An aquarium is always a good addition to any home. Aside from gaining a new pet, you also get to have a new decorative addition that can liven up your space. While fishes do not seem to have lots of needs unlike Cats or Dogs, you do have to exert more effort in terms of maintaining their aquatic home. Aside from making sure that it is kept clean, you also have to make sure that the water is within the right temperature and it contains just the right nutrients for your fish to live in.
Proper aquarium maintenance requires several tools. One of those is an aquarium heater that is responsible for keeping a perfectly tuned and clean aquarium environment for fishes and other living organisms in the tank. Some owners would think that an aquarium heater is necessary, but this is actually necessary for people who live in areas that are prone to harsh winters or those who live in naturally cold climates. Below are two reasons why you may need to invest in an aquarium heater.
Maintains Good Temperature Levels For Your Tank
One of the most important things to do if you want to have a thriving tropical aquarium is to maintain good water temperature levels. If you are keeping both saltwater and freshwater fish in one tank, it’s best to keep the water warm without any drastic temperature variations. Even a one-degree drop in temperature for over 24 hours can affect the health of your fish, and make them more susceptible to diseases that might wipe out your whole aquarium population.
The best way to avoid temperature drops is to invest in the best aquarium heater that you can find. There are many aquarium heaters available in the market at various prices. Avoid buying cheap ones as they are more likely to break, malfunction, or even explode!
Helps Regulate Oxygen Levels
Maintaining the right temperature for your tank helps regulate the oxygen levels in it. A tank that is too hot or too cold will not do any good for your fish. Overheating can also be a problem for your aquarium. As the temperature rises, the oxygen saturation in the tank will fall.
Warm water can cause your fish to be more active, and thus they would require more oxygen to survive. But since warmer water contains less oxygen, your fish would eventually suffocate. To add to the problem, the beneficial bacteria found in the tank also needs oxygen to break down ammonia. Without enough oxygen, the ammonia in your aquarium will build up and displace oxygen, and will later poison your fish.
As you see, warm water can trigger a number of deadly problems for your fish tank, which is why you also need to invest in a good aquarium thermometer to check the temperature of your tank regularly. Aside from that, you have to know how to adjust your aquarium heater to make sure it does not overheat or underheat your tank.
Keeps Your Fish Healthy
Water temperature drops have a direct effect on a fish’s immune system, digestion, and healing process. If the water in the aquarium is too cold, your fish’s metabolism will slow down, causing them to become sluggish and sleepy. And, if the water becomes too warm, your fish’s metabolism will speed up, making them livelier and more hyperactive.
Having rapid temperature fluctuations in your aquarium is not recommended, as it will just cause stress to your fish. Stress is one of the major reasons why fishes in an aquarium die. The fluctuating temperatures can weaken a fish’s immune system, making them more susceptible to diseases or parasites.
Normally, healthy fishes can fight off common diseases and parasites. But because of stress, the fish becomes immunocompromised. So, you must be vigilant with the water temperature in your tank, especially when the season changes. A good aquarium heater, however, can avoid problems in temperature fluctuations.
Conclusion
If you want to have a thriving aquarium, you must pay attention to its maintenance. You need to know the ideal water temperature for your fishes and that you have a quality aquarium heater that can maintain such. Keep in mind that fishes are not capable of producing body heat on their own and they won’t survive if the temperature is not right.
Even the slightest drop or increase in temperature can make the difference between a healthy fish and a sick one. Be sure to choose a reliable aquarium heater to go along with a thermometer for your fish tank, so you can monitor and maintain the right water temperature at all times.
