Setting Up The Aquarium: Mistakes You Should Avoid

Fish seem to be very easy to raise, but there are things people don’t know. One of them has to do with the habitat of aquatic pets, and certain parameters to be considered when setting up the aquarium.

A single misplaced element can make life difficult for any fish, however strange it may seem. Toxic elements, contamination and lack of space are just some of the points we must avoid.

Therefore, here we show the most common mistakes they usually make.

Artificial ornaments? Definitely not!

Most of the mistakes that are made when setting up a new aquarium have to do with the eagerness of the owners to want to decorate it. One of the biggest problems has to do with the overuse of artificial ornaments.

Every piece we put in there is made up of a series of waste materials. And they can contaminate your water and affect your fish’s health. Furthermore, many of the decorative objects are not part of the natural environment of these animals.

Therefore, we must always remember that an aquarium should not be a work of art, but a pleasant ecosystem for the pet.

Using large colored stones is not a good idea

Colored stones can be very eye-catching, but they are toxic to aquatic animals. They are themselves treated with chemicals and paints that can be harmful to the pet’s life.

On the other hand, the responsible choice is to choose real stones that are capable of recreating an ecosystem that is closer to reality and more conducive to it. However, it is also not good for the rocks to be large in relation to the internal space of the container.

The idea is that solid objects do not interfere with the normal fluidity of water or limit the space for the  fish swim.

Do you think the filter is not necessary? It is yes!

Some people have the false belief that cleaning aquariums can replace placing one.  filter . To tell you the truth, this equipment not only cleans the spaces, it also purifies the water for the benefit of the fish.

Setting up an aquarium with a built-in filter gives us the assurance that the water will be 100% free of ammonia. This equipment has a great influence on the lives of our aquatic pets, ridding them of a multitude of diseases.

The reason: Filters accumulate a number of key microorganisms that facilitate both tasks. Of course, it is always good that we clean our aquarium, but without exaggeration.

Crucial mistake: over-cleaning the aquarium

Our fish, whether small or large , they need clean spaces, but not perfectly disinfected. Cleanliness measures are important, but they should not be repetitive and intensive. In fact, it is much better to put in a good filter and clean it from time to time.

To be more exact, cleaning every three or four weeks is more than enough. The reason: there are micro-organisms that are beneficial to fish and that must be preserved in good measure to increase their defenses.

Another very common mistake is to clean with soap the stones and ornaments that are inside the aquarium. Soap increases the toxicity of the water and also eliminates microbes that protect fish.

Setting up the aquarium: say no to the ball-shaped aquarium

Historically, the image of the aquarium in the shape of a ball or round has been the main representation of aquarium hobby within pop culture . However, this is not the best space we can offer an aquatic animal.

Currently, it is known that this type of container creates great stress for the fish. It does not favor the oxygenation of the water, and the space is too small for the animal to swim continuously.

Unlike ball-shaped aquariums, large rectangular aquariums are known to help create a very appropriate and varied ecosystem. In it, several specimens can be placed, always respecting the rules that exist for this procedure.

The still water is never completely changed by the water that comes out of the tap

Setting up an aquarium is a delicate task even when it’s time to add water. In fact, it is a mistake to completely change the inland water by cold water faucet outlet. It is advisable to change part of the liquid and keep some of what was previously.

Only in this way do we fulfill two objectives. The first is to acclimate the fish, which is a priority in order not to generate stress and the specimen’s adaptation problem within its artificial environment. Second, the preservation of the positive microorganisms that were mentioned previously.