*Updated for SEPTEMBER, 2007* 

Submit a PET PHOTO         CLASSIFIED ADS           CALENDAR of EVENTS

 

How Hard is it to Keep a Saltwater Aquarium?   by Jason Brett

Colorful Salt Water Fish are not as hard to keep as many people think. photo by Jason Brett

This is a question that I have heard countless times over the years, and one that I never get tired of answering, mostly because people are surprised at the answer. In truth, it is not very hard at all. If you have a basic understanding of keeping a freshwater aquarium then it is not too much of a switch to keeping a “Fish-Only” saltwater tank. When I say “Fish-Only” it means just that, just fish, no live corals or anemones. Over the past ten years technology in all aspects of the saltwater hobby have come leaps and bounds in terms of progression. What this means for the hobbyist is that it is actually much easier to keep a saltwater tank today than it was ten years ago.
Well, now that I have answered the “How hard is it to keep?” question, the next question that typically follows is “What do I need to do to set one up?” First and foremost would be a fish tank. I try and recommend at least thirty gallons for people that have never tried their hand at saltwater before. A larger tank is actually easier to take care of, the opposite of what most people assume. A larger body of water is inherently more stable, and is much more forgiving of mistakes, such as overfeeding. Filtration is a very critical aspect of any aquarium. A good rule of thumb I try to recommend is to pick out a filter that is meant for an aquarium that is twice as large as the one that you are setting up. For example, if you have a thirty gallon tank pick out a filter that is designed for at least a sixty gallon tank. Other important items to pick up would be a heater, a hydrometer (used to measure the salt level in the aquarium), saltwater substrate (different from regular aquarium gravel, helps to maintain a higher PH and buffering capacity in saltwater aquariums), salt (comes in powdered form, in sizes from five gallons worth up to two hundred gallons worth), and a saltwater master test kit (includes all the tests needed to start up a saltwater tank). These items are what I would consider the bare essentials for starting up a saltwater “Fish-Only” tank. There are some other items such as Live Rock and a protein skimmer that although are optional for “Fish-Only“ tanks, do help tremendously with overall tank health and stability. I hope to touch base a little bit on those two items in a future article.
Another big question I get from people interested in getting into the hobby is “How much maintenance is required?” That question is very dependant on how well the hobbyist is able to stay away from three “O’s”, Overstocking, Overfeeding, and Over Cleaning. Overstocking is referring to how many fish you have in the aquarium. A good general rule of thumb is one inch of fish per five gallons of water. Overfeeding is an extremely common cause for aquarium issues, both fresh and salt. There are some demanding species of saltwater fish that do require being fed three times a day, but most are content with one or two feedings. If you find that there is excess food on top of the water or at the bottom of the tank when your fish are done feeding, typically this is considered overfeeding and that excess food will lead to water quality issues.
Believe it or not, most new hobbyists are prone to over cleaning their tanks. A good example of this is when hobbyists change their filter cartridge after a week or two because the cartridge “looks dirty”. This is actually when the cartridge is just becoming alive and full of the beneficial bacteria that help maintain the delicate balance in the aquarium, and by changing it too frequently you prevent that from happening. Proper maintenance on a saltwater tank would consist of a once a month water change of twenty five to thirty percent, once a month changing of the filter cartridges (not to be done on the same week as the water change, to help avoid disturbing the balance of the tank ), and once a week water testing (salinity, PH, nitrates). This again is the basics for keeping a “Fish-Only” tank that is not overstocked or overfed.
The saltwater hobby as a whole is no longer the scary, expensive, hard to keep hobby that it once was. More and more people are getting into the hobby these days and are having absolutely great luck. If you have any interest at all in learning more about saltwater there are some really good books available with some great information to get you started.
Jason Brett has been working for Plymouth Pet and Aquarium in Plymouth, NH for four and half years and is the aquarium manager there. He has been in the aquarium hobby for over a decade and is well versed in all aspects of both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. Plymouth Pet & Aquarium carries a large selection saltwater fish, corals, and inverts. Contact Jason at 603-536-3299, and find a lot more aquarium info at www.plymouthpet.com.

Baxter, a patriotic Jack Russell Terrier. photo by Beth Maltzie

Massachusetts Pulls the Plug on Internet Hunting

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick recently lead an important step to end “Internet Hunting,” an appalling form of trophy hunting opposed by sportsmen and animal welfare advocates alike. Senate Bill 2273 (formerly S.B. 860 and S.D. 1452), introduced by Senator Robert Creedon, Jr. (D-2nd), makes it illegal to participate in or facilitate the killing of an animal via the Internet.† Governor Patrick signed the bill into law in early August.
“The Humane Society of the United States is very grateful to Governor Patrick and the legislature for putting an end to this pay-per-view slaughter,” said Michael Markarian, executive vice president of The HSUS. “Traditional hunters know there’s no sport in shooting an animal remotely while lying in bed and wearing camouflage pajamas.”
“This is an issue that unified both sides of the hunting debate,” states Carter Luke, CEO for MSPCA-Angell, the nation’s second-oldest humane society. “With the Governor’s signature, Massachusetts can now stand with much of the nation against this despicable activity.”
Thirty-four states now prohibit Internet hunting, and a federal bill was recently introduced in the U.S. Congress – H.R. 2711, the Computer-Assisted Remote Hunting Act – that would end Internet hunting nationwide. Hunting via the Internet involves fees of more than $1,500 to schedule a session and place an order for a deer, antelope or other animal. The hunter then logs on to a website at an appointed time and watches a feeding station on the computer screen. The animal ordered is herded in front of the camera by on-site employees and the hunter uses his mouse to line the victim up in the on-screen crosshairs. A click of the mouse fires the rifle. The hunter’s “trophy” is then shipped to his or her home.
The controversial practice originated in Texas with the launch of a web site, www.Live-Shot.com, that allowed hunters to pay a fee and shoot captive animals on an exotic game ranch from many miles away with the click of a mouse or the few strokes of a keyboard. The HSUS has been active in advocating for state legislation to combat Internet hunting.
For more information, go to www.hsus.org.

Evinrude is a beautiful gray tiger cat adopted by Scott and Beth Maltzie of Boscowen from the Concord-Merrimack SPCA. Visit their annual “Walk for the Animals” on September 23; www.concordspca.org.
photo by Beth Maltzie

PBDEs Proven Potentially Dangerous to Domestic Cats

A new study recently conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigated the possible connection between the presence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)-a flame retardant chemical added to a wide variety of household products-and an increase in feline hyperthyroidism. The study, lead by Dr. Janice A. Dye and published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology on August 15, 2007, confirmed high levels of PBDEs in some housecats; however there was not conclusive evidence linking this to the disorder.
The use of PBDEs has been under scrutiny for several years as a potential health risk for humans, potentially causing problems in both the nervous and reproductive systems. The recent attention towards its effects on cats is fueled in part by concern regarding what these findings may indicate about potential problems affecting humans in the long run.
“As indoor housecats spend a large portion of their lives inhabiting the same environment as their owners, it is definitely concerning to find the presence of PBDEs in our pets,” says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine for the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, and a board-certified internist. “It also underlines the fact that, as always, pet owners need to be aware of the possible risks found inside the home and the effects on their pets’ health.”
In an effort to help pet owners understand the complexities of this information, the ASPCA offers a few answers to common questions about PBDEs:
What are PBDEs? PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ether) is a common flame retardant used in the production and manufacturing of a wide variety of household items, most notably, upholstery, carpets, and mattresses. In use since the 1970s, products that contain PBDEs have been found to shed this chemical into house dust, which can then be inhaled or ingested into the body.
Why should I be concerned about PBDEs? PBDEs have been linked to a number of studies in regard to human health care and have been hypothesized to affect both the nervous and reproductive systems. Current research in veterinary medicine is analyzing the presence of PBDEs and deteriorating illnesses in companion animals.
What is feline hyperthyroidism? “Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common conditions found in older cats,” says Dr. Murray. “It’s usually caused by a benign tumor of one or both thyroid glands, which can lead to increased levels of thyroid hormone in the body.” Symptoms of hyperthyroidism in cats can include weight loss, rapid heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, increased appetite and/or thirst and increased urination.
Is feline hyperthyroidism fatal? Dr. Murray clarifies that feline hyperthyroidism, when treated with the appropriate therapy, is not a fatal disease. “This is generally an extremely treatable disease, and with certain treatment methods, can even be cured,” she says. “The disease is mainly fatal in cats who have not received timely care, resulting in heart disease and eventually heart failure.”
Do PBDEs cause feline hyperthyroidism? “Although it is possible that PBDEs may increase the risk of hyperthyroidism in cats, this disease is a common illness in senior cats,” says Dr. Murray. “Due to better health care now available to our pets, and the benefits of living inside the home, cats are living longer, and as a result the increase in cases of thyroid disease is not unexpected.”
Is feline hyperthyroidism becoming an epidemic? As our nation continues to modernize and improve its health care (for both humans and their pets) the growing population of the elderly has brought with it an increase in some diseases. Therefore, Dr. Murray says, “it is difficult to ascertain whether certain illnesses, such as feline hyperthyroidism, are a direct result of PBDEs and not simply a result of an aging population.”
How can I keep my pet safe from such potential PBDE dangers? To keep you and your pet safe, the ASPCA recommends taking several precautions. Use a vacuum and air conditioners with HEPA filters and change the filters regularly. Cover tears in upholstery that expose polyurethane foam, particularly if the foam is crumbling; and cover mattresses with tightly woven allergen barriers to reduce dust that could carry PBDEs. Do not remove the mattress label, as it will tell if polyurethane foam was used.
Provided by the ASPCA; www.aspca.org.