Thomas Brown interviews the owner of Fintastic – The Aquarium Superstore and explores its fresh water section.

Filtration Types

Power Filter

The very easy to maintain power filter hangs on the back of the aquarium (easy access). Water is pulled through a mechanical filtration, using floss and insert cartridges. They also provide enough space for chemical filtration media. Within the last few years a wet dry wheel (biowheel) was developed, to provide an even larger area for bacteria to settle.

Internal filters

Internal filters usually are rectangular boxes attached with suckers on a side glass of the tank. They may have two or three sections inside, thought to divide filter materials, pump and sometimes also the water heater.

Canister Filter

A closed canister filter is where water is forced through filtration media(mechanical and/or chemical). This filter is generally placed beside or underneath the aquarium. The canister filter has the most powerful mechanical filtration system, and can be used with messy eaters. The down side is that it requires frequent cleaning. Bacteria will also settle in this filter type. Biological filtration can be improved, by placing wet dry wheels at the outflow of the canister filter.

Wet/dry Filters

Wet/dry filters achieve optimum aquarium conditions through the use of mechanical and biological filtration. These filters out perform other means of filtration and reduce maintenance time. Top mounted input provides more filter positioning options than side mounted inputs. Unique removable foam block wall provides chemical and protein skimmer return area. Slide out drip tray simplifies cleaning filter pad. Sealed top reduces salt creep and quiets filter. Included with filter are bio-balls, foam water polishing block, 36″ drain hose, 60″ return hose and instruction manual. Ideal for fresh or salt water aquariums.

Berlin Reef Sumps

The BERLIN REEF SUMP is designed with the needle wheel skimmer in mind. The sump incorporates a center chamber with a constant water level of 8” where the most popular brands of skimmers can be placed. Mechanical filtration is accomplished through 200 micron filter socks. Area for chemical media and protein skimmer return. Included with filter are foam water polishing block, 2-36″ drain hoses, 60″ return hose, and instruction manual. Ideal for salt or fresh water aquariums.

Refugiums

Refugiums are designed primarily for use on reef tanks but can be used on fish tanks that have adequate biological filtration. Refugiums work on the principal of placing algae and other marine plants in the filter and providing adequate light for them to grow. The algae remove organics, nitrates and other harmful chemicals from the water. As the algae grow, it is harvested and the harmful chemicals are removed from the tank permanently. Deep sand bed keeps nitrate at a safe level. Top mounted input provides more filter positioning options than side mounted inputs. Black refugium walls reduce light scatter and reduce unwanted algae growth in sump area. Micron sock prefiltration produces crystal clear aquarium water. Separate sock and refugium covers simplify sock removal. Refugium lid with light stand offs and light lens reduce heat, evaporation and prevent water from splashing onto light. Algae gate in refugium keeps algae from entering sump. Framed filter top adds rigidity and eliminates warping. Chemical compartment and protein skimmer return area. Included with filter are power compact lighting, refugium cover with lens, sock compartment cover, foam water polishing block, 36″ drain hose, 60″ return hose, and instruction manual. Recommended for saltwater aquariums only.

Stress is a condition in which an animal is unable to maintain a normal physiologic state because of various factors adversely affecting its well-being. It is caused by placing a fish in a situation which is beyond its normal level of tolerance. Any aquarium condition that is not good for the inhabitants may cause excess stress, which usually leads to disease and oftentimes, to death. The fifteen most common sources of stress are:

• Improper pH or drastic and/or sudden changes in pH.
• Improper temperature or sudden changes in temperature.
• Improper salinity for short or extended periods of time.
• Physical trauma such as pounding on the tank or sudden movements that scare the tank’s inhabitants.
• Aggressive tank mates. These can cause the fish to withdraw into hiding and miss out on feedings. Harassment or physical attack by tank mates leads to wounds, abrasions and further stress.
• Poor diet. Deficiencies and dietary degenerative diseases are often the cause of loss of older animals.
• High ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, or other toxin levels. A high nitrite level prevents oxygen from reaching the cells and may cause suffocation of brain damage. Detectable ammonia or nitrite is undesirable. For nitrates, there are many factors affecting toxicity and differences among species susceptibility. Keeping nitrate at less than 30 parts per million (ppm) for fish only systems or less than 10 ppm for aquariums with invertebrates are appropriate goals.
• Other toxins – chlorine, copper, detergents, iron, lead, zinc, commercial ammonia, nicotine, perfume/cologne, oil, paint fumes, and insecticides, including contaminants from dog and cat flea collars.
Too little or too much carbon dioxide, especially prevalent in systems that are either overcrowded with life or whose owners mismanage a CO2 infusion system.
• Too much, too little, or irregular periods of light. Too much light (intensity or duration) affects the metabolism of all the livestock; too little light is problematic for photosynthetic invertebrates, plants and algae. All benefit from a standard light interval of about 12 hours.
• Dirty or cloudy water. Cloudy water is usually caused by bacteria. The bacteria in the water may use up all the available oxygen or poison your animals with their metabolites.
• No hiding places to which the inhabitants can retreat to feel safe.
• Infectious and/or parasitic disease-causing organisms.
• Any other sudden changes in the environment.
• Overcrowding.

Overly stressed animals are, by definition, what we consider “sick”. Stressor’s trigger the release of hormones that prompt the animals to fight or flee, and they increase their heart rate, blood circulation, and respiration. In a worst case, continual stress will cause an animal to die of exhaustion. They may also become so weak that their immune systems no longer function, and they will succumb to diseases or conditions that would not normally affect them. Most aquarium systems have a constant supply of fungi, bacteria, and protozoa that have little or no effect on healthy animals. Sufficiently stressed, however, they may fall prey to otherwise non pathogenic organisms. Marine fishes and invertebrates are more dependent on their environment than the terrestrial examples we are more familiar with. The are totally at the mercy of their owners to provide them with proper living conditions.

With busy summer schedules and families taking their last vacation before school starts, you may have missed seeing your favorite Charlotte fish store and owner, Greg Sowers, featured in The Charlotte Observer.

But have no fear, we have it here! CharlotteObserver.com/Fintastic

We welcome buyers and browsers, near and far, to stop by Fintastic in Arysley Town Shopping Center to experience the wide variety of beautiful exotic fish and accessories with fantastic customer service.

Advance Happy New Year to everyone! We have great news to all Fintastic fanatics! We will be operating under normal hours on Sunday, Jan 1. We will be closing early tomorrow at 4PM. See you there!

2 For Tuesday! Stop in today and checkout our NEW amazing selection of aquatic plants!