Aquarium Maintenance
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Last Updated: March 16, 2022Dissolved oxygen (DO) is a crucial component of our trout tanks. Trout and other salmonids prefer cold water because they require high levels of dissolved oxygen and cold water can hold more oxygen than warm water. DO is also a limiting factor for nitrifying bacteria – the more Oxygen available, the better your biofilter will
Help! My fish are dying! (Ammonia Explained)
Last Updated: May 18, 2022All About Ammonia and Trout Excess ammonia causes many problems in fish. One significant effect is damage to the gills. Although the most obvious consequence of this is impaired respiration (breathing) this isn’t the only problem. Gills are also important for acid-base balance (keeping the pH of the fish’s blood correct to allow for normal
Maintenance Checklists for fish and tank care
Last Updated: May 18, 2022Daily checklist: Monitor tank temperature: an increase in temperature might indicate a chiller problem or a change in the tank insulation. Feed trout: only as much food as they can eat in a couple of minutes (one pinch or less when they are smaller). You may feed more than once a day, however. There are also
Nitrogen Cycle
Last Updated: March 17, 2022Every new aquarium set-up goes through a process of establishing beneficial bacterial colonies. This process is generally known as the nitrogen cycle, but is also called nitrification, the start-up cycle and/or the break-in cycle. As you know, your aquarium is a closed environment so all of the waste excreted from your fish and uneaten food
Preparing Your Tank: Pre-Cycling
Last Updated: October 21, 2022Pre-Cycling the Tank Prior to Egg Delivery Copied from Maryland’s Trout in the Classroom Manual, section by Chuck Dinkel and Robb Cramer. Pre-cycling is a process designed to put your tank through the nitrogen cycle before the arrival of your eggs. When this works, it establishes a colony of good bacteria in your filter that
Troubleshooting FAQs
Last Updated: September 16, 2022Troubleshooting FAQs (from old site) A wonderful resource has been published in the PA TIC program. Read their Aquarium Resource Guide, put together by their agency scientists and TIC coordinators. Join the TIC/SIC National Google Group!This group is a great forum for questions, discussions, and announcements about everything Trout or Salmon in the Classroom! Simply apply
What is water hardness and why does it matter?
Last Updated: August 24, 2022KH and GH: Carbonate alkalinity and General Hardness. Why does it matter? How can I test for KH and GH? What do I need to do to change the levels? The national TIC and SIC network is currently discussing the role of carbonate hardness (KH) and general hardness (GH) in trout tanks. It is clear