It’s quite a common occurrence for fish to poop inside their tank. Some experts even believe that it’s a natural phenomenon that happens when a fish’s environment changes. Whatever the reason may be, it’s quite an unappetising sight. To make matters worse, it’s quite slippery and can cause you a lot of accidents if you’re not careful. So, in this article, we’ll tell you some helpful tips on how to prevent and clean up after your fish have had a tinkle.
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Wash And Clean The Tank Often
Keeping a clean and neat aquarium is very important as it makes a considerable difference in the look of your fish tank. This can be achieved by washing down the tank at least once a week with water changing solution. Using a sponge filter to clean the tank also helps keep the tank in top condition because it minimises the amount of gunk at the bottom. According to the experts at fishinmagazine.com, cleaning the tank removes ammonia and other chemical toxins that accumulate over time which make the fish sick.
If your tank isn’t cleaned regularly, it can become home to many unsavoury creatures which, in turn, can make it difficult for the fish to stay healthy. This also means that your cleaning job won’t be complete until all the dead animals have been removed from the tank.
Monitoring PH Levels
PH is an abbreviation for ‘power of hydrogen’, which plays a crucial role in keeping all living things alive. Generally, there is an ideal PH level for every aquatic environment; however, too much or too little PH can have disastrous consequences for the fish. The pH levels of your tank will change over time as different food sources accumulate in the tank, thus changing the balance of alkalinity and acidity. This is why it’s important to regularly monitor and adjust the PH levels of your tank to guarantee the fish stay healthy.
If you notice that your PH levels are on the low side, it can be an indication that you’ve been feeding your fish on off-brand foods or foods with a lower nutritional value than the required amount. This could potentially lead to a host of health issues for your fish, not to mention all the damage that can occur from an infection if untreated. The good news is that you can easily bring the pH levels of your tank back to a healthy level by adding some acidic foods such as oysters, crabs, or mussels to the tank or by using a good quality fish food specifically labelled as ‘diet for pond or lake fish’.
Change The Water Temperature
Fish are cold-blooded, which means that they depend on their environment to maintain their body temperature. Fish in a cooler environment will become sluggish and sickly which makes it important to ensure that the water in your tank is kept at a constant temperature. As a general rule of thumb, try to keep your water temperature between 75 – 77 degrees Fahrenheit by using an aquarium heater or a heat lamp. Remember that the colder the water, the more energy the fish will have to work which makes them more active and, thus, more nutritious!
Too many fish in your tank can also pose a threat to your tank’s health. In general, the fewer fish in your tank, the better as there’s only so much room for the little guys to swim around. Having too many fish can lead to a host of problems, the most common one being that the fish will become overcrowded and, thus, aggressive towards one another. This sometimes leads to violent fights which, in turn, can cause injuries or even death.
Use An Airlock
Airlocks are important because they provide a way for you to manually change the water in your tank without having to risk making a mess by doing it all in one go. When installing an airlock at the top of your tank, make sure to leave at least a couple of inches of space above the waterline so that you can fit your finger in the hole when checking for oxygen levels. When checking for oxygen levels, it is also important to remember that the tank’s water should be agitated so that the oxygen is evenly distributed throughout the tank’s water. Using an airlock also prevents the risk of an unwanted animal or parasite jumping into your tank.
Prevent Pests And Diseases
Just like with humans, pests and diseases can affect fish too. Pests such as mosquitoes and midges are known to like fish tanks because they provide a perfect breeding ground for their larvae. When these pests get into your tank, they’re not only going to cause you harm by biting you but, more importantly, they could be carrying diseases that affect your fish. The most common of these diseases are known as gill necrosis and bacterial infections. Gill necrosis occurs when the mosquito or other insect bites the gills of your fish, causing them to suffocate. This is why it’s essential to keep your tank clean by regularly cleaning it with a sponge filter or washing down the tank once a week with water changing solution.
Bacterial infections are even more hazardous to your health because they’re often caused by low water temperatures. When the water temperature drops below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, it creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria which can infect your fish. The only way to prevent and control these infections is by keeping your tank at a healthy water temperature. This can be achieved by using an aquarium heater or a heat lamp. If your tank gets infected by bacteria, the only way to save the fish is by eliminating the source of the infection.
In summary, keeping your fish healthy and clean is not as difficult as it seems. With a little bit of planning and research, you’ll be able to do this. Remember to always monitor and adjust the PH levels of your tank and change the temperature of the water if need be.