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How To Choose Aquarium Maintenance Products.
After the exciting investigative process of choosing a particular aquarium system and type, setting it up and feeling the exhilaration of introducing the very first batch of fish, the prospect of carrying out maintenance may seem a little less appealing and even mundane. Once the maturation process is complete it will be necessary to carry out regular maintenance to ensure that the system stays healthy and looks good. These essential tasks, however, need not be a chore. By choosing a few simple aids, maintenance can be carried out quickly and effectively with the minimum of fuss.
Types of Maintenance Equipment.
A range of equipment is available to carry out those essential maintenance tasks. The most useful of these are described below.
Gravel Cleaners.
A Gravel Cleaner is a large, hard plastic tube affixed to a smaller bore flexible hose. It is used to effect a water change and remove excess mulm from the gravel substrate. It is important to use a gravel cleaner rather than simply ladling or bailing out water. This is because the gravel layer quickly accumulates fine organic material from fish faeces, uneaten food and plant material. If not thinned out then through the process of decay, toxins can be released into the aquarium that can poison the fish. This may be a slow process with the inhabitants building up some resistance to the deteriorating water conditions but new stock introduced may die within hours. This is known as “Toxic Tank Syndrome”. In severe cases a sudden release of large amounts of these toxins can cause a wipe out with 100% fatalities.
To use the Gravel Cleaner, position the end of the flexible tube into a bucket to receive the siphoned aquarium water. The rigid tube is placed into the water of the aquarium and gently pumped up and down until a siphon is achieved. In some aquariums this pumping action can cause too much turbulence so an alternative method is to fit a siphon hand pump to the flexible hose. Gentle squeezing of the pump will start the siphon. Sucking the end of the flexible tube that is in the bucket can also start the siphon but this method is not recommended as a mouth full of water is likely to be the result and a tummy upset may ensue.
Gravel cleaners are available in a range of different sizes to suite larger or smaller aquariums and there are also slim-line ones for use in heavily decorated or planted aquaria.
On an average system gravel clean and water change is recommended on a four week frequency.
Algae Magnets.
An Algae Magnet is a device for removing algal and bio-films from the interior glass of the aquarium. It comprises two separate magnetized pieces, one with an abrasive material attached to a flat surface and one with a soft, felt like polishing material. The half with the abrasive surface is positioned inside the aquarium and the half with the polishing surface opposite on the outside. The two halves pulled together by magnetism sandwich the glass between them and as the one on the outside of the aquarium is moved, so the one on the interior follows. By moving the magnets across the glass any film on the interior is removed and the outside pane is polished. Stubborn spots can be removed by moving the magnets up and down or left to right over the ingrained algae several times until it disappears. This method of glass cleaning means no wet hands and avoids possible contamination of the aquarium water from residues on your skin. For best results, use the magnet every week, even if little film development can be seen, as films on the glass are much harder to remove if they become well established.
A problem may exist if the interior magnet becomes separated whilst in use at which point it will plummet to the gravel below. It is wise, therefore, to choose a model that has a fixing for the attachment of a cord so that, in the event of separation it can easily be retrieved. Floating magnet cleaners are also available and these will simply float to the surface if separated.
Algae Scrapers.
An Algae Scraper, like the Algae Magnet is used to clean the interior aquarium glass. It comprises a long stick like shaft with a rectangular attachment on one end. The rectangular end is usually double sided with a coarse and finer abrasive surface opposite each other. This simple hand held device is very effective and available in a number of different variations including versions for both glass and acrylic aquariums. Do not use types designed for use on glass aquariums on acrylic types, as they are likely to scratch and abrade the surface. Specialist scrapers are available for the removal of particularly tenacious algal growth such as Coralline Algae in Marine aquaria. As for Algae Magnets, use weekly.
Hand Held Algae Pads.
As the name suggests these are simple abrasive pads in versions for glass and acrylic aquariums. As the hand must be immersed in the aquarium during use it is important to ensure that skin is rinsed clean of any possible contaminants. including soap. Hand held pads remain a popular way of cleaning the aquarium interior and are especially effective for a quick clean and on very large aquaria. They are also useful for cleaning the underside of aquarium hoods, difficult to access areas and light tubes. As for Algae Magnets, use weekly.
Other Maintenance Tools.
To carry out maintenance on your aquarium you will also need two buckets. Use one bucket for waste water from the aquarium and one for storage of the new, conditioned water. As already mentioned, brewing buckets are ideal for these purposes. A medium sized hand net (5” to 6”) is useful for netting out floating material that is often present after doing a gravel clean water change.
SAFETY NOTE.
Always disconnect all electrical appliances from mains power source before attempting any maintenance.
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