Tips for Fishkeepers.....

[goose_uk]

Hey,

What is the best tip or bit of advice you have ever been given that has made your life easier as a fishkeeper...? A thread of all this snippets of information for us all to peruse could be very useful!

Could be to do with anything....algae control, picture taking, tankmate compatability, set up, filtration....

G :D

[goose_uk]

I'll start..... best tip I ever got was to do with algae control. I had a problem with green algae growth. Someone suggested I cut down the amount of hours I had the tank lit from 12hrs a day to 8 hrs. It worked a treat.....really reduced the amount of growth I was getting.

[Mystix212]

One of mine would probably be to feed a varied diet. Before I got told that, I would feed huge amounts of bloodworms for months at a time without feeding any hint of flake food. The thing is, all my fish grew fastest during that period then they ever have when I did give them a great diet.

[duke33]

I've learned that if your gonna get into breeding you better have a bunch of tanks ready. I now am going to build a concrete floor, block building to further my passion of fishkeeping.

[Newt]

I have learned that it is not necessary to run chemical media in the filter on my freshwater tanks all the time.

I only run chemical media in my reef tank or when trying to remove the last bit of medication/possible pollutant after a water change. This has saved me a ton of money.

[Bud8Fan]

Save money on supplies. LFS's have HUGE mark ups.

Buy your supplies from online fish stores such as DrFosters, BigAls, Petsolutions and etc.
Or buy from a LFS that will price match those places.

eBay is another place to save money on supplies.

[4kidsnomoney]

Water changes with a python - fish never healthier!!
Got tha from MFKer's

[Zoodiver]

Don't listen to Ewurm. Best advice ever, you'll just end up with loaches. :D


Actually, the thing I've learned is to ask questions. Chances are, somewhere out there, somebody else has done the same thing you are doing/having issues with.... draw from that. Experience is priceless.

[goose_uk]

Water changes with a python - fish never healthier!!
Got tha from MFKer's


What is a python?

[Fish Eat Fish]

CRAIGS LIST! :headbang2:headbang2:headbang2

[Mylek]

best advice ever?

go big!

big tanks, big filters, big fish, big wather changes, etc

Bigger is a hole lot better and easier. And your fish will love you for it.

[princess]

Don't listen to Ewurm.


:ROFL:

don't wee in your tank to cycle it....doesn't work out as good as it sounds

[Reefscape]

What is a python?


A designed pipe used to syphon water from the aquarium...

My advice.....Read Read Read....have bags of patience...be willing to learn....be willing to accept knowledge when someone offers it....never be scared of asking a question....never think you know it all or are better than another fishkeeper....

[jcardona1]

1) buy as big as you can fit/afford
2) get as much as filtration as possible
3) get a python
4) do water changes ALL THE TIME!!!

[Tunez]

is a python pretty much a longer gravel vac?

[fwiffo]

ebay is my aquarium savings plan...

[Connor0729]

ebay is my aquarium savings plan...
buy used tanks. you save tons of money that way

[Kobeclone]

ebay is my aquarium savings plan...

:headbang2

[jcardona1]

is a python pretty much a longer gravel vac?

its a gravel vac that can hook up to any faucet or garden hose. it makes water changes so much easier. it uses the water pressure from the hose/faucet to creat a very strong vacum for sucking water out of the tank. when you're done cleaning, switch the valve and it fills that tank right back up.

such a life saver!!

[jcardona1]

buy used tanks. you save tons of money that way
YES!!!! i will never again buy a brand new tank!! i love it when you find people getting out of the hobby, those are the best deals.

Just this weekend I got a 210g complete setup including a wet/dry for $450!!!!

[Tunez]

its a gravel vac that can hook up to any faucet or garden hose. it makes water changes so much easier. it uses the water pressure from the hose/faucet to creat a very strong vacum for sucking water out of the tank. when you're done cleaning, switch the valve and it fills that tank right back up.

such a life saver!!
man thats nice, wish i could do that but i got my own well at my house so i have to treat all the water before i put it in my tank, because the water has high chlorine.

[gomezladdams]

When in doubt change the water,if youre still worried change more water.

[Tunez]

best thing i learned is to always grow out fish before introducing them to ur main tank, because most of the time they will get eaten and ur out of money

[jcardona1]

man thats nice, wish i could do that but i got my own well at my house so i have to treat all the water before i put it in my tank, because the water has high chlorine.

yeah, unfortunately a python cant help you there!!

[cassharper]

1) Lots of Tiny Meals (just like humans!) On my big tank I feed: 3x daily of color bits, 2x daily spirulina tablets, Every other day mixed bloodworms, beefheart, and brine shrimp. Sounds like a lot, but I feed very small amounts.

2) Use Willow branches to get rid of green water. Stick young branches in a tank and their rapid nutrient consumption will out compete the GW.

3) LIVE PLANTS!!

[icsus]

I haven't learned this, but know it happens all the time. Mostly do to unknowledgable sales people. People buy fish without knowing anything about them. Especially their size requirements!

[gomezladdams]

man thats nice, wish i could do that but i got my own well at my house so i have to treat all the water before i put it in my tank, because the water has high chlorine.

Why does your well have chlorine in it?

[headbanger_jib]

use Aquarium salt

[fobrinkle]

use Aquarium salt

you stole mine!

[goose_uk]

use Aquarium salt


What for....?!

[fobrinkle]

What for....?!

LOL He needed to season a steak.
no to help with stress and slime coat. Can help sickness/illness too.

[Tongue33]

Keep it simple! ;)

[philliptobin]

Become known at the local Mom and Pop FS and when you want something that is hard to find, they will go out of their way to help you find it. I am so well known at my LFS that I occationally get free fish but I always get to buy are their cost. :grinno:

[Mystus Redtail]

Water changes with a python - fish never healthier!!
Got tha from MFKer's

Totally took mine!!! Python is a miracle.

[ewurm]

Pretty much every nugget of information I use I got from my fellow fishkeepers here on MFK. That's what makes this site so great. We learn from each other, and have a good time doing it.

[goose_uk]

Dont want this thread going :topic:....


So more tips peeps!!!

[jcardona1]

I dont know if its been mentioned already, but research each fish you like before you buy. That way, you know if you can take care of it for life and whether its compatible with the other fish you already have.

[goose_uk]

I dont know if its been mentioned already, but research each fish you like before you buy. That way, you know if you can take care of it for life and whether its compatible with the other fish you already have.

Thank you jcardona1, back on topic!!

[crashinc25]

Do not drop the overall tank temperature drastically when doing water changes;
A bit warmer water change is safer than a much lower temp water change.

[koop171]

i've learned don't ask questions to ppl who THINK they know the awnser ask questions to ppl who DO know what they are talking about

[FishButt]

To keep natives.

[thebase#1]

no matter what the fish, a bigger tank is always needed!!

[loach43]

water changes, and lots of them.< Most paramount thing that ever happened in my fishkeeping.

[frasertheking]

ask your lfs then check here :headbang2

always best to ask someone who is not making money from your choice to be honest

[K626]

In tanks, the bigger the better. And, do research online before you buy anything alive.....

[Tunez]

don't buy fish from walmart because generally they are kept in bad condition. also never buy a fish after talking to some1 at your lfs without doing your own research, because for the most part they will sell you a fish and tell you it is compatiable or doesn't grow that big and that you won't need a big tank. I once had some1 tell me at one of the lfs near me that a mon peacock bass will only get 6 inches and these aren't the same species as the huge kind you'd see.

[princess]

teach people how much to feed your fish when you go away...one mans pinch is another *grandma's* hand full.

i have 14 pots for each tank i put in the correct amout of food in each so there's no overfeeding.

i also stick a check list to the tank when i go ...so they know to check temp..filters...and so on :D

ohhh and don't lift the lid off the filter without lifting the leaver to stop the water ...even tho the electirc is off the water goes everywhere *nooby mistake* i did that almost 3 years ago. i'll never forget it!

[SyncereOne]

There is no such thing as overfiltration, only excessive water movement.

[slick216]

cycle
filtration
1" per gallon rule (lol)
If ya buy cheap ya buy twice
water change , water change and water change
bigger is always better if you have the room and money
last but not least....PATIENCE

[Merbeast]

1) Flourish Excel for planted tanks. (thanks, Wyldfya)
2) Don't try to save money by going cheap. It may work for some people, but does NOT work for me. I buy the cheap product or DIY, and end up going back and getting the more expensive and higher quality part later.

[headbanger_jib]

Become known at the local Mom and Pop FS and when you want something that is hard to find, they will go out of their way to help you find it. I am so well known at my LFS that I occationally get free fish but I always get to buy are their cost. :grinno:
same here dude
same here

[Paullywolly]

I'll second the "when in doubt, change water" one.
Also:
- If a fish starts acting funny, it means something is wrong - they're not just having an "off" day
- Clean filters regularly
- Save money on filter media - pot scrubbies, sofa foam, etc. etc. work great
- Broccoli left in a tank overnight smells like the 7th level of hell the next day

[goose_uk]

I'll second the "when in doubt, change water" one.
Also:
- If a fish starts acting funny, it means something is wrong - they're not just having an "off" day
- Clean filters regularly
- Save money on filter media - pot scrubbies, sofa foam, etc. etc. work great
- Broccoli left in a tank overnight smells like the 7th level of hell the next day


:ROFL: I havent tried broccoli....dont think I will now....!!

[SyncereOne]

99.999% of the problems you have in your tank, someone on MFK has had before, and mentioned it on here. The search feature in invaluble.

[Freeze_Dried_Bloodworm]

UV sterilizer :D

[Mattyou]

DIY anything and everything you can. Buy used. Water changes / water changes / water changes.
NOTE:
If you take an old garden hose and cut the ends off, shove your gravel siphon into it and run it out the door you wont waste money/water using your python for the cleaning portion of your water change...let gravity do that for you unless you keep your fish below grade in a basement.

[pinkcadillac]

Once you have set a budget for a new tank/setup, double it because there is always an expense you didnt see coming.

[stingray94]

Haven't had a chance to read through this whole entire thread yet so don't know if this has been posted but always try to buy a tank that will house your fish for life if you can don't bother with a grow out tank, you will save money in the long run this way.

[Trimax]

The best advice I ever recieved "The Secret Of Keeping Healthy Fish Is In Keeping Healthy Water"

And my own personal advice to beginners is Don't F*£! around with PH adjusters! You cannot lower the PH of hard tap water without Softening the water, It just bounces back up.

[johndoe21ro]

1. The bigger, the better. Bigger tanks = more stable water, more happy fish.
2. Live plants. As much as you can. They consume nitrates, make it more natural for fish and compete with algae for nutrients.
3. The first sec a problem arises ... change some water ... raise the temp a bit.
4. Before buying a fish ... always do your homework ... research ... internet is huge.
5. If you can't handle a problem ... always ask for help. It's an antique hobby ... someone should know the answer to your prayer.
6. Always buy the biggest, most colourful and greediest fish and if properly acclimatised, your fish may become champs.

[Just Prince]

Set a schedule and stick to it. Do waters changes on schedule and test your water regularly.

[Hetepheres]

man thats nice, wish i could do that but i got my own well at my house so i have to treat all the water before i put it in my tank, because the water has high chlorine.

RE: Python

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B000255NXC/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_summary?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

Tunez, a Python could still help you. You would just have to hook it up to an elevated water holding tank, where you could treat it, and then use the Python to send it to the tank.

This would, of course, depend on a lot of layout factors, this might work for you, and it might not, but it's just a thought.

Hetep

[goose_uk]

I think we should keep this one going......!!

[Tunez]

ah never thought of that thanks hetep looks like ill be ordering 1 then lol sick of the bucket trips

[Nabbig2]

GET COMPATIBLE FISH!!!! Also keep the water clean. Don't do impulse purchases for ANY pets.