An aquarium is a very exciting and fulfilling project to set up, but many beginners make common mistakes that can cause problems later on. If you don’t make these mistakes, you can make sure your aquarium is a healthy and thriving environment for your fish. Below are the top 5 mistakes to avoid when setting up your aquarium.
1. Choosing the Wrong Tank Size
Choosing the wrong tank size is one of the most common mistakes beginners make. A small tank seems easier to manage, and many people start with one. In fact, smaller tanks are actually more difficult to keep because they are less forgiving of changes in water conditions. The smaller the tank, the more likely your fish will be stressed by rapid changes in temperature, pH, and water quality.
Instead, select a larger tank (20–30 gallons). Bigger tanks give the fish more space to swim around, and the conditions are more stable. It also allows you a little more freedom in choosing fish and decorations.
2. Overcrowding the Tank
Another mistake is overcrowding, which results in poor water quality and stressed fish. Fish produce waste, and if there are too many fish in a tank, the waste builds up faster than the filter can handle, causing dangerous spikes in ammonia and nitrites. It can make fish sick or kill them.
Know the adult size of the fish you want to keep and how many will fit safely in your tank so you don’t overcrowd. As a rule of thumb, you should have at least one inch of fish per gallon of water. Never overstock, always research the specific needs of the species you are keeping.
To help maintain a healthy balance in the tank, Nitrifying Bacteria Probiotic Aquarium Nutrient Supplements can accelerate beneficial bacteria growth, aiding in breaking down harmful waste.
3. Skipping the Cycling Process
If you are a beginner, you might have missed this important process of cycling your tank. Tank cycling is the process of getting beneficial bacteria in the filter and substrate to break down harmful toxins, ammonia, and nitrites into less harmful nitrates. This process can be boosted by adding Nitrifying Bacteria Probiotic Aquarium Nutrient Supplements.
Adding fish too soon without cycling the tank will cause the levels of these chemicals in the water to become toxic to your fish, and they will die or become sick.
Add no fish to the tank until 4 – 6 weeks have passed. There are two ways to fish in cycling: fishless cycling and cycling. During this period, test your water regularly to make sure that ammonia and nitrite are zero before adding fish.
4. Ignoring Water Quality and Chemistry
Good water quality is important to your fish’s health, but many beginners don’t pay enough attention to water parameters. pH, temperature, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels are all part of water quality. If any of these factors are off, you can stress, make your fish sick, or even kill them.
You will need to test your water regularly to make sure your fish are living in the best conditions. Test the water's pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels using a reliable test kit and adjust accordingly. Make sure the water temperature is right for your fish species, usually 75°F to 80°F (24-27°C) for tropical species.
5. Not Providing Adequate Filtration
Some beginners don’t know this or pick the wrong filter and a proper filtration system is essential for a healthy tank. A good filter will remove waste, debris and toxins from the water, keeping the environment clean and reducing the need for water changes. If you don’t have a filter, your tank will get dirty and unsafe for your fish very quickly.
Select a filter that will fit your tank and the type of fish you wish to keep. It should also be able to filter the water volume and circulate the water well. Clean the filter regularly to make sure it works properly, but don’t clean it all at once or you’ll disrupt the good bacteria that keep your tank healthy.
Conclusion
Setting up an aquarium is no easy task, and avoiding common mistakes can mean the difference between healthy and long-lived fish or dead fish. Having the right filtration, not overcrowding, cycling the tank, monitoring water quality and having the right tank size will all help to create a thriving environment for your aquatic pets.
Aquavitals sells high-quality aquarium products, from Nitrifying Bacteria Supplements for cycling, Stress Shield for fish health to top-quality fish food like Sinking Pellets and helps you build and maintain a healthy tank. They want to make fishkeeping easier and keep your fish in a safe and clean environment for years to come.