Essential Tips For Beginner Fish Keeping (NAPSA)—For millions of Americans, aquariums represent an opportunity to put aquatic life on display—a peaceful, relaxing diorama for the homeoroffice. In order to makesure that things go swimmingly, here are some essen- tial tips for selecting and maintaining an aquarium. 1. Choosing an Aquarium andFish.It is important to select an aquarium that will match the decor of a room while providing a healthy environmentfor yourfish. When choosing a tank, keep in mind that fish will grow. Work with the aquarium expert in your pet store to make surethat the different species you choose will all get along and determine how large your fish will be as adults. Once you know the best aquarium size, Aqueon aquarium kits makestarting an aquarium easy and simple. Each kit comes complete with an “Aquarium Set-up & Care Guide” book, premium fish food, water conditioners and filtration and lighting system. 2. Heaters. When choosing a heater, consider that submersible heaters tend to be the mosteffi- cient. Heaters should always be paired with an accurate thermometer to ensure the appropriate temperature range is main- tained. Check the heater regularly to ensure that it is working prop- erly and keeping a steady temperature; water that is too warm can result in the fish suffocating. 3. Food. Fish require a diet that contains proper nutrients from quality ingredients, such as krill, kelp and whole fish meal. Feed your aquatic pets a food that is appropriate for their size, feeding level and dietary needs. Check the food packaging for recommendations regarding how much to - ie i a . > EE ie S Uy Wi i Me \ With justa little effort, aquariums can be a relaxing, enjoyable hobbyfor the entire family. feed and how often. For instance, Aqueon fish foods have natural ingredients with easy-to-follow instructions that are perfect for the beginner aquarist. 4, Filters. All aquariumsaccumulate debris from fish waste, uneaten food and plant detritus. This is usually simple to remove with the aid of a mechanicalfilter. Some things to look for in a quality filter would be flow rate, stages of filtration and noise. To be mostefficient, filters should be slightly oversized for the tank they will be placed in. Higher flow rates ensure the amount of water being filtered per hour as well as provide proper circulation and aeration by continually breaking the water surface. Using a multistage filtration system ensures better aeration for healthier, more active fish. Aqueon PowerFilters feature four stages of filtration for the cleanest, clearest and healthiest water. For more basics on keeping fish and maintaining an aquarium, as well as additional information on available supplies and equipment, visit www.aqueonproducts.com.
