Freshwater

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Part II: Fish and How to Care for Them
Daily measures
Maintaining the following daily routine is not as difficult as it sounds. It takes
only a few minutes a day, and after a week or so, it will become second nature —
just like grabbing a midnight snack while your spouse is asleep.
Check the equipment
It is very important to make sure that all mechanical equipment is functioning
properly each and every day. Are the filter systems putting out the optimal
flow that the manufacturer suggests? Is the water flowing smoothly, or is
it running too slow? If the water seems to have slowed down to the point
where it resembles a still life painting, check to see whether the filter and
tubes are clogged and make sure that the motor is not wearing down (water
flow is slow or the filter is making noise).
Many filter motors can be rebuilt with parts supplied by the manufacturing
company that produced the product. If the filter pads are clogged or
extremely dirty, replace them or rinse them gently under water until they’re
clean. The only real disadvantage to replacing or washing filters is losing the
biological bacteria that lives on the pads.
Are the air pumps in your aquarium in prime working condition? Carefully
inspect them to make sure that they are running properly and not overheating.
If the pumps are not putting out enough air to run the extra equipment
and decorations efficiently (you’ll know when the little plastic diver turns
blue and keels over), you can usually rebuild them by replacing worn
diaphragms with parts you special order at your local fish shop. If your local
dealer cannot find the parts for you, take a couple of aspirin, then call the
manufacturer or check out its Web site to find the parts you need. If the
pump is very old and no parts are available, it’s probably time to purchase a
new one.
Check the water temperature
Monitoring water temperature is another important part of your daily routine.
Any fluctuation in temperature more than two degrees from the norm
can quickly lead to serious health problems. If the temperature is not within
correct range (your fish are either floating around in the center of an ice cube
or have melted into a blob), check to make sure that your heater is not stuck
in the on or off position.
Always measure the water temperature at the same time each day to get the
most accurate readings. Replace any faulty heaters immediately and install a
heater that contains an internal regulator if your finances allow. An internal
regulator lets the heater turn itself on and off automatically to maintain a set
temperature.