Basics: Changes
This page is for hobbyists who are returning to the hobby and are asking what
has changed in the last 30 years, so I wrote a top ten list (which has since grown
to 16 with feedback from other hobbyists), so in no particular order:
The RUGF, the Bio-wheel, the Wet/Dry
trickle filter and the Fluidized bed filter in freshwater
aquariums, heater technology, hybrid fish, the
understanding and application of the nitrogen cycle to freshwater
systems, the amount of raw data available, aquascaping
technologies, new fish discoveries and losses, plywood
aquariums (one of my favourites), scientific nomenclature,
the importance of water changes, capital and operating expenses,
general filter technology and quality, and finally fish
quality.
Details...
1. RUGF
The RUGF or RFUGF (reverse flow undergravel filter), uses the same filtration
hardware as the common UGF except it requires a powerhead (will not work with
airstones), and the powerhead pushes water down the riser pipe(s) (instead of
up). Detritus does not fall as deeply into the substrate and so is easier to
vacuum. Primarily (still) a biological filter. A powerhead in RUGF mode requires
an intake sponge filter. In most application, both the UGF and RUGF are really
designed to be used with another filter doing the majority of the mechanical
work, or they are used in light fish-load applications. More filter details
on this site can be found here.
2. Bio-Wheel
A bio-wheel is a slowly spinning drum of pleated filter material attached to the
output of a filter. The theory (and generally well recognized doctrine) is that
the nitrifying bacteria which removes ammonia and nitrites from the water will
do a better job if exposed to a higher concentration of O2 (which is used in the
conversion of ammonia to nitrites and then to nitrates). Bio-wheels can be added
to the output of any canister filter or they can be purchased integrated into
Marineland powerfilters (they hold the patent). The removal of some degree of
DOC (dissolved organic compounds) is sometimes attributed to bio-wheels.
3. Wet / Dry Trickle filter
Wet/dry sump filters (also known as trickle filters) from marine set-ups have
come into more common freshwater usage, on the premise that the superior O2
concentrations make them better biological filters. Sump type filters are usually
fed from a drilled hole in the aquarium, either along the top rear, or through
the bottom in a stand pipe.
4. Fluidized Bed Filter
The FBF uses a cylinder or canister partly filled of sand. The water enters
from underneath and exits out the top of the container. The sand is held in
suspension, providing a tremendous amount of surface area for the nitrifying
bacteria to colonize. The FBF is a biological filter. Rarely a stand-alone filter,
the FBF is an add-on, typically to the output of a canister filter (where the
output has a Y connection to draw a bit of water to regulate the sand's suspension),
or using some type of a powerhead which can have its output regulated.
5. Heater Technology
Basically 3 changes. The fully submersible heater allows us to position them where
they are easier to hide. The digital heater comes with a solid state thermostat
(replacing those bi-metal contacts), which allow some manufacturers to print the
expected temperature on the heater dial (with a varying degree of accuracy). The
solid state circuitry also usually has some degree of protection which turns the
heater off if it senses that it's over-heating. For more heater details on this
site can be found here.
6. Hybrid Fish
Genetic hybridization is not new, but has reached commercial levels with the introduction
of the Flowerhorn cichlid, the Blood Parrot cichlid links
here and the Glofish, a Zebra danio engineering to glow under certain light
conditions (Glofish official site). Technically
not hybrids, line breeding mutations continue into the tropical fish lines from
Goldfish. Some typical examples are the 'balloon' versions of the Molly and the
Kissing Gouramis. Another commercial mutation is the practice of colour-dying
fish through injection, colour baths and special foods (usually resulting in a
tremendous mortality rate in the process and a significantly reduced life expectancy).
Line breeding for features (fin and colours) continues with various fish, resulting
in long fin Oscars and hi-fin Corys. Other than line-breeding for characteristics,
most of these practices are held in very poor regard, the extent varies by your
country of origin.
Generally south-east Asia (the source of most hybridization)
regard tropical fish more as a hobby, with a significant business potential.
At the other extreme, Western Europe regards tropical fish more as pets with
certain rights. North America, South America (with it's own lucrative supply)
and Australia fall somewhere in between, with a growing influence on how the
market will develop, according to consumer acceptance.
7. Nitrogen Cycle
Marine set-ups have always paid closer attention to the nitrogen cycle and preventing
nitrate build-up. While nitrates are not the same concern for freshwater, our
improved understanding of the ammonia and nitrite spikes (which occur in a new
tank setup) has significantly reduced fish-losses on start-ups. Unfortunately,
it has made the introduction to aquariums, a technical one, which discourages
many who don't realize that the technical aspects really diminish after the
tank is running. This 'technical' introduction has also led to a certain dependence
on test kits which returning hobbyists may find puzzling. With experience, new
hobbyists integrate fish husbandry into their skill set and older hobbyists
come to appreciate the absolute certainty provided by test kits.
8. Raw Data
Raw data abounds, from web sites, FAQs, clubs etc etc. The most referenced FAQ
site I have seen is faq.thekrib. If you
only go to one location, I think this one is time very well spent. To start
a new tank, thekrib has a section to begin-cycling.
There are also numerous articles on the web on how to do a fishless cycle. While
tank-cycling is something you only need to do to your very first tank (migrating
bacteria between tanks later is easy), having done both types, I can say that
fishless cycling is easy and worry-free.
For other raw data sources newsgroups
searches are a great source of opinions. Almost any question you can think
to ask, has been asked before, probably many many times, so you can sift through
years of accumulated information specifically to your inquiry. Another reference
source is the multitude of web sites (check out my links page),
however mistakes do occur and they get repeated by sites whose authors don't
know better but have good intentions.
9. Aquascaping Technologies
The technology around aquascaping (plantscaping ?) has grown tremendously with
various substrates, CO2 injection, light spectrum analysis etc etc. If you are
interested in growing plants (and the fish are decorations for your aquatic
gardens) then this specialty has grown in fascinating (though somewhat scientific)
directions.
10. New Fish Discoveries
A number of new fish have been discovered (too many to list), and some lost
as well (Lake Victoria).
11. Plywood Aquariums
Plywood aquariums (just like the name says), are a combination of epoxy painted
(or fibreglass) framed plywood boxes, usually using a single glass pane for
viewing. Typically for built-in units. They have a much lower cost per gallon
once you are above a certain size and they allow for very creative designs.
some links here
12. Scientific Nomenclature
Just about every scientific fish name has been changed ;~) *it will seem that
way*. You will spend many hours cursing these committees who's purpose has been
to make life as difficult as possible for old-timers to get back into the hobby.
The African cichlid's nomenclature is still being changed (they have been at
it since the late 60s) and the discoveries of so many new fish has caused some
naming systems to adopt a letter and sequential number (L34, C22) etc as is
done for new catfish. A few common names have changed as well.
13. Water Changes
Regularly scheduled water changes have become the norm, to control the accumulation
of undesirable elements (typically, the most easily measurable one is NO3).
Check out my section on water.
14. Expenses
Many costs have gone up, but the buyers are all a lot smarter (see #8 raw data
above). Glass remains a good value, until you reach a certain thickness where
there is almost no competition for manufacturers (see #11 plywood tanks above).
Regular filters and common fish are still a good value. Canopies, stands, gravel,
decorations, UVs, Bio-wheels, lights etc have all increased in cost (anything
with low volumes or having shipping concerns such as weight, volume or fragility).
Heaters, plants, fishfood etc will vary a lot.
15. Filter Technology
Filter technology has gotten very good, and the prices have not really climbed
too much. Shop around and you will find canister filters for under $100 and
powerfilters for under $30 (and these are good quality types). There are almost
no filters which you need to modify before you even plug them in (unlike the
many filters I've previously owned). I have a section on filters here.
16. Fish Quality
Fish quality (genetically speaking) has gone down in my opinion, ie: it's not
uncommon to get a shorter life expectancy from livebearers, and other tropical
fish but their fry seem to do much better than the parents. There is a combination
of inbreeding and mass production which has started to show symptoms. Breeders
are also using very specific conditions to raise the fish which are not necessarily
being reproduced by hobbyists. For example, livebearers are born and raised
in quite hot saline conditions, so they begin to stress when put into normal
temperature freshwater.
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