When it comes to maintaining an aquarium, the basics are crucial. You must have an appropriate water level. Algae, known as smear or slime algae, is the most common problem that you'll face. Too much phosphate can cause smear algae to grow, spreading quickly throughout the aquarium. The best way to prevent it is to maintain ideal water levels. If you're dealing with a high-phosphate water system, you should also use a special treatment.
PH levels indicate the acidity or alkalinity of the water. You can test this with color-coded pH strips found at any pet store. To change the water in your aquarium, remove enough bottom material to fill a bucket about one third full. Then, mix the water with a stick to remove debris that may be hiding in the bottom sand. You may need a sand or gravel siphon to do this job. This will ensure that the water in your aquarium is clean and clear. Remember to do this carefully to avoid harming your fish.
Regular cleaning is an essential part of aquarium maintenance. A monthly maintenance schedule should be followed. Make sure to change filter inserts or replace filter media as necessary. You should not use any abrasive chemical cleaners as they may disturb the biological balance. Instead, use warm water and elbow grease to thoroughly clean your aquarium. Also, inspect your filter assembly and tubing. Clean the inside of the tank as well, removing any debris that may have accumulated.
Regularly changing water is an important part of maintaining a healthy aquarium. Try replacing water at least every two weeks. You can also try adding a dechlorinator. This device will remove excess chlorine from tap water. Having a pH tester handy will save you from having to use a dechlorinator. It's easier and less time-consuming than you might think! And most importantly, you'll have clean water for your fish to live in.
Temperature control is another important aspect of aquarium maintaining. If the fish are cold-water species, the water temperature should be about 25 oC. If they're from tropical countries, they can tolerate a higher temperature, but cold-water fishes may require a lower temperature. Temperature is vital to the health of your fish, so use a temperature-controlling heater or thermometer to monitor the temperature of the water. A good aquarium thermometer will prevent your fish from being over or under-heated.
pH balance is also important for the health of your fish. Fish are sensitive to slight changes in temperature. The pH of water is measured in units of acidity, and some fish prefer a slightly alkaline pH, while others prefer a neutral pH. You should try to incorporate creatures that like similar pH levels. This way, your tank won't suffer from any problems. There are many other essential parts of aquarium care and maintenance, but these are the most vital.
Cleanliness is another important part of aquarium maintaining. Live plants should be cleaned periodically, dead ones removed, and overgrown plants pruned or relocated. Tall stem plants, such as vallisneria, can be propagated by removing their tops and transplanting them in a new substrate. Don't forget to remove all floating plants, since they block light and oxygen. If you're not sure, try a zoo-style aquarium.
Check out this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freshwater_aquarium for a more and better understanding of this topic.
