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Can Plecos tolerate salt ?

Salt is added to aquarium to improve the slime coating of fish and to prevent parasitic infections. Many aquarium fish tolerate salt.

Plecos too can tolerate salt by to a very small extent about 1 tablespoon/30 gallons.

Plecos are generally more sensitive to salt than other fish.

If you have plecos in your aquarium do not add salt to it. The risks outweigh the benefits, if any.

#plecos #salt

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How can we tell the male pleco from the female pleco ?

Plecos are difficult to tell apart based on their gender. It is almost impossible for the aquarist to tell them apart.

Experts say that the genital papilla of the male protrudes during the mating season. This distinguishes it from the female.

This is very small and the difference is not obvious to the untrained eye.

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Can Plecos be kept with Angelfish ?

Yes, Plecos can be kept with angelfish. They are both tropical fish. They take up different layers of the environment.

Ensure that there is plenty of space in the aquarium. The aquarium should be about 60 gallons.

Provide plenty of hiding places such as overhangs, cages and plant growth for your pleco to rest during the day time.

#angelfish #pleco

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What are the Aquarium conditions to be maintained for Plecos

Plecos are tropical fish. They will also grow to about a foot long. Some individual fish have grow to about 2 feet. This should be kept in mind before purchasing the fish.

Plecos require a large tank about 55 gallons. They are pretty hardy fish. It is easy to care for them.

A pH of 6.5 to 7.5 is ideal. The temperature can be between 23 and 30 degree Celsius.

Provide plenty of hiding places such as rock overhangs, driftwood and plants for the pleco to rest during the day time. Plecos are nocturnal fish and they are most active at night.

#aquarium #conditions #pleco

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What should I feed my Pleco ?

Plecos are bottom feeders. In the wild, they feed on plant matter and detritus on the bottom of the river or stream. They also eat other vegetation.

In a tank or pond setting, you can feed plecos algae wafers. You can also feed them vegetables like cucumbers, zucchini, cabbage and lettuce. One problem in giving vegetables is to get the vegetables to sink down to the bottom. Some vegetables like cucumbers will sink down after a few hours. Other like cabbages and lettuce will need to be held down by a piece of stone or a vegetable clip.

While plecos eat the algae growth in the aquarium, it is not sufficient. They need to be fed the food mentioned above.

Baby plecos in the first days will have to be fed infusoria or baby brine shrimp.

#food #pleco

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Breeding Plecos

Plecos are difficult to breed in the aquarium. Breeding has been done in large aquariums and in fish farms.

Plecos are from South America. They live in the many streams and water bodies which make the Amazon basin. In the wild, plecos breed in small underwater caves in the banks of the river. This can be difficult to mimic in the aquarium or pond setting. Some people have reported success with small pots which act as the caves.

Water changes up to 50% have to be done every day. This simulates the rainfall in its native region.

During the breeding season, a male takes over a cave. He cleans it and arranges its side. If a female is interested, she will deposit her eggs in the cave. The male then looks after the eggs.

After a few days, the eggs hatch. The young ones have a yolk sac which sustains for the first few days. Once the yolk is depleted, the babies started eating from the algae.

Remove the babies to a separate aquarium to protect them from being eaten by the other fish.

Once the eggs hatch, you can provide it with infusoria or baby brine shrimp.

#breeding #pleco

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Can a Pleco live with goldfish ?

Plecos are peaceful fish which live in the bottom of the tank. Plecos can live with goldfish, provided proper precautions are taken. Both the fishes are peaceful in general.

Goldfish tend to dirty the water quite fast as they have a higher bioload. Any tank with goldfish should have partial water changes more frequently The Pleco is a tropical fish which may require higher temperatures while the goldfish is a coldwater fish.

Some aquarium keepers have mentioned incidents where plecos have clasped the goldfish and have sucked at the slime coat. This, however, is very rare. Feed your Plecos and gold fish properly. Plecos can be given vegetables such as cucumber, zucchini,etc.

Also provide plenty of hiding places for the pleco to rest during the day. They are nocturnal fish. This reduces stress and minimizes conflict.

Another important factor you should look at is space. Both Plecos and Goldfish can grow very big. Housing both in a small tank creates the ground for conflict.

Ensure that both the fish have their own individual space and are well fed if you decide to keep them together.

#goldfish #pleco

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Can Angelfish and Gold Fish be kept together ?

Angelfish are tropical fish while Gold fish are cold water fish. Goldfish require much lower temperatures. While many aquarists keep angelfish along with goldfish without any problem. Compatibility depends on the individual temperament. While some aquarists successfully keep goldfish and angelfish together, sometimes angelfish can attack the goldfish resulting in death or damaged fins.

Goldfish also generate huge waste which can contaminate the water quickly. This, however, can be addressed by changing the water more frequently.

Hence, it depends on the individual fish. It is not advisable to keep the two species together. If you must, you can try keeping them if you have a big tank where each fish can keep to its own area with lots of plants.

#angelfish #goldfish

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How do we collimation done in a telescope ?

Collimation refers to the process of adjusting the different components of the optical system such as lens, prism and the mirrors. A telescope which is not collimated will result in blurry images.

Different types of telescopes have different methods of collimation.

How to collimate a telescope ?

http://www.viewfromascope.com/how-to-collimate-a-telescope/

A beginner’s guide to collimation

http://www.garyseronik.com/?q=node/169

Collimation of a Newtonian Telescope

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-resources/how-to-align-your-newtonian-reflector-telescope/

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Protecting your Telescope Lenses from Dust

Dust is present everywhere around us. It is only natural that sooner or later your telescope will be coated with a layer of dust. While a thin layer of dust will not probably interfere with your image. A thicker layer can affect your image. Hence, it is essential that the telescope lens is protected from dust.

Telescopes are provided with covers. Always fit the covers over the lenses when you are not using them.

Some astronomy shops provide compressed air to clean the lenses.

Never touch the surface of the lens with your bare hands. The oils in skin can affect the coating on the glass.

Never blow into the lens, droplets of saliva can get deposited on the surface and damage the lens.

#caps #cover #dust #telescope

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Reflecting Telescopes–An Overview

The Reflecting Telescope works by allowing light from the distant object to fall on a mirror in the rear of the telescope. This light is reflected to another mirror which is located at the top of the telescopic tube. This mirror directs the image to the viewer.

The reflecting telescope is generally credited to Sir Isaac newton. Reflecting telescopes are also known as Newtonian Telescopes.

Reflecting telescopes are widely used in professional astronomy. They are small in size for the same magnification when compared to the refracting telescope. They do not suffer from chromatic aberration as the refracting telescope.

The downside is that the many components of the optical system such as mirrors and lenses can get out of alignment. Since, the reflecting tube is open from one end, there are chances for moisture and dust to enter.

The reflecting telescope may be more difficult for children to handle.

#reflecting telescope #reflector

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Refracting Telescopes–An Overview

Refractor Telescopes are probably the oldest type of telescopes. They are also extremely common. This is because of the simplicity of construction. The telescope consists of a hollow tube with lenses which refract the light. This produces the magnification of the distant object.

Refracting telescopes are also known as dioptric telescope.

Refractors are also cheaper than other types of telescopes. You will find them in hobby stores as well as in your neighbourhood departmental store. These telescopes are lightweight and are easier to care for and maintain. For the amateur astronomer, this is often the first telescope.

The downside of these telescopes is that they get very heavy for larger apertures. Hence, at higher magnification required in professional astronomy, they are not much used. Besides, there is the problem of secondary colour (chromatic aberration). The lens gets too big for higher magnification which causes the lens to sag

Modern materials used in lenses have improved the quality of images.

The refracting telescope can provide good images of the moon, planets and other deep space objects.

Modern refracting telescopes have “Go to” controllers which can point the telescope to any object the user specifies. Special azimuth motors will track the object overtime. This makes locating objects in the night sky easier for even amateurs.

#dioptric #refracting telescope #refractor

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Platys–Factsheet

Common Name: Platy

Scientific Name: Xiphophorus maculatus

Native Range: Northern South America from western Venezuela to Guyana

Size: Males: 2.5 cms; Females up to 6 cms

Food: Platys eat a wide range of foods. From home made grain based food to flaked foods. They can also eat Daphnia, bloodworms and Brine Shrimp

Life Expectance: 2 to 3 years

Temperament: Peaceful

pH: 6 to 8

Temperature : Platies are tropical fish. The recommended temperature range is 24 to 28 degrees Celsius.

Reproduction: Viviparous (Live bearers)

Sexing: Male platies have a modified anal fin known as the gonopodium. This organ is used to transfer the sperm to the female during mating.

#platys

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Guppies–Factsheet

Common Name: Guppy

Scientific Name: Poecilia reticulata

Native Range: Northern South America from western Venezuela to Guyana

Size: Males: 2.5 cms; Females up to 6 cms

Food: Guppies eat a wide range of food. From home made grain based food to flaked foods. They can also eat Daphnia, bloodworms and Brine Shrimp

Life Expectance: 2 to 3 years

Temperament: Peaceful

pH: 6.8 to 7.8

Temperature : Guppies are tropical fish. The recommended temperature range is 22 to 26 degrees Celsius.

Reproduction: Viviparous (Live bearers)

Sexing: Male guppies are brightly colored with markings all over the body. Females are have dull colored bodies with colored tails. Females tend to be larger than the males.

#guppy

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Gold Fish – Factsheet

Common Name: Gold Fish

Scientific Name: Carassius auratus

Native Range: Eastern Asia (China and adjoining regions)

Size: 4 to 6 cms (average). Some individuals may grow up 1 foot. Gold fish raised in ponds will tend to be larger than those raised in tanks

Food: Gold fish are omnivores, eating both plant and vegetable matter. Hence are easy to feed. Overfeeding may result in constipation. Adequate fibre content in the food is essential.

Blanched vegetables, bloodworms and shelled peas and brine shrimps are common foods

Life Expectance: 20 years

Temperament: Peaceful

pH: 7.2 to 7.6

Temperature : Goldfish are cold water. They thrive at temperatures between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius. They are however hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures as long as the temperature change is gradual.

Reproduction : Oviparous (Egg laying)

#goldfish

How do we select the proper aquarium size ?

When it comes to aquarium size, it is always better to have a bigger aquarium. Bigger Aquariums give more space for fish to swim about. You have a wider choice of aquascape designs to be implemented in a bigger aquarium.

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Aquarium Heater

Fish are cold blooded animals. They cannot regulate temperature on their own and are thus extremely sensitive to temperature. Hence, the temperature within the aquarium should be within the limits experienced by the fish in its original natural environment.

Today, fish which were once present in one part of the world are found in aquariums the world over. Hence, special attention should be given to learn about the temperature requirements of each fish and maintain the temperature.

In cold climates, fish may need a heater to increase the temperature.

Aquarium heaters are heaters encased in a ceramic tube. The tube is immersed either partially or fully in the water. The heaters have a thermostat which can maintain the heater temperature.

Some planted aquariums have a heating cable below the substrate. This helps heat the tank. Heating mats are another method of heating aquarium. The heating mat is placed below the aquarium. However, since glass is a poor conductor of heat, this method of heating is not efficient.

#heater

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