24 Beginner aquarium mistakes

24 Beginner aquarium mistakes

The first time you’re in your new aquarium, it can feel like a bit of a mystery. You should be aware that a lot of beginner mistakes are made because of a lack of experience.

Here’s your easy step-by-step guide to making sure your new aquarium keeps its water crystal clear and algae-free. Learn more about aquarium mistakes and how you can avoid them. 

Wrong positioning of the tank

Aquariums can be placed in any room in the house, as long as you follow certain guidelines.

The sun is a source of energy that plants need. However, the sun is not a good source of light for fish tanks. It is not advisable to put your tank next to a window. Too much direct sunlight can raise the temperature of your tank and enhances algae growth.

Fish tank on the table

Bring it somewhere with a nearby power supply so that you can charge it without having to use lengthy extension cords. The tank should not be located under a vent.

This creates a situation where dust falls into the tank. The gap between the tank and the walls should be at least 5-10 inches. This will make it easier to fit the filter and other devices to the tank.

Be sure to keep your tank near a water source so that you don’t have to carry water across a long-distance during water replacement of the tank. 

Well, it can’t be denied that the aquarium is also a showpiece. Feel free to display it anyplace that is not exposed to extreme temperatures. It’s all about achieving aesthetic harmony with rationality.

Adding fish before the nitrogen cycle ends

When I was a kid I also made this mistake.

It’s amazing how many people make this mistake. You buy your new aquarium, and it’s exciting to set the tank up straight away.

It’s important to add fish to your aquarium if your water conditions are stable before you add them. You should probably wait until they are established. 

Before you start adding fish, it’s a good idea to complete a nitrogen cycle, and ensure your aquarium water parameters (pH, temp, hardness) are stable.

It is possible to cycle the tank with fish, which is described in one of the articles. However, it is a method for advanced fish keepers. 

Buying too small tank

A beginner aquarist should not make that assumption, as a small aquarium will probably require more maintenance.

It’s not a mistake to start with a small or nano aquarium, but it’s a good idea to buy your first tank much bigger. In smaller tanks, there is less water. This means that the condition of the water can change dramatically.

If you’re looking for the best budget aquarium fish, you should choose between a 20 gallon and a 60 gallon aquarium. Larger aquariums are much easier to maintain than smaller aquariums.

Small fish tank

Accidental poisoning

Accidental poisoning is actually very common among people new in fishkeeping, as they don’t know how to properly treat the fish.

This can be caused by a number of different factors, including failing to understand the nitrogen cycle, overstocking and overfeeding, perhaps excessive amounts of chemicals or  turned off the filter at night. 

Putting the wrong stuff in your aquarium can also contribute to poisoning your aquarium.

Too much chemicals or waste in tanks in combination with a turned off filter carries deadly consequences. Remember that the filter must work 24 hours a day.

When the filter is off, the bacteria in your tank will start to die from lack of oxygen.

This can potentially lead to the death of some of your fish.

Not using live plants

In an aquarium using live plants isn’t necessary. For example there are very few or no plants in a Malawi aquarium. But it is worth keeping a certain amount of plants in freshwater tanks. 

Most aquarium fish keepers see plants as complicated and think they’re not going to make a difference in the tank.

Plants are the best option for preventing algae because they take up the same nutrients.

Plants are the best option for preventing algae because they take up the same nutrients. Water with live plants is even more oxygenated than water without live plants.

To keep your fish healthy you need to make sure that you’re not introducing any harmful chemicals into the water.

Using wrong filter

You will need more than just a filter when you start set up an aquarium. Both large and small aquariums setup requires an adequate supply of filtered and oxygenated water.

In order to keep your tank clear and prevent stress on your fish it’s not necessary to use a large filter. 

Ask your questions about filters, look around on the internet, and be careful before buying.

A good rule of thumb is that you should be looking for a filter that turns the water over at least four times an hour.

Not regularly testing the water

Aquariums don’t have to be hard to maintain. However, they require routine care and attention. They need constant maintenance, especially new aquariums.

You need to test the water of your new aquarium daily to determine if it’s working correctly. You should test your aquarium water monthly for an established aquarium. You should check the: pH, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, GH, kH.

When a fish unexpectedly dies it is also a good idea to check the water parameters.

Adding too many fish at once

Too much fish can lead to overstocking, as described below.

In general, adding too many fish to an unstable aquarium can disrupt the water chemistry and the nitrogen cycle.

Don’t add a lot of fish at once. If you add fish while the tank is cycling, do it gradually. Add no more than 3-5 fish at a time.

Nevertheless, I recommend that you wait until the nitrogen cycle is over. Patience is very important in fish keeping. 

No knowledge of the nitrogen cycle

You don’t have to be an expert in fishkeeping to understand the nitrogen cycle, but the more you know about it, the better equipped you’ll be to keep your fish in tank. 

The best way to make this work for you is to not ignore it and not stress too much over it. Getting the hang of it is easy and it’s just something you take in your stride. 

To help you keep your fish healthy, I’ll help you understand the nitrogen cycle, why it’s important, and how to cycle a fish tank. 

This article – How to cycle a fish tank – goes into much more detail about the nitrogen cycle than what we cover here. Read it if you want to learn more!

Not being patient

Patience is the most important character trait in fish keeping. No matter what your hobby is, if you have patience, you’ll be well on your way to success.

Waiting for something to happen can sometimes be frustrating but there are a few things that take time.

You have to wait for the ammonia level to drop or wait for the nitrifying bacteria to complete their growth. However, it is important to learn how to deal with that waiting.

You will learn that keeping fish requires patience but you will quickly discover that is an easy task.

Nature aquascape fish tank

Overstocking the tank

Stocking an aquarium with too many fish is a common mistake that beginner keepers make.

Overstocking may reduce the filter’s work and can make it near impossible to maintain your water parameters within acceptable limits.

Adding too many fish to an aquarium at once can disrupt the natural balance in the aquarium.

A rule of thumb is that you can keep 1″ of adult fish in every gallon of water. Don’t be fooled by this mistake. How many fish you can keep in an aquarium depends on many factors.

You should multiply your tank’s water volume by 75 percent to determine how many fish you can keep in your aquarium.

Overfeeding

In my opinion, this is the biggest beginner mistake. If you keep feeding your fish, they will keep eating. 

Too much food leads to too much waste in fish tank, and this can disrupt the nitrogen cycle.

Feeding your fish once a day will keep them healthy and happy. You don’t have to feed your fish each day. Sometimes you can get away with feeding them. 

Give the food in small portions and make sure the fish eat it within 3-5 minutes. 

Insufficient water changes

You should do a 20-30% water change once a week. Many beginners neglect this and think that they can get away with less frequent larger water changes. Too much one-time water change can upset the balance in your tank.

Small but regular water changes will keep your tank in balance. You don’t want your fish to become stressed or sick because of water conditions.  

Weekly water changes will help you to remove the ammonia and nitrites that can harm your fish. Keep in mind that over clening can remove good bacteria that is working in keeping your fish tank clean.

Trusting pet stores

It is good to know the facts about fish before visiting a fish store. Salesperson can easily mislead us. You don’t want to buy fish based on misinformation. You can do your own research online.

Do your homework before you shop for a fish. Just because the pet store told you that it is okay to keep an Oscar in a 20 gallon tank does not mean that it is true.

It is best to go to a reputable aquarium store and ask them questions. They will be able to answer any question you might have about the fish and its needs.

If you want to make sure you are getting all the facts straight, ask another person for advice.

This will help you to know if the person has researched the subject thoroughly. You can also ask for someone else’s opinion or advice. You may even be able to find a book that gives you information about what you need.

If you don’t find a book, you can look online for information. There are many websites that offer information about the topic you are interested in.

Wrong filtration

Most people believe that if you have a tank with 10 gallons or less you can just rely on an air-stone and pump to create a proper circulation system. This is wrong.

A biological filter is vital in any aquarium. You need to have a biological filter to make sure the growth of beneficial bacteria.

These bacteria will help to keep the aquarium healthy. The air stone will only help to keep your aquarium water moving.

It’s good to understand the basics of the biological filtration system before you get your first aquarium. This way you’ll know how to care for it properly and avoid any potential problems.

Without a biological filter, you cannot have a healthy aquarium. A biological filter removes nitrates, phosphates, organic waste, and other pollutants from the aquarium water.

You should always clean biological medium properly. To clean your medium, simply remove it from filter, rinse it in a bucket of aquarium water, and replace it back into the filter.

Always use aquarium water and not contaminated tap water. The chlorine in tap water kills the live bacteria in biological medium. 

Incompatible fish in the same tank

There are many different types of fish available. Some are completely harmless, and some are aggressive. In order to keep fish in your tank safely, you must learn about the fish that you are adding. This can be done by researching and reading about your chosen fish.

Some fish like acidic water while others like alkaline water. When it comes to buying tropical fish, it is up to you to determine the temperature range of the fish you intend to add to your tank. The temperature of your fish tank determines the kind of fish you can keep in fish tank. 

If you want to add other fish to your tank you must first make sure that the fish you are adding is compatible with the fish already in your aquarium. This will help you avoid problems later on.

It’s important to understand the different types of fish and what they need. This will help you to understand how you can mix them properly. On this page I provide detailed info about each fish’s compatibility with other fish, and this includes all common breeds.

Not quarantining new fish

Quarantine is the process of isolating a new animal in a separate area before putting it into its permanent home. This process is used to make sure that the new animal has no disease or bacteria and does not harm your existing pets.

If you want to prevent your new fish from contracting diseases and parasites, you should quarantine it. Quarantine should only be for a limited amount of time. A good quarantine period is about two weeks.

The quarantine tank should be big enough so that the new fish can swim freely. Fish should not be placed in quarantine tanks with other fish. You should also provide your new fish with plenty of food. After two or three weeks, you can introduce your new fish to your existing tank.

When you buy a new fish, you need to take care of them until they gets used to its new environment.

Your new fish can be introduced to a tank with other fish right away, but you need to make sure that it is doing well in the quarantine tank before you release it into the main tank. If the new fish is sick, you need to treat it with antibiotics or other medication.

Don’t forget about the quarantine process when it comes to aquarium equipment.

Incorrect acclimatization of fish to the new environment

Every time you buy a new fish for your aquarium, you must think about the fish’s acclimatization to the new environment.

You should make sure that your new fish is acclimatized to its new surroundings before you introduce it into the tank. If you don’t do this, your new fish may become stressed and may die.

Once the quarantine period is complete, remove the fish from quarantine tank to a bag filled with water. Always be sure that the water that they came from is the same as the water in the main tank.

Float the bag in the main tank for 15 minutes and then pour some of the water from the main tank into it. This will help the bag to regulate its temperature.

Then, repeat this every 10 minutes. When you see your fish acting normally, let the fish out of the bag into the aquarium. 

When placing your new fish in the quarantine tank follow the same procedure. You have to slowly and steadily bring the water quality of the quarantine tank to match that of the main tank.

It’s important because the new fish needs to get used to the water of the main tank before being added to. 

Constantly moving things around in your tank

Planting aquatic plant

Some people move things around in their tanks. This can be very stressful for your fish. A common problem is moving rocks from one spot to another.

Moving a rock from one place to another can be upsetting for your fish. You should make sure that you set up your tank properly before adding your fish.

Don’t move anything in your tank unless you know exactly what you are doing. Your fish might be stressed out. If you like to rearrange things, you can do it slowly and gently.

Moving from artificial plants to real plants is a common re-arrangement. If you want to keep your fish healthy and happy, you should only add fish to the tank when you are satisfied with the design of the tank.

Following “one right way”

Fishkeeping requires a certain level of patience and understanding. In general, the key to fishkeeping success is to understand the basic principles involved in keeping fish.

You must be willing to learn about these principles and to practice what you have learned.

You should also remember that there are no “one right way” to keep fish. Each fish keeper has his or her own approach to fishkeeping, and this means that he or she may have different methods and techniques.

In order to be successful, you must try to understand the basics of fishkeeping. As you learn more about the basics, you can start using your own methods. You can start by learning how to properly care for your fish.

Not controlling algae growth

Algae are small, microscopic organisms that live in both fresh water and salt water. These tiny plants don’t normally cause any problems until they begin to grow.

When algae begin to grow they can quickly build up in your aquarium, covering the walls and bottom of the tank. This makes your aquarium look dirty and dangerous for fish. 

If you aren’t removing the algae, it can cause other problems in your tank. Algae can also reduce the oxygen level in your tank. This will make the fish uncomfortable and will cause them to die. 

If you keep your aquarium in direct sunlight, algae will grow fast. The faster algae grows, the harder it is to remove.

If you see algae in your aquarium, you should remove it right away. You should clean your aquarium regularly because algae is one of the main causes of damage to your tank. There are a number of ways to prevent this from happening. You can read more here.

The easiest way to do this is to add plants to your tank. These plants will absorb the excess nutrients and prevent algae from growing. 

Using too many chemicals in tank

Adding too many chemicals into your aquarium can be harmful to the fish. There are many different types of chemicals that you can use to treat diseases in your aquarium.

For instance, you can use medication to control diseases. In addition, you can use algaecides to kill algae in your aquarium.

Some people think that adding chemicals to their aquarium is the best way to keep their fish healthy. However, this is not true.

Chemicals and medicines for fish tank

A large amount of chemicals can be harmful to the fish. Too many chemicals can cause the fish to become sick.

To keep the fish healthy, you should avoid using too many chemicals. If you are having problems with algae in your aquarium, you can use chemicals to remove it only  when it’s absolutely necessary. 

If you do decide to add chemicals to your aquarium, you should be sure to follow the directions very carefully. Do not take shortcuts or try to use less or more than what the directions say.

Wrong fish tank maintenance

People often ignore the importance of taking care of their aquarium. Many people have learned this lesson the hard way. When was the last time you cleaned the tank and tested the water? 

It is very easy to neglect maintenance. You can easily forget about it and leave it until it becomes a problem.

You should remember to regularly test your water and make sure that it has the right amount minerals.

You should also remember to change the water regularly. You will need to make sure that the water is clear. You should also check that the filter is still working correctly.

Don’t let it happen to you. Make sure that you follow a regular maintenance schedule. This will help you to avoid problems down the road. 

It’s best to invest at least a few hours each week on maintenance. The larger the tank, the more time it will take.

No fish care while you are on vacation

You can take vacations if you want to. But you should know that you can’t take your fish with you when you travel.

You need to find someone to take care of your fish while you are away. You should also make sure that the person you choose is going to be willing to take care of your fish as well as you.

This will ensure that you won’t be disappointed when you return home. Your fish might not survive if the care-taker overfeeds them or neglects to feed them.

In conclusion

To ensure that your aquarium is healthy and the fish are safe, it’s important to follow the basic points mentioned above. 

It’s understandable that most beginners make mistakes in setting up their aquarium. The aquarium is a huge responsibility, especially when it comes to caring for the fish. It’s very easy to do something wrong, and many people do it. As you go through the process, you will learn how to care for your fish.

Comment below with your thoughts. What do you think are the biggest beginner mistakes?

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