Proper Aquarium Care: Part 1: Debunking Myths, Researching, and Water Parameters

Not only does SPHP work to educate the community on the impacts of goldfish, but also proper aquarium care overall.

Lets start by debunking some myths:

Not only does SPHP work to educate the community about the impacts of releasing goldfish into the environment, but it also promotes proper aquarium care overall.

Let's start by debunking some common myths:

1. Goldfish are beginner fish.

This is not true. In fact, goldfish are often more difficult to care for than many other aquarium fish due to their high care requirements, which we will discuss in later posts.

2. Keeping an aquarium will be a cheap, mess-free experience for my kids.

When done correctly, aquariums and fish can make excellent first pets, but maintaining a healthy aquarium requires time, effort, and money. You will need to perform regular water changes, manage fish waste, deal with occasional fish deaths, and troubleshoot various problems that may arise.

However, if you are willing to invest the necessary time and effort, keeping an aquarium can be a rewarding experience. Before setting up an aquarium, make sure to follow the guidelines discussed later in this article.

If you are concerned about the amount of work involved but still want a beginner-friendly aquatic pet, Neocaridina shrimp can be a great option. These colorful and hardy shrimp require relatively little space and can help control algae and leftover food in the aquarium. They are widely available at many pet stores and are fascinating to observe. However, they still require proper care and regular tank maintenance.

3. Aquariums only take a few hours to set up, and I can buy the fish the same day.

This is one of the most common misconceptions. Aquariums should be fully cycled before fish are added, which often takes several weeks. Cycling allows beneficial bacteria to grow in the filter and throughout the aquarium. These bacteria process ammonia, a toxic byproduct of fish waste, into less harmful compounds.

Although this waiting period may seem long, it is one of the most important steps in helping fish live healthy lives for many years. If children are excited to add fish, consider planting the aquarium first. Aquatic plants provide many benefits and can make the tank feel alive while you wait. Floating plants such as water lettuce gently drift with the current and can be enjoyable to watch.

4. Every fish has the same care needs.

This is not true. Every fish species has specific care requirements, and it is important to research them before making a purchase. Many fish sold in pet stores are juveniles, and a cute one-inch fish may eventually grow to several feet in length.

Different species may require specialized diets, specific water conditions, unique substrates, or even live foods. Always research a fish thoroughly before bringing it home.

5. I should clean my filter as often as possible.

No. Aquarium filters should be cleaned only when necessary and always using removed aquarium water. Cleaning a filter too aggressively or with untreated tap water can kill beneficial bacteria and disrupt the nitrogen cycle, potentially leading to dangerous ammonia and nitrite spikes.

Guidelines for Researching New Fish

Research is one of the most important parts of fishkeeping. Before buying any fish, make sure you know what you're getting into. Every species has different care requirements, and taking a few minutes to research beforehand can save a lot of problems later.

Here are some questions to ask before bringing home a new fish:

• How big is this fish going to get? What size tank will it need when it is fully grown?

• What food does it require?

• Is it compatible with the other fish in my tank? What is its aggression level?

• How much does this fish cost?

• Does this fish require any special care?

• Does this fish need a certain substrate, such as sand or gravel?

• Will this fish eat aquarium plants, snails, or shrimp?

• Is there room for this fish in my tank?

• Will my tank's water parameters work for this fish?

• Is there anything I need to change in my tank for this fish? For example, bubble-eye goldfish should not be kept with sharp decorations that could damage their eye sacs.

• Does this fish need a school of its own species, or can it be kept alone? For example, neon tetras should be kept in groups of at least six.

• Am I prepared to care for this fish? Do I have a cycled tank ready for it?

Researching these questions can help you avoid common mistakes and make sure your fish have what they need to thrive. If kids are old enough, consider having them research fish they are interested in and create a short presentation. It's a great way to learn about responsible pet ownership before getting a new pet.

Water Parameters

Water quality is one of the most important parts of fishkeeping, yet it is often overlooked.

The basic water parameters you should keep an eye on are pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, water hardness, and chlorine. Testing these levels regularly can help you catch problems before they become serious.

In our experience, the API Freshwater Master Test Kit offers the best value for the price. While test strips can be useful for quick checks, liquid test kits are generally more accurate. Many pet stores will also test your water for free if you don't have a test kit at home.

• pH- pH measures how acidic or basic your water is. Different fish, shrimp, and plants have different preferences, so it's important to know what your species require.For many common freshwater fish, a pH between 6.5 and 8.0 works well, but always research the specific needs of your animals.

  
  

• Ammonia- Ammonia is extremely toxic to fish and shrimp. It is produced naturally from fish waste, leftover food, and decaying organic matter.Ammonia can build up if a tank is not cycled, if filtration is inadequate, if the tank is overstocked, or if regular maintenance is neglected. Even small amounts can stress or kill fish.If ammonia is detected, perform a water change and determine the cause of the problem. Ammonia should always remain at 0 ppm in a healthy aquarium.

• Nitrite-Nitrite is produced during the nitrogen cycle when beneficial bacteria begin processing ammonia. Although it is part of a healthy cycle, nitrite itself is highly toxic to fish. Like ammonia, nitrite spikes are often caused by an uncycled tank, inadequate filtration, overstocking, or other disruptions to the nitrogen cycle. Nitrite should always remain at 0 ppm.

• Nitrate- Nitrate is the final product of the nitrogen cycle. Unlike ammonia and nitrite, it is much less harmful to fish at low levels.Nitrate is used by aquarium plants and algae as a nutrient. If nitrate levels become too high, regular water changes and live plants can help reduce them.For most freshwater aquariums, keeping nitrate below 20 ppm is a good goal, although many hardy fish can tolerate somewhat higher levels.

• Water Hardness- Water hardness refers to the amount of dissolved minerals in the water.Some species prefer soft water, while others do better in hard water. Hardness can affect fish health, breeding success, and shrimp molting, so it is worth researching for the species you keep.

• Chlorine- Most tap water contains chlorine or chloramine, both of which are toxic to fish, shrimp, plants, and beneficial bacteria. Always treat tap water with a water conditioner before adding it to an aquarium. This removes harmful chemicals and makes the water safe for aquatic life. Our project uses Seachem Prime because it treats large amounts of water and is readily available, but many other water conditioners work well too.of water.