AQUARIUM as stress prevention! (#3)

This is the vital part of having an aquarium. I guess you had time to read the part 1 & part 2 before concentrating about the third part which is CLEANING. The challenge for me is this part because it will really detect your ability to have an aquarium. Cleaning is the hardest and the most fulfilling part coz it will help you to develop more patience and be able to work-out your stress problem. Having a hobby aquarium needs at least 60 to 90 minutes of your time to clean every single part of it. (**photo courtesy of Flickr)

What are the things needed to clean?

• old toothbrush
• pail
• dipper
• roll paper
• old newspaper
  

Steps on how to clean your aquarium:

• Use an old newspaper to cover the floor to avoid dirt while cleaning.
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• Unplug everything that give electricity to avoid accident.
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• Uncover the aquarium.

• Get the empty clean pail, be sure it is really clean, wash thoroughly to avoid death of fish. Start reducing the water inside the aquarium using the dipper. Stop when it is halfway.

• Remove all the things inside excluding the stone or sand and fishes.

• Clean the inside part of the glass using old toothbrush and wipe it with roll paper.
  

• Reduce again the water until it is only 2 inches above the stone or sand. Check the lowest side of the glass if it is really clean. Use again the tooth brush to get rid of all the dirt.
  

• Get at least half of the sand(only sand or stone) and quickly wash it(just plain water!) until it shows to be really clear and clean.
  

• Return all the stone or sand, be careful not to hurt your fish.

• Pour water until the original height has been reached.

• Add again your liquid solution that will make the water suitable for the fish.

• Go back to all the gadgets including decor, plastic plants etc. Clean it thoroughly. Give importance to your filter machine. It should be really clean!

• Place all the gadgets, decor including the filter and heater in its proper place.

• Clean the cover of the aquarium using the roll paper again. Place it to its proper position.

• Plug all the electric parts of the aquarium like lights, heater and filter.
  

Easy!? Definitely not! But do not worry, it is a matter of experience and patience. Once you love it and admit to yourself that it is a part of your life then everything will be EASY!

Do not use any liquid solution in cleaning. JUST PLAIN WATER!!!

AQUARIUM as stress prevention! (#2)

Having an idea already on how to start and to prepare the materials needed to have a hobby aquarium, then the next step will be buying the right fish for it. How & What?
(**photo courtesy of Flickr)

How?

Before buying the right fish, it is important to stabilize first the water. Be sure to buy a liquid solution that will make the water suitable for fish. You have to switch ON the filter that give oxygen and absorbed the dirt for at least two weeks. Then you are ready now for...

What?

Because you are a starting to enjoy an aquarium, then it is my tip not to buy an expensive fish. I will recommend a goldfish, for those who really have no time to clean regularly or change the water weekly. Goldfish is usually called coldwater fish because it can be placed in an unheated aquarium. Changing every week at least 1/4 of the water is not really needed when you have a goldfish. I have been enjoying my aquarium for almost 8 years and tried different fish but goldfish is not so sensitive comparing to other one and you do not have to clean the aquarium for maximum of 2 months.

Enjoy preparing your fish, next time I will share some tips on how to properly clean it and some materials needed in cleaning.

AQUARIUM as stress prevention!

If you think that you can not avoid stress in your life and tried every possible solution like medication, massage, etc. Then try also to have a personal AQUARIUM at home. Some people put it at the living room as an additional decor but my wife and myself decided to place it in our bedroom and the result is really positive. Having more or less 8 hours work daily and doing some household jobs, hmmmm, it could be really a tough day and to mention that we have kids also, it is really not a question to relax and meditate sometimes or even before going to bed. But you have to ask first yourself if you can take care an aquarium? It is not like an electronic machine that you just switch on/off every time that you want. (**photo courtesy of Flickr)

I will focus today on what are the materials that you need. If you are a first timer and really zero knowledge on how to start it then buy first a 'hobby aquarium set'. It is a 60 liter aquarium with filter machine and automatic heater included. For your decor, you have to buy some sand, plastic ornaments, dry wood or big stone and some aquarium figures like castle or mermaid or anything that will attract your taste. Buying the complete set of hobby aquarium plus some cheap decor will need a budget of more or less Euro 70.