Some people may be of the mind that freshwater fish care is a seemingly non-existent process. However, freshwater fish should not be thought of as a pet that can easily be set up and forgotten about. Fish require a certain amount of care, and as with any pet, only those who are willing to take on the responsibility for another life should entertain the idea of a pet. However, you should consider the fact that pets can be excellent pets for both busy and laid-back lifestyles.

Research is always a great idea when considering a pet–especially fish, as there are SO many types of freshwater fish to choose from. If you’re wanting more than one fish in a tank, be sure to find out whether they are aggressive or not, as some fish will literally kill others in the same tank. It is also wise to understand the environmental needs of your fish, such as tank size, whether it requires freshwater or saltwater, and how often the tank should be cleaned (some fish actually eat the “gunky” build-up on tank walls).

Make sure that you understand the feeding requirements of your fish before you bring them home. Some fish require certain types of food, as well as particular feeding schedules. You should be particularly careful about not over-feeding or under-feeding your fish, as well. If you are undecided about how much food you should give them, don’t hesitate in calling the store or person you bought the fish from–they will most definintely be happy to assist you.

Another job that needs to be done semi regularly is the cleaning of the tank. It is usually recommended that 1/3 of the tanks water is changed monthly. This is to guarantee that the fish are getting a fresh tank to live in.

If you keep these tips in mind when tending to your freshwater aquarium fish, you are sure to have a wonderful experience with your new pet(s).

http://freshwaterfishcare.net

Showing off your prize fish? Or just looking for something new in beautiful home decor? Acrylic aquariums are the best buy for your money. Here are at least three good reasons to buy one of the newer “high-tech” acrylic aquariums:

1. Acrylic aquariums are much lighter weight than traditional glass aquariums. When you install one, or when you find yourself having to move one, the weight of a fully loaded aquarium may be more than you thought. Taking a 20 gallon aquarium as an example, a glass aquarium weights about 35 pounds. An acrylic aquarium the same size weighs about 17 pounds. When you add the weight of the water, the 20 gallon glass aquarium comes in around 225 pounds. The acrylic aquarium, then, would save several significant pounds in total weight. In addition, if you’re buying your aquarium via the Internet or as a catalog order, shipping costs are reduced significantly. Not only is the aquarium lighter to ship, it requires less packing and extra shipping charges which most supplies add to insure the more breakable glass models.

2. Acrylic aquariums, besides being lighter than glass, are virtually unbreakable and leak-proof. A quality acrylic aquarium is fused together by heat and molecular bonding. There are no degradable joints or seams, making it virtually leak-proof and unbreakable. Most glass aquariums are warranted against leakage and breakage for 1 to 6 years at most. Acrylic aquariums generally carry lifetime warrantees. In addition, the acrylics have improved in recent years so that they start out clearer or brighter than glass aquariums, and maintain their clarity and are unlikely to “yellow” with age. Although acrylic scratches more easily than glass, aquarium manufacturers sell cheap (about $10) scratch removal kits. Careful cleaning with soft cloths eliminate the scratching problem from the start.

3. Acrylic aquariums offer aesthetic benefits for fish lovers and home decor. They come with safe, rounded corners and no sharp edges. They come in a full range of sizes to fit your current aquarium stand or allow you to customize your home decor by purchasing the combination of aquarium shape, size, and stand you want. And from a practical, safety standpoint, acrylics are also more flexible than glass, giving them a distinct “bend and not break” advantage around children, non-fish pets, and even natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes! They also are generally better insulated than glass aquariums, making them require less energy to maintain necessary water temperatures for the health and well-being of your fish.

Acrylic aquariums offer important advantages over glass, whether you already have an aquarium, or you’re just getting started. To beautify your home or just for showing off your fish, you should buy an acrylic aquarium when you make your next aquarium purchase.

Gary Speer, a life-long pet lover and pet owner, offers quality pet products and supplies, as well as fun pet stories and pet-care tips, from his website at http://www.forpetsandpetlovers.com