Home aquariums bring hours of joy. Many people dream of a giant tank full of dazzling fish or exotic amphibians. However, it’s surprisingly easy for things to go wrong if we don’t prepare appropriately. Let’s look at some common mistakes that first-time owners often make. These range from hygiene problems to choosing the wrong tank for certain types of fish. It’s crucial to do research before buying a new aquarium because they’re expensive and impact your pets’ health. You don’t want to get it wrong!
1. Failing to Clean the Tank
Many first-time aquarium owners neglect to clean their tanks. This directly impacts the fish because it causes a build-up of ammonia and nitrates. This is extremely toxic for the fish and can be lethal. When buying an aquarium, you should invest in a decent filtration system. This will reduce the amount of time you need to spend manually cleaning the aquarium. Remember, if you have more fish, you can expect more waste.
Most aquarium owners clean their tanks once to three times per month. This depends on the size of the tank and the number of fish inside. It shouldn’t take too long to clean the aquarium if you’re keeping on top of it. Whenever you feed your fish, you should remove any visible waste from the tank. You also need to change at least a quarter of the water every time you clean the aquarium. This can lower ammonia levels and reduce any chemical buildup.
2. Not Testing the Water’s Parameters
Not testing a fish tank’s water parameters is a mistake that many first-time aquarists make—and it can have dire consequences. They should test the parameters of the water every three days at a minimum. Check the likes of the pH and nitrates levels as well as other metrics. It’s not the most fun job in the world, but it’s not an exaggeration to say it could save your fish’s lives. There are many kinds of test strips and meters to test pH levels as well as other chemical concentrations. As noted, substances like ammonia and strychnine are incredibly dangerous for your fish. These days there are even apps to help test water quality. So there are no excuses!
Other crucial aquarium water quality parameters include its temperature and phosphate levels. Remember, if the water is too warm or cold for your fish, it could affect their health too. Tropical freshwater fish, like tetras and barbs, need temperatures of 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. However, this is too warm for temperate fish, which require 64-73 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. The Aquarium is Too Small
Another common mistake is not getting a big enough fish tank. Overcrowding is a serious issue for fish owners if they want to keep a clean and healthy aquarium. If there are too many fish in the tank, it increases the risk of waste buildup. Cleaning will be more challenging, and the water quality can rapidly degrade. Ammonia may build up, and it’s also more likely that the fish will spread contagious diseases amongst each other.
Sometimes people also underestimate the size of their pets. Koi fish grow to about 15 inches long. Many vets recommend a 250-gallon tank for a single koi because they’re so big. That’s far larger than the standard 20-gallon aquarium that most new fish owners get. If the tank is too small, it can stunt the fish’s growth, so it’s something to take seriously. This is also an issue with pet turtles and tortoises. It is cheaper in the long term to buy a larger tank for these animals because eventually, you’ll need one anyway.
4. Overfeeding the Aquarium’s Fish
Many new owners accidentally overfeed their fish. At best, they’re just wasting their money. However, it can cause health problems if they’re not careful. Leftover food can affect the water quality. Try to give the fish an amount that they’ll consume in about three minutes. If you notice that there’s consistently still food floating or stuck in the substrate, it’s time to reduce meals.
Many owners keep pet frogs or lizards in fish tanks too. Overfeeding is a problem for these creatures because they’ll keep eating. Obesity affects common pets like leopard geckos and fire-bellied frogs. Amphibians also have very sensitive skin, and decomposing food in their water supply can affect their health.
5. Putting Incompatible Animals Together
The animal kingdom is fascinating, but it can be very harsh. Do your research before putting different types of fish or other creatures together. Some fish species are incompatible together. For example, an aggressive African cichlid will eat a more docile type of fish. Usually, it’s advisable to only keep the same species together but even this can cause problems. Some male fish are very territorial and will attack each other. Betta fish are one of the most notorious. They’re not a good option for aquariums with other fish.
Amphibians are also notoriously cannibalistic. Cross-species frog predation is very common. Meanwhile, genuine cannibalism can happen when a larger frog eats a smaller one of the same type. The risk decreases if their aquarium is big enough, and they are the same size. Ask advice from breeders before housing any frogs together.
6. Leaving Aquariums Unattended for Several Days
Another common issue that new aquarists face is what to do when they go on vacation. It’s relatively straightforward to find a dog- or cat-friendly hotel. But the same concept doesn’t exist for fish or exotic animals. Some people may find it tempting to simply abandon their pets for a couple of days. This is a terrible idea and very unethical. Find someone to check your fish and feed them properly.
You’ll also need to teach the carer how to perform a superficial cleaning of the aquarium. Nobody wants to return home to a tank full of sick fish. Prepare properly so there are no regrets later. There are even home cameras available these days that allow owners to monitor their aquariums 24/7. In short, there’s no excuse for not caring properly for your pets. If you can’t guarantee this, don’t buy them.
