Bhv PC Aquarium 4 Deluxe (PC)
July 21st, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Product Features
- Runs as desktop background, screensaver and standalone
- Pick your favourite photos and decorate your aquariums
- Use up to 3 monitors with multi-disply technology
- Real 3D marine Tropical Fish with realistic aquarium sound atmosphere
- Supports MP3, Midi, etc. for personal background music
- Realist
ic fish animation with bump mapping & spectacular lighting
- Relax while you work: PC-aquarium Deluxe 4 also runs as desktop wallpaper so you can relax while you work.
- Use your own music and images in the background and choose your favourite fish from a wide selection.
- PC aquarium Deluxe 4 uses bump-mapping and spectacular lighting for realistic fish animations.
- Feed your fish, touch them with the mouse cursor or just watch the fish you like and follow their movement.
Box Contents
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Breeding Tropical Fish For Beginners - Guppies & Swordtails
July 18th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Breeding Tropical Fish can be a lot of fun. Try your luck at breeding livebearers such as guppies or swordtails.
Equipment Needed:
Breeder Box or Breeder Net
Breeding Grass
5 or 10 gallon tank for the baby fish or a tank divider that you can use for your main tank.
A pair - 1 female and 1 male
Two of the more popular Tropical Fish for beginners has to be Guppies and Swordtails. Guppies and Swordtails are livebearers which means that their babies come out swimming. Like most livebearers, there is not much to getting your guppies or swordtails to breed. If you have a male and a female then you will eventually have a pregnant female. The gestation period for livebearers is usually 28 days but can range from 20 to 40 days.
Place the male and female in the same tank together and they will soon mate. You are probably asking, how can I tell when the female is pregnant? When a female guppy is pregnant she will develop a dark triangular shaped gravid spot near her anal vent. This will get larger and darker as the pregnancy progresses. While you are waiting on the female to develop the babies it’s time to make sure you are prepared for the delivery. We use plastic breeder boxes and always have without any problems. A breeder box is a small box plastic box about 4 inches long by 3 inches wide and 4 inches deep. There is a removable “V” shaped trap in it which serves to separate the mother from the babies. When the mother fish has babies they fall through the slot in the “V” into the bottom of the box. After the mother is finished having babies, you can remove the “V” trap and the mother so that they babies have more room to grow. Some people have had bad experiences with breeder boxes and now only use a breeder net. It is also a good idea to purchase some real or plastic breeding grass for the top of the aquarium. The breeding grass is just in case the mother gives birth before you have a chance to put her in the breeder box. The young babies instinctively will swim to the top of the aquarium and the breeder grass provides a great hiding place so they won’t get eaten by the bigger fish in your tank.
To feed your new arrivals you can use finely crushed flake food. Using your fingers, you can rub the flakes into a fine powder. Some only feed live foods such as baby brine shrimp. Live foods would definitely be the best way to go, but for most this is simply not feasible. Crushed or powdered flake food will suffice. Try to feed the babies 3 very small meals per day. You will invariably feed too much and the excess food will drop to the bottom of the tank or breeder box. To clean a breeder box we like to take a 3 ft. length of aquarium tubing and a small bucket. Use the tubing as a siphon to clean the bottom of the breeder box. Be careful not to siphon any baby fish.
Try to perform 25% water changes weekly for your baby guppies. This will aid in the optimal growth of your baby Tropical Fish. After a few weeks in the breeder box your new babies will soon outgrow their home and you will need to move them either to a new tank or your main tank with a divider installed. By 8 weeks old your baby fish will most likely be able to return to the main tank without a divider.
About the Author:
Mike is an editor at FishLore.com. Designed for beginners, FishLore.com provides Tropical Fish information, how-to guides, articles, fish profiles, FAQs, forums and more! http://www.FishLore.com
Read more articles by: Michael Magnum
Article Source: www.iSnare.com
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Fish Tank Maintenance
July 1st, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Once you own an aquarium the tank maintenance will be one of your most important responsibilities. It is certainly not as much fun as you get from decorating the tank or selecting your fish, but without proper fish tank maintenance, you will be endangering the lives of your fish.
Fish tank maintenance is an essential part of your new hobby as an aquarist, and neglecting this will lead to problems with both the fish tank and the long-term health of the fish. Fish tank maintenance can sometimes seem like a bother for the aquarium owner but it doesn’t have to be that way. Perform your fish tank maintenance on a regular schedule and you’ll ensure that you never miss out on what needs to be done.
Maintenance
Now that you have learned about establishing a fish tank and you understand the cycling process, you will better understand the process of maintenance and cleaning. If your tank contains too many fish there will be excessive waste, food particles, and chemicals in the water, making maintenance difficult and the tank unhealthy. Set up your tank with a manageable number of fish and develop a schedule for carrying out regular aquarium maintenance tasks and it will make your hobby more enjoyable. Arrange the fish tank so that future tank maintenance tasks remain as easy and efficient as possible.
Cleaning
Your maintenance and cleaning schedule should not take very long to keep your aquarium sparkling and healthy. Cleaning your fish tank not only helps with the appearance of the tank by removing algae but can also prolong the life of your fish, as no pet can live in an unhealthy environment. Algae can be removed from the tank glass with an algae magnet or scraper. Remember to regularly remove any dead leaves from live plants. Do not overfeed your fish as this will cause excess waste in the water which will settle at the bottom of the tank and need to be removed.
Filter Maintenance
aquarium maintenance must include regular cleaning of the filtration system as well as the interior of the tank. Cleaning the filter is usually a monthly task. This involves removing the filter medium and cleaning it under running water. When the filter medium becomes too worn it will need to be replaced. Remember, however, that the filtration system also contains “good bacteria” which aids in the breaking down of ammonia and balancing the nitrites in the tank, so rinse the filter quickly to remove large particles but do not be over-zealous in your cleaning.
Once you have your fish tank setup and cycling correctly, you need to set a schedule for cleaning that is strictly followed. Fish tank maintenance is an important aspect of your setup and it is necessary to integrate this into your overall scheme.
Some aquarium owners perform too much fish tank maintenance. Ideally you want the fish tank to become a self-sustaining system and not one where you are burdened with fish tank maintenance all the time. Establish a regular schedule for cleaning and maintenance every two to three weeks and your fish should remain healthy and happy and your aquarium should sparkle.
About the Author:
Alison Stevens is an online author and maintains The Goldfish Site to assist anyone who wants to get started with setting up an aquarium fish tank and gain an understanding of fish tank maintenance.
Read more articles by: Alison Stevens
Article Source: www.iSnare.com
Automatic Fish Feeder for aquarium fish tank
Price: £14.90 GBP
Battery Operated aquarium Vacuum CleanerPrice: £11.99 GBP
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Your Fish’s Home: Should You Use a Used Fish Tank ?
May 18th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Fish tanks and aquariums are not only great additions to the family, but also exciting ways of interior decorating. Because they come in all sizes and cater to enthusiasts and novices alike, fish tanks are incredibly popular. But when you decide to purchase a fish tank for your new family members, do you buy new or used? Read below for some examples of why you should consider buying a used fish tank, where you can get them, and some risks you may face along the way.
Why A Used Fish Tank?
The number one reason to consider a used fish tank is price. This is especially true if you want to purchase a larger tank and establish a true aquarium setting for your fish. Brand new larger tanks can easily cost over $500, so opting for a used fish tank may help you find a bigger, better tank within your price range.
Where Can You Get Them?
There are several great places where you can acquire a used fish tank. For a larger tank, such 100 gallon tank, you will want to check out the classified ads in the paper. For a smaller used fish tank, there’s no better place to look than your own community yard sales. Chances are great that you can find a great deal on a used fish tank that is still in decent shape.
Online auctions are also good resources for finding used fish tanks of any size, small, medium or large. If you purchase from an online site, do be careful of shipping fees and insurance costs as they could make the deal you received on the used fish tank moot point.
The Hazards of Using a Used Fish Tank
As with any type of used equipment, there are risks involved in purchasing a fish tank that has already been used. Specifically, you really don’t know the care and maintenance that has been performed on the fish tank you are purchasing. This is especially the case if you purchase your fish tank at a yard sale, as yard sales have no formal regulation. Online auctions do hold themselves to a standard and have methods of determining and disclosing things that may be wrong with the items sold. Still, be sure you understand ratings and procedures before purchasing a used fish tank though an online auction.
Deciding What Fish Tank Decoration You Prefer For Your Pets?
May 16th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
The moment you decide to have a fish tank, you will have to decide on two main things first: (1) the size of the tank and (2) the kind of fish tank decoration that you will need. There is indeed a great choice in the market on fish tank decorations, so it will not be difficult for you to choose. Let’s look at what it is required to set up your fish tank:
1. The first thing you will need is the bottom material, most commonly gravel and sand. You should ensure that this does not have any calcium in it, or it will kill the fish. The gravel is fine and gives a lot of ruggedness to the tank; however, there should be sufficient hiding space for the fish that loves to hide in the sand.
2. The second on the list of the fish tank decoration is rocks. The rocks give the fish place to hide and play. The more rocks you have the more the fish will feel comfortable, as they mark their territories around these rocks.
3. Then come the aquatic plants – this can be an extremely colorful fish tank decoration and can add as much life to the tank as the fish themselves. There are a many types of plants from hairy to ones with long leaves, and there are many other colors, like red and yellow. Use the plants to create a beautiful landscape for the fish and at the same time match with the house décor.
4. Color gravel – it is beautiful to see color gravel in a fish tank. Along the sand and normal gravel, the colorful stones can be stunning. If you arrange to have this, ensure that you use bright colors such as yellow, orange, and red more than darker colors. This will make the tank look more spacious.
5. Many fish need real hiding places like caves or plant bushes. It is good to add this type of fish tank decoration if you plan to have the shy type of fish in your tank.
The above are just a few suggestions that can help you in setting up a beautiful aquarium for yourself. However, if you are not sure of yourself, call home a professional and allow him/her to set up your aquarium for the first time. These professionals will be able to arrange your aquarium, while at the same time educating you about what goes where and what are their uses. Once you get to know the basics of the fish tank decorating, you can do it yourself.
What Is The Difference Between A Marine Fish Tank And A Freshwater Fish Tank?
May 12th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
There are many beginners who are torn between making a choice of what type of aquariums they should invest in, i.e. the marine fish tank or the freshwater fish tank. If you look at it, both are lovely to look at and both cost more or less the same. However, the marine fish tank is easier to set up and maintain for a beginner. So let us look at both the sides of the coin before we can decide which the best the marine fish tank or the other one?
The Freshwater Tank
The famous gold fish belong to this criterion of fish – the freshwater fish. This type of fish is the most colorful and often small in size. They live at temperatures that average 80 degrees Fahrenheit and hence they would need water heating equipment. There are exceptions to this rule though – and the exception is the gold fish who love normal water and the koi fish which can adjust to cool water effortlessly.
The choice of freshwater fish is endless and the colors as many. The fish are small usually, beautiful and full of life. Very few of the Tropical Fish love to hide; they rather swim around providing a great deal of pleasure to their owners.
The marine fish Tank
When you think of a marine fish tank you will need to set up a total eco-system which can, in the long run, support itself. Once the system has been established, then you will are done with the maintenance of the aquarium. The system usually will take care of the oxygenation, cleaning and many times even the food of the fish. You will have a piece of the sea with you.
There are a few points that will remain your concern though, and that is, the salinity of the water should be maintained at certain levels so that the fish are not harmed. For natural filtration reef systems, it is usually done in a very efficient manner.
The fish can be as colorful as the Tropical Fish; however, the marine fish would definitely be larger. They also are mostly territorial fish and hence, they will need a lot of space as well as hiding places where they can take refuge from time to time.
The marine fish tank is better for the beginner because it has less to look after once the eco-system gets settled; the freshwater tank would need on the other hand, constant supervision and maintenance.
