Tropical Fish Flakes - Pros Vs Cons

 

Tropical fish, especially giant rays, are an exciting addition to any tank. Whether you're just starting to put together your first set up or you're updating your entire existing selection, there are some of today's most popular tropical fish which are sure to be a delight to include in your own tank. If you have only a few selections in mind, it can be helpful to use this checklist as a guide to ensure you get exactly what you want. If you have some room and are ready to make an investment in a few of today's more popular tropical fish, it's time to start thinking about the types of tank they will live in. The following is a list of some of the most common tropical fish and what type would best suit your needs.

Cichlids have become one of the most popular aquarium fish in recent years. They are typically available in two separate varieties: the freshwater variety and the saltwater or reef aquarium variety. Cichlids can be kept in most freshwater aquariums, but many hobbyists will use reef aquariums when keeping a large number of these fish together. The two are very different and should not be combined unless the hobbyist absolutely has experience with reef aquariums. Many hobbyists prefer keeping tetra as their choice of tropical fish due to their affordability and long-lasting breeding potential.

Most aquariums will offer a selection of tropical fish food, but many will offer far more than just the standard goldfish pellets or bloodworms. Many hobbyists prefer using cut bait and tropical fish food mixes as well as flakes and vegetables in order to add a wide array of nutrients to the water. Aquarium algae care requires several key ingredients in order for the water to look and feel its best and these are easily found in most fish food stores. Freshwater algae care requires simply using a quality protein skimmer and occasionally cleaning the filter media.

Fish that spend most of their time in fresh water are naturally adapted to these conditions and feeding them the right ingredients will produce beautiful and healthy fish. Unfortunately, many tropical species are prone to disease and poor health if a single factor is introduced into the tank. A single factor that can significantly alter the chemistry and eco-system is lighting; if this is done incorrectly, it can cause stressed or unhealthy fish.

One of the easiest things to do to maintain proper water chemistry is to use a protein skimmer while also providing extra filtration by cycling debris out of the tank. When using a protein skimmer, always remember to manually flip old Tetra fish pellets or red wiggler pellets before using them. This prevents leftover food from collecting in the bottom of the tank and converting to ammonia. If there is any leftover food in your tank, Tetra will consume it just like it will consume any other food within the tank. This leaves the owner of the tank with two options. One option is to either remove the leftover food from the aquarium completely to avoid the need to flip the fish, or use a protein skimmer to condition the water for cycling.

Tropical fish flake like other types of flakes because they help contain the waste produced by the fish. However, even though the waste produced by Tetra can be cycled, it is still best to remove leftover food that may not cycle. This can be accomplished by making sure you use the correct sized Tetra flakes for each species in the tank. It is recommended that one-half inch flakes are for herbivorous species such as tetras, tangs, and other species of the fish family, and another half inch for carnivores, which include albino and non-color variants.

As mentioned before, pros and cons exist when using protein skimmers versus simply leaving leftover food in the tank. Protein skimming can introduce additional oxygen into the water, which can improve the water quality. The drawbacks are that a lot of the protein in the flakes ends up being unused and is washed away into the water. If this occurs the fish will simply be dechlorinated and will eventually die. The other downside is that the protein skimmer can also introduce an unnecessary amount of chemicals into the water that may not be beneficial.

Many aquarium-owners who use high protein flakes do so for decorative purposes only, and may never add any other aquarium products that will enhance their fish's quality of life. These owners should note that the cons listed above are actually there for a reason. While these disadvantages are not usually seen by inexperienced owners, they should be remembered because they are important for every aquarium owner to know about. The bottom line is that whether your tropical fish are happy or not, they would still thank you for providing them with a great home.