Buy Maintenance Accessories for Fish in Hardy

A healthy fish tank means healthy and happy fish. Barkley's Pet Market in Hardy, VA has all the tools and the devices to keep that tank in great shape. Our team has the experience and knowledge to answer your questions regarding fish tank maintenance and help you select the right products to make the task a breeze.

Anybody can keep a clean and healthy fish tank. It's not a hard task, but it does need routine attention and the best products. There are daily and weekly jobs in addition to the critical job of tank cleaning with partial water adjustments.

Each day, after you feed your fish, remove uneaten food after about five minutes. Also, check your fish to ensure they are healthy and are acting normally. Lastly, it's important to check the water temperature. Each week, check the pH, nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia levels. If it's a saltwater tank, check the salinity. Also, consider equipment such as lights and filters to see that everything is functioning effectively.

How often should you clean the tank? How much of the water do you need to replace? It depends on the dimension of the tank, the variety of fish, and whether it's saltwater. Generally, you need to swap out 10-20% of the water every one to three weeks. 

Follow these steps in your regular cleaning:

Prepare replacement water. If you use tap water, use a water filter to eliminate contaminants. For saltwater, you'll need special reverse osmosis/deionized water.

Unplug electrical components & remove large accessories.

Siphon water into a container. Siphon along the gravel to remove the waste that builds up there. If you properly control the circulation with your thumb or a built-in regulator, waste will be sucked out and gravel will fall back into the tank.

Remove algae. Use an algae-cleaning tool to help.

Clean your filter. For filters such as a sponge, ceramic rings, and fiber, rinse them in the water you removed and quickly reinstall} them to prevent losing essential germs. Filters that contain carbon and various other absorbers will need to be regularly replaced.

Add the replacement water.

Clean your tank's outside with a proper cleaner and cloth.

As you can see, the best devices and products are essential. Fortunately, Barkley's Pet Market in Hardy, VA understands what's needed and is your one-stop-shop for all your tank maintenance needs. Call (540) 346-2277 or stop by our store today!