The secret to fish keeping - My 5 steps found inside..

[Redearsunfish]

NOTE: THESE ARE MY 5 steps to happy fish keeping - individual results may vary. I've kept fish for going on 40 years, and this is what i've learned, but by no means do i know everything, in fact i'm positive that you know more than i do in many areas.

In order of importance (and really #1 is the most important by far):

1. Overfilter. Look, i'm no scientist, but if there is one thing I do know is that i love filtration. Over filtration. My motto? Fit as much filtration on any one given tank as you can - the only limit being physical space and money (initial cost and electricity). I don't know if there is law of diminishing returns at work, but frankly I don't give a crickets butt in a chicken coop. What I know for sure, is that by over filtering, i've covered my butt when it comes to mistakes and water change lapses and overstocking.

2. Water changes - make them and make them often.

3. Pay particular attention to diet, not yours, the fishes. Don't over feed.

4. Start with good stock, and group them with some common sense.

5. Heat - keeping my charges at a few degrees above suggested the value keeps their systems running in tip top shape.

 

[SimonL]

Errr, I dunno if I'd call those "secrets", more like "basics"

 

[NCStateFisher]

good basics to go by though

 

[Redearsunfish]

agreed, but they are things, at least some of them, that most beginners don't do or aren't advised on.

Especially filtration.

 

[jcardona1]

6. Be Patient.

 

[gt1009]

7: Fish grow. Stock based on total size not the 2 inch fish you get in the store.

 

[Desire]

You forgot to mention the minimum 4 week cycle that most stores don't tell the new Aquarians to do....
Other than that it is all common sense, but good advice none the less for the beginners.

 

[HackJob]

over filtering I like, but I like to keep things cooler, not room temperature, but as long as the fish are still active and doing all their normal fishy activities, a few degrees lower has kept a little more water in the tank in between water changes which occur 1-2x a week.

 

[Redearsunfish]

I think over filtering is my key message here. Most new people don't do it. And I know its tough in this economy, but if you can do it, i highly recommend it.

 

[SimonL]

You can do it sensibly too. Not every 55 gal needs an Fx5.