When the heat starts making itself felt, the fish living in our aquariums also need some extra attention. Sometimes even going on holidays, with the thought of having to leave them alone, can turn into a real problem. Today, we will give you some tips on how to manage your aquarium during the summer, so be ready to take note!
We know how delicate fish are. Some need to live in cold water, others in more temperate environments, so first of all you need to know the specific requirements of each. It goes without saying that all fish must be kept in a clean aquarium. In summer, for example, the surrounding environment tends to cause our aquatic friends to overheat, so it is important to ensure they are kept at a stable and suitable temperature.
Here are our tips to avoid nasty surprises and for always keeping the aquarium in the perfect conditions, even during the summer.
1) AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM. From the outset, it is preferable to position the aquarium in a room where an air-conditioner is installed, so that there will be a better climate for our fishy friends during the summer. In fact, the air that reaches the surface of the aquarium is able to keep the temperature cool and constant.
2) USE AQUARIUM FANS. There are special fans on the market that can be installed in “open” types of aquarium, being those without a cover. These direct air onto the water surface and can reduce the temperature by as much as 3 or 4 degrees.
3) LEAVE THE LID RAISED. A good alternative for improving ventilation and to marginally reduce the heat is to leave the lid slightly raised, by a maximum of 3-4 cm. This system, however, risks having the water evaporate faster and it thus becomes essential to make frequent top-ups with fresh – or better yet, demineralised – water.
What NOT to do:
1) REMOVE THE THERMOSTAT. It may seem obvious, but it is not so for everyone, so remember that we must not make the error of removing or deactivating the aquarium heater. This instrument, in fact, is used to maintain the water temperature constant and is activated only if it falls below that which is desired.
2) REDUCE THE HOURS OF LIGHTING. The light does increase the temperature of the water, that is true, but it is essential for the microenvironment and especially for the life of fish and plants. Do not turn off the fluorescent lamps nor reduce their hours of activation. Rather, evaluate whether to replace them with LED lamps that precisely offer the advantage of heating very little whilst providing an excellent colour emission and ensuring energy savings of 50%. A tip for all is to keep the tank away from the windows and direct sunlight or from any other source of heat.
WHEN YOU GO ON HOLIDAY RATHER… Whilst a dog or a cat can be taken with you, it is a ‘whole new kettle of fish’ for our gill-bearers. However, you can safely leave the aquarium unattended for one or two weeks, simply by carefully following certain steps before departure.
It is advisable to clean the filter and change the water a few days before departure, given that changing the water in such a delicate ecosystem is always traumatic even if done vigilantly. It is thus better to do these tasks a little in advance, in order to be able to intervene and correct any side effects. Install an automatic feeder that releases the food during the day, with the food stored within always remaining fresh. The Chef Pro model from Ferplast can be programmed to administer up to three daily feeds, and is even equipped with 4 different types of dosing units that allow for the dispensing of all types of fish food, in flakes or granules.
Do you see how, with a little organisation, taking care of an aquarium during the summer is a breeze? With our tips, you can even be away from home for a number of days!