There are a ton of people in the world that have allergies to many different aspects of the planet. The most common allergies are to nuts, the sun, grass, and dogs. When you are allergic to furry pets such as dogs and cats, you look for alternatives. You may have a son or daughter who has been begging for a pet. However, you are allergic to most pets! You end up buying a fish tank because you think it is safe, and now you are starting to have allergies. The first instinct may be to research freshwater fish and aquariums.
The topic of fish tanks and allergies can be confusing at times. There are a ton of components in a fish tank that might trigger a reaction. However, I have heard of many cases of allergies being in your head! To fully understand the components of a fish tank, we have to take a deeper dive into the functions of an aquarium.
What is a Fish Tank?
A fish tank is an art form that is moving in your home! To the normal person, a fish tank is just another pet that a ton of people has. However, to us, an aquarium is a passion and a lifestyle. Hobbyists spend thousands of dollars every year on maintaining their home aquariums. I have even heard of people purchasing fish that costs over fifty thousand dollars. Therefore, the hobby should be treated accordingly!
An aquarium is composed of a ton of beneficial bacteria. The beneficial bacteria is what drives the aquarium and allows the system to be healthy. However, in the fish tank, there is also a ton of bad bacteria that harms the system. A basic fish tank is composed of these factors:
Fish Tank Heater
The fish tank heater might be the most basic equipment piece you can purchase for your aquarium. However, this piece of equipment is crucial for our fish to obtain the ideal temperatures for the aquarium. In the wintertime, your home may be freezing! However, with a heater in your aquarium, the temperature will stay warm for your fish! An average heater will cost about twenty dollars from your local fish store. If you have a large fish tank, expect to pay more!
Fish Tank Filter
Regarding the freshwater fish tank filter, it is crucial for any aquarium. To function properly, the water in the fish tank should be clean at all times. To keep your fish alive, you need to make sure the filter is running correctly with efficiency. Check the filter once a week to ensure that the fish tank is running smoothly. Once a month, you will have to change the filter media in the filter. If not, the aquarium will get dirty.
Gravel
Proper gravel is crucial for any fish tank. The gravel provides a natural base for the livestock in your fish tank. The gravel stores all of the waste and excessive food when it hits the bottom of the aquarium. Therefore, it is easier to clean when conducting a water change. The gravel is essential when keeping live plants in your aquarium. The live plants need a place to anchor on to when at the base of the fish tank.
Thermometer
A thermometer in an aquarium helps keep track of the temperature in your fish tank. Many hobbyists overlook a thermometer because they know the temperature is fine. However, for the beginner hobbyist, make sure to keep track of the temperature at all times. Make sure to check the temperature once a day and keep a log of all the parameters in the fish tank. Once you become an expert, you will be able to touch the water and determine the temperature.
Decor
The decor in your aquarium serves multiple purposes. For the aquarium owner, the decorations are quite appealing to look at to the eye. The decorations in your aquarium provide a natural and beautiful landscape. However, for the fish, the decorations assist with protection. When a fish is scared or stressed, they tend to swim to seek cover. If no cover is provided, the fish will stress. The goal of owning a fish tank is to eliminate the risk associated with stress and death.
Water
Water may be the most important aspect of everything listed above. The water concept appears simple and easy for many beginners. However, water parameters should be close to perfect, and the task is difficult. There are several components of water quality. The most important aspect to look at is the nitrates and nitrites of the aquarium. If these parameters are too high, the fish in the aquarium will die. Test the water once a week with a test kit. You can either use test strips or a liquid testing kit. Conduct a 30 percent water change once a week after conducting the initial water testing. If you follow this routine, your fish tank will be healthy!
Am I Allergic to Something in my Fish Tank?
The truth is, if you have an allergic reaction, it could be from something in the fish tank! There are a ton of components and chemicals that can cause reactions to your body. On this list, we will be going over possible elements that give you allergies. Go down this list and talk with your doctor if you think any of these might be the possible cause. Your safety and well being comes first.
Ich Chemical
When your fish tank gets ich, the aquarium is a disaster. The fish in your fish tank develop white dots that are noticeable to everyone. The white dots look terrible, but your fish’s health is even worse. If the ich is not treated, the fish will most likely become stressed and die. There are several solutions to the disease. The most popular solution is using ich treatment. The treatment is composed of several elements of chemicals that cure the disease rapidly. If you recently had a case of ich, the treatment may be the cause of your allergies.
Dirty Filter
A clean filter is crucial for the safety of your fish. However, the filter may become dirty and cause poor bacteria in your aquarium. If you do not change your aquarium’s filter media, bacteria will grow on the media. I have witnessed people selling their aquariums on third party selling sites. The fish tanks they sell are, most of the time, neglected and disgusting. After taking a look at the inside of the tank, there is usually mold growing near the filter. A filter is a perfect place for mold to grow because of the damp conditions which keep it moist most of the time. Therefore it is crucial to clean around the filter. If you are experiencing allergies, take a look at the filter and make sure there is no mold growing!
Aquarium Supplements
To ensure your aquarium has correct parameters, supplements balance the readings. There are a ton of different enhancements that can be inserted into the fish tank. However, each supplement is composed of several ingredients. Allergies rarely occur when dealing with supplements. However, on the rare occasion, the allergies take over the room. Read the ingredients immediately on the bottles that you are putting in your fish tank. If something seems off, go to the doctor right away. Some of these chemicals do not have nutrition facts, so there may be something deadly.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are experiencing allergies, test the possibilities. The first step is to go to your doctor and determine what the cause of the allergy was. If the doctor can not figure out what the problem was, read the possible reasons above! It is crucial to determine the cause of your problem.
The solution can be as simple as cleaning your filter! However, there can be larger problems such as a chemical component harming your fish and home. If you can not figure it out, we recommend contacting your local fish store. Your local fish store can determine the issue and provide a handful of solutions. If you do not have the time for maintenance, your local fish store can even provide the routine visits to assist with the aquarium. We hope this helps with your allergy question and the problem associated with fish tanks. If you have any questions, feel free to send us a message with questions!
