Maddy Hargrove

To start and keep a freshwater aquarium, you need not only a tank, but the other equipment necessary to keep the water habitable for the fishy inhabitants. When you purchase those fish, make sure that you go to a good dealer and that you buy healthy fish. And when those healthy fish get sick, as some may, tap into the simple remedies in this Cheat Sheet to help restore them to health.

No matter what you do to keep your aquarium clean, you'll always have some type of algae in your aquarium system. You can keep it under control with live plants, algae-eating fish, scrapers, and other methods. Algae is often introduced into your aquarium by fish and live food, and it comes in several colors: Blue-green algae (caused by poor water conditions) can form a layer on all of your decorations and substrate, and if your fish stop swimming for a few minutes, they start to resemble a moldy cupcake.

Acrylic aquariums (or tanks) are lightweight and come in an amazing number of shapes and sizes to suit whatever style needs you have. If you're looking at acrylic aquariums for your saltwater or freshwater fish, consider these advantages and disadvantages. Acrylic tanks have some advantages: Lightweight: When compared with glass, acrylic tanks are easier to move and produce fewer hernias.

Hobbyists new to aquarium keeping get such constant reminders not to overfeed their fish that they sometimes end up underfeeding them. Too much food in an aquarium tank can also build up and foul the water or increase the risk of disease. You want to make sure that your aquarium fish receive all the nutrition they need.

Buying fish for your freshwater aquarium is opportunity for a fun trip to the pet store. As you choose fish to take home, look at the physical characteristics in the following list to determine whether a fish is in good health: Body color is rich, not faded or dull. The color should be complete and not missing in any areas.

When you decide to set up a freshwater aquarium, you commit to getting a number of items aside from the fish. You need equipment and supplies to help keep the aquarium environment healthy for your fish. Use the following list as a shopping list when you head out to get your tank: Tank and stand Air-line tubin

As you shop for the tenants of your freshwater — or saltwater — aquarium, look for a fish dealer who sells healthy fish and can offer information and assistance when you need it. A good fish dealer has the characteristics in the following list: Clean tanks and shop. Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable staff who answer your questions, go out of their way to help, and are familiar with equipment, putting together systems, and needs of each fish.

Sometimes, your freshwater fish get sick. If you notice signs of illness, try the following remedies — most of them applications you use in the whole tank — to treat your sick fish: Salt: Common table salt is generally used to treat ich and other parasitic diseases. Methylene blue: Used to treat diseases such as ich, fungus, and velvet.