Having a pet at home is a wonderful stress reliever. Especially if you are a programmer, essay writer, or web designer and work remotely, the distraction of a beloved pet will help to relieve negative emotions and put your thoughts in order.
But not everyone is ready to get a cat or a dog because they need serious care. For many, fish also bring great pleasure. In addition, a large aquarium decorates the interior. At the same time, it is important to understand that the aquarium needs to be kept clean.
Getting aquarium water crystal clear requires a few key steps that you should follow to make sure the fish are healthy and happy. Regular water changes are crucial. In addition to frequent water changes, your tank should have a UV sterilizer and chemical filtration.
Using the correct equipment will also prevent algae growth. And, don’t overfeed your fish, which will make the water hazy and cloudy.
Chemical Filtration
The water in an aquarium can be hazy and green. The light emitted from the aquarium tank can encourage algae growth. To combat this problem, you should reduce the light level in the tank and move it out of direct sunlight.
Chemical filtration is another way to clear water. Flocculants are an excellent short-term solution. They clump microscopic particles together, creating larger ones that can be removed with filtration.
If your fish don’t cover the aquarium with foliage, the plants will grow through the filter and the glass. It will eventually lead to filter clogging and, in severe cases, aquarium removal. A flocculant is a chemical added to the water to remove organic waste. Flocculants should be used sparingly because they can damage live plants and make your aquarium water cloudy.
Activated Carbon
Activated carbon is an essential component of a healthy tank. Many fish suffer from a lack of clear water, and it can be difficult to get rid of these problems by other methods. It is important to remove any remaining bits of carbon from the water before adding it to the aquarium.
A slow-flowing carbon filter will allow for more frequent passes without tumbled media. Activated carbon works better when it has a longer contact time with the water, which means it will remove more contaminants.
When used in conjunction with other aquarium cleaning techniques, activated carbon clears murky water. It can remove up to 99% of organic particles from the water. In addition, it can be beneficial for your fish.
It is because activated carbon can remove discoloration that would otherwise be impossible to remove with a standard filter. In addition, it can simulate the habitat of your fish species. By soaking and adding dried leaves, you can also mimic the natural water conditions in which they live.
Avoiding Overfeeding Fish
There are several ways to avoid overfeeding fish in aquarium water. Overfeeding can lead to poor water quality, pollution, and declining dissolved oxygen levels. Neither of these conditions is good for the health of your fish.
When introducing new foods to your aquarium, remember that different fish require different kinds of food. Top feeders should be fed with floating foods, while bottom feeders should eat foods that sink quickly.
Using a combination of both types of food will help ensure that the fish get the nutrition they need, but you can also add live food supplements once a week.
The main reason to avoid overfeeding is the risk of overfeeding. Uneaten food leaves behind a residue that will eventually pollute the water. Ammonia will accumulate in an aquarium if the fish don’t eat it.
Unusual dietary intake will result in an overgrowth of bacteria, harming the fish’s health. Overfeeding is another major cause of algae growth. Algae thrive on fish waste and dissolved nutrients.
UV Sterilizer
A UV sterilizer is an excellent way to clean your aquarium’s water. It works by exposing the water to intense UV light. The light, which is not fully lethal, causes DNA mutations, stopping bacteria and algae growth.
It is an effective solution for limiting disease outbreaks and pest infestations. However, you must know that the UV sterilizer may not always be effective. Before purchasing a UV sterilizer, it is important to read the manufacturer’s manual to ensure it works properly.
A UV sterilizer is especially useful if you have a small aquarium. These small devices are usually built into the filter, but you can also buy standalone UV sterilizers to add a UV sterilizer to your aquarium.
The most powerful units kill most microorganisms, but less powerful ones may not be strong enough. UV light doesn’t vary much in wavelength, but the longer the bulb, the more powerful it will be.
Various wavelengths are optimized for different microorganisms, so you can use whichever wavelength you prefer.
