Keeping fish properly is really not difficult when the correct methods and techniques are observed. But neither are fish the simple, instant, low maintenance pets they're often made out to be. Fish have basic requirements that must be met in order to keep them happy, healthy and beautiful. Keeping them properly by following these requirements leads to a highly rewarding pastime with tanks and fish that will be admired by everyone who sees them. Keeping them inadequately without following the basic requirements will lead to a frustrated fishkeeper, miserable or dead fish, and unhealthy-looking tanks.
New fishkeepers are often given all sorts of poor advice, which starts them off on completely the wrong foot and throws them in at the deep end with all manner of problems that are likely to put them off fishkeeping for good. But if they start with the right advice, the necessary patience to take things slowly, and an attitude of wanting to provide the best possible environment for their new finned friends, the whole process will be rewarding, successful, and a gateway to the fascinating world of aquatic life.
Beginner fishkeepers frequently make several common mistakes, which can be avoided completely by seeking good advice and researching the basics of the hobby before making any purchases from the local fish store. Here are five of these frequent errors and how to avoid them.
1. Inadequate Cycling
By far the most common and fatal mistake made by the new fishkeeper is failure to cycle a new tank properly before adding fish. All too often a newbie is told to simply fill the tank with water and let it "sit" for a week or so before adding fish, a few at a time. There is no purpose in just letting a filled tank "sit". Cycling is about allowing the filter to mature, which means letting it gain a stable colony of bacteria. Bacteria need ammonia, which they feed on, to grow. A tank with no fish or other source of ammonia is not going to begin the cycling process, much less be ready for fish within a week.
Cycling can be a lengthy process, sometimes taking a month or more, which is where the patience comes in. There is no way to skip this step. It can be sped up by the addition of filter media to the new filter from an already established filter in another tank, but close observation of water readings will still be necessary to be sure the tank is fully cycled and ready to go.
The process, as mentioned above, begins with ammonia, which fish excrete in their waste. Ammonia is toxic to fish, but is removed promptly by the bacteria which coat surfaces within the tank and seed themselves in the filter. Once these bacteria are present, they convert the ammonia into nitrite. Nitrite is the second stage in the cycling process, and is also toxic to fish. A different type of bacteria is needed to consume the nitrite and turn it into relatively harmless nitrate. Once this second stage of bacteria are established, the tank is cycled and stocking can gradually begin.
A source of ammonia is vital to begin and maintain the cycling process. This can either be provided by a few hardy fish, which are more able to tolerate cycling than most others (zebra danios are a commonly used variety here), or a process known as "fishless cycling" can be used. Fishless cycling is generally considered the better option, because it doesn't risk the lives and wellbeing of fish during the cycling process. It is a simple method that uses liquid ammonia, as available from most hardware stores. The ammonia is regularly added to the tank in measured doses, providing a food source for the new bacteria.
The other vital part of the cycling process is regular testing of the tank water. Test kits can be purchased from any fish store, and allow the water in the new tank to be tested to determine what chemicals are present, and at what levels. An ammonia, a nitrite, and a nitrate testing kit will be required. When the water is showing levels of ammonia, cycling has just begun. When the ammonia levels start dropping off and nitrite levels begin to rise, the second stage of cycling is beginning. And when nitrite levels begin dropping and nitrate is present, the cycle is nearly complete. Cycling is completed when ammonia and nitrite read zero, and nitrate is showing low levels. Only then can fish be added, and gradually so as not to overload the filter too quickly and throw out the cycle's balance. Water testing should still be carried out regularly to be sure that ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate are at safe levels.
2. Failing to Research Fish Species
