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How to Create a Fish-Friendly Oasis
Buying a pet is a big decision, even if it’s as small as a fish. From worrying about buying a heavy tank to the fear of the tank clashing with your home decor, a lot goes into it. But fear not! This ornamental jar tank will give your fishy friend a cozy home that is sure to mesh well with any interior design scheme.
Materials:
- 2½-gallon jar (or larger based on the size of the fish)
- Smooth rocks
- Aquarium gravel
- 2–3 small aquatic plants or decorative elements
- Fish net
- 1–2 marimo moss balls
- Water-purifying drops
- Water heater
- Fish food
- A small fish, like a beta (Be sure to check with your local pet store to see what freshwater fish is best suited for your certain-sized tank.)
Directions:
- Start by placing a thin layer of the smooth rocks along the bottom of the jar. Then top off the layer with your gravel. You can also leave a few smooth rocks out to put on the top for decoration.
- Gently pull any plants out of their containers, and wash the gel off of the roots. Then secure each plant in the gravel, with the roots facing straight down. Add any additional decorative elements, such as other plants or objects.
- Fill your jar with room-temperature tap water, and use a net to remove any sediment that floats to the top. Add in the marimo balls.
- Follow the instructions on the water-purifying drops bottle to purify the water. Place your heater in your tank, and let sit for 30 minutes. Then plug in your heater into a nearby outlet.
- Ensure the water is the correct temperature one last time before introducing your fish to his new home. Be sure to let the bag containing your fish float in the new tank for 15 minutes. Add a cup of your tank water to your bag, and let sit for another 15 minutes. Then use your net to put your fish into his new home.
Caring for your fish:
- Change only 20 percent of the tank water at least twice a week. Changing all of the water at once could shock the fish.
- To clean your tank, remove half the water, place into a bucket, and carefully use your net to place your fish in the bucket while you’re cleaning. Remove the gravel and rocks, as well as plants and any other items, and rise with tap water. Scrub the bowl with a clean paper towel, and replace the items, followed by the water from the bucket, and then top off with bottled water or pretreated tap water. Then let your heater begin to heat your tank back to its normal temperature before adding the fish.
