F.A.Q.

Q: Who is Imperial Aquatics?
A: Follow this link to learn more about us.
Q: What can Imperial Aquatics do for me?
A1: Specifically, Imperial Aquatics has the expertise to help you with every aspect of your aquarium. We provide free on-site consultations so that we can make recommendations specifically suited to your aquarium’s needs. We offer service calls at any time of the day, seven days a week. We also supply industry-leading products and guaranteed healthy livestock, while meeting, and often beating, the competition’s price. Simply put, we’re Indianapolis’s aquatic solution!
A2: In general terms, Imperial Aquatics is working hard to enrich the lives of current and future generations by taking active measures to ensure the longevity and health of our world’s coral reef ecosystems. You can read about organizations we support at this link.
Q: What benefit would an aquarium provide to me or my business?
A: Follow this link to learn about some of the most common benefits.
Q: What kind of aquariums do you have?
A: Aquariums come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and Imperial Aquatics takes pride in matching each customer with a unique aquatic solution. We typically start by evaluating the room and providing a few options that not only fit, but compliment the space. These options are not just a comparison of two aquariums with different volumes or trim colors, they portray distinctive features and options. Once the size and shape are determined it is just a matter of deciding what will go inside; we like to seperate this into three genres – Freshwater, Saltwater or Reef.
Q: Are aquariums expensive?
A: When compared to a typical household pet or piece of artwork, an aquarium can actually cost much less, both initially and over its lifetime. The fact is, an aquarium can be very simple or quite complex, ranging in price from just a few dollars to several thousand dollars. At Imperial Aquatics, we take each customer’s situation (and budget) into account when providing them with an aquatic solution.
Q: How much work is it to take care of an aquarium?
A: The answer to this question is based on many different factors including the size and design of the system and its inhabitants. Imperial Aquatics is available to answer questions, offer product knowledge or make on-site service calls to relieve your work load and enhance the enjoyment of your aquarium. Please contact us today to get a free estimate for professional aquarium services.
Q: How do I clean an aquarium?
A: The days of completely breaking down an aquarium are over! In general, 30% of the aquarium’s water volume should be replaced each month, but it doesn’t have to be done all at once. In fact, the more frequent, the better. A water change is done by removing water from the aquarium via a siphon hose, and replacing it by pouring or pumping in prepared replacement water. When performing a water change or compensating for evaporation, we highly advocate the use of purified water.
Q: How often does an aquarium need to be cleaned?
A: There are dozens of factors that determine how much maintenance will be required for a specific aquatic system, and how that maintenance should be conducted. There are two primary factors to consider:

First, the system’s design – The way an aquarium is set up, and the choice of equipment, will have a large influence on the system’s biological capacity. Like most things, if corners are cut in the beginning, problems will likely arise in the future, usually requiring more work and money than if it were just done correctly from the start.
Second, how the aquarium is stocked – The types of fish and the number of fish housed in the aquarium will greatly determine the level of attention it needs. All aquatic systems have a given biological capacity, and the greater that level is pushed, the greater the need for maintenance. Also, the maturity of the system will have an influence on the need for maintenance. Because aquariums are delicate ecosystems, patience is a virtue; seldom do good things happen quickly when trying to build a healthy and sustainable aquatic environment.
Q: How many fish can I have?
A: Even though some aquarists have devised simple stocking rules (such as 1 inch of fish per gallon), in our opinion, the answer to this question cannot be generalized. Even though an aquarium’s biological capacity and the behavior of certain species can be generalized, there are an infinite number of options to consider when deciding how to set up and stock an aquarium, so generalized rules cannot apply to everyone. If a specific type of fish or invertebrate is desired, we can assist in determining how to provide it with an optimal environment. There are two primary factors to consider:

First, the aquarium’s biological capacity – That capacity is determined less by the total number of gallons, and more by the total surface area of biological filtration. The way an aquarium system is designed, and the type(s) of equipment employed, will have a direct affect on the total surface area of biological filtration. In general, the more filtration, the heavier the aquarium can be stocked.
Second, the type(s) of fish in the aquarium – This is the most complicating factor because different fish require different environmental needs. Some fish are very delicate, some are very hardy. Some fish are aggressive, some are peaceful. Some fish are territorial, some school together. Some fish get very large, some stay very small. Some fish need a lot of room to swim, some are docile. Some fish have a very specific diet, some will eat just about anything. In general, the hardier, smaller, and more peaceful the fish, the heavier the aquarium can be stocked.
Q: What should I feed my fish?
Q: How much should I feed my fish?
Q: How often should I feed my fish?
A: Generally, a daily addition of a high-protein flake food will provide the proper level of nutrition to all the aquarium inhabitants. However, there really is no generalized answer to these three questions because many variables determine the proper feeding schedule for any given aquarium. Please contact us if you need help determining a healthy feeding regimen.
Q: What is happening to the coral reefs?
A: Please visit the links on our site to non-profit organizations to learn more about the world-wide destruction of coral reef ecosystems.