Cardinal Sins Of A Marine Aquarist

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I thought Id jot down what I consider to be the five major sins of a marine aquarist, be that for a reef tank or a fish only tank. They are not in any particular order. The list is not just aimed at beginners to the hobby who are just starting a saltwater aquarium but at aquarists of any level.

Overfeeding

This is self explanatory, and is probably for the most part the domain of the new aquarist. Overfeeding occurs so easily, with those beautiful fish swimming close to the front glass begging for food. Overfeeding can occur with the best of intentions, the aquarist being concerned that the fish (and whatever else) are sufficiently fed. Flake food (for example) is concentrated and rich, and pollutes the water very easily. That is the problem, pollution. Eventually, even with routine water changes, water quality reduces. Food is a major source of nitrate and phosphate, both of which are nutrients for nuisance algae.

The solution to overfeeding is simply dont do it. Observe the livestock. Are they well fed? Remember, they will obtain some food from the reef/decorations. Discipline and observation are the essentials.

Failure to Test the Seawater

It is repeated over and over again by every authority that seawater quality is the number one on the aquarists list of must haves. The seawater in the aquarium is nearly everything to livestock, they are touching it constantly and rely on it for oxygen and other essentials. Food alone, no matter how high the quality, will not sustain them entirely. As soon as seawater is in the aquarium with livestock, it begins to deteriorate. The rate of deterioration can be slowed down by, in particular, the employment of a high quality protein skimmer. Other aids can be the reef itself (live rock), a deep sand bed, a calcium reactor (some of these inject more than calcium) etc. Nevertheless, seawater quality deterioration is there. The fish only aquarist can do fewer tests than the reef aquarist, but whatever the livestock, testing must be done. Once experience has been gained then testing frequency can be reduced. However, the aquarist must always be aware of the state of the seawater. We would not be happy walking around in and breathing polluted air.

Routine water changes should be completed, using reverse osmosis water for the mix. At the start, 10% (of the systems net gallonage) should be changed. Again, this can be reduced when experience is gained, either by lowering the percentage or increasing the period between changes, and also subject to a light or heavy bio-load. In some cases the percentage may need to be raised to maintain high quality seawater, but if this is the case an examination of filtration, feeding and stocking should be undertaken. Are the filters functioning correctly, and are they sufficiently sized? Is the system overstocked? Are the livestock being overfed?

Failure to Renew the Light Bulbs

By light bulbs I am referring to metal halide bulbs or fluorescent tubes. Lighting needs are more appropriate to the reef aquarist. Lighting is a close second to water quality. A large number of corals need lighting of the correct intensity and spectrum to flourish. Light bulbs reduce in efficiency as time passes. This efficiency loss is because of light intensity reduction and also spectrum shift. The aquarist pays quite an amount for bulbs, so they should at least perform as designed. Changing the bulbs at regular intervals achieves this. Fluorescent tubes should be changed at six months to one year. Halides should be changed at one year to two years. Look at what the manufacturer states, and pay heed to what other aquarists who use the same make and type of bulb say.

If light requiring corals are not flourishing, and seawater quality, including seawater movement, is known to be fault free, consider the lighting. Is there a problem? Do the bulb(s) need changing?

Incompatible Stocking

The aquarist may have very high seawater quality and lighting may be fault free, but some of the fish (for example) may be sickly, feeding poorly and obviously unhappy. When on the wild reef fish have few objectives in their lives, but the ones they do have are :

1. To breed
2. To avoid confrontation
3. To find enough food
4. To avoid becoming food

So if a small fish has gone missing, has a predator (example: a lionfish Pterois volitions) been introduced? Dont smile, youd be surprised at what is purchased sometimes on impulse. Is a fish showing ragged fins, poor colours, hovering in a corner, or hiding in rockwork, hardly coming out even to feed? Is it being harassed by bold and aggressive fishes? It is not only inter-fish problems that must be avoided. There are fish that would love to eat that shrimp. There are shrimps that would love to eat that starfish.

Research what is being put into the aquarium. Ensure full compatibility. It is cruel to fail to do this. Nowadays there are many quality books available, and the internet where information is freely available.

Overstocking

Large or small, every aquarium system has its limit in the amount of livestock that can be kept. Keeping too much livestock, in particular fish, increases the bio-load that has to be dealt with. The biological support of the aquarium will increase over time as the bio-load increases – up to a point. Then it is unable to deal with the wastes and disaster is just around the corner. The aquarium inhabitants face death by poisoning. The need for large seawater changes is going to increase. Even then, disaster is close. The aquarist has put all his/her efforts in jeopardy, including seawater quality and even all aquarium life.

Quite apart from the dangers of reduced seawater quality and failing biological support, there is the question of the space needs of the inhabitants themselves. Fish etc need to feel secure in order to prosper and be healthy, which means they need to be able to find a hide hole during the dark hours and in daylight hours have a hole to disappear into. If the aquarium is overstocked holes are going to be at a premium and aggression and fights could ensue. On the wild reef it is life to have a secure hole and the instinctive need does not disappear in an aquarium.

Many aquarists, particularly those with reef aquariums, dont stock to the theoretical capacity. They under stock knowing that seawater quality will be better, and the corals and fish will be all the better for it. Avoid the temptation of just one more fish.

Why Visit Cornwall

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Cornwall is one of the most favourite and best holiday destinations in the UK. It is a paradise of beauty and a place of inspiration to explore. The beaches, the gardens, castles, fine food, breathtaking views, moorlands and woodlands and attractions galore, make this county a perfect escapade for leisure. Whether you are looking to just sit back and relax while enjoying a Cornish cream tea or looking for an adrenal rush with an extreme sport like kite surfing, this place has many options for you to indulge yourself in the ultimate holiday. The beaches in Cornwall are awarded the prestigious blue flags making them some of the best beaches in the country. Eighty percent of Cornwall is surrounded by the sea, with the longest coastline in the UK. Coasteering and surfing are popular here and the Boardmasters Surf Festival takes place every year in Newquay. Take a trip to the North Coast and South Coast of Cornwall to discover cheerful towns and villages.

The famous Eden Project Garden is an ideal place to take your family to spend a day of new experiences. It is called the Eighth Wonder of the World for very good reasons. The outstanding global garden is the size of thirty football pitches and is an inspiring place to see the relationship between man and nature and especially the humankind’s dependence on plant life for survival. This is a great place for kids to learn and have so much fun. Do not forget to take your kids to the Dairyland Farm World where you will find lambs, kids, piglets, rabbits and donkeys you can pet, bottle feed and cows you can even milk. There is also a space age Orbiter where you could watch cows being milked in space. The Cornish Heritage Centre at the farm shows you how people used to live and work in the old days. There are rides, playgrounds and nature trails to keep the children’s enthusiasm alive. The lost garden of Heligan, Springfield Fun Park, National Maritime Museum and Blue Reef Aquarium are some of the other places that deserve your attention.

The beautiful Minack Theatre set on the edge of a cliff is an open air theatre, situated in Porthcurno. Discover King Henry the VIII’s coastal fortress by visiting Pendennis Castle and explore its underground to see how it was used as a secret base during WWII. Lanhydrock House and Garden, which is under the National Trust Properties, is a grand stately home of fifty rooms with a historical garden of thirty acres. There are many different varieties of plants and flowers that can be viewed here. Don’t forget to visit Port Elliot House, Land’s End, Flambards, Newquay Zoo and Crealy Great Adventure Park.

If you are looking forward to a holiday in Cornwall, you will be rewarded with plenty of excitement, adventure, fun and relaxation. Click holiday cottages in Cornwall to find out more about places to stay in Cornwall.

Information To Know About A 125 Gallon Fish Tank

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If you are looking for a 125 gallon fish tank, you will be pleasantly surprised to know that there are many options available to you. If you check out companies such as Aquarium-Design, which is a company that offers an incredibly wide and varied selection of aquariums, and at which you can easily find a 125 gallon fish tank to fit your needs.

Having a 125 gallon fish tank in either your office or home can be a great way to bring a welcoming and warm feeling to your location. However, there are certain considerations in regards to a 125 gallon fish tank, which should be taken fully and thoroughly into consideration. Such as the fact of where the best place would be to place the 125 gallon fish tank in order to have the best view of the aquarium.

Basically, the best place that you can put the 125 gallon fish tank aquarium is in a centralized location where everyone can see it, and so that it is visible from as many areas in the home as possible. You should remember about the support that is needed for such an aquarium however, as a 125 gallon fish tank, when full, can in fact weigh thousands of pounds as well as exert a great deal of pressure onto the underlying floor.

Therefore, the best idea is to look at the available blueprints and construction diagrams of your home, in order to find a proper location which will distribute the weight of the fish tank evenly across the floor, and usually the best location for this kind of tank is to place it on a ground floor on a major support beam, so that the weight will then be distributed as evenly as possible.

Health, Safety and A Power Supply

It is also important to remember to have your tank near to a power supply, as the simple fact is that you do not want a mess of cords surrounding the tank in your house; not only is this a bad decorating decision but this can also be a dangerous matter. As well, on the slim but still possible chance that the tank could break, having a number of cords on the ground could lead to an electrocution hazard. For all of these reasons, you should make sure that all of the wiring is set up properly and hidden as best as possible.

Melbourne the City of Natural Beauty and Iconic Destinations

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Finally you have decided to spend your holidays at Melbourne; the capital of Victoria which is a spectacular city of Australia. This amazing city is one of the finest destinations in the world where you can enjoy some great moments with your family and friends. The city represents an assorted mix of old and new architecture, elegant streetscapes, sporting extravaganzas, gastronomical delights, excellent public transport services, exuberant cultural events, ethnic parks and gardens and ethnic communities. All this make the city a financial, cultural, and administrative and recreational hub for visitors who come here from all corners of the world. So now you are one of them who have selected this. To be a part of this city where the calendar is always packed with events book cheap flights to Melbourne from uk and visit it.

Melbourne is a city that knows how to live. So forget what you think you know. Taka a chance, roll the dice and see where it leads as the city is blessed with myriad of attractions that leads you one after another amazing destinations and places which are exciting , creative , ever-changing and laced with extraordinary surprises.

If you are in Melbourne then there is no time for sleep. Begin your adventure in its bustling centre.The best way to explore the city is explore the way you want. For this kind of adventure, hop on and off the free shuttle bus or City Circle Tram. You will certainly lose in the hustle and bustle of Queen Victoria Market. Check out Southbank’s huge casino complex and do visit the string of restaurants, cafes and bistros and bars for some quick refreshment and must visit the star cricket ground of the world, the Melbourne Cricket Ground. What could be more unique than a gourmet dinner cruise along world famous Yarra River which is an unforgettable experience? Watch the city illuminated with lights on this three hour Melbourne dinner cruises and enjoy fine dining in the comfort of a cruising restaurant. The ever moving vistas and colorful lights will make the movable feast an ever cherished experience for its visitors.

The city is blazed with hidden laneways, opulent bars, exclusive restaurants amazing fashion boutiques, art galleries and museums that provides its visitors an opportunity to soak up culture, hit the sporting grounds, taste the dynamic food and wine, dance to the catchy music tunes till the dawn and visit the green spots to enjoy picnics with your family and friends. So book flights to Melbourne and do visit these exclusive places of great interest.

Forget you are in a city of 4 million people as the green spots in the form of national parks; zoos and garden bring you close to Mother Nature where you’ll surround with age-old trees, manicured lawns and abundant of nightlife that provides you much needed tranquility in the middle of this bustling city. The gardens of the city are home to a host of bird, animals and aquatic life and for this visit the internationally acclaimed Melbourne Zoo, the-state-of-the-art Melbourne Aquarium that boasts thousands of creatures from Southern Ocean.

So you are finally ready for all this excitement and for all this fun filled tour book Cheap Melbourne Flights from london and enjoy this amazing array of attractions.

Leopard Balistidae Fish Care And Aquarium

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How to

The Leopard Filefish caught my interest. This bona fid ugly marine fish comes from the family of Balistidae. The fish is commonly found in the Amanses Sandwichiensis group. The fish dwells in the Pacific, Atlantic, and the Indian Oceans. The fish is also found in the Red Sea. Ironically, this fish has a friendly biological nature; and will dwell with other aquarium fish. The Gold Rim has its ugly nature, yet a bit more attractive than the Leopard Filefish. The Filefish feeds on most foods, including omnivorous and sting sea anemones.

Environmental conditions
Filefish prefer to live in water temperatures set between 75 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The water density should be set at 1.023 and the pH balance around eight. Filefish must have substrate and good-lighted areas, as well as sandy-bottomed tanks. Filefish prefer to live in well-furnished houses, as well as sheltered structures in vertical nature.

Feeding:
The Leopard Filefish enjoy the same foods as the Gold Rim, i.e. omnivorous foods, sting sea anemones, and so on.

The fish is a sociable critter that has a horn-like structure on his forehead. His eyes are colorful blue with brownish-orange rims. Filefish also have erect large pelvic spines, which have flapped skin lose around the area. The Gold Rim fish comes from Indo-Pacific as well, and is not kin to the Leopard Filefish.

Frogfish is another group of ugly fish. The Frogfish kin to the Antennariidae family, and is listed in the Antennarius spp. Group. In fact, the Frogfish makes the bona fid ugly Leopard Filefish look good. This fish resembles a combination between a fish and frog. The fish is a member of the genus and is found in warm areas. The fishes are shaped like clumsy and squats combined really, and include a fishing rod. Frogfish has growths on its thick skin, which slopes perpendicularly up to its open mouth. The fish has no problem camouflaging amongst other fish. He grows around 5 to 8 inches in size and has no known sexual preference.

Environmental Conditions
You will need to seek advice from your supplier. This fish differs as to what type of environment it prefers.

Frogfish lurk behind rocks; therefore, the aquarium should have a surplus of rocks so that fish will have a hiding space to hunt its food. Frogfish can overpower larger fish groups; therefore, you should seek advice as to what types of fish to house with this critter. In addition, the fish is finicky in tank eating; therefore consider feeding him strips of meat and/or fish. This is territorial fish, which can keep with kin species of peaceful nature. The first experience, i.e. at the start the fish should have his own dwelling without social gathering.

Some of the interesting marine fish include the Boxfish or Trunkfish, and the Pufferfish. The Boxfish/Trunkfish derive from the Ostracion spp. This fish is of the genus that dwells in the tropical Indo Pacific Oceans. The Boxfish has a yellow frame that is sprinkled with block spots. In fact, his eyes are rimmed in darker yellow, yet the eyes are blackish. The environmental nature includes water temperatures at 75 degrees, 82, and/or 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The waters density should be set at 1.018 or no higher than 1.030. The fish expects good lighting, and the tank should have substrate, sandy bottom. Don’t forget to supply sufficient hiding space. Boxfish on omnivorous goods, more so than other foodstuff: The fish are sociable, and have interesting eye behaviors. NOTE: Few of the Trunkfish or Boxfish have unsociable nature and are vicious.