ok so... im still new to fish keeping ive only had a freshwater aquarium for about a year and at one point i thought i knew about fish but the more you learn its seams to me the less ikno there is sooo much to know about this world bio, chem, etc. and i really want to kno where all you veterans have learned all your aquarium knoledge from? what are the secretes tip and trichks to this hobby
help with information
- Thread starter h1n1
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Like everything else work on it one step at a time. Begin with reading about setup and filtration. Then move on to a specific species of fish you like. Then move on to how to get your water (chem, bio, etc) to the point your fish are happy and healthy. It all comes with experience and practice. You can't run before you walk or walk before you crawl.
A lot of the knowledge that these veterans have come from first hand experiences. I'd say most if not all have had their moments where they didn't know what was going on. Reading from other people's post and their bad happenings can give you a lot of information about what to do and what not to do. It's just a matter of learning from what others have done and from your own accidents.
I started in this hobby in 1971, way before the internet, anyway my uncle gave me an old book coyright 1933. "The Innes Book". This would be outdated now but a lot of the material is still a godd base to learn.They actually had pictures but all black and white. Also African Cichlids were not even available yet. Now you have the internet not all is right but there is a lot of info available to read. Take your time with the hobby and research differant species you like before you purchase.
My motto is and always will be, KEEP IT SIMPLE. Knowledge from trial and error is genuine. Take advice with a grain of salt as trial and error will season you faster than anything. Dont be afraid of this hobby and keep it in perspective. You can worry yourself right out of the hobby. Nothing will frustrate you more than a complicated system.
My system, on every tank, can be turned off and on with one button. I try to buy the best components and if I dont know what those are, I go down to the local fish store(not petco or petsmart etc) and ask them what they run. Their business depends on it, so if they run QuietOne pumps,(for example) thats what I save my money for. Beware of the "this-brand-this-or-this-brand-that" guy who doesnt own or ever owned any of the "this-or-that". He got all his info online and has little to tell of experience. Be realistic. Giant aquariums are cool...but they can be expensive to maintain. A 50% water change in a 500g tank once a week can get expensive if you have to pay for water. For me, I always want to know the alternative. Is there a concentrated version of this water treatment? Is there any way I can buy this food in bulk? Why not use a UV for a pond in my aquarium set-up? Necessity is the mother of invention. Like I said before, dont be afraid of this hobby. Experiment. You WILL lose fish. You WILL expeience some sort of equipment failure. You WILL get tired of water changes. Experiment. Have fun.
I love this hobby and I hate it equally sometimes. What keeps me in it is simple, its rewarding.
Keep it simple.
My system, on every tank, can be turned off and on with one button. I try to buy the best components and if I dont know what those are, I go down to the local fish store(not petco or petsmart etc) and ask them what they run. Their business depends on it, so if they run QuietOne pumps,(for example) thats what I save my money for. Beware of the "this-brand-this-or-this-brand-that" guy who doesnt own or ever owned any of the "this-or-that". He got all his info online and has little to tell of experience. Be realistic. Giant aquariums are cool...but they can be expensive to maintain. A 50% water change in a 500g tank once a week can get expensive if you have to pay for water. For me, I always want to know the alternative. Is there a concentrated version of this water treatment? Is there any way I can buy this food in bulk? Why not use a UV for a pond in my aquarium set-up? Necessity is the mother of invention. Like I said before, dont be afraid of this hobby. Experiment. You WILL lose fish. You WILL expeience some sort of equipment failure. You WILL get tired of water changes. Experiment. Have fun.
I love this hobby and I hate it equally sometimes. What keeps me in it is simple, its rewarding.
Keep it simple.
Understand Chemistry.... The biggest error I see in seasoned fish keepers as well as newer keepers is their lack of understanding of the Nitrogen Cycle, and their filtration set-ups. But haveing said that I've also met PHD holders that couldn't keep a guppy alive dispite doing everything "scientifically correct"... imo You have to find a balance, and what some call a "Feel" for it.
been keeping fish since I was 6yrs old, my Father kept fish before em and got me interested in the hobby and my first tank.... The more I've learned in the past 20+yrs... the more I understand how little I actually know. To me that is part of why I love this hobby so much. I will never know it all.
Stay away from anyone who claims to know it all... they're lying to themselves and you. But you can run into "Specialists" which can teach you more about a small part of this hobby then sometimes you'de even not want such extensive detail.
As for learning sources... I talk to other hobbyists, go ot the LFS on a quiet day and you can often find someone willing to talk to you about a particular problem or aspect you feel you want more knowledge on. I've found debating ideas is a great way for both sides to learn. and MFK... If there is particular aspect I'm needing answers or have questions on.. I go to the sub-forums and just start reading posts ( The Stickies are often huge founts of knowledge) You will find alot of "practical info" on these forums.. both from seasoned keeeprs.. and "scientists in the field".
been keeping fish since I was 6yrs old, my Father kept fish before em and got me interested in the hobby and my first tank.... The more I've learned in the past 20+yrs... the more I understand how little I actually know. To me that is part of why I love this hobby so much. I will never know it all.
Stay away from anyone who claims to know it all... they're lying to themselves and you. But you can run into "Specialists" which can teach you more about a small part of this hobby then sometimes you'de even not want such extensive detail.
As for learning sources... I talk to other hobbyists, go ot the LFS on a quiet day and you can often find someone willing to talk to you about a particular problem or aspect you feel you want more knowledge on. I've found debating ideas is a great way for both sides to learn. and MFK... If there is particular aspect I'm needing answers or have questions on.. I go to the sub-forums and just start reading posts ( The Stickies are often huge founts of knowledge) You will find alot of "practical info" on these forums.. both from seasoned keeeprs.. and "scientists in the field".