Fish Tanks

A fish tank can be a wonderful addition to a house; a living work of art that allows contemplation, a swimming version of a tranquil painting. And, unlike dogs and cats, fish are pretty low maintenance, requiring a lot less in terms of exercise and care. If you're looking for an easy-going pet that requires little in terms of commitment but a lot in terms of beauty, investing in a fish tank may be a great way to go.

Before you get a fish tank, though, there are a few basics that you'll need to learn, and a few decisions you'll have to make. One of the most important parts of a healthy fish tank is a properly functioning nitrogen cycle. Fish and other aquatic animals often produce nitrogen as waste products. This nitrogen is in the form of ammonia. To keep your fish healthy, your tank will need organisms that can recycle this waste. Bacteria called nitrifiers are needed to convert the ammonia to nitrite, and then a separate type of bacteria called Nitrospira convert the nitrite to less harmful nitrates.

The two big decisions that you have to make when it comes to a fish tank are in terms of the salt content of the water and the size of the tank itself. Because freshwater fish cannot live in saltwater, and vice versa, you will have to commit to a certain type of water salinity, which will affect the types of fish that you can include in the tank. And as far as tank size goes, the general rule of thumb is that each gallon of water in the tank will support one inch of adult fish.

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If you'd like to learn more about keeping fish as pets, or for any other pet-related questions, contact your Houston Vet Clinic today.