unclenedsfishfactory.com

If you are a beginer fish keeper it is not unusual unfortunately
to lose fish on start up

There's a video link below
the skinny guy with the hat (Dan)
I'm the fat guy (Ned)
http://vimeo.com/405443

there's about 5 things you should know to keeep your fish alive

1) get good fish to start with:
it's best if you can go to an independant owner-operated store
as opposed to a PetCo or a PetSmart
it's a matter of luck if the person working there actually knows a good fish from a sick one
unless you are at an independant's store
some of these workers at the big box stores should be working at a convenience store
not caring for live animals
it's not the worker's fault, usually the managers can't train them

2) chemical poisoning:
alot of cities use way too much chlorine in their tap water
any pet store will have 3 brands or more of water conditioner that will nuetralize chlorine
... there are tons of houshold chemical dangers
glass cleaner, air freshener, soap, the obvious one is insecticide
the only thing that should come into contact with your tank equipment is plain water

3) ick:
is an extremely common fish parasite
(looks like litle white sugar crystals stuck to the fish's body)
can be cured easily with 2 teaspoons of ordinary salt per 1 gallon of water
its fatal if not treated right away

4) over feeding:
if the fish can't finish the food you put in the tank in about a half minute
the un-eaten food goes to rot
which makes ammonia, which ruins the water quality

5) good filter bacteria:
the brown goo in the filter is not poop, it's the good bacteria that breaks down the poop
the best way to break in a new aquarium is to get some good bacteria
from an established filter in a healthy tank
(we just squeeze a filter sponge into a plastic bag for our new customers)
so if you're having problems
change the water, not the filter

If you have any questions feel free
to contact me
... I hope you keep your fish tank !