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5 Accessories Your Fish Needs To Stay Healthy

Glossy and vibrantly colored fish are always a household favorite. Like any cuddly pet, taking care of a fish can educate your little ones about obligation, responsibility, and loving and protecting animals.

Suppose your family is getting ready to be responsible pet owners. In this case, you’re most probably researching where to find accredited fish suppliers, what kind of tank you’ll have to purchase, how and where to install it, what type of fish you’ll buy, and exactly how many. 

However, it’s important to keep in mind that fish-care doesn’t stop with the tank and water. Various accessories are also essential to keep your fish thriving and clean. To give you an idea of where to start, here are five accessories that your fish needs to stay healthy:

Happy young mother with cute little daughter choosing accessories for home aquarium in pet shop

Air Pump

An air pump is a device that forces air from the environment into the fish tank. The process encourages water motion with air bubbles, which generate oxygen in the container and provide the fish with the air they need to breathe.

While fish tanks can take in oxygen from the water’s surface, the amount may not be enough. Using an air pump is highly advisable to boost carbon dioxide and oxygen flow.

Water Heater

The best aquarium heaters monitor and control the temperature inside your fish tank. Although water temperature should be approximately 72°F to 84°F, different fish species require variations of this. Hence, it’s best to confirm it with the supplier.

Also, there are instances where the water temperature suddenly changes. This scenario can be due to certain lighting that’s creating heat, your tank’s location, and a defective heater. Not properly regulated will trigger stress in your fish or, worse, their death.

Test Kit

When you have a new fish tank, it’s advisable to perform water testing routinely. Since new tanks are susceptible to abrupt nitrite and ammonia increase, the typical test kits in the local market are pH, nitrate, ammonia, and nitrate water test kits, which are vital for maintaining aquariums.

These kits evaluate the chemical levels in the water so that you can prevent distressed or unhealthy fish. If you notice your fish shifting colors, swimming quickly, or trying to breathe at the surface, then it’s time for some water testing.

Lighting

Installing lighting in your fish tank doesn’t only benefit your fish but also your plants. This matter is factual, in case you plan to include plants in the aquarium. Of course, when plants are outside, they get to stay healthy because they bask in the sun for hours. If you’ll be placing your aquarium indoors, it’s best to invest in quality lighting if you want them to thrive.

While your fish only require moderate lighting, they still need the sun to maintain good health. Furthermore, installing lights will allow you to properly inspect your tank, monitor its cleanliness, thoroughly check your fish’s condition, and evaluate their habits.

Still of Fishes swimming in tank

Filtration System

Finally, an aquarium will need a filtration system to keep your water clean and eliminate any residues or sediments. Three methods to filter a tank are chemical, biological, and mechanical, explains The Spruce. Chemical filtration utilizes substances to take the waste out of the water.

Biological filtration uses good bacteria to dissolve nitrate and ammonia and convert them into compound nitrate, which is marginally damaging. For the useful bacteria to survive, there should be sand or pebbles that it can stick to and oxygen-abundant water.

Meanwhile, mechanical filtration refers to an apparatus that removes harsh residues using the flowing water and straining the particles through an aquarium filter. Often, fish tank owners combine these three techniques for optimal filtration.

At any rate, the accessories mentioned above will guarantee that your fish stays healthy and safe inside your aquarium or tank. Avoid overcrowding your aquarium, as this will also lead to fish anxiety. Refrain from putting materials such as plastic, ceramics, wood, or consumable items in the tank, as most fish love to chew. When they chew on harmful things, they can expel toxins in the water. Furthermore, avoid placing in your aquarium beach sand, corals, rocks, shells, or any biodegradable item that can change the chemical level of your water. This means that you should likewise be careful when you insert your hands into the tank while your arms have traces of lotions, creams, and hand soaps. They are hazardous to fish, so be sure to wash them off before working on your fish tank properly.

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