What should you do if your fish can’t get to the bottom of the tank? That question is common among new aquarium owners. The solution can be one of many.
When was the last time you provided your aquarium with a good service? A true, good, old-fashioned cleaning? Cleaning an aquarium is not like cleaning the bathroom. You will need tools to help you clean out your tank. Things to consider having on hand that are musts in tank maintenance are: a vacuum pump (there are many styles available), a water testing kit, a couple of nets of different sizes and grades, algae pads, water containers and pumps, a bucket, water conditioners and medications. These tools make cleaning and caring for your aquarium much easier. Fish can be messy and they can’t be healthy if they aren’t given a clean environment in which to live.
In addition to cleaning the tank, regular water changes are extremely important. Your fish may not be able to get to certain areas of the tank, like the bottom, if the water is not healthy for them there. The chemical makeup of an aquarium is a delicate balance of acid and base and must be monitored. Fish put off a variety of chemicals, many of which can become toxic if allowed to remain in a tank without regular water changes. A good rule to follow is a 25% change each week or so. Make sure that when you change the water you are following guidelines for water neutralization and de-chlorination. Many a fish owner has learned the hard way that chemicals and additives must be added to water before it is put in a tank. Failure to do so will result in dead fish.
If you are confident that your tank is clean and the water in good order, another reason fish may not be able to get to the bottom of the tank is illness. Goldfish especially are known to develop (air) bladder problems, and fancy goldfish are the worst for this. They are hard to diagnose and even harder to treat. Goldfish should be fed sinking food to keep them from ingesting too much air when they eat. Flake foods float, thereby forcing the goldfish to come to the surface, open their mouths, and take in air when they eat. This can be very unhealthy for them. If you notice you have a problem with floating fish, they might need a way to stay under water if the problem gets very bad, so they will have a chance at healing. You can consider different types of aquarium decorations which will give the fish a chance to swim in under it so they can’t float.
When setting up your tank, research the variety of fish you intend to house. Finding the right balance for them is important in providing them the best environment possible. Always have on hand the resources you need to help your fish if they can’t get to the bottom of the tank.
