Tips for Creating a Stable Aquatic Habitat
Many aquarium owners have wondered, why did my fish die? You buy a fish that seems happy and healthy, and within a few days, weeks, or months, it dies for no apparent reason. Even fish that live for several years often die for unknown causes.
While these deaths may seem mysterious, there’s usually an explanation—the fish tank’s ecosystem is imbalanced. Before you can add any fish to your tank, you need to take the proper steps to establish a sustainable aquatic habitat. Keep reading to find out more.
Choosing the Proper Aquatic Habitat for Your Fish
Taking care of fish requires setting up the tank in a way that’s specific to the fish species. Some fish need a heater, others don’t.
Some fish require a lower PH level in the water while others need hard water. Taking care of PH levels, the amount of ammonia in the water and algae is one of the most important matters. For ideal results and the easiest measurements, it’s best to use a hanna ph meter. While that may sound overwhelming to a beginner, Hanna Instruments makes a wide range of affordable, accurate, and easy-to-use pH meters that are great for any aquarium hobbyist on any budget.
Peacock Moss and Marimo moss balls are a highly unique and rare form of algae growth. They can only be found growing in a few lakes throughout the world and are available at Aquarzon.
All of the species in your tank must have the same temperature, pH, substrate, and decor needs. They must have compatible temperaments, and each fish needs to have its spatial needs met.
Some species, such as watchman gobies, like to have hiding places. Other fish need open space. When housing fish together, make sure to choose plants and decor that accommodate all of them.
Choosing the right substrate in the right volume is extremely important because this will facilitate natural algae and bacterial growth. People often make the mistake of using too little gravel. When you’re setting up your aquarium, you’ll want to make sure to use a de-chlorinator in the water so that the aquatic environment is safe for both your fish and beneficial bacteria.
Crafting an Ecosystem
There’s so much more to fish tanks than meets the eye. Besides the water, decor, and fish, the tank harbors an entire ecosystem. It’s a miniature replication of the rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans your fish came from in the wild.
You want to replicate this natural ecosystem as closely as you can in your tank.
For freshwater aquariums, opting for live, fully aquatic plants is a great option. Research the plants and their compatibility with your fish. Marimo moss is great for betta fish, while java moss is hardy enough for even destructive species like cichlids.
You can achieve a conducive environment in saltwater aquariums by opting for microalgae and living corals. Copepods such as these add biodiversity and also act as a food source for picky fish. In an aquarium, the microscopic organisms are just as important as your fish and invertebrates.
Be Careful Cleaning
When conducting water changes or cleaning the tank, make sure you don’t remove too much water or introduce a lot of new decor at once. This can throw off the balance and result in a disproportionate bacterial bloom of less important bacteria.
Remember that algae is your friend! It might be tempting to scrub away all the algae, but it adds oxygen to the tank and helps reduce nitrates. Rather than cleaning it manually, select species that naturally feed on algae to keep it in check.
Life-Saving and Time-Saving
By taking the proper steps to lay the groundwork for a biodiverse aquatic habitat, you’re making things better for your fish and yourself. The bacteria, plants, and algae that grow in a proper ecological setup help keep the water clean, reducing the volume of water you have to change.
Did you learn something from this article? If so, check out some of the other articles on our website for more educational posts.
