5 Beginner Aquarium Mistakes

5 Beginner Aquarium Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Aquariums are an enjoyable pastime that could be a long time to learn. If you're only beginning it can be a challenge to keep track of your tank's ever-changing conditions. There are a lot of things to be aware of and it's very easy to slip up.

So in today’s article, we are going to look at the 6 most common aquarium mistakes and discuss how you can avoid making them.

MISTAKE NO 1 ( Selecting the wrong size tank and position )

If you conduct your preliminary research prior to purchasing your first fish tank, consider where the tank will be placed. Make sure you maximize the space to fit the tank but have enough room to do maintenance tasks on the tank.

Finding the tank, and discovering that you can't reach the areas needed for duties like washing the glass, or cleaning the filter could be huge trouble.

Why is it wrong to begin with a tiny or small aquarium?

Smaller aquariums can be more challenging to maintain as compared to larger ones. They aren't ideal for beginners. The conditions are better able to withstand fluctuations in bigger aquariums and in the event that things begin to get out of hand, you will have time to fix the issue.

Aquariums ranging from 20 up to 55 gallons are the ideal size for beginners to the hobby. Always begin with the biggest aquarium that your budget and space permit.

MISTAKE NO 2 ( Not Cycling The Aquarium )

The process takes some time in establishing the bio equilibrium in an aquarium. Although there are many products in the market to help in your process of establishing balance, the best method to cycle an aquarium that is newly installed is to) add a small amount of fish in the beginning,) consume a small amount of food and then 3) test ammonia and nitrite levels until they are stable at zero prior to adding additional fish. Repeat this process until your aquarium is completely filled.

MISTAKE NO 3 ( Overstocking )

If you're brand new to fishing, you'll be eager to purchase every fish you can see. However, there's an upper limit on the number of fish your aquarium will be able to hold, no matter the size of it or how efficient the filter is.

Some fish increase in size after purchase and some tend to be territorial and can become more aggressive when they're surrounded by other fish. Always think of having fewer inhabitants in your tank, rather than having too many.

MISTAKE NO 4 ( Overfeeding )

It's normal to be concerned about your fish being in hunger, yet you may be causing greater harm to your fish by feeding your fish too often. The new aquarium needs to be fed every daily and all food items should be consumed in less than two minutes. Food that is not properly digested can pollute the water and cause ammonia levels to rise and Nitrite levels to increase.

MISTAKE NO 5 ( Over Cleaning )

When the aquarium is initially installed the bio-balance is unstable and fragile. Avoid rubbing ornaments or stirring the gravel, or cleansing the filters when they don't require it as it could destroy beneficial bacteria and alter the equilibrium. If your filter or aquarium appears to require cleaning within the first two or three weeks following setup The filter could be inadequate for the task or you might already have too many fish or you might be overfeeding.

GOOD LUCK!