-=> Quoting Steve Macmillan to All <=-
 SM> Hi all
 SM> I've just aquired a fairly large tank (roomate moved) with a couple of
 SM> angel fish, a sucker of some sort, and a few sword-fish ?
 SM> Anyway I've never taken a care of a tank before, but I do find it
 SM> relaxing to watch the fish, and would like to know more.
 SM> What are the most important things for me to do ?
 SM> How often should I feed them ?
 SM> What about water replacement.
 
Hi Steve, ok, I am from the old school, so things might be done differently
now.
Important things to do, about the water, it depends on how many fish you have
in the tank, and the actual size of the tank.
Fairly sizeable can mean between 3' to 6', if you have a 4 footer, then
remove about 1/4 of the tank and replace it with fresh water about every 2
weeks, but make sure the water is close to the same temperature of the tank,
fish don't like being chilled or boiled.
Also clean the filter once a week, basically the amount of food you put in
can effect the water quality, so over feeding is bad, place a small amount
of food in the water and see how long the fish take to eat it, usually 5
minutes of feeding is enough, anylonger will fall to the bottom of the tank
and rot, so once a day is usually enough.
Also when you change the water in the tank, use a siphon, this way you can
vaccuam clean the gravel and get rid of the rotting matter on the bottom.
Other things to watch out for is check the Ph every week, fish don't like
the water to alkaline or acidy, a Ph kit is easy to use and comes with
instructions.
That is about all to it, fairly simple and easy to do, and maintenance
should take about 5 minutes of your time per week.
Other things to watch out for a those little disease, like fur growing on
the fish and fish rubbing themselves against rocks.
It would help if you wen't to a library and borrow a book on tropical fish,
these usaully supply plenty of info for the hobbyist.
Fish are pretty hardy and very relaxing to watch, and best of all they are
easy to care for.
Take care.
Garry Lawson.
Melbourne.Australia.
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