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Plecostomus - also known as the pleco, or plec is a common name for a species of freshwater tropical Central and South American fish belonging to the family Loricariidae. Plecos are very popular in aquariums for their ability to clean tanks by eating algae growth.
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Guide To Buying An Aquarium
By David Beart
Buying an aquarium is a commitment which should be approached with careful thought and consideration. While aquariumkeeping is considered to be an enjoyable hobby by many, it is always best to Read more...
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Filtering Out the Myth of Aquarium Filters
By Ron Looker
There are three main types of filtration: biological, mechanical and chemical. Mechanical filters aid in the
physical removal of solid particles. Chemical filters purify the water by chemical reactions that take place at the
cellular, microbial, and atomic levels. In most cases, it is best to incorporate all three types for optimum results.
This article focuses on biological filtration. Biological filters encourage the growth of nitrifying bacteria that
breakdown ammonia to less toxic chemicals. This breakdown process by the bacteria is known as the Nitrogen Cycle.
In the Nitrogen Cycle, waste products generated by fish and invertebrates, along with any dead organisms or uneaten
foods, are broken down by bacteria into ammonia. Ammonia is extremely toxic to all of the inhabitants and
is broken down into nitrites by the aerobic bacteria Nitrosomonas. Although nitrites are not as toxic as ammonia,
even at low concentrations in the aquarium, they can still be harmful to fish and invertebrates.
Other aerobic bacteria called Nitrobacter, act in a similar way as Nitrosomonas and further breaks down nitrites into
relatively harmless nitrates. Nitrates, at low to moderate levels, will not harm most fish or invertebrates, but can
be the source of algae problems if not controlled by chemical filtration and partial water changes.
The main ingredients for an abundance of aerobic bacteria in a biological filter are surface area and oxygen. There
must be a sufficient surface area for a these aerobic bacteria to grow and their need for oxygen must be met. The
capacity of a biological filter is determined by the available surface area for bacterial growth and the oxygen
content of the water passing over them.
Not all filters have the same capacity when it comes to biological filtration. Filters in which the biological media
is exposed to the air are going to have the greatest capacity. When is comes to supply, do your research
and choose carefully.
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_52960_54.html
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Tips on Breeding Tropical Fish
By Mike LaVallee
If you’re looking into breeding your own tropical fish, there are a few tips you should keep in mind before divinginto this opportunity. First, you need to decide what kind of tropical fish you Read more...
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Enjoy The Beauty of a Saltwater Aquarium
By Jon Arnold
Should you go fresh or saltwater? When you decide to invest in an aquarium for the first time, the decision couldbe quite a challenge. Knowing the difference between the two with respect to cost, Read more...
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What Causes A Cloudy Fish Tank
By Adrian Whittle
Keeping the water in your fish tank clean is a priority for any Aquarist. Despite water looking clean it may not besafe for fish to live in and can ultimately kill them. Thus water should be tested Read more...
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Common Ailments that Threaten Your Tropical Fish
By Mike LaVallee
Tropical fish can be an enjoyment to have around. You want them to live as long as possible, but sometimes theycan be threatened by preventable ailments. Here are some common health issues tropical Read more...
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