INTRODUCTION TO FISH AND FISH CARE

SALTWATER FISH Salt is needed for them to survive. Salt must be added to the aquarium when setting up or cleaning is done to the tank. Saltwater fish are more difficult to keep then freshwater but nowadays hobbyists are having great success.

Saltwater Basics Salt is measured in specific gravity with a hydrometer: to ppm is required for proper tank salt balance. Specific gravity over is reduced by a partial water change. A gravity too low is raised by adding salt to the water. PH or alkalinity of Saltwater is higher then freshwater and even more important : 8.1 – 8.4. Buffering chemicals are sometimes needed to adjust this.

Saltwater Invertebrates These saltwater animals have no spine and require particularly good water conditions and lighting. Many of them filter feed which means they suck in the water around them and filter out the nutrients. They also use lighting to help digest and grow. We have a wide selection of additives and foods for all invertebrates and corals. Some fish eat corals so use extreme caution when recommending these items. Supplements to help feed corals and other invertebrates

Saltwater Fish Choices Just as in freshwater some saltwater fish are aggressive and passive. Do you know which are aggressive or passive?

Aquarium Filter Basics We sell mainly three kinds of filters: Outside, Canister, and Undergravel filters Following is a brief description of each and the importance of having them.

Outside Filter Comes complete and ready to fill and plug in. Takes water out of tank and filters it thru cartridges and back into tank. These cartridges should be changed every 4-8 weeks. Normal cleaning of plastic intake tubes and unit should be performed on a regular basis. Operation and use will be given by instructor. Cartridge should be replaced every 4-8 weeks. Rinsing can be done weekly.

CANISTER FILTERS Water flows into filter Filter usually has 3 chambers sponge, chemical, ceramic chip Chemical is usually charcoal or zeolite and should be replaced every 4-8 weeks Filter sits under tank out of sight Very quiet Ceramic: biological, Never change Charcoal or zeolite removes color and odor Change every 4-8 weeks

UNDERGRAVEL FILTER Plate sits under 2” of gravel All debris is pulled under plate Filter is run by power head or air pump

Other Accessories Heaters and thermometer Protein Skimmer Airstones \ Decorations Usually set to about 78 degrees Different watts for larger tanks Customers: Do not plug new heaters in for 30 minutes after you place them in water. Glass tube must have time to acclimate to tank temperature or it will crack. Extra filtration usually used in saltwater aquariums. Uses the force of tiny bubbles to take out unwanted nutrients and proteins. These items attach themselves to the bubbles and foam to the top of the filter into a cup. Air Valve makes it easy to distribute air evenly to all tank asseccories. Airstones add beauty and oxygen to lower levels of the aquarium. Recommend if customer has a deep tank.

Pulling it all together- Freshwater Basics Choose the largest aquarium Choose gravel : just a ¼” for the bottom (Undergravel filters need about 2”). A thick gravel bed will cause ammonia problems. Fill with water: tap water, well water or any other you still need to use a dechlorinator such as Prime or Stress Coat. Any water changes a dechlorinator must be used. Set up your filter and get it running. Set your heater to the desired temperature and place your heater in but don’t plug it in for 30 minutes Add some good bacteria to help age the tank such as Bio Spira or Cycle Let tank run for 1 to 2 days and add in 2 or 3 starter fish. See how these do for a week and slowly add a couple more. 1/2 -1 pound of gravel per gallon of aquarium with outside or canister filter. These are two excellent dechlorinators. Make certain you have all the filter media you need to get it running! Let heater stay unplugged to 30 minutes anytime it has been removed from water and placed back in. Bio Spira and Cycle will help introduce new beneficial bacteria to a new tank. If no bacteria is used the new tank may become cloudy a few days after set up. A new aquarium needs patience and time to establish itself. A new freshwater tank takes days before it cycles through. A saltwater tank can tank up to 8 weeks.

Saltwater Basic Setup All the same procedures can be used for a saltwater setup with these few exceptions. When adding water you must also add salt. Measure the specific gravity using a hydrometer: Cylce and Saltwater Bio Spira can be used Now time and patience is needed. Tester fish can be added (about 3-5). We have no guarantee on saltwater fish.

Common Questions Why is my tank cloudy? Answer: The aquarium is going thru a cycling process known as the Nitrogen Cycle. This occurs in new tanks and tanks that have recently had major water changes. Solution: Adding Bio Spira or Cycle will help. Do not overfeed or overpopulate a new tank.

Cloudy Aquarium After a few weeks

Saltwater Starter Fish There are very few fish that are recommended for starting a saltwater aquarium Here are a couple: Green Chromis Damsel Live Rock: this helps cycle the tank faster and will assist in removing excess nitrates

Feeding Saltwater Fish Feed fish and invertebrates a wide variety of foods Brine Shrimp, Plankton, Beef Heart Flake Food

Helping our customer As our customer you may be asked these fish questions when you come in to purchase your fish: 1. What kind of tank do you have? Freshwater or Saltwater

2. What size tank do you have? This allows us to know how many fish can be in the tank. 3. What other fish do you have? This allows us to help you make good decisions when buying fish. (Aggressive, Community, etc.) 4. What kind of filtration do you have? This allows us to know if you have adequate filtration for your tank.

5. How long has your tank been set up \ when was your last partial water change? New tanks cannot handle many new fish. A freshwater tank is considered new for about the first days. During this time the tank environment is changing rapidly and can stress fish. Many tanks will become cloudy during this time because of an rapid growth and dying of bacteria. Saltwater tanks can take up to 8 weeks to age properly. During this time the tank can become murky and brown algae growth can be substantial.

Quiz Time! How long does it take to cycle a freshwater aquarium? A saltwater? Answer : FW – up to days SW – up to 8 weeks

Quiz Time! How long is our saltwater guarantee? Freshwater? Answer: We have a very limited saltwater guarantee but talk to a supervisor to help with the situation. Freshwater is a conditional 7 day guarantee. Fish cannot be chewed, must have receipt.

Quiz Time! Is this an aggressive, semi aggressive or community fish? Dwarf Gourami: community Angelfish: semi-aggressive African Clawed Frog: semi-aggressiveConvict Cichlid: Aggressive Tiger Barbs: semi- aggressive Jack Demsey: Aggressive Gold Gourami – semi aggressive Lobster: aggressive

Quiz Time! Brackish water fish are somewhere between fresh and salt. They come from rivers that have salt water in them and also freshwater. Which of these fish are brackish? Mono Dact: Brackish Knight Goby: brackish Red Chromide: Brackish Flounder: Brackish Puffer: Brackish Dalmatian Molly: sometimes

Quiz Time: New tanks can be stressful for fish. Which of these are good to start with? Dalmatian Molly : good Neons or Cardninals: bad Zebra Danios: good Damsel: good but aggressive Pink Skunk Clown: Okay but not real hardy Platy : Good

End Of Quiz! Bonus: Can you tell the difference between male or female on these pictures? Platy: male Platy: female Swordtail: Male Boy George: ?

Remember: We will do our best to help solve your fish questions or problems Remember to float your new fish for about 20 minutes A few times a day take time to really really enjoy your aquarium. You have your own living community there.

The End Thanks go out to all the hard working researchers on staff at PPI.