An aquarium is a great art piece to have in your home. However, aquariums can look toxic if they are left uncleaned and full of algae. Many people ask the question, can my aquarium make me sick? Experienced aquarium hobbyists live and die by keeping their aquarium clean! Cleaning your aquarium becomes an everyday task, just like making your bed, cleaning the dishes, and cooking!
When you first purchase an aquarium, a ton of questions come to mind. However, people never think of home aquariums getting them sick. Which leads to the question of can my aquarium make me sick? In the article below, we will be going over if home aquariums can get people sick. After getting sick, there are several precautions you must take before moving forward. Enjoy the read!
Can my Aquarium Make me Sick?
The clear answer is yes! Your home aquarium can make you sick. An aquarium has a ton of chemicals and bacteria in the water. The concept means that if the water was to go in your mouth or body, the water could cause sickness. I have heard of cases where a little kid drank fish to water, afterward, he was sent to the hospital. The aquarium owner put ick in the aquarium, and the chemical got inside of the boy. Fortunately, the rate of chemicals was not excessive. He was fine. Be careful when conducting water changes water can end up on you!
How to Properly Clean a Home Aquarium?
Cleaning your home aquarium is the most important aspect when having an aquarium. Without cleaning your aquarium, the fish tank will soon get covered in green. The green substance is called algae! Algae make the aquarium look dirty and unhealthy. Therefore it is crucial to get rid of the green coating as soon as possible.
You must have a proper method and procedure for cleaning your home aquarium. There is a proper procedure that is recommended by an aquarium hobbyist! Here is a list of steps below for a successful way to clean a home aquarium:
Wipe the Aquarium Algae
The first step is to wipe the walls with a sponge or rag. Wiping the walls will remove the algae from the acrylic or glass! However, keep in mind that depending on your aquarium, you may accidentally scratch the walls. Acrylic is much more sensitive compared to glass. You can use a razor to get rid of stubborn algae! However, the razor would scratch and harm the acrylic! Therefore make sure to study the build of your aquarium to ensure peak performance!
Conduct a Water Change in the Aquarium
The next step is to conduct a heavy-duty water change. Water changes are crucial for the health and well being of any aquarium! The same concept applies to both freshwater and saltwater! To start, take out roughly 30 percent of the current water in the aquarium. When removing the water, it is best to use a water siphon. The water siphon allows the water to be taken out at a slow rate. The concept will reduce the stress of the fish since the water is being removed at a slow rate. After taking out the water, make sure to mix a new batch of water for the aquarium. Ensure that you do not use regular tap water from the sink. If you use sink water, the fish will suffocate and die. Use the proper chemicals to make tap water safe, and ensure the temperature is room temperature.
Add new Decor and Plants
After conducting the water change, it is now time for some new decor! Take a drive to your local fish store to add new live plants or live rock! For saltwater, it is best to add more live rock to have a buffer for filtration. However, for freshwater, take a trip and purchase new live plants to assist with filtration. The addition of these elements will improve the existing conditions. Additional filtration is the key to a happy and healthy aquarium!
Bacteria in Aquarium
There are a ton of different bacterias in an aquarium. Depending on the condition of the aquarium, there may be a majority of bacteria. This brings us to the question, can my aquarium make me sick? It all starts when you first get an aquarium. The nitrogen cycle is when the first traces of bacteria show up. However, this bacteria is beneficial for the aquarium.
You may not be an expert on bacteria. We aren’t either! However, this bacteria is fantastic for your fish in your home aquarium! When it comes to humans, this bacteria isn’t as beneficial. Studies have been conducted, and it was found that the bacteria called Mycobacterium marinum. If you were to have any open wounds on your body, there is a massive risk when cleaning your aquarium. Symptoms usually don’t show up for another two to four weeks after obtaining this bacteria. Therefore, always be cautious when cleaning your body. Make sure to examine your body for wounds! You don’t want to end up asking, can my aquarium make me sick?
What if I Get The Infection?
Mycobacterium marinum is a bacteria that is found in unfiltered and water that isn’t clean. For example, an aquarium seems like a perfect breeding ground for this! Fish die, poop, and create other waste for this bacteria to be created. This aquarium element can indeed make you sick! The bacteria has been allowing infections in humans for hundreds of years.
In the year 1962, the first case of sickness from a home aquarium was recorded by Swift and Cohen. If you picked working in a pet store as your career path, you should be very cautious of your everyday activity!
After two to four weeks, you may notice symptoms present. Once you identify that you are caught with the disease, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible! One thing to keep in mind is that there is a lot of false diagnosis with this disease. Therefore it is best to get tested twice, to make sure!
In Conclusion
In conclusion, your aquarium can make you sick! Please take precautions when cleaning your aquarium, and check yourself often for scratches and cuts on the surface of your skin. If you obtain the disease, make sure to call your doctor as soon as possible. Inform them of any symptoms or anything that may relate to the disease. Now that you know that you can get sick.
