Taking care of animals is so enjoyable, and buying new and aesthetically pleasing accessories makes it even more so. Every animal companion — may they be finned, feathered, or furry — requires numerous items that humans can buy.
Today, I will share the evolution of items for our Fish companions.
FISH NETS
Let’s discuss only aquarium nets and set aside Fish nets for ponds later. Fish nets are useful if used properly for handling and transferring aquarium Fishes to prevent stress and injuries. Before, Fish nets were made up of galvanized wires with coarse nets, which is similar to plastic mosquito nets available in hardware stores. Most sellers sew their own and market these to those who need them. Rectangular and round shapes are available.
Telescopic nets are therefore a great help to those who have multiple tanks with different sizes.
Now, the most popular type of Fish net still uses galvanized wires, but the main difference is that these
wires are wrapped with a plastic material, which eliminates corrosion. There are also several colors available, such as white, black, and green. Nets with colors that contrast with the Fish colors make them easier to use visually.
There are also a variety of net textures depending on which is more suitable for a specific Fish. For instance, finer nets are great for food cultures such as baby brine Shrimps, Daphnia, and live tubifex Worms.
My all-time favorite nets are those called telescopic nets. Their handles, which are aluminum-like rods,
telescope into as much as three times their original length. They are very useful because they adjust to the depth and size of the tank.
CAVES AND HIDES
Caves and hides have multiple benefits for specific aquarium Fishes. Before, we used clay garden pots, with either a vertical or horizontal placement. We also intentionally break them in two for an inverted U effect. PVC pipes were also used for easier cleaning.
What’s unique about the clay caves is that even if they are not made for reproduction, they serve as an ornamental display for tanks.
These caves are commonly used for reproduction. Small to medium Cichlids, such as the Ram, Kribensis, Red Jewel, Convict, and Demasoni, depend on these caves for successful reproduction.
Now, we have ceramics and plastic caves. But what I like most are the clay pots that are specifically designed for animal companions.
Interestingly, aside from aquarium Fishes, they are also used for other animals, such as Hamsters.
What’s unique about the clay caves is that even if they are not made for reproduction, they serve as an ornamental display for tanks.
AIR BUBBLERS
Also known as airstones, these are aquarium accessories that are traditionally made from a piece of limewood or porous stone with a silicon hose attachment.
They are solid objects dotted with micropores connected to an air pump. They sink down the water to ensure that the deepest part of the water receives proper aeration.
Air stones require an air pump to produce the desired air. They are used in aquariums, aquaponics, and even hydroponics systems to ensure enough dissolved oxygen is in the water. They work by gradually diffusing air into the tank, eliminating the noise and large bubbles coming from air pumps.
Air stones are sold in a very wide variety of shapes, sizes, and levels of coarseness. A great idea to maximize the use of air stones is to connect them to filter units, such as sponge filters, K1 Kaldnes, and box filters.
They come in cylinder, round, and rectangular shapes, as well as a variety of colors such as blue, green, yellow, red, and white.
Air stones are nice to look at because of the beauty of the bubbles they produce.
There are different types.
DISK TYPE
They come in different sizes. The larger types are often used in ponds.
ROPE TYPE
These flexible porous rope types can be twisted into different shapes.
INTERCONNECTING
This is a plastic material that can be extended by adding more parts. The amount of air can be adjusted by loosening or tightening each section.
I like this type of bubbler because of the ease of cleaning for declogging. Most porous stones when clogged are disposable.
CHECK VALVE
This is a very valuable item for aquariums because they serve not only as air bubblers but also as a nice safety tool for water backflow that protects air pumps from damage.
WOOD TYPE
The fineness of bubbles produced by this type is often used for marine hobbies, primarily as an aid for protein skimmer units.
My fascination over a never-ending line of new accessories keeps growing. Not only are most of them inexpensive, but they are also full of beautiful features. People caring for Fishes need to explore more of these items and see what works for their tastes and needs.
For questions, please email [email protected]. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” – Psalms 1:1-2 ESV
