Top 5 Mistakes New Aquarists Make

By Chelsea Gray

Having worked in the aquarium business for many years, I have seen first hand many of the mistakes new aquarists make. Here some of the most common.

5. Adding Fish Too Fast

New aquarists are often very excited about adding new fish. Many will add fish to the tank right away, without letting the filter and heater run for at least 24 hours. When this happens, there usually isn’t enough oxygen for the fish. New aquarists also try to stock  their tank immediately, without giving it the time to go through the nitrogen cycle.  Start the cycle with no more than one third of the  maximum fish capacity.  Choose hardy species that can better withstand the expected ammonia and nitrite levels during the first four weeks.  Once the ammonia and nitrite levels are staying undetectable you are ready to collect the rest of your fish.

4. Overfeeding

New hobbyists can be overenthusiastic about feeding their fish. They want to ensure that every fish gets food, and so often overfeed. This leads to a large amount of food decaying on the bottom of the tank. Too much left over food will cause the tank to become cloudy, and can increase ammonia and nitrite levels.  If a large amount of food is leftover once the fish are done eating, then you are feeding them too much. To prevent this, only feed your fish as much as they can eat in a few moments.

3. Overstocking The Tank

Many aquarists often start out with small tanks. However, once they get the hang of water changes and feeding, they want to add more or bigger fish. It can be tempting to overstock a tank, but this leads to problems such as high ammonia and nitrates, and increases aggression in territorial fish. Always remember the maximum stocking capacity: One square inch of fish per one gallon of freshwater. One square inch of fish per two gallons of saltwater.

2. Buying Incompatible Fish

Many people start fish tanks without a particular fish in mind. While there is nothing wrong this, it is important to ensure that the fish you buy is compatible with your tank and other fish. The best way to do this is to ask one of the aquarists at the store if a fish will thrive in your tank. Ask about aggression, feeding habits, schooling behavior, and size requirements. This will help maintain a peaceful and healthy aquarium community.

1. Changing The Filter Media And Water On The Same Day

In an attempt to get their tanks extra clean, new aquarists often change the filter media and do a water change on the same day. While intuitively, this seems like a great way to make the tank squeaky clean, it is actually very harmful to the biological filter. Removing the filter media and 25% of the water frequently compromises the nitrifying bacteria. This can lead to a spike in the ammonia or nitrite levels and  leads to stress or injury to the fish. If the filter is dirty or clogged, you can always rinse it out using water from the aquarium. This will remove excess dirt and waste, but won’t harm the bacteria.