Fish care & FAQ's - Bizarre aquariums specializes in unique fish tanks and aquarium furniture products plus exciting wall decor, home improvement projects and decorating ideas.

Caring for your fish
Changing your water:

We recommend that you do small frequent water changes, 10% to 20%, every 2-4 weeks. This will have to be done more often if your tank is over stocked or under filtered. Cleaning everything in the aquarium as well as changing all the filter material in your filter is a deadly combination. This alters the chemical values within the aquarium and reduces the amount of beneficial bacteria dramatically and can cause fish to go into a state of shock and die. Small frequent water changes are suggested along with partial changes of the filter material every month. Any filter material should only be rinsed with aquarium water that has been taken out of the tank. Do not use tap water. This will preserve the beneficial bacteria that help decompose toxic waste. It may be easier to change smaller amounts more often.

The easiest way to remove your water would be through a siphon. Any tube that's 4 feet long will work but specialty cleaning siphons will suck up more waste.

Pouring water into your tank:

Before pouring the water in, add chemicals that remove chlorine and chloramine from the water. Other products protect your fish's gills, look into any product that can help your fish cope with their environment. When you pour the water in be very gentle and try and pour it down the side of your tank to avoid jarring the fish.

Test the waters

No matter how often you change your water, check at least once a week to make sure no dangerous chemicals or pH levels are present. Test kits are available at pet stores that will take care of this.

Clean Filters

Every couple of weeks remove your filter and wash it out with cold water.

Remove Algae

Make sure to remove algae when your water gets cloudy or it collects. To do so you can use a specific scraping device intended for the purpose or toothbrush.

Daily checks

Take a look at you tank daily so you can remove any potential hazards. Make sure food hasn't built up at the bottom of the tank, and also if any fish die remove them immediately. Generally, it is relatively easy to maintain a clean and safe environment for your pets at no large inconvenience to you.

Fish tank volume, weight and fish capacity calculator

Aquarium volume, weight & fish calculator

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Note: "fish capacity in cm" applies to freshwater setup and is a combined total of all fish in tank

Pet fish FAQ's

Why did my fish die?

What fish can I keep together?

How much should I feed my fish?

Why is my glass turning brown?

Why is my water cloudy?

Why are my plants dying?

Why do I need test kits?

Do I need a filter/aerator?

What sort of gravel do I use?

How long do I leave the light on?

How many fish can I put in my tank?

How often should I change the water?

How often should I clean my filter?

What temperature should I keep my fish at?

Why did my fish die? I wish I could answer this with one answer, but there are various answers depending on your system. First, you should carefully study a fish prior to buying. Sick fish have certain characteristics like hard breathing, scratching, hiding or any type of scale, fin or gill disorder. Analyzing a fish's eating habits prior to purchase is equally important. Another critical factor to consider is how new fish will assimilate with your current fish. If you purchase a sick or diseased fish it may affect the health of the other fish in your aquarium. Endeavour to buy from reputable fish and supply boutiques, and always maintain a healthy environment within the aquarium. Just because your fish are alive and eating well, does not guarantee that all is well inside the tank. You must change the water regularly and use distilled or purified water. Attempt to match the temperature and P.H. to your tank's environment. Insure that the proper chemical balance is present, testing for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, P.H. and K.H. at least once a week. There are plenty of excellent products on the market that will monitor your tank and apply the appropriate chemicals.
What fish can I keep together? Before purchasing any new fish always check that they will live harmoniously with the fish you already have. For example, a Neon Tetra would not last long if it was placed in an aquarium with a fully-grown Oscar. Experienced staff at a Professionals shop will be able to assist you when choosing your new fish. We also suggest keeping a record of the names of each new fish you purchase so when you make future purchases correct advice can be given. Remember too that all fish have individual personalities and as much as we know from our experience in selling compatible fish, it is inevitable that you will end up with a bully or a wimp.
How much should I feed my fish? This too will vary depending on what type of fish you have and how many, but as a guide, feed only as much as the fish will consume in 2-3 minutes. Also look at the fish and try to imagine the size of its stomach, only feed enough to fill it. Any left over food will pollute the water and can create other problems. Most fish will prefer to eat several small meals a day rather than one large meal. Remember too, that there is no such thing as one best food. It is important to give your fish a variety of quality food, for example, flake, pellets, frozen, live food etc.
Why is my glass turning brown? Brown algae growing on the glass can be caused by a number of factors: insufficient lighting, lack of filtration or overfeeding leaving sludgy sediment.
Why is the water cloudy? Many factors can cause/contribute to cloudy water. Check you have adequate filtration. Check your ammonia levels. Make sure you do not have too many fish in the tank. Also ensure you do not overfeed your fish. It could also be the type of food fed to your fish. Always ensure you use a good quality fish food. Many of the poorer quality supermarket brands could pollute your water.
Why are the plants dying? Again there could be many factors that include poor lighting, no fertiliser, too much oxygen or wrong water chemistry. Also remember that some fish love to eat plants!
Why do I need test kits? Incorrect water chemistry can be a major factor in fish deaths. Test kits are required to check pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and Phosphate.
Do I need a filter/aerator? Yes. An aquarium needs a filter suitable to the size of the aquarium as well as to the inhabitants. A filter removes many contaminants from the water. Aerators are also important. If an aerator is not used in an aquarium in extremely hot temperatures the fish could suffocate. During summer it is important to watch the temperature of your aquarium to ensure that it is not too hot, as oxygen is depleted at high temperatures.
What sort of gravel should I use? There are many different types of gravel on the market. They vary in size and colour. Some fish prefer certain types of gravel, e.g. marine tanks. Always ask for advice when you purchase your tank. The most important thing, however, is that you do not collect your own gravel. Using your own gravel could bring in unwanted organisms and/or alter your water chemistry.
How long do I leave the light on? Think of how you like your day. You like a day period and a night period. The same with fish. Have the light come on for 8-10 hours per day and give the fish some nighttime when they can rest as they would in the wild.
How many fish can I put in my tank? The general rule of thumb is 1 inch of fish per gallon of water. This can be exceeded, however, with good filtration.
How often should I change the water/clean my filter? We recommend that you do small frequent water changes, 10% to 20%, every 2-4 weeks. This will have to be done more often if your tank is over stocked or under filtered. Cleaning everything in the aquarium as well as changing all the filter material in your filter is a deadly combination. This alters the chemical values within the aquarium and reduces the amount of beneficial bacteria dramatically and can cause fish to go into a state of shock and die. Small frequent water changes are suggested along with partial changes of the filter material every month. Any filter material should only be rinsed with aquarium water that has been taken out of the tank. Do not use tap water. This will preserve the beneficial bacteria that help decompose toxic waste. It may be easier to change smaller amounts more often.
What temperature do I keep my fish at? Most tropical fish require a constant temperature of between 25 and 26 degrees Celsius. However, there are some exotic species that may require slightly higher temperatures of up to 30 degrees. If you are not sure, ask your local aquarium store.