Tropical freshwater aquariums: Importance of proper temperature inside the tank
by: janhvizdak
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Word Count: 555
Many fish keepers house
fish without basic knowledge of how-to create a suitable conditions
and environment for their pets. Depending on each species, you should
know it's natural habits not through the breeding period only, but
through the day, night, Winter or Summer as well. The most important
aspect of proper and equalized fish tank temperature is to keep it as
natural as possible.
Because the most common
species available in fish shops come from tropical rainforests where
it's not unusual if the water temperature increases to 28°C
through the day and lowers to 20°C through the night, you need to
realise that stable temperature isn't what your fish are looking for.
Thanks to metabolism which works faster when temperatures are higher,
fish are able to swim, search food, breed, breath and basically
everything what they do during days. Unlike shiny middays, nights are
characterized by sleepy and peaceful atmosphere; Of course, just
those species take rest during nights which are active during days.
It is important to keep the night temperature lower because fish need
to scoop up the energy.
Unlike salt-water
aquariums which require stable water temperature, freshwater species
require varying temperature because of another reason; The level of
oxygen in the tank. It is well-known fact that oxygen remains in cold
waters easier than in high-temperature water. And because you don't
want your fishes to swim closely below the water surface all the day,
you must consider improving water conditions in order to meet the
imaginary quality criteria.
Let's go to exact
examples. If you keep Siamese fighting fish, water temperature
shouldn't exceed 30°C and shouldn't be less than 20°C.
Siamese fighting fish comes from tropical Asia regions. This
geographic location is home of Paradise fish, Flower horn (which
isn't a natural species, it was created in laboratories!), Botia
species, Gouramis, etc. Another temperatures are required by fish
which come from North and Central America. Fish like Red devil
cichlid or Xiphophorus species like more stable conditions; about
22°C through the night and about 27°C through the day. As we
go to the South America, we will find similar environment like Asia
there. Special care should be taken of African cichlids which prefer
lower temperatures since they usually swim in cold waters. All in
all, minimum of 20°C and maximum of 26°C will be welcomed.
Even though you must care
of your pets as much as possible, there are times when you must
increase temperature because of sick fish. Usually fish get the White
spot disease and the best cure for such illness is increasing the
temperatre to 30°C or sometimes 31°C and adding sea salt into
the water.
Another reason for higher tenperatures is breeding. Almost every species breed only if temperature is higher than 26°C, which is a sign of enough food. Because tubifex, various larvae, insects reproduce themselves during hot periods, fry will have enough food. On the other hand there are species like Corydoras Panda which breed in colder waters only. So it is up to everyone which fish you keep, but bear in mind their compatibility not only from aggressivity point of view, but from required environment aspect as well.
About the Author
Cooling an aquarium can be achieved by using aquarium chiller. Previous link points to another article written by Jan Hvizdak.
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