6 Mistakes You Should Avoid When Caring for an Aquarium

Whether it’s freshwater or saltwater, you’ll need to invest some time and energy into caring for an aquarium. Neglecting to maintain your aquarium will leave your fish susceptible to disease. There are a few things you should avoid doing when caring for your aquarium. 

1. Forget to Change the Water 

Failure to change an aquarium’s water on a regular basis encourages bacteria and mildew to thrive while creating an unhealthy environment for the fish in the process. To prevent this from happening, change 15 percent of your aquarium’s water each week. 

2. Overfeed the Fish 

When fish are overfed, excess food and waste will accumulate at the bottom of the tank, disrupting the water’s chemical makeup and creating a toxic environment for the fish. Follow a schedule that involves feeding each species of fish in your aquarium the appropriate type and amount of food each day. 

3. Neglect to Replace or Clean the Filter 

Of all the saltwater and freshwater aquarium supplies, the filter is one of the most important. Depending on the type of filter used in your aquarium, you should either replace or clean it on a regular basis. The filter is responsible for catching and removing waste from the water. When neglected, bacteria and mildew will begin to thrive on the filter, some of which may spread into parts of the aquarium. Replace or clean your filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. 

4. Forget to Check the pH Level 

Ranging from zero to 14, the pH level reveals the water’s acidity or alkalinity. Different species of fish prefer different pH levels, but a relatively neutral reading of six to eight usually works for most varieties. If the water is too acidic or alkaline, your fish may become lethargic, stop eating, or even die. 

5. Clean Too Thoroughly

Cleaning an aquarium is essential for a healthy aquatic ecosystem, but you shouldn’t overdo it. Your aquarium needs beneficial bacteria and fungi to break down waste and balance the ecosystem. If you constantly clean your aquarium and replace all the water, you’ll eliminate these beneficial microorganisms from the ecosystem. 

6. Add the Wrong Fish 

Not all fish are compatible with each other, and adding incompatible species to your aquarium could prove damaging to the ecosystem. If two species aren’t compatible with each other, they could get into fights, with one fish potentially killing the other. 

These are just a few mistakes to avoid when caring for an aquarium. If you’re a first-time fish owner, you might be guilty of making these or other mistakes. Like most things in life, caring for an aquarium is a learning experience that requires some trial and error, but if you put forth the work, you’ll find it’s a rewarding hobby.

If you have questions about caring for your aquarium properly, get in touch with Aquatic Warehouse. We are a leading provider of fish tank supplies and pond equipment. Call 858-467-9297 today to speak with one of our friendly and knowledgeable representatives.