Gaby
One of the most crucial aspects of aquarium care is lighting. The strength and quality of the light directly affect the life of the plants and animals within the aquarium.
In winter, it’s essential to keep the aquarium close to light sources, ideally near windows facing south or east. In contrast, during the summer, it should be positioned further away from direct sunlight, near windows on the west or north side. If you can’t adjust the light and must keep the aquarium by a sunlit window in summer, it’s advisable to cover it to prevent overheating. Otherwise, the water can become too warm, and microscopic aquatic plants may turn the aquarium into a murky swamp. It’s best to use houseplants to filter the sunlight, allowing only diffused rays to reach the aquarium. Additionally, the bottom of the aquarium should not be lower than the windowsill.
In summer, you should replenish the oxygen levels in the aquarium water daily, while in winter, doing so every other day is sufficient. There are several simple methods to achieve this. One way is to fill a cup with water from the aquarium and pour it from as high as possible so that it splashes onto a hard surface (like a rock, a board, or a floating cork). The smaller the droplets, the more air they will capture.
Another method involves placing or suspending a container above the aquarium so that water drips directly into it. Lastly, you can aerate the water in the aquarium using a glass, rubber, or reed tube.
Water temperature is also vital for the health of the fish. Most local fish thrive in temperatures around 14-17°C (57-63°F), but species like trout, perch, and burbot prefer cooler water, around 10-14°C (50-57°F). Tropical fish, on the other hand, require warmer water, ideally between 18-24°C (64-75°F).
To heat the water in the aquarium, you can use electric bulbs submerged in the water; it’s best to use colored bulbs or shade them with plants. Keep in mind that most fish cannot tolerate sudden temperature changes.
Generally, you shouldn’t change all the water in the aquarium at once. However, it’s important to partially refresh the water about once a week in summer and twice a month in winter. You can do this using a rubber tube—submerging one end in the aquarium and placing the other end in a container positioned lower than the aquarium—to siphon out a third of the water and replace it with fresh water.
About a day later, you should clean the aquarium glass both inside and out, as a green film of microscopic algae tends to form on it. You can use a firm toothbrush for this task.
In summer, you may skip cleaning the glass facing the window or only do it in spots. Sunlight filtering through a thin layer of algae can actually benefit the fish. Avoid using sand to clean the glass. For external cleaning, use newspaper or wrapping paper.
Daily, you should also clean the bottom of the aquarium from debris, leftover food, fallen leaves, etc. The best way to do this is with a rubber tube. Hold the top end at a certain distance in your right hand while lowering the bottom end into a container positioned lower than the aquarium. Suck air through the bottom end until the water starts flowing out. Move the top end around the bottom, and the dirt will be drawn into the tube along with the water.
If you need to retrieve leftover food or an object from the bottom of the aquarium, you can use a glass tube. Cover the top opening with your finger, lower the bottom end to the item you want to pick up, and then release your finger from the top. The water will carry the dirt with it. Again, cover the top opening, remove the tube, and discard the water.
