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    For those of us who want a pet, but cannot commit to a cat or a dog, there are other pets in the sea. Fish are great for owners who don't have a lot of time to care for an animal, for people who don't have a lot of space for a companion and for families with children that pester for a pet. They are low maintenance, tranquil, quiet and clean. What more could you ask for? If you're looking into welcoming a finned friend into your household, here are 10 easy tips for getting started and maintaining a healthy fish tank. 

    1. BUY HEALTHY FISH

    The first step to a healthy aquarium or tank is buying a healthy fish from the very start. Be sure that you are purchasing your fish from a dependable store and try to choose fish that look healthy and are in good spirits. (Fish.com)

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    2. SELECT THE APPROPRIATE TANK SIZE

    Have you decided how many fish or what kind of fish you plan on getting? The tank you choose to buy needs to be big enough for the fish to roam around freely without the water being filled with waste. A general rule of thumb is the bigger, the better. The larger the aquarium, the more water it can hold and the less chance for chemicals or other substances to pollute or cause illness in the fish. (Animal Planet) 

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    3. GET A HIGH-QUALITY FILTER

    Finding the right kind of filter is crucial to the well-being of your fish and the cleanliness of their tank. There are different kinds of filters, from chemical filtrations to biological filtrations. Be sure to do your research when looking for the right filter, but most importantly, make sure it's of the highest quality. (Animal Planet) 

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    4. BUY A HEATER

    Fish of all shapes, sizes and kinds all have temperature requirements. Whatever it is, it must remain constant in your fish tank. If it fluctuates too much, this can cause illness in your fish. On average, most fish require a water temperature between 75 and 80 degrees F. If you have different kinds of species of fish sharing one big tank, it is safer to go on the warmer side, increasing the temperature to 77 degrees F. (Animal Planet) 

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    5. DECHLORINATE THE WATER

    Chlorine is not your fish's friend. It is important to condition water properly using a dechlorinating and cycling product. Chlorine, chloramines and metals are highly damaging to fish. (Fish) 

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    6. SCHEDULE REGULAR CLEANINGS 

    Don't let your fish swim in its own poop. Be sure to schedule weekly cleanings for your fish tank. Once a week, change out 10–15% of the water. This will help clean the tank and prevent algae buildup. Buy a net so you can remove your fish while you are cleaning its aquarium. It is also a good idea to get a sponge or scrubber  to remove algae and other grime from the tank. Remove any plants from inside the aquarium and rinse them in warm, soapy water. (Fish)

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    7. MAKE THE TANK HOMIER

    Make your fish feel at home just like you would with a new puppy or kitten. Fish do not like to be left out in the open, so provide them with plants and caves for them to swim through or find shelter in. Plants help control algae, improve water quality, reduce stress for the fish and, of course, make your aquarium look beautiful! (eHow) 

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    8. PROVIDE LIGHT FOR YOUR FISH

    It is vital to provide your fish with the right amount of light in their tank. Be sure to give them at least 10 to 12 hours of light a day with a bulb that offers 3 watts per gallon. Try to keep your tank away from any windows or places that receive direct sunlight. (eHow) 

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    9. INFUSE TANK WITH OXYGEN

    Buy an air pump and place it outside of the tank and run an air hose into the aquarium. Be sure to bury the hose underneath gravel to keep it away from the fish (try attaching it to a rock or cave).  Another way to provide more oxygen for your fish is to regularly change their water out and include more live plants. (Dr.Fosters Smith) 

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    Next: 5 Tips to Picking a Perfect Puppy

    10. CREATE A REGULAR FEEDING SCHEDULE 

    Just like most pets, fish should be kept on a regular feeding schedule. Find out how much food your fish requires and then create a schedule from there. Most fish only need to be fed once a day. Try feeding them at the same time of day every day. Keep their feedings small. It's important not to overfeed your fish! (Fresh Aquarium)