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P.O. Box 1015 Waldorf, MD 20604-1015
Phone: 301 645-8181

Friday, May 3, 2001. From the American Humane Association
Tropical Fish Tank Tips

There are a few things you should know if you're keeping fish..

A tank full of fish offers a window through which you can observe nature in miniature. But fish are fragile. You'll need to spend time, money and energy to keep them alive and their environment healthy. You can provide proper care for these beautiful aquatic animals by following a few simple guidelines...

• Most tap water contains chlorine and ammonia which can kill your fish. Get an additive from your pet-supply store to neutralize these toxins (click here for a short list of Waldorf, MD pet-supply stores).
• Uneaten food turns into toxins in the tank. So feed your fish small amounts of food once or twice a day. Only feed them what they can eat in 3 minutes.
• Some fish are so fragile that a temperature drop of a few degrees will kill them, so get a quality water heater for your tank.
• Choose fish who require the same environmental conditions.
• Keep your tank out of direct sunlight and away from a heating or cooling source to avoid algae growth and water temperature fluctuations.
• Fish constantly add waste and toxins to the tank environment, so a filtration system, like an under gravel filter, is essential to keeping the water clear and safe.