Easy Steps to Your Own Saltwater Fish Tank

Whoever told you that it was too hard to start your own saltwater fish tank was wrong! Saltwater fish are in a league of their own in terms of color and beauty. More and more people have realized that having their own saltwater fish tank is not a great mystery that only the experts can manage.


Here are some simple steps to get you started on your own saltwater fish tank.

1.Setting up your tank

Saltwater fish or marine fish are less tolerant to changes or conditions than freshwater fish. Before even thinking of chucking your fish in, you have to let the water build up the natural levels of pH, minerals and bacteria and this can take up to 2 months. First you will need to add crushed coral to the base of the tank, then the best option is to use real saltwater from the ocean which is available in the specialty fish stores. You will also need to add "live rock" or rocks from the ocean to get your microscopic organisms working to balance your water. You will need your filter to be going from the beginning and after a week or so start testing the levels of pH, salts, and more.

2.Getting ready for the fish

Once you think the water levels are right, take a sample of your tank water in to your local aquarium shop for them to test it for you. This will make sure it is perfect for your fish to live happily.

3.Stocking your tank

Stocking your saltwater fish tank takes some careful planning before you begin, or you may find yourself with one or two fish that are incompatible with everything else. Coral can be the most beautiful part of your tank, but not all fish will live peacefully with it. If you want coral then you have to plan which fish will live in and amongst it. There are some fish that are peaceful (like clown fish, damsels and more) but many others that are extremely aggressive and territorial (like lion fish, butterfly fish, etc). Add the fish one by one and start with the hardiest fish to make sure they will all survive.

4.Taking care of your tank

Regular feeding of the food your particular fish and corals like, regular change of half of the water in the tank, and regular testing of the water quality are the only things left to do.

Colin has been writing a variety articles and informative reviews for a while. But he does not only specialize in writing articles, you can also check out his new site where you can read details and reviews for the best Weider Home Gyms, and Weider Pro Home Gym deals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Colin_Litchfield

Freshwater Aquariums - Tips For Algae Control

An aquarium can be a very tranquil decoration in a home or office. There is nothing more relaxing than watching fish swim peacefully in clear, sparkling tropical fish tank. However, there is nothing more unsightly than an aquarium covered over with algae. So here are a few considerations and tips to help you with algae control.

Most all aquariums have algae. A small amount of it is not a bad thing. However, when algae grow rapidly and take over the tank, it can be troublesome. While there are no true ways to completely prevent it, it can be controlled.

Green algae are a common concern for most freshwater tank owners. The two types, hair and green dot, can be time consuming and even difficult to remove from the tank. This alga grows rapidly in tanks that receive and over abundance of light.

The brown form of algae most often grows after the initial set-up of the tank. The algae growth in tanks that have been established for a longer period of time may indicate a nitrate or phosphate problem. The growth of this algae is also encouraged by low light levels. To remove it from the tank, typically you need to clean the tank, increase the light it receives, and ensure that the water condition is at proper levels.

Red-brush and blue-green are two other forms of algae that can grow in a fish tank. The red-brush form tends to feed from aquariums with higher pH levels. Blue-green algae are a slimy type that can be dangerous to both plants and fish in the tank.

One of the easiest ways to control the growth of most algae is to control lighting. For algae control, do not place tanks near windows and minimize the lighting to eight hours each day. Using a lighting timer is a great way to give your tank consistent and adequate amounts of light.

Just like your fish, algae need to eat to survive. Algae grow best from consuming potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. You can greatly enhance algae control in tropical fish tanks by making sure that aquariums are not overcome by fish waste, excess food, and decaying plants. Also, perform water changes regularly and use a properly sized filter. And finally, if the algae are persistent, you can get a special silicate absorbing resin to use in your filter.

Adding algae eating organisms to your tank is also an option. Snails and algae eating fish can help control algae in the tank. It is important to keep in mind that snails can populate very quickly. Adding a snail and a plecostomus to a tank may be a good idea. Remember when all of the algae are consumed, you will need to feed these animals. Your local pet store has the right food for them readily available.

It is not uncommon for algae to begin to re-grow in a clean tank within three weeks. For ongoing algae control and management, be cautious about over feeding your fish, be certain to promptly remove dead fish from the tank, be mindful about the amount of light that the tank receives, and use some type of filtration system. And, remove any visible algae with a magnet or scrubber designed for this type of cleaning. Hopefully these simple tips will make your algae control efforts and aquarium keeping much easier and enjoyable.

Gary is an aquarium enthusiast and enjoys helping others with this amazing hobby. He has owned and maintained freshwater aquariums for over 20 years and teaches others how to set up a beautiful thriving aquarium. For more information and advice on how to keep your aquarium water clean or other useful tips please visit: http://freshwateraquariumbliss.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_L_Youngblood

Frogfish

Frogfishes, family Antennariidae, are a type of anglerfish in the order Lophiiformes. They are known as anglerfishes in Australia, as 'frogfish' actually refers to a different type of fish there. Frogfishes are found in almost all tropical and subtropical oceans and seas around the world, the primary exception being the Mediterranean Sea.
.
They are generally small fish, less than 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) in length, with large globose heads. They can be distinguished from other anglerfish by the three extended dorsal fin spines on their heads. The first dorsal spine is modified as a fishing lure to attract prey. The lure consists of the illicium (the spine) and the esca (the bait), and may resemble a worm, crustacean, or small fish. Frogfishes do not swim in the conventional way; instead, they "walk" on their pectoral fins or use 'jet propulsion' (forcefully expelling water from the small opercular opening generally behind and below the pectoral fins).
.
They are mostly bottom-dwelling fish, typically living amongst coral, at up to 100 metres (330 ft) depth, where they lie in wait for prey. They are able to change their colour to match the background with high precision, and their camouflage is further aided by numerous warts and filaments on their skin, giving them an appearance similar to rough coral.
.
The Sargassum fish, Histrio histrio, is unique among frogfish in that it is endemic to and clings on floating Sargassum weed.
.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

Picture of Valentine's Day

.
.

.
.
Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14 by many people throughout the world. In the West, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery. The holiday is named after two among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.
.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

The Basics on How to Breed Macaws

By Azmi Adnan
.
The best place to learn on how to breed Macaws is from an experienced Macaw breeder. However, breeding Macaws on your own can be quite an experience. There are people who breed parrots as a hobby and there are others who breed parrots for profit. Either way, you will need a mature and healthy pair for breeding. The pair has to bond with each other and be comfortable with their surroundings which should be spacious and clean. Macaws usually breed in spring and summer, but some pairs do breed all year round.
.
You will need wooden nest boxes measuring approximately 24 inches by 24 inches by 36 inches, or 48 inches horizontal. Some large size macaws breed well in a vertical 12 inches by 12 inches by 36 inches wooden box. Decide which one is best for your birds and give them a good supply of chewing material to keep them active.
.

Clutch size is usually two to four eggs but sometimes more. Incubation period ranges from 23 to 27 days. Some additional high fat seeds, like sunflower seed, should be added to the diet during the breeding season to stimulate reproduction. If you are inexperience in hand feeding, allow the parents to feed for the first few weeks.
.
Check the nesting box daily to make sure the chicks are being fed properly. Offer fresh food and plenty of water daily. If the parents care for their young, you will not have to worry too much. However, if the breeding pair inexperienced parents, you may need to care for the chicks.
.
You would need an incubator and feed the chicks every two hours. Hand-rearing chicks take time and the right equipment. There are commercial diets available, which need you to just add water. Feeding the chicks is not difficult to learn, but you should have your avian veterinarian show you how to do it properly. This is a critical period in the life of the new birds and it is during this time you may encounter a high rate of complications and mortality.
.
When the chicks start to pick at smaller seeds you offer and you are confident that they can eat by themselves, it would be time to separate them from their parents. Some chicks take sooner than others. When this happens, it is time to start the taming process.
.
Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Azmi_Adnan

Geochelone Radiata

.
.
Radiated tortoise
.
The radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) is a species in the genus of the Astrochelys tortoises. It is fairly large and considered to be one of the most beautiful tortoises in the world.Although this species is native only to Southern Madagascar and mostly only found there, it can be found in the rest of this country and has been introduced to the islands of Réunion and Mauritius.As the Radiated Tortoises are herbivores, grazing constitutes 80-90% of their diet, while they also eat fruits and succulent plants.These tortoises are, however, endangered, mainly because of the destruction of their habitat by humans and because of poaching.
.
The oldest tortoise ever recorded, indeed the oldest reptile ever recorded, was a radiated tortoise, Tu'i Malila, which attained the age of 188.
.
Males first mate upon attaining lengths of about 12 inches (31 cm); females may need to be a few inches longer. The male begins this fairly noisy procedure by bobbing his head and smelling the female's hind legs and cloaca. In some cases the male may lift the female up with the front edge of his shell to keep her from moving away.
.
The male then proceeds to mount the female from the rear while striking the anal region of his plastron against the female’s carapace. Hissing and grunting by the male during mating is common. This is a very dangerous proceedure and there have been recorded cases where the female's shell has cracked and pierced the vaginal and anal cavities. Females lay from three to 12 eggs in a pre-excavated hole six to eight inches (15 to 20 cm) deep and then depart.
.
Incubation is quite long in this species, lasting usually between five and eight months. Juveniles are between 1.25 to 1.6 inches (3.2 to 4 cm) upon hatching. Unlike the yellow coloration of the adults, the juveniles are a white to an off-white shade. Juveniles attain the high-domed carapace soon after hatching.
.
Radiated tortoises may live as long as 40 to 50 years.
.
.

.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

Red-eared slider

.
.

.
.
The Red-Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a semi-aquatic turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. It is a native of the southern United States, but has become common in various areas of the world due to the pet trade. They are very popular pets in the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
.
The female Red-eared Slider grows to be 25-30 cm (10-12 in) in length and males 20-25 cm (8-10 in). They are almost entirely aquatic, but do leave the water to bask in the sun and lay eggs. These reptiles are deceptively fast and are also excellent swimmers. They hunt for prey and will attempt to capture it when the opportunity presents itself. They are very aware of predators and people and generally shy away from them. In fact, the Red-eared Slider frantically slides off rocks and logs when approached - hence the name.
.

Picture refer:http://www.redearslider.com
.

.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

Koi Carp

.
.
Koi varieties
.

.
Carp Origins

The common carp is widely believed to have originated from the Caspian Sea with natural habitat surrounding the North, Baltic, Mediterranean, Black, Azov, Caspian and Aral Sea basins. The common carp, as a food fish with the ability to survive and adapt to many different climates and waterways, was bartered and spread to many different areas, including North America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Wild populations of the common carp now exist in those four continents and South America.

tural color mutations of these carp would have occurred across all populations. Historical records indicate that carp with color mutations were found in China. However, the earliest records of carp with distinct colors kept for selective breeding, true Nishikigoi, have been found in Japan. Depictions of carp or 'koi' with different color variations have been found on 18th century Japanese drawings and paintings. The ornamental cultivation of carp originated in the Niigata region of Japan during the Japanese Edo Period.

.

Koi History

.

Koi breeding originated in the 18th century in the Niigata prefecture of Japan. Farmers working the rice fields would notice that some carp were more brightly colored than others, capture them, and raise them. By the 20th century, a number of color patterns had been established,

.

most notably the red-and-white Kohaku. The outside world did not become aware of the degree of development until 1914, when the Niigata koi were exhibited in the annual exposition in Tokyo. At that point, interest in koi exploded throughout Japan. The hobby of keeping koi spread worldwide after plastic bags and shipping of koi became both fast and safe for the fish. These factors enabled koi to be shipped worldwide with low mortality rates. Koi are now commonly sold in most pet stores, with higher-quality fish available from specialist dealers.
.

Koi varieties are distinguished by coloration, patterning, and scalation. Ghost koi, developed in the 1980s are metallic hybrids of wild carp and Ogon koi and are not considered true Nishikigoi. Butterfly koi, Longfin koi, or Dragon Carp were also developed in the 1980s and are notable for their long and flowing fins. They are actually hybrids with Asian carp and, like Ghost koi, are not considered true Nishikigoi. Koi fish are very shy, and will dart away with ease.

.

.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.