Aquariums: What do you wish someone had told you when you first started the hobby?
Just curious what others wish they’d known or been told when they first started 🐠
Posted by zoeyelizabeth6
23 Comments
DeliciousGerbils on
Favor HOB filters over sponge filters. Had some trouble with sponge because whenever I tried to move it around crap flew all over the place. Also I would’ve loved to known to leave a new tank to establish before employing inbred schooling fish that act as little poop factories. Would’ve saved me from doing unnecessary “water changes” (which involved taking down the entire tank once the water turned yellow and replacing 100% of the water.) Yes, I was a terrible fishkeeper a few years ago.
JeffJohnSteve on
“Just get a bunch of plants, like a lot of plants…more plants!”
bujler on
“Don’t”
-mia-wallace- on
SNAILS ALWAYS HITCHHIKE ON PLANTS. as well as how to do a bleach did and reverse resperation to avoid said hitchhikers.
3catsincoat on
– embrace the snails cleanup crew
– triple your budget for plants
Milodog2011 on
Get a very high paying job
plottingyourdemise3 on
I wish someone had explained the difference between surviving and thriving.
I tried some fish in nano tanks at first, and the only one left in a nano tank is my betta in my 10 gallon. When I had a school of 6 CPDs in my 5.5 gallon in the kitchen (heavily planted, but after trimming) my 2 year old looked over at the tank and said, “Mommy, fish mad!”
Call me crazy, but I swear it lowered the stress level in the whole house when I set up a 30 gallon for them, and the other fish I had in tanks that were too small. They were also a lot more fun to watch after that. My 30 gallon stocking is a little strange, but everyone’s definitely happier than they were.
Infamous_Fox_7723 on
It’s gonna hurt your wallet
Annsopel on
Get a bigger tank.
Would have saved me the unnecessary 10 gallons that I got rid of after a few months.
Relative-Image-3914 on
Mycobacterium…
HelloFromCali on
You like actually need a really good light to grow plants in a deep tank.
Pewpew-OuttaMyWaay on
Fish die (naturally or something unexpected) and it’ll crush your soul
BestJersey_WorstName on
Just because you saw a comment that fish could get along with your water parameters and tank mates doesn’t mean they will.
I’ve given up on honey gouramis and rainbowfish.
And yet I’ve been the hobby five years and haven’t lost a cherry barb yet. Same tank.
CautiousAd2891 on
That I would spend so much money on this hobby
boostinemMaRe2 on
“I hope you’re generationally wealthy”
ConsiderationEven424 on
…that plants melt. Don’t toss plants raised out of water when their foliage drops and melts. They return as plant 2.0 ready to do plant things.
Over_Sherbet_4686 on
Be patient. Dont rush things
Ancient_Swordfish806 on
MTS is real and you shouldn’t chase that dragon. I ended up with 12 tanks in 6 months and couldn’t keep up. Take it slow. Enjoy the 1 or 2 tanks you have before expanding to fast.
Rhymeswithfire on
What are your floaters? Red root? Your light looks white but the colour casted is yellow to the nearest point of orange. I love that and would like to replicate!
Current-Rabbit-620 on
Bigger tank is easier
Nano tank is not for starters
PASTY-EL on
take whatever you have for your budget and triple that. i’ve made impatient moves with my aquariums that left my tanks an utter mess because i never budgeted accordingly
Hyaena81 on
The plants over aquarium. I try a few times but never work for me. How do you keep them alive?
Amerlan on
Get meds to have on hand before you have an issue. You never know how long shipping will actually take or if your LFS will have it in stock (even if they normally do.)
Erythromycin for injuries, fin rot and general listlessness. Usually purchased as Maracyn.
Praziquantel or Flubendazole for parasites. Praziquantel can be found in prazipro or paracleanse. Flubendazole is sold under Absolute Wormer.
Malachite green for fungal infections and ich. Can be purchased as Ich-x.
These 3 meds will help the most common fish ailments and injuries. They also last 2-3 years, so you shouldn’t have to buy much!
23 Comments
Favor HOB filters over sponge filters. Had some trouble with sponge because whenever I tried to move it around crap flew all over the place. Also I would’ve loved to known to leave a new tank to establish before employing inbred schooling fish that act as little poop factories. Would’ve saved me from doing unnecessary “water changes” (which involved taking down the entire tank once the water turned yellow and replacing 100% of the water.) Yes, I was a terrible fishkeeper a few years ago.
“Just get a bunch of plants, like a lot of plants…more plants!”
“Don’t”
SNAILS ALWAYS HITCHHIKE ON PLANTS. as well as how to do a bleach did and reverse resperation to avoid said hitchhikers.
– embrace the snails cleanup crew
– triple your budget for plants
Get a very high paying job
I wish someone had explained the difference between surviving and thriving.
I tried some fish in nano tanks at first, and the only one left in a nano tank is my betta in my 10 gallon. When I had a school of 6 CPDs in my 5.5 gallon in the kitchen (heavily planted, but after trimming) my 2 year old looked over at the tank and said, “Mommy, fish mad!”
Call me crazy, but I swear it lowered the stress level in the whole house when I set up a 30 gallon for them, and the other fish I had in tanks that were too small. They were also a lot more fun to watch after that. My 30 gallon stocking is a little strange, but everyone’s definitely happier than they were.
It’s gonna hurt your wallet
Get a bigger tank.
Would have saved me the unnecessary 10 gallons that I got rid of after a few months.
Mycobacterium…
You like actually need a really good light to grow plants in a deep tank.
Fish die (naturally or something unexpected) and it’ll crush your soul
Just because you saw a comment that fish could get along with your water parameters and tank mates doesn’t mean they will.
I’ve given up on honey gouramis and rainbowfish.
And yet I’ve been the hobby five years and haven’t lost a cherry barb yet. Same tank.
That I would spend so much money on this hobby
“I hope you’re generationally wealthy”
…that plants melt. Don’t toss plants raised out of water when their foliage drops and melts. They return as plant 2.0 ready to do plant things.
Be patient. Dont rush things
MTS is real and you shouldn’t chase that dragon. I ended up with 12 tanks in 6 months and couldn’t keep up. Take it slow. Enjoy the 1 or 2 tanks you have before expanding to fast.
What are your floaters? Red root? Your light looks white but the colour casted is yellow to the nearest point of orange. I love that and would like to replicate!
Bigger tank is easier
Nano tank is not for starters
take whatever you have for your budget and triple that. i’ve made impatient moves with my aquariums that left my tanks an utter mess because i never budgeted accordingly
The plants over aquarium. I try a few times but never work for me. How do you keep them alive?
Get meds to have on hand before you have an issue. You never know how long shipping will actually take or if your LFS will have it in stock (even if they normally do.)
Erythromycin for injuries, fin rot and general listlessness. Usually purchased as Maracyn.
Praziquantel or Flubendazole for parasites. Praziquantel can be found in prazipro or paracleanse. Flubendazole is sold under Absolute Wormer.
Malachite green for fungal infections and ich. Can be purchased as Ich-x.
These 3 meds will help the most common fish ailments and injuries. They also last 2-3 years, so you shouldn’t have to buy much!