POTENTIAL PROBLEMS - AND (Fish classification) HOW TO SOLVE THEM
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS - AND HOW TO SOLVE THEM No matter how many precautions are taken, nobody is completely invulnerable to problems with the equipment or the equilibrium in an aquarium. An electric power cut, for example, has no dramatic consequences over a short period, but it is worrying if it lasts a whole day (rarely the case, it is true). The aquarium cools, but the heat loss can be reduced by wrapping the tank in a blanket (also the solution to any malfunctioning of the heating system). Generally speaking, in the event of a power cut there is a danger that the water stagnating in the filter will acquire substances that are toxic to the fish. It is therefore very important to empty it before turning the power back on and putting the filter back into operation. An abnormal increase in the temperature can occur if the thermostat gets stuck in the heating position. The only real solution is to unplug it and adjust it, and allow the temperature to slowly drop to its initial level. The temperature can also go up in summer, depending on the room where the aquarium is housed. The thermostat obviously turns the heating off, but the temperature can still sometimes exceed 25-26 C. There is no need to panic up to the 27-28 C level, but you must make provisions for cooling the room by darkening it, to avoid the penetration of sunlight. Note that substituting part of the water with domestic water or putting ice cubes in the aquarium have little effect. The water color is a good indicator of the equilibrium of the aquarium: if it is clear and transparent, there are apparently no problems, but any coloring may be the sign of imbalance. A drop in the pH is often the result of an excess of carbon dioxide dissolved in the water. This can be solved by increasing the rate of aeration. Finally, you must be prepared for a rare accident, such as a leak, or a cracked pane. If this happens, you must act quickly, transferring the plants and fish to another tank, with their original water. The aquarium must then be completely emptied and dried, and you must locate and block the leak or change the cracked pane, using the gluing techniques described on pages 224-225.
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