to cleanse away harmful materials lurking in the water.

WHY TAP WATER IS HARMFUL

Domestic tap water may be nontoxic (in a small quantity) for humans to drink, but rest assured, it can be toxic for a betta fish to exist in. Almost all domestic tap water contains chlorine and a sufficient concentration of iron along with poisonous elements such as lead and copper. In addition, tap water can also be too hard (or even too soft) for your pet betta fish. And oftentimes it may have abnormal pH levels.

Fortunately, there are a variety of products in the marketplace you can use to make domestic tap water completely safe and suitable for a beta fish tank aquarium.

The very first thing that you need to do (when using domestic tap water) is to remove ALL traces of harmful chlorine. Your local pet store will usually sell several brands of products designed for this purpose. In most case, all that’s required is to follow simple instructions and place a few drops of a special liquid in the tank water, and then let it stand for up to 24-hours so that the chlorine actually dissipates completely.

Once you’ve removed all of the chlorine it will be safe to place your betta fish into their new water environment.

WHY REMOVE ALL ELEMENTS?

It’s also extremely important that you check the levels of copper, lead concentrates, and especially traces of iron in the water. While these elements are generally okay for a human to drink in small doses they can be harmful to your betta fish and sometimes will end-up killing your fish. Another area you should NOT overlook is the “alkalinity and pH” of the water.

Side point: You need to regularly check and test the water so that you can provide a safe and stable water supply for your betta fish.

The necessary items required to do this are reasonably inexpensive and available from most pet stores. By using these products it’ll allow you to “increase or decrease” the water alkalinity and pH levels.

ALTERNATIVE TYPES OF WATER

There are other alternatives when it comes to using water for your betta tank. (1) You can buy purified and pre-treated water. And (2) you can use clean rainwater. However, purified and pre-treated water is the most expensive choice, but it does guarantee you water that’s been prepared properly.

Side point: Purified and pre-treated water is BEST used when setting up a saltwater aquarium.

Generally speaking, rainwater is free of chlorine and heavy metals and is harmless for betta fish. Although rainwater is usually considered clean (without containing any harmful elements) you will still need to check it before use. Why? Because the very life of your pet betta fish depends on a water environment which is totally unpolluted and free of any harmful contaminates.

REMOVE ALL FISH WASTE

It doesn’t matter what type of water that you decide to use you’ll need to maintain it. One important reason for doing this is that fish eliminate waste, and it’s that waste which consists of ammonia. In addition, bacteria in the aquarium will convert the ammonia into nitrite. However, nitrite is still harmful and especially to small betta fish.

Side point: An increasing build-up of bacteria will keep converting nitrite into nitrate, and is considered to be MUCH less harmful.

Another interesting thing in this ongoing process is… this cycle helps maintain an equilibrium in your aquarium. But there’s still enough good reasons to regularly examine and change the tank water if necessary. Remember that the ammonia generation created by your betta fish could exceed the ability of the bacteria to convert this. And many times this can happen with new aquariums that haven’t had time to produce sufficient bacteria in the water.

The ammonia generation also inceases any time you add new fish to the tank and/or increase the amount you feed your fish. Also, always remember that nitrates are harmful to betta fish especially in big doses. So, you should always regularly **TEST** the aquarium water, and change it often to help in keeping the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates under strict control. By doing so, you’ll wind-up having an aquarium of healthy and happy betta fish bringing you hours of fun and enjoyment.

Fluval Profile 1200 Fish Tank Review

I had been looking at upgrading my Fluval Roma 200 aquarium for a little while, purely because I was thinking about something a little bigger. I certainly didn’t have any problems with my Roma – it’s been a fine tank and looked great in my living room.

Anyway, we moved house around six months ago to a larger property and this gave me the ideal opportunity to begin scouring the market for the Roma’s replacement!! My new tropical fish tank needed to be bigger but would have to fit in with the contemporary dcor of the new living room (which was my preferred room for the aquarium).

After a fair amount of trawling the internet, visiting the local shops and speaking with fish keeping friends and experts, I decided on the Fluval Profile 1200 in stainless steel. I was initially worried that it may have the looks but not the muscle!! However, upon further investigation, my initial concerns were proved unfounded.

I’ve always been a big fan of Fluval. Some of their designs are drop dead gorgeous and the Profile 1200 is a prime example of this. The flush stainless steel front looks very clean and modern and the deep tank allows you to produce a really natural looking display.

Standard kit includes:- 1 x Fluval Mirrored M series heater – 300 watt 1 x Fluval 405 External Filter with built-in media 2 x Fluval Glo T5 Lighting units 2 x Power Glo T5 High Output Bulbs – 39 watt 2 x Life Glo T5 High Output Bulbs – 39 watt

After shopping around, I bought my Fluval Profile 1200 from Aquarium House (http://www.aquariumhouse.co.uk) and also received the following free items:- 1 x Fluval Aquarium Care Manual 1 x 26 gram Nutrafin Tropical Flake Food 1 x 100ml Nutrafin Cycle 1 x 100ml Nutrafin Aqua Plus Water Conditioner 1 x LCD Thermometer 1 x 29Kg Dorset Natural Gravel 1 x Fish Net (5 inch) 1 x Medium Easy Clean Gravel Cleaner 1 x Aquarium Background (120cm) – Japanese Plant & Driftwood

The tank holds a colossal 323 litres which is, undoubtedly, a sizable unit but Fluval have managed to incorporate the extra size and yet keep it looking stylish. The official dimensions are 120cm long x 47cm deep x 133cm high (including the cabinet!!). As mentioned before, the tank is deep which comes with the usual difficulties when cleaning but I believe that the overall look outweighs this minor inconvenience. A very important factor to beware of is the side opening doors. I completely understand why Fluval have opted for these as opposed to the traditional front openers but you do need to bear this fact in mind when measuring your available space – leave enough room for the doors to open!

Overall I am very impressed with my purchase and cannot fault my new set up. Fluval have made every effort to ensure the aquarium looks clean, sharp and stylish yet remain functional and user friendly.

The RRP on the Fluval Profile 1200 aquarium is 1,016.97 however, you ought to be looking to pay around the 720 mark. Compare and buy Fish Tanks For Sale, Fluval Profile 1200, Fluval Roma 200, Fluval Studio 600, Tropical Fish Tanks, Marine Fish Tanks, Cheap Fish Tanks and quality aquatic supplies from http://www.aquariumhouse.co.uk

Wall Mounted And Tabletop Aquariums Are Natures Flat Screens

Whether you call them wall aquariums or fish frames, there is not doubt that wall mounted aquariums are hot. The latest in a series of novelty aquariums, wall mounted and tabletop aquariums and are gaining in popularity.

There was a time when serious aquarium owners would build the tank and the supporting equipment into a wall space. Built in aquariums required a space behind the wall in order to gain access to the pumps, filters, lighting and to the tank itself. Built in tanks are generally of a size larger than the average home aquarium. Standard stand alone tanks can take up quite a bit of space in the average home and smaller novelty aquariums may not be big enough. The wall mounted aquarium solves some these problems in a beautiful and unique way.

The parallels between wall mounted aquariums and the new generation of flat screen televisions cannot be ignored. In certain respects, the aquarium looks like a flat screen television, being roughly the same diagonal size and thickness. Of course the big difference is that instead of cable news, we are treated to a segment of Mother Nature at her aquatic best. The same can be said for the thin line tabletop aquariums that can easily be mistaken for a flat screen television. The design of these unique aquariums takes the best of novelty aquariums and combines them with aesthetic appeal and ease of maintenance.

The equipment end of these modern fish tanks are integrated into the cabinet that surrounds the tank. Filter systems are typically of the wet-dry variety and require no more maintenance than a standard aquarium setup. The balance of the system including lighting and temperature controls are fully integrated. The water capacity of currently available wall mounted aquariums ranges from less than a one gallon to just over twenty gallons. The volume of fish depends not only on the water capacity but on the habitat that the owner establishes inside the tank.

Designed primarily for fresh water fish, some manufacturers allow for alterations that will make the tank suitable for salt water use. The biggest change will usually involve the filter type. Maintaining a saltwater habitat takes a great more work and knowledge, and is not a task suited for the novice fish enthusiast. Wall mounted and slim line tabletop aquariums are designed like most novelty aquariums. The goal is make the tanks as easy as possible for everyone from the novice fish keeper to the most avid hobbyist.

The relative simplicity of the wall mounted aquariums and novelty fish tanks in general can still pose a challenge. Owners must still take on the responsibility of learning what it takes to care for their new charges. Too few fish is rarely a problem, while too many fish in a tank can cause real difficulties. The small capacity of most wall mounted aquariums limits not only the number of fish but the species of fish suitable for a given setup.

Other routine chores the come with owning an aquarium must also be considered. Maintaining the right Ph, keeping a cleaning schedule and understanding the nutritional needs of the fish is key to fully enjoying what some folks have described as art coming alive. Fish are susceptible to attacks by parasites and certain water-borne bacteria that can sicken and kill aquarium fish. As with any type of pet, owners have a responsibility to learn about aquatic diseases and how to properly treat them.

These cool aquariums are not inexpensive and this convenience of a fully integrated system comes at a price. Larger, more decorative tanks can range upwards of twenty five hundred dollars to less than one hundred dollars at the low end.

Top Three Most Essential Applications Of Potassium Permanganate

Are you familiar with the deep purple solution your mother applies to your skin when you had a bad case of athletes foot? It did a great, didnt it?

That solution is made by dissolving potassium permanganate crystals in water. Potassium permanganate is an inorganic but water soluble compound. It is also known as Condys crystals and permanganate of potash.

This chemical has a strong oxidizing property that is why it is very useful in many applications. However, one of its more popular uses is in medicine, as an antiseptic and fungicide. It has also been used in water treatment by the army to render potable water. But this practice has been discontinued because it causes stains on the teeth.

Medicinal Uses

Potassium permanganate is dissolved in warm water to come up with a nice pink colored solution which is then ideal for treatment of skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, and fungal infections of the hands and feet.

Immersion in potassium permanganate has been proven to be effective for skin conditions but this is largely unpopular because of the stains and discolorations it leaves on the bathing materials such as towels and the bath tub. This can be addressed, however, with dissolving the right amount of crystals. A concentration of 1:10,000 will result to a pink color. Using too much and the water goes black and results to a rather nice but fake tan.

A weak solution of potassium permanganate has been formerly used as an antiseptic wash for vaginal thrush, vulvovaginitis as well as persistent urine infection in both children and adults. It has also been applied as a vaginal douche after childbirth way before the use of antibiotics.

Treatment of Fish Diseases

Potassium permanganate is an effective treatment for various fish diseases and parasites. It is helpful in treating bacterial gill infection and skin ulcers. It dramatically improves water quality by reducing the biological oxygen demand as a result of the oxidation of the dissolved organic matter in the water.

It is commercially used as an oxidizing agent in fish ponds to react with organic matter including bacteria, algae, particulates as well as organic sediments. It is very important to calculate the exact amount of needed chemical for the volume of water since it can cause extensive damage or even death of your fish. It can be used as a pest control for parasitic nudibranches in your aquarium.

However, frequent treatment can harm your fish so wait for a reasonable period before repeating treatment. Disperse the solution evenly throughout the pond and aerate your pond properly after treatment.

Water Treatment

Having a strong oxidizing capacity, potassium permanganate is ideal for use in water treatment. It removes from the water, iron and magnesium which give water its unpleasant color and unpalatable taste. It is added to the water for treatment especially those which come from sources deep into the ground. It also reduces rust in the pipes and other water equipment.

To prevent cholera and other water-borne diseases, wash fruits and vegetables with diluted potassium permanganate solution as well as your cooking utensils such as the chopping board.

There are other uses and applications for potassium permanganate primarily because of its excellent oxidizing property. And also as a result of this, proper handling and storage must be practiced. Always use gloves when handling this chemical since it quickly reacts with the skin leaving a dark brown stain.

It is a strong oxidizer therefore proper storage is necessary and must be kept away from other highly oxidizable substances. It should be separated well away from concentrated sulfuric acid because reaction with these two chemicals can be explosive.

Unique Aquariums Popular Styles

Are you looking to update your aquarium? If you are, you may be thinking about purchasing a traditional acrylic aquarium, one that is in a rectangular shape, but you may also be interested in thinking outside of the box. What you may not know, when it comes to buying an aquarium, is that you literally have an unlimited number of choices. In fact, if you are looking for something unique, you should be able to find it, as a many fish tank suppliers carry a large selection of unique aquariums. Just a few of those aquariums are outlined below.

One of the most popular, yet unique types of aquariums are known as table aquariums. As the name implies, these unique aquariums serve as tables. When it comes to purchasing a unique table aquarium, you will also find that you have a number of options. For instance, there are numerous aquariums styles that are used for coffee tables, end tables, or even dining room tables. As you likely already known, unique aquariums, like table aquariums, can be fairly expensive, especially if they are large in size. While the prices that you will find will vary, it is not uncommon to see unique coffee table aquariums selling for five hundred to seven hundred dollars. Large dining room table aquariums can sell for much more money, but they tend to start retailing at around seven or eight hundred dollars.

In conjunction with the above table aquariums, there are also a number of other unique aquariums that can come in the form of other furniture pieces. In addition to traditional table-like structures, like coffee tables or dining room tables, furniture aquariums can also come in the form of headboards or wall units. If you are looking to spice up your bedroom, a unique aquarium headboard may be just what you are looking for. Unique wall unit aquariums are perfect for both homes and businesses. As with table aquariums, most unique aquarium pieces are expensive in price. Whether you are looking to purchase an aquarium headboard or an aquarium wall unit, you should be prepared to spend a couple of thousand dollars, if not more.

Another unique type of aquarium that is unique, but still highly sought after is aquariums that are in the shape of columns. Column aquariums are often thin in width, but tall in height. For instance, it is not uncommon to find unique column aquariums that are six or seven feet tall! It is also not uncommon to find column aquariums that have built in clocks towards the top of the aquarium. For this reason, column aquariums are highly sought after by business owners or by office decorators. Due to their beauty and their compact size, these unique column aquariums, however, can also be found inside many homes. Since column aquarium come in all different sizes, you should be prepared to spend anywhere from five hundred dollars to one thousands dollars.

If you have purchased an aquarium in the past, or at least researched all of your options, you are likely familiar with BiOrbs. BiOrbs are small, compact acrylic aquariums that are ideal for homes and offices; just about any place that is limited on space. If you enjoy the compact design and the beauty of most BiOrbs, you are also urged to examine SeaVision Orbs. SeaVision Orbs are unique aquariums that are rapidly increasing in popularity. One of the reasons for that is due to their design. While SeaVision Orbs are similar to BiOrbs, there is a small difference. That difference is a large bubble shape. That bubble shape actually acts as if it was a magnifying glass! What does that mean for you? It means that it is much easier to see the contents of your aquarium! How unique is that?

If you are interested in owning one of the above mentioned unique aquariums, you are urged to contact a reputable and well-known fish tank supplier, like FishTanksDirect.com. By visiting FishTanksDirect.com, you can examine a large selection of aquariums, including the previously summarized ones.