Cleaning A Fish Tank "The Right Way"

 Ok, so now you have bought a fish tank, it is setup and running well, but you see that there is some buildup and algae in the tank and at the bottom. What to do? Well now comes the time you need to clean your tank.

Cleaning a fish tank can be an easy task, but is often a very stressful and time consuming process for many people. Why? you might ask. Well most people do not know the proper steps to take when cleaning a tank, and often end up spending hours figuring out what and where to clean. I am going to tell you a somewhat quick, but definitely easy way to go about this process. So sit back, grab a drink, and enjoy!!!!

THE CLEANING PROCESS:

1. When cleaning a fish tank the very first thing that I do is empty about 20-30% of the water.

2. Next if you want to pull out all the plants, rocks, and accessories (you can leave the fish in the tank if you have larger than a 30 gallon tank, any smaller than that and I would pull them out)

3. Now you want to use the suction filtration method and clean your gravel. I like to use my hand as well to help stir around the gravel to get any extra buildup that is deep under the gravel.

4. Once you have cleaned the gravel, then you can unplug your filter and begin to clean it (Now if you have a tank that has 2 filters on it, it is important that you only clean one at a time. You want to do this because the filters will contain some "good" bacteria colonies that your fishtank needs.) If you have only one filter for your tank then go ahead and just clean it.

5. The filter can easily be taken apart and cleaned thoroughly. When you are taking the actual filter out unless it is extremely dirty, you can just rinse it and put it back. Make sure that you clean any gunk out of the filters pipe, and also down where the engine spins. That part needs to spin freely in order to have good suction for your filter.

6. After the filter is cleaned you can place them back where they were, Remember to fill it with water before you plug it back in.

7. Now what I like to do is to scrub my rocks and plants while I am filling my tank back up with water (obviously if you have live plants, then you cannot scrub them just trim any dead leaves). If your rocks are extremely dirty then you can soak them in a 10% bleach solution. I have done this many times and my fish are still kickin today. What I like to do is make a solution of 1 cup of bleach and 10 cups of water. I let the rocks soak for one hour in the bleach, then another hour in water. After that I am sure to rinse them thoroughly and let them completely air dry. This is the only way that you can use this bleaching method, any other method you read please disregard. I have used this method many times and been very successful.

8. After everything is cleaned and the tank is filled with water, go ahead and add your fish back to the tank (You want them to be out of the tank for only a short time - sometimes I add the bubbler to the little tank I have them in to keep the Oxygen levels up).fish tank filter

9. Now that all is clean and the fish and plants are back, make sure that you wait till your rocks are completely dry (if bleached) before adding them back to the tank. If you just scrubbed them with water and a sponge then you can put them back in right away.

10. The last thing I like to do is to scrub the sides of the tank with a scratchless sponge (I have an acrylic tank), or with a razor blade or something sharper (for my glass tanks). Once you have done this you are pretty much done cleaning your tank. Depending on the size and number of filters you have the tank will look completely clean anywhere from 2 hours to 10 hours after cleaning. But don't worry the particles floating in the water will not harm your fish.

You can repeat this procedure again in about 6 months! Remember though, you do not want to over clean your aquarium. There are many types of bacteria colonies that your fish tank needs to be healthy, and when we clean the tanks we often kill a lot of these colonies.

I HOPE THIS HAS HELPED YOU ALONG YOUR WAY TO ESTABLISHING A WONDERFUL AQUARIUM IN YOUR HOME OR OFFICE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO VISIT MY BLOG AND ASK ME ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE. GOOD LUCK!!!!

Effective Cellulite Massage Treatment

 Women are typically self conscious of their body's appearance. If we are motivated enough or have the time, we take the extra steps like eating healthy and exercising to tone the troubled areas on our bodies. Cellulite is one problem that women can't remove using these methods. There is no absolute cure for cellulite, but it has been proven that cellulite massage treatment is able to reduce the appearance of these unsightly lumps.

There are chemical and serious laser surgeries that can be performed to dissolve the fatty tissues that build up under the skin but you don't have to take these drastic measures. Using cellulite massage treatment provides a natural and relaxing method to get you looking better and feeling better about your self.

Try to remember that there is no magic cure for cellulite so you must have realistic expectations of what cellulite massages are capable of doing. There are cellulite massager lotions available but regular lotion serves the purpose just fine in any type of cellulite massage.

Use the lotion to hydrate the skin and make the massaging moments easier and smoother. Rub the problem areas in a circular motion while pulling and pushing the lumps of cellulite. Perform the cellulite massage treatment 5 times a week for 15 minute intervals.chiropractic massage

Drink plenty of water after each session as this type of massage also brings the toxins to the surface of the skin. Flush them with the water and you will have accomplished two very healthy tasks in one. Using any number of cellulite massage treatment devices can accelerate your success rate.

Plastic or wooden rollers, electric massager and rounded finger massagers all provide a more efficient massage and can be found at most health and body store. Having someone else do the massages for you is even more efficient because they can reach areas you may have trouble with, focus on more troubled spots and devote more strength and pressure at a unique angle.

Combine a cellulite massage treatment with a healthy diet and sufficient exercise and you should find yourself with smoother looking thighs, stomach and buttocks. Hollywood stars even use this treatment prior to show or performances paying anywhere from $500.00 an hour and you can perform this same treatment on yourself everyday for the price of the lotion.

Giving Children a Sporting Chance

 "It was during a sponsored rugby union visit to Cambodia that I saw children living in squalor on the Stung Meanchey Municipal Waste Dump in Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh. Despite the terrible conditions these children were living in, they still had hope and happiness in their eyes," says Greening.

Greening was inspired to get involved when he saw the difference sports could make to them. Two boys who had grown up on the dump, and had then been given assistance from a volunteer, were now representing Cambodia on the national rugby team. He quickly realised his expertise could go a long way towards helping these children.

Greening says, "In most cases, sport is last on the list in terms of a charity's funding and objectives. Knowing that sports have excellent therapeutic value, I also believe that the ethics learnt on a sports field - responsibility, leadership, and teamwork - are transferable to any environment. We established this charity to provide an opportunity for children to gain some therapy through various sports, and gain self-confidence."

Kick a Ball

Thus came about the Sporting Chance Foundation to improve the lives of underprivileged children - whether they're inner city kids from London, or child prostitutes in Vietnam. As long as they want to kick a ball, the charity aims to always be there to kick it back. "Sporting Chance Foundation established itself by providing the necessities to make this transformation - food, shelter and clothing," Greening explains, "and we have endeavoured to provide each child with a set of characteristics that will last them a lifetime."

Jonny Wilkinson Steps Up

Calling upon high-profile friends, Greening gained support from sport and media personalities, including England rugby World Cup heroes Jonny Wilkinson and Jason Leonard, Joel Stransky, leading musician Heidi Range from the Sugababes, TV and radio presenter Dave Berry, and ESPN STAR Sports presenter Charlie Webster. Each has pledged to dedicate their time and expertise to ensure the charity reaches as many children as possible.

To maximise the impact of the Sporting Chance Foundation, Greening ensures that the charity works alongside existing non-government organisations (NGOs). The charity will help supply funding and sporting equipment to orphanages, and work directly with specific NGOs to improve the lives of the children in their programmes.

Greening says, "The charity presently works with three NGOs. Two are based in Phnom Penh and the third is an international charity, Touraid, based out of the UK. Touraid funds children from less developed countries to travel and play sport abroad. The alliance with Touraid gives children from Sporting Chance Foundation the opportunity to experience new regions of the world and learn about different cultures."

Down in the Dumps

Funding from Sporting Chance not only supports their own projects; if they see an NGO with a suitable cause, they will also help. On a recent trip to Phnom Penh, Sporting Chance Foundation met up with two other NGOs: Friends and the Sunrise orphanage. Both had shelters set up to help the city's street children. Friends, an inner city shelter, has been incredibly successful at taking boys and girls off the streets; however, the children had nowhere safe to run around. Sporting Chance Foundation proposed a sports hall and playground within the shelter's walls.

Sunrise, based just outside the city, has a small soccer field, but the girls at the shelter have no sporting outlet. Sporting Chance Foundation drew up plans to build a multi-purpose playing surface for the children to enjoy tennis, badminton, volleyball and netball. This is just the start of their work in Phnom Penh; they will continue to look for more worthwhile projects in the city.

Developing Coaches

Presently, the foundation uses outside help with its construction projects and coaching, but its aim is to make the charity 100 percent self-sufficient. Greening's goal is that children coached in his programmes will go on to be coaches for the next generation of young sportsmen and women.

Currently, Sporting Chance Foundation helps 2,000 children a day, ranging from infants with HIV to children orphaned by landmines, dysfunctional families or drug abuse. As funds increase, the charity hopes to sponsor children through the local public school. Ultimately it aims to establish its own centre in Phnom Penh near the school with dorms, a canteen, a sports field and sporting facilities.토토사이트

Through Joel Stransky and Heidi Range, Sporting Chance Foundation is beginning to use the Cambodian template to help an orphanage in the townships of South Africa.

An All-Star Team

Through his contacts in the rugby world, Greening is also in the process of putting together an all-star rugby team to play in Dubai, Hong Kong and Bangkok to raise funds and increase overall awareness of the charity. Two young boys from Cambodia will be invited to join the team for the tour.

"The Foundation's aim is to ultimately help children in every corner of the world. As a charity that works to a 'non-compete' principle, Sporting Chance Foundation openly invites other charities to give a helping hand, resulting in a bigger impact towards helping those in need," concludes Greening.

Confused With the Many Options? How To Choose the Right Fish Tank Filter

 Collecting a breed of fishes and growing them inside the comforts of your own home can be fulfilling for most fish enthusiasts. It is not just a relaxing hobby but it can also add up to the attraction of your home.

For beginners, it is important that you understand the basic things about fish care, their maintenance and more importantly, the upkeep for their fish tank.

Aquariums will serve as your pet's habitat from now on. That is why it is very important to keep it clean and healthy at all times. How to do this?

Fish tank filters are a number one necessity in keeping your fishes alive. Without it, the aquarium your fishes will inevitably die of suffocation. These are mechanisms that help maintain the cleanliness of your aquarium.

There are tons of aquarium filters that are being sold in the local pet stores. What is important is that you choose the one that blends harmoniously with the creatures and decors inside your aquarium. What to keep in mind when looking for fish tank filters?small fish tank filter

1. Consider the Size of Your Aquarium

In most cases, the bigger the aquarium, the bigger fish tank filters you need to keep the water from clouding. This can be theoretically true most of the time. However, sometimes, to save up space inside the fish tank, two small filters can do the job. Small external fish tank filters that are five or six foot long can be installed. This can actually do practically the same amount of work as the bigger ones.

2. What are the types of fishes are you keeping?

There are some fishes that tend to be messier than others. Take for example the Oscars. They eat a lot more food compared to the Discus. This makes them produce more waste in the tank. It is also important to understand the diet of the fishes that you intend to keep. Remember, the bigger the fish, the bigger the fish tank filters that you need.

3. Aquarium plants can also contribute in contaminating the water

Fish tanks are definitely more attractive with plant decors. In order to keep both your plants alive and maintain the water's cleanliness at the same time, you have to choose a well-run undergravel filter. These types of fish tank filters are more conducive to the healthy growth of your plants. It can serve both your fish and plants altogether.

4. How much are you willing to spend on fish tank filters?

A limited budget can put a strain in aquarium shopping. Keeping fishes is indeed an expensive hobby. If you are on a tight budget, you may be better off in going for the old-fashioned sponge filter and air pump. These may be old-school, but they are still dependable. Another option is to purchase an undergravel filter with two powerheads. This can be used for larger aquariums.

Whatever filter it is that you may deem to choose, it is still your primary responsibility to keep the water clean at all times. There is only so much that a water filter can do. Maintaining an aquarium may take a lot of effort. However, at the end of the day, if those colorful fishes can relax you, then go for it.