To be a successful Beginner Fishkeeper

1. Find where all your local aquarium shops are and visit them

As you visit them, take a pen and paper and note down the names of the fishs you like. The shopkeeper is used to customers asking questions so fire away, but don't take every word, some employees are more educated in fishkeeping than others!

Just be wary that they may not have your best interests at heart. There are bad shops and good shops in all manner of businesses and the aquarium hobby is no different. The good shops look clean, win awards and proudly display these.

You'll be very tempted to buy items like the tank and fish on the same day. But think of it as a exploration trip rather than a buying trip. Buying a tank and a fish on the same day for a beginner is usually a fatal disaster for the animal and a waste of your time and money. If you're worried about this, don't take your wallet to avoid temptation.

2. Examine your house

You'll need to find a place to put a tank. You're advised to put a tank where you can see it comfortably. Sounds obvious we know. But if a problem happens then you're not going to see it for hours if it's in 'the other room'. Best to put it against a wall so it can't easily be knocked over. Most aquariums need one or more mains electrical items to be used in it. So keep in mind that access to a wall socket is required.

Similarly don't put an aquarium near a busy door. This will stress the fish and a stressed fish is an ill fish. Don't put a tank against a sun drenched wall. Too much sun shining on the tank causes algae to grow in the tank which can soon look ugly (the fish don't mind it though) and the sun can easily heat up the water to killing levels on hot days. Lastly, think about you cleaning the tank and replacing the water from time to time. If the tank is too far from the bathroom or kitchen then you'll be giving yourself extra work carrying equipment and water around the house.

3. Decide what type of tank you want

Difficult one this. There are currently dozens of different tanks on the market. They are all manner of sizes, colours and shapes. Some are gimmicks sold by manufacturers to make a 'buck' and are unsuitable for holding a fish for any length of time. So what makes for a good tank? Usually the cheapest ones surprisingly. A long, low, rectangle shaped tank is still the best shape. It's sturdy and doesn't cost much to make. There are two basic types:

Those made out of glass or those made out of plastic (Acrylic). Each have their advantages and disadvantages but glass is generally better in the long run as it's easier to keep clean and gives the best view of the fish.

You'll want ones with a hood. This will house the lamp so you can view the fish at its best and will keep smells and the fish in and reduce water evaporation.

A good tank will have a good surface area. That is the amount of water exposed to the air. A bad tank would have a narrow neck. It may surprise you to know that it's not just the amount of water a tanks holds that determines the number of fish it can house. But most important is this surface area. Fish need oxygen to breathe and they can only get this by the air diffusing slowly across the water line. So the larger this is, the more oxygen can get into the water to replace what the fish take out when they breathe.

This is why people with goldfish bowls should only half fill them up as that maximises the surface area. Not that we recommend using such small bowls of course. Their lack of filtration and small volume usually ends in a sick or dead fish.

A lot of tanks come with their own stands. This increases their cost but you do get peace of mind that the stand is able to support the weight of the full tank.

Most stands are also cupboards and provide a useful place to store bits and pieces, including external canister filters.

4. Setting up the tank

Buying a tank, setting it up and filling it with fish all in the same day, while possible, is a sure road to disaster if you don't know the tricks of the hobby. In fact, setting up and fully stocking your first tank can take close to a month! But we'll show you how to do it in a day.

You'll need a few things for your tank

1. Tank liner. A sheet of foam that is placed under the tank to
protect the furniture and to stop any piece of grit from
pressing into the bottom glass plate.
2. A heater to keep the water warm (for tropical set ups only).
3. A filter to remove toxins given off by the fish and keep the
water chemistry stable.
4. Water conditioner.
5. Thermometer.
6. Water chemistry test kit, liquid kits are more reliable
(testing for ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,KH,pH, GH).
7. Two clean plastic buckets - one for holding new water, one for
the old.
8. Substrate of your choice, gravel or sand.
9. Other misc tank-safe decorations.
10. Plants. If you've got plants you'll need some plant fertiliser.

Fish require a place to hide so you'll need to provide some objects like plants (real or plastic), rocks, bogwood, ornaments, etc. Avoid any decor with very small holes where a fish could get stuck. Once the animals feel at home, they'll come out more if they feel they have a retreat.

Examine the tank carefully. Any cracks or bad workmanship need to be found at this stage. Lightly wipe the inside with a dry paper towel to remove any dust, etc. or use a vacuum cleaner. At no point use any kind of soap or detergent on the tank or equipment or ornaments. You may kill the animals if any slight trace remains. A rinse of the tank with warm water is a good way to get rid of any shop dirt.

Take the gravel and rinse it in tap water to remove dust. You'll need enough to cover the entire bottom of the tank to a depth of 2.5cm (1"), only go deeper if you have live plants. Add the ornaments and position these firmly down in the gravel.

Now to the water.

You need to make the water around room temperature 22-27°C (71.6-80.6°F) before you add it to the tank. Use water from the kitchen tap only, it needs to come straight off the mains. Water that has been stored in storage tanks can contain bacteria or other nasties, this can include hot water. It is best to use a spare heater to warm up standing water than hot water from the hot tap.

A good tip is to place a small china saucer in the bottom of the tank so that any water poured in will hit this first and stops the gravel from being displaced.

Pour in enough to cover the gravel to a depth of an inch.

Take your water conditioner and reading its instructions, pour in enough to suit the total volume of your tank.

Now add your plants.

Once you're happy with this, fit your heater to the side of the aquarium adjust it so it's not touching the gravel. Add your box filter and arrange the cables.

Fill the tank to the required level and put the lid on it and turn on its lights.

Switch on the heater and the filter.

You'll noticed millions of tiny bubbles appear inside on surfaces, this soon clears after a few hours. This is normal.

Leave the tank to settle overnight or at least for a few hours as you should really check there are no leaks.

Aquarium Care for Freshwater Fish

Freshwater fish are perhaps the easiest fish to care for in comparison to saltwater species because they are usually hardier fish. A basic aquarium set up will be required. You will need a tank, some rocks or substrate to line bottom of the tank. You will also need a filter, and some lighting. When choosing fish, it is imperative to make sure the fish are compatible. Not only do they need to be compatible for water temperature and P.H., but they also should have similar food requirements. Try to keep the fish relatively the same size. It has been said that if a fish is small enough to fit in another fishes mouth, that is usually where it ends up. So don’t be discouraged if this happens. Even fish that have been housed together for several months have been known to disappear on occasion.

Freshwater fish should be fed twice daily. Feed only a small amount that can be consumed within the first two to five minutes. Over feeding is a common mistake among novice fish keepers. Any excess food should be lifted with a net if possible, as it will become debris and quickly dirty the tank. Water should be kept regulated and tested weekly. Any discrepancies in P.H. and water temperature should be corrected immediacy in order to minimize stress caused to the fish.
Stress is significant because it causes illness in fish. It is important to monitor the activity and overall well being of the fish in an aquarium. The signs of stress will be fairly obvious. Slow moving or lethargic looking fish will require a stress coat that can be purchased at a local pet store. Try to avoid overcrowding the tank. This should help to reduce the amount of stress caused to the fish.

Change about a third of the water in the aquarium at a time, because this type of change will cause the least amount of disturbance to the fish and other inhabitants. This will need to be done every two to three weeks. Use either a bucket or a siphon to remove the water from the tank. Try to remove any loose or floating debris at this time. When adding the new water to the aquarium, be sure that it is within approximately two degrees of the tank water. The sides of the aquarium should be scrubbed regularly to remove an algae build up. Again be careful not to disturb the fish. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling the aquarium. Lastly, check the manufacturer’s recommendation on filters and change them accordingly. Filters collect any fish waste or left over food. They can’t function properly unless they are clean.

Introduce hardy fish to a new tank. These fish can withstand higher nitrite levels that are present in a new aquarium. Choose fish such as danios, barbs, gouramis, and live bearers. Don’t add more than three to four small fish per week. Acclimation times vary per species, so check with your retailer before adding any other new fish.

Handfeeding Koi

You'll need patience to train your koi to eat from your hand. Wild animals have a natural fear of anything that they feel may hurt them. Since you're a lot bigger than they are, the koi will see you as a threat at first. Just be patient in your training, and they'll soon overcome their fear, just as other animals will do.

It is easiest to train the fish, if you start the training from the very beginning. You can train fish that you have had in your pond for a while, but it is a lot easier to train them if you start the training with the first feeding.

Normally, when you feed fish, you would scatter the food on top of the water. Don't do this. You want to train the fish to eat from your hand, not from the surface of the pond. Kneel down next to the pond with a feed bag, and place a few pellets in your hand. Submerge your hand into the water, and let the pellets fall out slowly. The fish may seem to be ignoring you, but they know that you're there with your hand in the water, and they know that the food is there. Keep on doing this every time that you feed them.

Over time, one or two fish will swim up and eat. The rest of the fish will soon follow. Continue to slowly drop pellets into the water, until you've fed them the normal amount of food. Keep doing this for about a week.

After a week, kneel next to the pond with the feed bag, as you did the previous week. Instead of dropping the pellets slowly from your hand, hold the pellets in your palm. Keep your hand steady, and wait. Eventually the fish will come over and eat from your hand. Be sure not to make any quick movements, or you'll just scare the fish. Remove your empty hand, and repeat the process until you've fed the fish their normal amount. If the fish refuse to eat from your hand, then don't feed them. One day without food won't harm them, and it will teach them that if they don't eat from your hand, they won't get fed.

After you've gotten the fish to eat out of your palm, then you can teach the fish to take the food from your fingertips. Take a pellet between your fingertips, and place your hand in the water. Eventually, the boldest fish will approach to eat, and others will follow. Again, if they won't take the food, then let them miss a meal.

Once the fish are eating from your hand, then you can alternate between handfeeding and regular feeding. Having the fish eating out of your hand is a great way to interact with your koi.

About the Author
Tim is the webmaster of Water Gardens & Fountains, a great resource for water gardening enthusiasts.

Published At:http://www.isnare.com/
permanent link :http://www.isnare.com/?aid=355021&ca=Pets

Snorkel Gear Tips - by Jeanine Sachs

I have been working on the CWIC Customer Support Team for 4 years and am always asked great questions that may help other water enthusiasts better enjoy their adventures. Today I'd love to share some surrounding the use of snorkels, snorkel & dive masks and fins.

How do you use mask and snorkel purge valves?

To clear a mask purge valve, simply hold onto the mask firmly with your hands, tilt your head forward and exhale through your nose. Any water within your mask will exit the purge valve.

A snorkel purge valve is cleared when you take a deep breath and blow with force. The water will then clear from the breathing passage.

How about a whistle built into a snorkel?
A whistle is a notify feature built into many of today's snorkels. Our whistles are designed to be heard from over 200 feet away. To use them, you must rise to the surface of the water, remove the snorkel from your mouth and blow with force into the whistle.

How do you know if a pair of fins fit properly?

Fins should fit snugly, yet allow for the free movement of your foot and ankle. There are many varieties to choose from, so make sure that you take the time to find a pair that is most comfortable for you.

Best way to keep a mask fog free?

The best way to avoid a foggy mask is to first purchase a high-quality mask with tempered glass lenses. Secondly, when you bring your mask home wash with hot soapy water (some snorkelers like to use toothpaste as a cleaning agent). Finally, you can apply Body Glove anti-fog gel to your lenses on the day of your adventure.

If you have questions that you would like for me to answer about snorkeling, swim gear, Learn-to-Swim equipment, and pool toys, please send them to info@destinationwater.com.


http://www.destinationwater.com/
- A C Walters Intercoastal Corporation

Swim Safety Tips - By Julie Gross

Julie Gross, a leading swim instructor/expert in South Florida, is an amazing woman with a heart for children and their families. Her noble motto and life mission is: "Until the whole world swims." Every day she wakes up with an undying passion to make a difference.

Please take the time to read Julie's post...it could save a life!!!

Safe Swimming
by Julie Gross

Drownings can occur very quickly and with little warning. A person will typically lose consciousness about two minutes after submersion, with irreversible brain damage occurring within four to six minutes.

While this is a scary thought, the good news is that drownings and near-drowning incidents are almost always preventable!

Everyone has the potential to be a confident swimmer. In the case of young children, they simply need some encouragement and a full knowledge of the basic How To's of swimming to get them on their way.

The older one gets, the scarier the thought of learning to swim becomes for many people. Older children and adults may face emotional obstacles to swimming. They may struggle with the negative memories of a loved one's drowning, a personal near drowning incident or something as simple as someone throwing them in a pool unexpectedly when they were young. Whatever the obstacle may be, there is always an opportunity to learn to become a safe swimmer.

Whether you own a pool or enjoy dips in oceans, rivers and lakes, here are some safety tips that can help you save lives:

• Learn to swim properly. Regardless of age or skill level, there are always skills that can be improved. If you don't know how to swim at all, it's never too late to learn.
• Always swim with a buddy.
• Even if you are a good swimmer unforeseen accidents can occur, so it's in your best interest to have an adult or someone who knows how to swim nearby.
• Never rely on a flotation device to keep you or your loved ones safe. If you put a flotation devices on your child, it's critical to still keep a close eye on them. Remember, it only takes two minutes under water to lose consciousness.
• Educate yourself and your children. Find out where swimming lessons are taught and enroll your children and yourself in regular swim classes.
• Practice as much as possible. Once you and your child learn the skills necessary for swimming, it is important to practice what you've learned so you won't forget.
• Have fun and be wise in the water. Being in the water is so enjoyable that it can be easy to forget about water safety. Always keep an eye out for possible or hidden dangers.
• Never leave bicycles, items with wheels or other toys around the pool area. Someone can easily trip and fall into the water unexpectedly.
• If you have young children, put up a pool gate or fence to prevent your children from going into the pool without proper supervision.
  
• Keep your sliding glass door locked if you have children and a pool that isn't fenced off or gated.
• Make sure your backyard fence or gate is locked if you have a pool.

For more information from Julie visit her Website at http://www.lessonswithjulie.com/ or email her at info@lessonswithjulie.com.

Learn more about our Body Glove Learn to Swim gear!


http://www.destinationwater.com/
- A C Walters Intercoastal Corporation

Finding Revitalization in Today's Economy - How the Ocean Changed a Life

Times are tough for millions of Americans these days, and when stressed we tend to withdraw and cut back on the many activities that offer mind regeneration and health. I went through a lay off two years ago as a result of my company losing key accounts. I didn't quite know what to do, except that I immediately needed to scramble to find new work opportunities. I would begin each day by sending my resume - I'd eat lunch while sending out more - I'd fall asleep at night researching opportunities. For quite some time, I secluded myself in my home waiting for an answer to my dilemma. A couple weeks went by and I was spending nearly the whole day in my PJ's, checking my e-mail every few minutes, barely going outside or interacting with my friends and family.

Finally, I received a call from one of my best friends who chastised me for my behavior. "We live 10 minutes from the beach," he half yelled. "Come with me to the beach and get your life in gear." My answer was that I wasn't going to waste precious time playing at the beach. My friend Scott responded, "I won't take no for an answer...I'll be there in 20 minutes. Be ready."

I pulled my pathetic self up from my couch, pushed my computer aside and gave in. On the way out the door, I grabbed my bag and cell phone. Scott grabbed my cell phone out of my hand and threw it on my couch. "No cell phone," he said. "You are going to take a break."

We arrived to our favorite beach on that sunny California weekday with beach toys in hand. The sun was shining, sky blue, and a warm breeze blowing in from Catalina. I remember jumping in the ocean and instantly feeling revitalized - all of my worries and frustrations disappeared. At the end of the day, I was able to put things into perspective and slept like a child for the first time since being laid off.

Scott and I made it a point to get back to our beach for a few hours at least 2 times a week. During those moments we ran around like kids, took long swims, took our masks and snorkels to view local sea creatures, and enjoyed feeling the sun on our faces.

Spending a few hours here and there away from my computer allowed for me to find the creativity and strength I needed to make it through a tough time. I ended up becoming a consultant for several companies...and wildly enough found my way to C Walters International, where I am allowed to share my love of the ocean, swimming, snorkeling and water sports.

The moral of the story is that if the ocean, a lake or pool is in your backyard, get out in the water!!! There I promise you will - find balance, strength, hope, simplicity and that all too ignored child within.

There are no admission fees to the water, so jump in!


http://www.destinationwater.com/
- A C Walters Intercoastal Corporation

Reef Check Video Contest!

We are excited to announce the opportunity for you to participate in a great contest hosted
by our partner Reef Check!

During the 2008 International Year of the Reef (IYOR), people from all over the world created music videos based on the Year of the Reef song, written by Russ Lesser.

Check out the finalists' videos now and vote for your favorite on February 18th!

When you submit your vote on the 18th, you will automatically
be entered in to win some great prizes!!

http://www.destinationwater.com/

- A C Walters Intercoastal Corporation