One of the most common and popular pets around are fish, and with good reason. They are colorful, graceful, and they come in so many varieties. Of course, where there are fish, it's a given that there will be aquariums. Aside from being the 'home away from home' of the fish, aquariums also add a sense of serenity and peace to an otherwise bare and lonely room. Aquariums can come in different shapes and sizes, although shape-wise, the most common are cuboid and bowls. With size, however, there is almost no limit, with some aquariums being public parks.

Aquarium Component and Maintenance

A typical everyday aquarium will include an artificial lighting system, filtration system, and a heater or chiller, depending on what kind of fish are housed within. Many aquariums are also constructed with a hood that prevents fish from jumping out. As for the design, it is affected by the physical characteristics and denizens of the aquarium. Size, lighting conditions, the plants and ornaments, caves or overhangs, and substrates can all affect the behavior and survival of the fish. The most important part of an aquarium is, of course, the water. The volume of the water often stabilizes the tank by diluting the effects of death and contamination. If a tank only has a small volume of water with a set number of fishes, it's death will have profound change in the system while the same death in a much larger volume of water will only have a minor change in the balance of the tank. The solute content of water is also one of the most important aspects of water conditions. Total dissolved solids, as well as other constituents, can have a great effect on water chemistry, and on how the organisms are able to interact with the environment. Salinity is one of the most basic classifications of water conditions. It is important so you will be able to simulate the natural water environment of whatever fish is in your aquarium. A water with a salinity of 500 to 30000 PPM is good to simulate brackish waters such as estuaries while 30000 to 40000 PPM is a good simulation of the ocean environment. The other basic aquarium water classification is temperature. Most fish and plant species only tolerate a limited range of water temperature, mostly tropical or cold. Another important aspect is the consistency of temperatures since most fish and aquatic organisms are not accustomed to sudden changes in temperature. It usually leads to shock and disease.

Cloudy Water Phenomenon

Perhaps one of the most often-asked questions when it comes to the maintenance of aquarium is the phenomenon of cloudy water, what causes it, and how it's fixed. There actually is no single answer to the “what” question because, simply, there is no single cause. Depending on the color of the cloud and the circumstances, any of the following can be the basic causes:

• Gravel residue, which is usually the result of unwashed gravel.
• Dissolved constituents such as phosphates or silicates. In such cases, you will usually find a high level of pH.
• Bacterial bloom. The onset of bacteria can be due to decaying plants or excess food.
• Algae growth, which is due to too much light.
• Phosphates and nitrates. The former usually comes from two sources: decaying matter such as fish food, and the water itself. The latter naturally rise over time, as a byproduct of fish waste.

Getting Rid of Cloudy Water

There are some things you can do to get rid of that ugly murk in your aquarium.

• Get a good water filter. A good water filter will ensure that your aquarium will stay clean and clear for a long time in between water changing. If your water filter is really good, you will only have to change the water three or four times a year, at most. It will depend on the water filter but most remove chunks of waste and debris as well as molecules like ammonia (using carbon). There are various kinds of filters you can use, including:
  • Box or corner filters – They are small plastic containers that usually hold filter floss and carbon and are connected to an air pump.
  • Under-gravel filters – They are placed in the bottom of the aquarium covered by an inch or two of gravel, and connected to an air pump or power head.
  • Canister filters – They hang on the aquarium and have their own internal pump with a sealed container that traps waste materials from the water.
  • Fluidized bed filters – Like canister filters, they also hang on the aquarium and use a layer of fluidized material.
• Change some of the water everyday. If you don't have a decent filter, then you can change some of the water everyday in order to decrease the murkiness. Change at most 20% of the water --- anything more than that will be risky to the fish.By changing the water, you will be removing some of the dissolved waste in the aquarium and starving off the bacteria that may contribute to more water cloudiness. Once the water clears, you can go about changing the water twice a week or so, instead of doing it everyday.
• Reduce the amount of food. Too much food contributes greatly to the cloudy water of your aquarium tank. Aside from making the fish put out too much waste, unconsumed food settles down, and becomes food for bacteria, adding to the exisiting waste in the water.
• Identify the cause of the cloudiness. There are several causes of murky water in your aquarium. Identifying them and then addressing them directly will go a long way to make the water of your aquarium clean, fresh, and clear.

Clean water for your aquarium does not only mean a good environment for your fish. It also makes your room look better, cleaner, and more serene.

 

* Dirty aquarium water is easy to get rid of, but if the problem is the tank itself, you need to either repair it, or replace it. If you want, you can also create your own. Here's how to build your own fish tank.