Good Aquarium Habits From Experience

[cockroach]

As the title suggests, write about what you have learned to be good, helpful and down right necessary habits/practices for looking after an aquarium. It can be related to planted tanks, species tanks, community tanks and product care.

Please keep petty arguments out of it. add as many details and reasons as you can. This thread is intended to help people looking for concise, accurate or helpful information.

I will start with something basic.
1. Always unplug heaters when doing water changes. I have burnt out and cracked 2 heaters because I forgot to unplug them when I was younger.
2. Check water temperatures daily. I almost fried my fish once or twice with a faulty heater but luckily noticed the temperature in time to rectify it.
3. Research the fish you intend to buy. So many times fish that are not compatible are thrown together and expected to eventually settle down. 99% of the time it doesn't happen. We have all seen the oscar in the 29gal more than once.

 

[buddha1200]

regular water changes.
I personal do between 70-80% a week.
helps keep nitrates under control
and is a must for excellent growth and color.

 

[karak]

Plan everything. Plan plan plan.
Also get your wallet ready.

 

[cockroach]

Working with 2 smaller heater is better than relying on one big one. If one breaks you have a heater already in thank set to the right temperature to stop any huge water changes.
A varied diet of as many different types of foods as you can is best for growth, coloration and health.

 

[TaratronVaeVictus]

Things to keep on hand always:

Spare air pump with airstone and airline tubing
Seachem Prime
Water changer (Python)
Spare clean buckets
Nets

 

[zpage]

no rocks with sharp edges. my oscar used to tear himself up chasing feeder fish. also a spare filter is a good idea.

 

[cockroach]

Keep tanks with fish known to jump COVERED. Lost 2 arowanas and 2 of my prized bichirs because I forgot to replace the covers after a water change.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; Have clean hands when working around tanks. I do not go from using household chemicals, pesticides; auto repair materials and the like to my tanks without cleaning my hands. I also do not store such stuff near the tanks.

 

[ScottAlan]

Don't overcrowd your tank. I had a 10 gal with 2 baby catfish a baby bass and a small pleco. 1 catfish and the bass have died due to nasty infections i believe to be caused by stress from bullies / nitrates and ammonia buildup from all the waste. Lesson learned.

 

[Nabob_Mob]

Do not reach into tanks with open wounds, bacteria and micro organisms can quickly cause infection.

ON that note, don't crush snails with your fingers, the shells can be sharp.