Lessons learned...

[CACAdmin]

I don't know how many members are 'newbies' to this hobby and how many are hobbiests with years of accrued knowledge. I still consider myself a 'newbie' but have learned many valuable lessons in the past year.

Originally, as a newbie to the fish-keeping hobby (and to forums), I was quite intimidated to post any questions figuring I’d look dumb or foolish (or both). Actually I am quite capable of doing that anytime… but that’s another story. :twitcy: And so, I thought for the benefit of ‘newbies’ to the hobby, I would start a thread where we could share some info about what we’ve learned from some of our biggest mistakes… and for fun share dumbest thing we did.;)

I’ll start:

My biggest mistake was not understanding the cycling process. Oh, I had picked up a couple of aquarium books at the library. I thought I had the gist of it. What I had somehow missed is that it takes time for bacterial cultures to grow and that they reside mostly on filter media, gravel, etc.

And so, I set up my 20G tank, waited 3 days to add fish thinking (incorrectly, as there was no ammonia being produced by fish waste) that the cycle was beginning. Then I added 3 platys and 3 mollies. I kept testing my water parameters. Didn’t test ammonia but when nitrites spiked, I did huge water changes & extensive gravel vacs and replaced my filter media. Needless to say, I kept setting back the cycling process as I was constantly depleting the number of bacteria in my tank. I lost ½ the fish within weeks and the remainder over the next few months. Amazingly enough, despite my attempts to derail the whole process, my tank eventually cycled, and is now happily a year later, my fry tank.

As for the dumbest thing I did:

I set it my 20 G tank up, (gravel, heater, filter, rocks, plants, the whole works) and added the water. Where did I set it up?...on a cabinet to which I have only access to from the front (no side or rear access). The one thing I had not thought about was that I had not put the background paper on the back of the tank...lol. Did I dismantle the tank? :nah: No, too much work!. So balancing on a step stool juggling the roll of paper, scissors, tape, I proceeded to tackle the task. I’m sure it took me at least an hour of struggling to accomplish a task which would have taken just a couple of minutes had I done it first.

Now, that I've confessed, let's hear it from the rest of you who, I'm sure, have valuable 'lessons learned' from which others will benefit.

[thegrandpoohbah]

This thread is a great idea Jay!

The biggest lesson I have learned is never cheap out. I would always try to save money by getting the cheaper tank, filter, lights or whatever. Invariably, I ended up spending more money because I would have to upgrade down the road. The lesson: do your research and get the best equipment that you can afford. It WILL save you money down the road.

[blainep]

My fish keeping started before the Internet exploded, but I'd have to say my biggest mistakes came from taking fish care advice from someone at a LFS who didn't know the difference between a Danio and Platy

Interesting that it seemed to make sense at the time, fish store guy seemed to know what he was talking about.

Now I often think, as I wander thru my local stores, I should get a part time job here, so I can help people get off to a good start with their fish keeping.
( And maybe an employee discount also )

[Melody]

My list is too long....lol.

My most common mistake currently is biting off more than I can chew. The US orders are so tempting and there's so many fish that I've wanted for years.

Regrets, I've had a few... :laugh:


Go bigger first - you're going to want a bigger tank in a month anyway and they're easier to keep stable.
Buy used tanks if you can, leak-checked of course, but you can save a mint.
Small, privately owned stores almost invariably have the best quality livestock. Private breeders are usually the best choice.
Listen to the store employee who says "I don't know". That's the one to trust. The others probably make it up as they go along...lol.
Listen to the store owner who says "Naaa, you don't really need that, try this cheaper product..." You know he/she has your best interests at heart.
Never, ever be afraid to ask questions - everyone started in the same place and the only stupid question is the one that goes unasked.
Research research research and never stop researching.
Keep an open mind - there are many methods and often one is just as good as the other.
Do not buy dyed or tatooed fish - they endure a cruel process and there are many fish out there which are naturally beautiful.
If you don't keep your stocking levels reasonable, Mother Nature will reduce them for you.
Join your local fish-keeping club. You'll learn a zillion things, make friends with the same interest and make connections to obtain great stuff.
No matter how long you do this or how much you know, you will still screw up and you will always have more to learn.
Never get so wrapped up in it that its not fun anymore. Be that too many tanks to maintain properly, selling, etc.I'm sure there's more, but those are the ones that stick out in my mind, all learned the hard way to one degree or another.:D Never bought dyed fish, but I came close once. Luckily another hobbyist enlightened me.

[fishenthusiast]

My biggest mistake was buying ID sharks. I found out after I got them that they grew to enormous proportions. I also stocked my 55G tank the day I set it up which is another big no no.

Another common mistake that I make frequently (I don't think I will ever learn my lesson) is I see a fish I really want and I will buy it before I research it. I get home with the fish and then go online while they are acclimating. I always ensure I give them the environment they need, but I don't always know it ahead of time.;)

The dumbest mistake I ever made was with my python. Rule number one is to make sure the sink you have the python hooked up to is not clogged in any way shape or form! I learned this the hard way. I was merrily draining my 55G tank and listening to the calming splashes the HOB filter was making. About 20G later I realized that the splashing wasn't coming from my tank but from the kitchen :Blush:! To top it off I leave the tap on full blast so I can get maximum suction from the python so there was at least triple the amount of water on the floor than I had drained from the tank. Thank god I have a carpet cleaner because I had to suck up a ton of water from my kitchen, hallway and living room :confused:.

[Melody]

That research thing is easier to preach than practice. I look at size and aggression in stores, but that's about it. The rest I figure I'll find a way to accomodate. I have to be more careful now that I harden up my parameters, but I've been doing most of my purchasing online so that's been ok. I know most of the groups of fish I buy in general, such as Tetras liking soft water, so I get away with it most of the time.

Just over-flowed my sink the other day in fact...lol...but I was just around the corner so I caught it.

[CACAdmin]

I don't have a python but I do use a hose to refill my tank. Several weeks ago, I was doing a water change and it takes a while to add 25 gallons to the tank. I became distracted in the kitchen and came close to overflowing the tank:eek: ... caught it at the last possible moment. (I actually had to bucket out some of the water, it was that close!)

[gudcop]

I am like Blaine, in that I have learned to not trust someone at a store at their word, particularly with which fish will do well together...had some bleeding heart tetras when I first started try to dismantle my poor little innocent guppies!

[Melody]

Actually you might have got me on that one too - never had prob with any Tetras & Guppies. Consequently, I'd probably tell you they'd be fine if they're 'rated' community fish. So whatever you do, don't trust a chick in a Santa hat either ;) ....lol.

I have a new Albino Pastel Guppy pair and added them to my Albino Swordtail tank. I want to make it an albino tank entirely U C. The Guppies were in there for a couple of weeks. One morning I wake up and the Guppy has half of his tail gone. Still whipping about, happy as can be, just a lot less tail.

Well I'm not happy - those big mean Swordtails! They're not even a nippy fish! So I watched them for an hour or so that evening. Sure enough, young Mr. Guppy was coming onto every female species in there, hassling the female Swordtails mercilessly. What happened was Mr. Guppy got put into his place and he deserved it. Didn't learn anything though. Ever hear of once bitten, twice shy, Mr. Guppy? :laugh:

Anyways, maybe something else was up there, or maybe there's something I don't know about Bleeding Heart Tetras :nah: .... what are the chances of me not knowing everything about everything?

LOL Kidding!

More to the point, they can't know everything so it is always best to just do your research and act on the assumption that they don't know what they're talking about. When you do find a store employee who gives you good advice, don't forget to mention it to management.:) I just wish they'd learn to say "I don't know" rather than spouting rubbish. I could understand the fact that nobody knows everything about every fish.

[gudcop]

Well in this case Mel, when I bought the fish, he told me that the tetras would be really good community fish with anything, but when I went back and asked, he told me, "Well, if you told me you were gonna add guppies, I would have told you they didn't go together!"

[Melody]

OK, that was just bad.... the audacity hmm? Sheeeesh!

[gudcop]

I know! I was pretty ticked, let me tell you. Since then, I have not bought any fish from that store, let me tell you. I am starting to cool down over it lately though. Water under the bridge so to speak.

[hp10BII]

All good points, cycling tanks was a biggie when I started keeping fish tanks again. Never worried about it before, so the internet has been a gold mine of information.

A few others

you quickly learn the effects of the laws of gravity when you're doing big water changes
you can never have enough bath towels close by your fish tanks, buckets too.
make water changes a habit, it's easier to just do it instead of procrastingating about it. During our recent "dirty water" advisory, I was climbing the walls waiting for a water change until I couldn't wait any longer.
too easy to go overboard looking for the next "ultimate" super food for your fishies. I've thrown out too many because I couldn't use my old stock fast enough.
ditto on buying the biggest tank that you can afford
don't go out and buy every medication under the sun. There's an expiry date on those too!
heat and salt, lots of water changes have been my most reliable cures.
start out with good quality stock, less stress and heartache that way, rescue critters if you feel a need too but don't get too disappointed.
I'm a fan of fishless cycling if you absolutley need to start out with a sterile, disease free tank.

[Melody]

Very good lessons being shared 2 B sure. Wish I'd have found this thread when I started fishkeeping, but back then I had to ride my dinosaur to the fish store and there were no computers.:no:

[Pamelajo]

The internet has been a great for info, advice etc.
Don't know how anything survived before.

Some of these may be repeats:
1. Cycle a tank completely before adding fish.
2. Research your fish before buying.
3. Never rinse filter sponges in tap water always use old tank water or fresh treated water.
4. Have an open mind, just because you have done it like that for years and your fish have survived, does not mean it is the best way. Fish should not just survive they should thrive.
5. Read, read, read everything and anything about this hobby. There is always something to learn.
6. Never cheap out as someone else said. I have am starting to replace all my heaters with good ones.
7. Get the biggest you can afford. I am now upsizing my tanks. Could have saved alot of money it had got the bigger ones originally.
8. Gravel vacs are the greatest invention, well worth the money. Started out with a 10 gallon many, many years ago, I would empty it completely and rinse the gravel etc. Never heard of a gravel vac back then. Took all the fun out of the hobby.
9. Test kits, spend the money and get the basic kits.
10. Join your local aquarium club, meet people with the same interests. Support their auctions, you can usually get some great fish from them, and usually have outside breeders coming for the big auctions. Never know what you will find.
11. Fresh water critters love fresh water. Water changes and gravel vac regularly.

[Melody]

Excellent - you summarized everything and added some....lol.

[mixixe]

My greatest mistakes:

1) not cycling tanks before adding fish to them
2) not quarantining fish
3) not doing research on the fish I chose
4) being convinced by LFS that certain fish go well in certain tanks
5) and still a mistake I constantly make, buying fish that will eventually get large, I also get very attached to the fish so I usually end up getting larger tanks for them.
6) getting cheaper equipment because I always ended up upgrading, its' very costly
7) not checking water parameters

It was until four/five years ago i started doing these things after a string of unsuccessful fish tanks and then getting an oscar. The oscar made me feel much more responsible and guilty for not taking care of it properly and the forums helped alot too. Now i'm pretty religious with my tanks and I'm much more proud of them too. All that hard work really pays off :)

[hp10BII]

My last stint of fishkeeping before my current cycle of tanks broke every single rule of good husbandry. This is pre-internet days and any aquarium book I took out had very little info on the nitrogen cycle and if it did, I tend to gloss over it. I was proud of my overstocked 20 gallon, and when it crashed and burned because I felt like scrubbing the filters, tank and gravel from top to bottom, I swore off fishkeeping for a looooong time.

This time I researched the dickens out of the hobby before buying my first tank and it has been a breeze. Something therapeutic about regular waterchanges.

[Melody]

The Internet has really changed the hobby, hasn't it? Information is at our fingertips, not always the right information, but better than what we had before. We now know what to expect from our retailers and are able to be informed about things like dyed fish.

Its a smart retailer who works with the Internet instead of grumbling about it being competition or being a place where their dirty laundry gets aired. They could embrace it as a means to reach many more customers than was ever possible before, communicate with them, listen to their concerns and act accordingly. A lot of them are working it to their advantage these days, and that can only benefit everyone involved.:D

[CACAdmin]

I thought I'd revive this thread for some of our newer members. Maybe some of you would care to share some insight into what you've learned from some of the mistakes you have made. It could prove most helpful to others... especially newbies to the hobby.

[Pamelajo]

Cleaning my first tank many years ago consisted of removing all fish dumping water and rinsing gravel with tap water. Filling back up I think I did you water treatment. Cleaning filter never. So it did not get cleaned very much. And never heard of cycling back then.

[CACAdmin]

Tall tanks are beautiful but they do have their drawbacks as I have discovered ever since I bought my 70g tank a little over a year ago. Oh, don't get me wrong, I love my tank, but curse it when I am trying to net fish or do any planting, plant-trimming, etc.

So I thought I'd list the Pros & Cons which I learned as a result of having made the decision to purchase a 'tall' tank.

Pros:

Aesthetically pleasing
Smaller footprint allows for more water volume per sq. ft.
Accommodates very tall plants.Cons:

Extremely difficult to reach the bottom of tank (especially if you are short - I'm 5'5"' ) without standing on a ladder/stool and practically immersing almost one's whole upper body in the tank:rolleyes:. Thus planting, rearranging tank and netting fish is quite a challenge.
Requires increased lighting for smaller plants as they are quite a distance from your canopy lights.One additional note to take into account if you are short, is the height of the stand upon which you set this tank. With a stand of 30.5" + tank of 25", the top edge of my tank sits at 55.5":wideeyed: ... given that I am 60" tall, this was obviously not the ideal choice. :laugh: So no tall stands or tanks over 20" tall for me in the future.

[Pamelajo]

Being 5' 2" no tall 70 g tanks for me. They do look nice though.

[grumpystiltskin]

Jay im painting a house for a guy at the moment, and he is 6ft 7" maybe i can send him over to drop his long arm in the tank for you :laugh:

[CACAdmin]

6'7" :swoon: Gee thanks, can you arrange for him to show up on a regular basis... or just send his arm. :twitcy:

[CACAdmin]

I thought I'd revive this thread for fun and so some of our newer members can add their adventures and 'lessons learned'. After all we can learn so much from other's mistakes... and if we're lucky not repeat them ourselves. :twitcy:
:bump-3:

[Namor]

I've learned to keep a close eye on things when doing water changes.-

The 1st time i used a gravel vac, i put one of my cory's through a bit of a "spin cycle."
(poor guy)

Keeping a close watch on what i was vaccing during my 2nd water change resulted-
an overflowed bucket and wet socks.

[Pamelajo]

:laugh:

I have had the hose come out on two occasions when not paying attention. Once in the Dining Room and once in the basement.

[grumpystiltskin]

My biggest mistake was when i built my 240g plywood tank,
After taking weeks to build, all the patience went out the window when i filled it up,
I should have waited another week, i siliconed the edges on the saturday and filled the tank on the sunday, i put about 30 Nicaragua fry in the tank, and next morning they were all dead:wideeyed: .
I was over eager to get it all setup.

[Melody]

Been there, at least on the impatient end.

[RatMan]

I too have done the basic mistakes and most of what everyone has done ove rthe past 40 years.
But nothing is as stressfull as when you work in a pet store and you tell people that the fish they want will not work and they insist on buying them, or they call you a few choice words, and females are the worst of the lot for name calling, and they go and buy the fish someplace else. The tank is not cycled and they buy 15 fish and wonder why they are dead within a week and they want to bring back the 15 gal tank.........

but the best one was the lad who wanted to buy an Arrowana, and raise it in his 600 gal pond in the back yard because he had read an internet article that said they were a delicesy in Asia and he wanted to try it..........I tried to talk him out of it but he spent the $100.00 on his meal after it grew up to the right size to eat..........

yesterday a lady bought 3 ID sharks; 4 Columbian Sharks; and she decided to add 6 Pictus cats to her tank. I was there when the lad in the store told her it might not work out but she was really upset that he would dictate what went into her tank she had dropped $1000.00 on her 70 gal tnk with all the stuff and she would get it to the way she wanted it......I asked her if she knew that Columbians were for the most part a BW fish....nope she did not and then I asked her how long the tank was running...

it was running since last night and the 10 goldfish in it are doing fine and she does not need a heater because the tank is in front of the window getting the sun to heat it up like the lake............

so I left and came home had a double brandy and coke and just looked at my tanks......

[Melody]

:no:

[CACAdmin]

My most recent mistake wasn't to do with fish care, but the assembling of the stand for my latest tank. I glanced a the directions and proceeded. (:err: no comments from the peanut gallery about guys not reading directions, OK?) All went smoothly with the exception of the back panel. Now, logically, one would think that the side with the plastic cover over the hole the wires are to pass through would be facing inwards (everything else on the inside is finished (unfinished backs always face outwards, right?) :no: Wrong!!! I get the whole thing put together and wonder what these two screws I have are for. Check to find out and they are to insert into the holes in the back to allow you to hang the ballasts for the lights of the tank on. Holes in the back?:confused: What holes in the back? OH, those small ones which are now on the INSIDE of the cabinet. Grrrr! So I had to take it all apart and reassemble. :rolleyes:

[Pamelajo]

(:err: no comments from the peanut gallery about guys not reading directions, OK?)
:rolleyes:biting my tongue here!:laugh:

[CACAdmin]

:rolleyes:biting my tongue here!:laugh:
Just barely able to restrain yourself, eh Pam? :twitcy:

[Pamelajo]

:yes::laugh:

[Trouser Trout]

Lotsa good info here, I'll have to find a way to bookmark it for easy reference!