Setting up your aquarium is like opening a window leading you to the colorful underwater world. Its vibrant colors and fascinating creatures create an ambiance of joy, but this joy may be short-lived. As a new aquarium owner, you may be unaware of the common mistakes that can hinder the longevity of your fish’s health and the aquarium’s beauty. But worry not, these mistakes are easily avoidable if you have prior knowledge. This article below can enlighten your burden from making these common errors, keeping you and your fishy friends happy.
Skipping the Cycle: The “Tank is Ready!” Myth
Many new fish parents make the mistake of putting fish right into the aquarium as soon as the tank is filled with water. That’s a big NO as water contains harmful toxins like ammonia and nitrates that are deadly to fish. You must know that establishing a healthy environment in the aquarium takes time. During this time, your aquarium goes through the process of “cycling”, which involves growing beneficial bacteria that break down harmful toxins in the water.
How to Avoid It: After getting your desired aquarium, let it run for a period of 4 to 6 weeks, before adding your finned friends. The cycling process can be shortened by adding products that contain beneficial bacteria or by simply using fish food. At the end of this period, test your water before adding any fish.
Overstocking the Tank: More Fish, More Problems
It’s easy to give in to the urge to own all kinds of fish, but as an aquarium owner, know that it is simply a recipe for disaster. Filling your tank with too many fish will cause overstocking. Overstocking means too many fish in a tank which contributes to poor quality water, stress, and less space among the fish, eventually leading to suffocated dead fish. You must remember that fish create waste which will accumulate and degrade water quality faster if too many fish live in the same tank. Aquarium space is an asset for the fish, as they need space to swim, hide, and grow.
How to Avoid It: A good rule of thumb is to allow one inch of fish per gallon of water. So, if you have a 10-gallon tank, limit yourself to 10 inches of fish (for example, 5 two-inch fish). Remember to research the needs of your fish species as some require more space than others.
Choosing Incompatible Fish: The Hunger Games, Aquarium Edition
As a fish parent, you must be aware of the different natural fish species. Some fish are aggressive, territorial, or introverted. When selecting fish to adorn your aquarium, make sure to see if they are compatible with each other. Adding fishes of different natures will mean they won’t play together and instead fight or if worse indulge in cannibalism.
How to Avoid It: Do research on the fish species before you buy them. Make sure they have similar water requirements (temperature, pH levels) and temperaments. If you’re unsure, ask a knowledgeable staff member at your pet store for advice. Most importantly, avoid mixing aggressive species with peaceful ones, and never put tiny fish in a tank with larger, predatory fish.
Ignoring Water Parameters: “It Looks Fine” Isn’t Enough
The quality of water cannot be gauged with the naked eye, you can’t think to yourself as long as it looks clean, it’s clean. Water in the aquarium needs to be regularly checked for pH levels, alkalinity, ammonia, and nitrates. Procrastinating in regularly checking the water quality is a simple means of exposing your fish to dangerous conditions, unknowingly.
How to Avoid It: Invest in a good water test kit and use it regularly, especially in the first few months of setting up your tank. Check the ammonia, nitrite, and alkalinity levels weekly and adjust as needed. If you notice a spike in any harmful substances, it’s indicative to do a partial water change or you may also consider other treatments.
Overfeeding Your Fish: More Food, More Waste
New fish parents are in awe of feeding their little fish, but sometimes they get carried away and feed too much. Feeding your fish excessively will make them lethargic, bloated, and obese. This also creates excess waste and quickly lowers water quality. A simple way to know whether you are feeding your fish too much is if you notice uneaten food.
How to Avoid It: To be on the safe side, feed your fish in small amounts once or twice a day. A small amount of food is just enough for them to eat in two minutes. Remove any leftover food from the tank to prevent it from rotting and affecting water quality. Remember, fish have small stomachs, and it’s better to underfeed slightly than to overfeed!
Neglecting Regular Maintenance: Out of Sight, Out of Mind
You may get consumed in the beauty of an aquarium and think it will always remain the same. However, your days of sitting back and relaxing are limited as aquariums need regular clean-up. Like regularly maintaining water quality, maintenance of the aquarium will prevent cloudy water, algae growth, and unhealthy fish.
How to Avoid It: Create a routine maintenance schedule. Perform partial water changes (about 20-30%) every one to two weeks, clean the gravel to remove waste, and wipe down the tank walls to control algae. Also, check your filters and replace them when necessary. A little upkeep goes a long way in maintaining a sparkling, healthy tank.
Using Tap Water Without Treatment: The Hidden Danger
You may not know, but simple tap water can kill your fish as it contains chlorine and harmful chemicals. Your tap water may contain the wrong pH balance or contain other heavy metals like iron which creates stress or kills the fish.
How to Avoid It: Always treat tap water with a de-chlorinator or water conditioner before adding it to your tank. These products neutralize harmful chemicals and make the water safe for fish. It’s also a good idea to test the pH and adjust it to meet the needs of your fish species.
Not Quarantining New Fish: Don’t Invite Trouble
Adding new fish members to your aquarium is a wholesome experience, as long as you don’t forget to quarantine them. Introducing new fish directly to your tank is a risky idea as it can spread diseases amongst your existing fish. New fish may carry viruses or parasites that they brought along from the pet store, which you can’t see with the naked eye.
How to Avoid It: Have a small quarantine tank for new fish. Keep them in this tank for at least two weeks to monitor their health before adding them to your main tank. This way, you’ll avoid introducing any unwanted diseases to your healthy fish.
Conclusion
Setting up and maintaining an aquarium is incredibly rewarding, but it comes with its challenges. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can create a thriving, beautiful underwater world that both you and your fish will enjoy. Stay patient, do your research, and remember keeping an aquarium is a journey, where you learn along the way, and your fish will thank you for it.