Aquatic Plants Java Moss

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Java moss is a very popular aquarium plant since it will adapt to most conditions and require a minimal amount of maintenance. Its scientific name is Vesicularia dubayana and it comes from the waters of Java, Malaysia and India. It is a so called sleeper moss and can be found in the family Hypnaceae. It forms very small green leaves that rarely grow bigger than 4 millimetres. The leaves grow in pairs on each side of the stem.

Many fish species from all over the world likes to spawn among Java moss plants in the aquarium even when it can not be found in their native habitat. Java moss will also provide fry with an ideal hiding place where they can avoid being eaten by adult fish. Since infusoria appreciate it as a home, really small fry will have access to tiny food that they can feed on until they are large enough to eat bigger food types.

Java moss does not have to be planted in the substrate; you can simply tie it to a piece of aquarium decoration or leave it floating around in the aquarium. A free-floating piece of Java moss can however be sucked into the filter, so most aquarists prefer to attach the moss to something or plant it in the substrate. It can actually do well even above surface as long as the air is moist. It is therefore a great plant for open aquariums and paludariums.

When you attach the Java moss to rock, wood or any other type of aquarium decoration you can for instance use fishing wire. Be careful not to use materials that can pollute the water, e.g. cupper wire. The moss will instantly start growing small roots (so called rhizoids) and try to attach it self to the surface. After a while, the fishing wire is no longer needed since the plant will be secured by the rhizoids.

Java moss is a very fast growing plant, and when you have purchased one plant you can easily use it to create new plants for other parts of the aquarium. Java moss can be propagated by simply splitting the plant and moving one of the parts to another place. The Java moss will often propagate itself in the aquarium since small pieces will fall of the main plant and drift around in the water until they find a new place where they can attach themselves. The Java moss will also form red-brown sporocarps.

Java moss will endure a wide range of different water conditions and temperatures. It is native to warm waters and the preferred temperature range is therefore 64-86 F (18-30 C). It will also appreciate a pH between 5.8 and 8.0 but can sometimes adapt to more acidic conditions. Unlike many other tropical plants, Java moss does not require strong light and it will actually do best in low or medium strong light. Algae can be a problem for the Java moss since excessive algae growth on the leaves can harm and even kill the plant.

Aquarium Fish Diseases And The Treatments

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Aquarium Fish Diseases And The Treatments

Aquariums are admirable additions to any home. The bright angle are admirable and actual adequate to watch in their underwater world. However, angle are like added animals. They will get aquarium angle diseases. Many of these diseases can be abhorred or prevented. However, there are treatments accessible for anniversary disease. These treatments are usually able if the ache is noticed and diagnosed in its aboriginal stages. Here are some of the best accepted aquarium angle diseases and their treatments.

New Catchbasin Syndrome

New catchbasin affection is an aquarium angle ache that usually occurs back you add new angle to your aquarium. This is back your new angle die aural a few hours of actuality added to your tank. There are no signs of affliction or disease, and the angle will aloof die. One of the best means to anticipate this is to float the angle afore abacus them to the tank. Back you buy fish, they are beatific home in a artificial bag or cup. Simply put this artificial bag or cup into the baptize and let it float for a brace of hours afore absolution the angle go into the aquarium. The capital account of new catchbasin affection is stress.

Fin Rot

Fin rot is additionally a accepted aquarium angle disease. Fin rot is actual apparent because the fins and added bendable tissues of the angle become affray and broken. It may arise as if added angle are bistro at their fins. There is medication for the aquarium angle disease. It is awash in best pet food and you should use this medication at the aboriginal assurance of fin rot. Untreated fin rot will advance to added added austere infections.

Gill Worms

Another aquarium angle ache is gill worms. This is a action area the angle will arise to accept worms blind from its gills. Many times the angle will attending as if it is asthmatic for air back they accept gill worms. This is because the gill worms are blocking air from circulating through their gills. There are anti-parasite medications for this aquarium angle disease. Heavy use of an air pump may additionally advice abundance the angle and advice him get rid of the gill worms.

Ick

Ick is a bane that grows on the bark of the fish. It has a affection blazon of appearance. An barn catchbasin usually causes Ick. It is usually advised with antifungal medication or a alkali bath. It is actual important that you amusement Ick at its aboriginal armpit because it is awful catching and will advance to added angle in the aquarium.

Red Devil Cichlid – Personality And More

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The red devil cichlid also known as Amphilophus labiatus, is originally from Central America. This cichlid is considered a medium to large cichlid often growing 10-12 inches in their lifetime. Males are often larger and develop a hump on their head as they age. First, please understand that I didnt write the article to deter anyone from owning this cichlid. I write this article to share with you the personality of the red devil cichlid in hopes that you will be more educated about this freshwater tropical fish and not be shocked when you see how aggressive it can be.

Many people bring home their new red devil cichlid not knowing the true personality it possesses. Red devil cichlids are usually purchased between 2-3 inches and will grow rather fast the first year or so. Many people start off by introducing their new cichlid to a community setup with other fish. During this first year, aquarium tank owners often start missing fish and having mysterious deaths in the tanks. Tank owners usually begin noticing fights breaking out and their red devil chasing other fish.
This is the time that most devil owners come to the conclusion that this cichlid may not get along with much of anything. If you are thinking this, you are just about right. The red devil often will not tolerate any tank mates. As they get older and larger, they usually become more aggressive. The time comes to where some owners actually trade in their fish if they local fish store will take them back. Over the years I have seen many large red devils in our local fish stores because they became too aggressive and the owners did not want to dedicate a tank solely for it.

I hope you choose to keep your red devil cichlid even if you have to dedicate an entire tank for just him. To keep the red devil cichlid happy, you need to provide plenty of hiding spots such as driftwood, rocks, caves, clay planting pots and artificial plants. Since red devils like to dig, live plants usually end up destroyed. If you attempt to introduce a mate for the red devil, do so with the lights turned out and keep an eye out for any aggression. I would recommend having a tank divider set up in the middle so that you can introduce the new mate on one side and keep your original red devil safely on the other side. This way they can get use to each other without killing one another. When you do put them together, watch closely and be ready to pull one and separate them. Often the red devil will not tolerate one of the opposite sex. If you wish to breed the red devil, I would strongly suggest purchasing multiple juveniles and raise them up together. Slowly begin removing the odd-fish-out until you notice a pair bond. This is hit or miss and often people have no success.

Cycling a New Cichlid Fish Aquarium

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With a new aquarium, cycling your tank is the first and most important thing you need to do. This is the process in which your aquarium needs to establish good bacteria. When you first setup your aquarium it will be contaminated with bad bacteria. Before putting cichlid fish into the tank it is important that this bad (harmful) bacteria converts into good bacteria. The first stage of bacteria will break down ammonia into nitrites, and the second stage of bacteria will break down the nitrites into nitrates. Both ammonia and nitrites are harmful to your fish, but nitrates are not, as long as they are at a safe level (below 20ppm).

There are two ways to cycle your tank: with or without fish. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, but most fish enthusiasts prefer to do a fishless cycle. Doing a fishless cycle (which I recommend) has many more advantages: it’s faster, easier, and avoids permanently harming fish. Plus, the water will be completely ready for fish once the cycle is finished.

Fishless Cycle

One effective way of doing a fishless cycle is to use media, gravel, sand, or decor from another (disease free) aquarium that already has good bacteria established. If you can’t find any of these materials, you can purchase bacteria in a bottle from your local fish store. Also, during this process I suggest raising the temperature in the aquarium to around 85 degrees, this allows for a faster chemical reaction.

Cycling with fish

If you decide to go the other route, then you will need hardy fish that can withstand these harmful water conditions; I suggest using either tetras or guppies. Cycling your tank with fish can take anywhere between 4-6 weeks for the nitrates to become established. You will need to do frequent water changes (20%) 3-4 times a week until the cycle is complete. Of course if you are doing a cichlid fish aquarium you will need to remove the starter fish before adding any cichlids to the tank.

Conclusion

Whichever method you chose, it is important to realize that this can be time-consuming (3-6 weeks), therefore patience is a virtue. It is also important to constantly test your water during this process to ensure that your tank is cycling properly. I recommend using a liquid test kit rather than the basic test strips. Make sure before you add sensitive fish, your nitrates are at, or below 20ppm.

If you’ve enjoyed this article by Tim Carter, you can visit his website at http://www.cichlid-fish.com for more information and tips on Cichlids.

Tips For A Successful Beginner Saltwater Aquarium Setup

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A beginner saltwater aquarium is a great way to add beauty and life to any room in your home, it is also a great way to start a new and exciting hobby that can last a life time.

Scared By The Thought Of Saltwater Tanks

Unfortunatley many people never setup their first saltwater tank because they have heard they are hard to take care of, the fish die or any other of the popular myths that keep people away from the hobby.

Saltwater Tanks Are Not Hard

One of the oldest myths is that saltwater tanks are hard to take care of. While this might have been true 20 year ago modern equipment and a better understanding of the fish make beginner saltwater aquariums an easy undertaking.

What Is Needed For a New Marine Aquarium

Really the best thing that you can do is have patience and research your purchase before you buy anything.

Alot of experts recommend choosing your fish first that way you can make sure you buy the right equipment and sized tank.

By choosing your saltwater fish first you can also eliminate any delicate,predatory,fish that have specialized diets or violent fish from your list and improve your chances at success.

Buying fish on impulse and mixing the wrong types of fish together is a common beginner mistake and one that contributes to much frustration and ultimate failure for new marine aquarium keepers.

Set A Budget

You must also decide how much you can spend on your new marine aquarium. Knowing this will ensure that you have enough money to properly setup your tank and have money left over for fish and maintenance costs.

Budget is actually one of the biggest causes of beginner saltwater aquarium failure. People jump in with little or no research and wind up failing because they could only afford second rate or undersized support equipment.

If you want a stunning Saltwater Aquarium that is full of healthy colorful fish check out our saltwater aquarium guide. This fully illustrated guide will help you properly setup and maintain a flawless saltwater tank. You can learn more at www.saltwatermethods.com