Frequent Aquarium Questions

• I have had much success transporting tropical fish over long distances; however, I have not attempted transporting fish during winter. Are there any battery operated equipment for keeping the fish warm? Thank you.
  
  
• We just bought a male betta and was wondering if we should a cover makes a difference in the oxygen content. Also, the size bowl should be a 2 gallon min? Thanks,
  
  
• Are brass fittings safe to use in a freshwater tank?
  
  
• I have a 55 gallon aquarium and I am planning to put cichlids in it. Should I use an air pump or a power head for aeration?
  
  
• Can I put my 150 watt aquarium heater under the gravel so it doesn't show that much?
  
  
• I recently bought a 38 gallon tank and stand for a marine set up, but I am not I'm ready for saltwater. Would it be possible to buy equiptment that could be used for fresh water, then use the same equipment for salt water when I'm ready to switch?
  
  
• Is there a schedule for determining the appropriate thickness of a wrought iron stand for different weights of the aqaurium?
  
  
• What catfish are best for algae control and don't grow to giant sizes? Will they eat brown algae or just green?
  
  
• Can you keep a beta with a small goldfish?
  
  
• We just bought an aquarium and there is a little black box in the corner. What is this?
  
  

• I have had much success transporting tropical fish over long distances; however, I have not attempted transporting fish during winter. Are there any battery operated equipment for keeping the fish warm? Thank you.
  
  I am unaware of an form of battery-operated water heater currently on the market. Most tropical fish shippers use disposable heat packs to keep fish warm during transit in the winter. This would probably be your best bet, other than simply making sure your vehicle and destination are both well heated while moving your fish.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• We just bought a male betta and was wondering if we should a cover makes a difference in the oxygen content. Also, the size bowl should be a 2 gallon min? Thanks,
  
  Unless the cover makes a tight seal over the tank, it should not affect the oxygen content. A 2 gallon tank is a good size for one betta all alone.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• Are brass fittings safe to use in a freshwater tank?
  
  Brass fittings are best avoided, even in freshwater tanks. These fittings can leach copper into the system, which may become toxic over time.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• I have a 55 gallon aquarium and I am planning to put cichlids in it. Should I use an air pump or a power head for aeration?
  
  Use a powerhead. Many cichlids will bat around small airstones, or may bury them in the gravel. Hopefully, you intend this for pure aeration, and not to run an undergravel filter. Many cichlids will dig up your gravel, making undergravel filters useless.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• Can I put my 150 watt aquarium heater under the gravel so it doesn't show that much?
  
  I would not recommend it since your ability to flow water around the heating element will be greatly reduced.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• I recently bought a 38 gallon tank and stand for a marine set up, but I am not I'm ready for saltwater. Would it be possible to buy equiptment that could be used for fresh water, then use the same equipment for salt water when I'm ready to switch?
  
  Absolutely! Read up on requirements for saltwater tanks in these FAQ, our articles and forums and don't forget to buy a book. Set up the tank with a good wet-dry filter and freshwater gravel and decorations, and when you're ready to switch, get marine substrate and decorations, and add a protein skimmer.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• Is there a schedule for determining the appropriate thickness of a wrought iron stand for different weights of the aqaurium?
  
  Most wrought iron used for tanks up to 500 pounds is 3/4" angle iron, braced top and bottom on all four sides. Larger tanks will require 1" or larger. Only glass tanks should be used with iron stands and they must have complete trim and bracing for support.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• What catfish are best for algae control and don't grow to giant sizes? Will they eat brown algae or just green?
  
  Loricariad catfish are the best algae-eating fish for aquariums. While quite a few species grow large, many grow slow or remain smaller. We would recommend Whiptails, Farlowellas and Otocinclus for starters.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• Can you keep a beta with a small goldfish?
  
  Yes.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• We just bought an aquarium and there is a little black box in the corner. What is this?
  
  This is a built-in prefilter.
  
  Top