Handy Tips – Not Necessarily Just For Newbies.

[Eclecticoldsod]

# 1... Always add an extra (unnecessary) internal filter to your tank. It won't do any harm and – should you decide to set up that second tank you always said you would never want, a well-established filter will help cycle a new tank much faster...
P.S. Don't forget to replace that extra filter in tank # one with a new (unnecessary) internal filter – because you never know when it may come in handy... (Wink, wink, know what I mean..?)

 

[jonnyf84]

when feeding greens (cucumber or courgette) weigh them down by placing plant weights through them - always remember to curl the edges so as not to cut the fish.

De-shell peas to get them to sink.

when removing meds always use new carbon.

use the thermometer from the same tank you are changing water from.

if your not sure feed too little, never too much.

always create hiding places for your fish.

when rooting plants push them down to the bottom and then pull up to straighten the roots (preferably with tweezers).

laptop screen wipers are brilliant for polishing off water marks from the glass.

dark backgrounds and substrate bring out the best colours in fish and plants.

slope your substrate towards the back to give a deeper appearance.

test test test!!!!!!!! water parameters can change daily, often system crashes or stalled cycled are down to crashed PH, below 5.5 and the nitrogen cycle stalls.

Be 100% sure of a disease diagnosis, never over medicate.

Feed new born fry powdered egg yolk - highly nutritious.

NEVER EVER EVER EVER clean filter media under tap water, always use old tank water and always use dechlorinater.

The list could go on forever but i'll leave it there for the mo

 

[saz326]

Always research - Google, Wikepedia, and this forum are great places for info. In this forum people can have diferences of opinion with non fact based topics (i.e. which background is best)- but hearts are always in the right place!

...so research, but use common sence and your own opinions too.

 

[markandhisfish]

always get the biggest tank that you have the space/budget for from day 1 . this will avoid hassle of upgrades later once tank is established.

run 2 heaters 1 will act as failsafe if the other packs up

feed a good quality varied diet and keep on top of tank maintinence it will make a huge difference to the growth and overall health of your fish

when people on this forum give advice take it its based on lots of fishkeeping experience

if you are strugling to get food to your bottom feeders cos the rest of your fish are greedy drop it through an uplift tube from a ugf or gravel vac this way food will sink safe from greedy mouths

 

[Bigbadbaz]

Fit a non-return valve on your airpump to stop water from syphoning back and emptying your tank.

If feeding fish large pieces of cucumber, corgette etc,, skewer it with a spoon to make it sink.

Have more than one net when trying to catch fish, especially if your tank has a bar in the middle.

Always keep common meds in stock, (melafix, whitespot treatment) as you usually find a problem when all the shops are shut.

 

[stickyemu]

look on this forum info

 

[markandhisfish]

when you position your tank ( particularly if its against a wall ) double check you have enough room round the back to feed filter pipes etc BEFORE filling it. yep thats right i made this basic mistake and had to syphon out 100 gallons of water to move my tank about 3 inches

 

[minxfishy]

Research ALL fish and their requirements, tankmates, tank size etc BEFORE buying them.

 

[DJ ArKaDaRkA]

always do a fishless cycle unless you want to kill fish and have the money to do so

 

[markandhisfish]

always do a fishless cycle unless you want to kill fish and have the money to do so

regardless of money do it for the sake of the fish.

 

[DJ ArKaDaRkA]

always do a fishless cycle unless you want to kill fish and have the money to do so

regardless of money do it for the sake of the fish.

yeah that didnt really come out right

 

[markandhisfish]

when you position your tank ( particularly if its against a wall ) double check you have enough room round the back to feed filter pipes etc BEFORE filling it. yep thats right i made this basic mistake and had to syphon out 100 gallons of water to move my tank about 3 inches

which brings me to another little gem once tank is pulled sufficiently away from wall check it is square to wall befor re-filling it. yes i did this and had to drain it yet again to straighten it up.

which in turn leads to another top tip under no circumstances let mark set your tank up for you

 

[andywg]

NEVER EVER EVER EVER clean filter media under tap water, always use old tank water and always use dechlorinater.

I disagree. Never clean biological media under the tap, but always clean mechanical media under the most pressurised tap you can find to help ensure nothing remains in it.

I rinse my media under the tap every time I change water, including my SW sponges.

 

[TylerFerretLord]

Do not let your tank get too dark, lest your fish be eaten by a grue.
Trumpet snails will keep sand spotless.
Always have fresh carbon if you are keeping inverts.

 

[lyotim88]

don't buy an aquarium starter kit. You'll most likely end up replacing everything but the tank itself