Keeping fish as pets is a fun hobby that is enjoyed by many. However, recently people have been wondering how to reduce the environmental impact of this activity. This is because the word about global warming is becoming more widespread, and people want to do what they can to help. Luckily, there are many ways of making your fish tank or aquarium eco-friendly! This article will be going over a few popular methods of doing so. If you find one that stands out to you, give it a try and observe the difference it makes!
Do Not Use an Oversized Aquarium
As you go up in aquarium sizes, the energy usage will grow correspondingly. There will be a greater need for pumps, heavier lighting and filters. If your fish are comfortable in a smaller aquarium, you do not need to use a larger one. However, you should check at the pet store to find out what the requirements are for your specific fish. It may be the case that your fish is small, but requires a lot of room to swim around.
Use the Correct Filter
Having the correct filter is similar to the previous point. If you do not need an incredibly heavy-duty filter for your aquarium, switch it for a smaller one. This will decrease the energy that is being spent and wasted. Do some research at the pet store before you decide on a filter. The best canister filters for your aquarium will depend entirely on what type of fish or other water creature that you want to keep in it. You will notice a decrease in your energy bill if you switch to the proper filter instead of using a more powerful one.
Be Mindful of the Type of Fish You are Keeping
Fish are sometimes captured using methods that harm the environment. Some fish that come from Southeast Asia are caught using squirt bottles that are filled up with cyanide. The cyanide stuns the fish, making them easy to catch. However, these chemicals are also harming the coral reefs where the fish are hiding. All the other creatures that live in the reefs also are affected by this, and many of them die. The fish that have been caught are permanently weakened, and many of them do not survive being transported to pet stores in other countries. This means that more and more fishing in this manner will take place.
Conclusion
Having fish means that you have an obligation to keep them healthy and happy. You also have the option of making your tank as eco-friendly as possible. If you do this, you will be helping the fish, the environment, and yourself. It can be as simple as using the correct sized aquarium, filter and being aware of what type of fish you are buying. If you implement these changes, you are already being eco-friendlier, and you should be proud of the difference that you are making.
