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Beginners Most Common Saltwater Aquarium Mistakes
Here are lists of beginner aquarist most common saltwater aquarium mistakes. These are based on my own mistakes and some research. Please take time to understand these mistakes s you can avoid making the same mistakes whch could cost money and time.
Tank overloading
A common saltwater aquarium mistake is “overloading” your saltwater aquarium with too many fish, invertebrates, and/or live rock.
A crowded saltwater aquarium leads to high levels of wastes, territorial battles, and all other syndromes that can lead to unbalance water parameter and even fish loss.
Plan which fish to buy and stick to your plan and remember fish will grow, the key is to slow down buying and gradually increase your fish population.
Moving too fast
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This one can be linked to tank overloading, we all done it got excited and lose the patience and cut out steps. This is the most common mistake beginners normally make as we get to anxious and tend to try do too many things to quick.
Remeber to slow down and make changes one step at a time, wait between the steps to observe and you will rewarded with a healthy saltwater aquarium.
Misdiagnosing Diseases and Overmedicating
It is very important to properly diagnose and treat any kind of saltwater diseases and by using the wrong medication to treat the wrong disease your fish may have, it can be fatal.
Here’s a list of saltwater fish disease treatment methods that you may use for treating your fish.
When using medication for your fishes, try to use the ones that are formulated to target their specific diseases. Medications should only be used when necessary and when you are sure of what kind of disease you are dealing with.
To find out more about Saltwater Fish Diseases and treatments click here.
Inadequate Filtration
Previously I have wrote about different saltwater filtration methods you can choose from, picking the right filtration system will ensure you dont have too many problems.
So depending on your planned bio-load should be the basis on choosing the right filter for your saltwater aquarium. It is always better to have more filter media being used than too little.
Incompatibility of your Livestock
Another common mistakes is the incompatibility of the fish and other inhabitants, iwe ll have the urge to run around to buy all therefavrite fish, but me can’t be put together. Always plan and research your fish, invertebrates and/or corals.
Learn about them before adding them together else you might end up with dead fish.
Not knowing enough information when buying livestock
Always get information about any new additions you would like for your saltwater aquarium. It’s very important to know what they are, how to feed them, what to feed them and how to care for them.
Most of us will think and say, “I like this one because it’s colorful” or cute or whatever it may be. Others would say “This is the one I like - just like in that Nemo movie!”
Try not to base it on those. If you really want that particular saltwater fish – then research more about it! It will help you enjoy them longer in your saltwater aquarium.
Purchasing Fish with Poor Health Condition
Generally a sick fish don’t ea see if you can get the shop to show you if the fish that you want to get is eating before buying it.
An alternative is to read on how to determine the symptons and signs of common illness or diseases so you know what to look for when you buy your fish.
Overfeeding fish
This has to be number one on the list of most common saltwater aquarium mistakes, we all like to feed our fish and watch them interact with them.
This then leads to overfeeding that causes problems to the fish itself and to the saltwater. Remember that these fish are small, uneaten food and fish waste can lead to water chemistry change, and also look ugly in the aquarium. There are toxic by-products produced by uneaten food that can stress fish. Another problem is when the fish overeats. This can cause health problems.
Poor Saltwater Aquarium Maintenance
Have a routine maintenance schedule for your saltwater aquarium. This way, your aquarium will less likely to experience high nitrate levels, bacterial outbreaks, or other common aquarium problems.
Dedicate your time for a simple cleaning or water change once or twice every two weeks.
Trust me, this will make saltwater aquarium keeping a much exciting hobby by not dealing with common saltwater parameter problems and imbalances.
Text and Photo Source: Saltwater Aquarium Online Guide
Changing your Saltwater Aquarium Water
The changing your saltwater aquariums water is one of the most important aspects of your care and maintainence.
When waste products accumulates in your saltwater aquarium, the quality of water changes too. Problems will occur and the only way to solve it is to physically changing the water.
This will remove the wastes from within the water and bring back the valuable trace elements your saltwater need for your fish to survive.
How much and how often is correct?
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There is no set in stone rules to how often and how much, so heres some recommendations and information that can help you run your own system and routine that works best for you and your saltwater aquarium.
Performing 20-30% of water volume per month is the common maintenance recommendation. But normally 15-20% water change is enough. It is better to perform 10-15% of water volume twice a month rather than 20-30% at one time.
Changing the water more frequently with smaller amounts is more effective. Changing the water can also prevent potential poisoning or over exposure to medication, additives and other chemicals you put on your saltwater aquarium. It also helps in stability of pH balance.
Siphoning Water
The best maintanence method while chnaging your water is too vacuuming the gravel at the same time. Use a gravel cleaner as you siphon aquarium water using the correct method, this will help to remove wastes and uneaten food from the bottom of the tank.
Proper siphon equipment is designed to remove water and debris without stressing your fish and no aggressive water being drawn from the aquarium. The gravel in your saltwater aquarium is suctioned up and then tumbled back down. Debris and waste materials are loosened during this process and are siphoned away keeping your tank looking physically clean. Siphon process maintenance may not be possible in tanks with sand substrate. The surface gravel should be stirred during every partial water change for these reasons:
- If you have an undergravel filter, stirring breaks up impacted areas in the filter bed where water flow cannot really pass through.
- Stirring puts detritus into suspension where it can be siphoned out with the old water.
Adding Water into your Saltwater Aquarium
The water replacement for your saltwater aquarium must be dechlorinated and mixed before you refill the saltwater in your aquarium. Or you can get a premixed and conditioned saltwater from your local aquarium store. Check the temperature of the water before pouring into the aquarium. Aim to match the actual temperature of the aquarium or slightly higher.
Pour the water sowly into the auarium as not to stress or scare the fish, once you have completed the pur, add a quality water dechlorinator/conditioner to the aquarium.
Using water conditioner called water conditioning after each and every water change can help remove chlorine and chloramines that are present in most municipal water. Water out of your tap is usually loaded with chlorine, chloramines, heavy metals, phosphates and other ions. Many of these compounds will harm you fish, so they need to be removed from the water.
Another time we need water is when evaporation has occurred. Depending on the amount of aeration and circulation that you have. When water evaporates salt is left behind and this will increase the salinity and specific gravity of the water. The solution is simple add freshwater, it must be conditioned water and not premixed saltwater. But if the evaporaton is little then botttled water will be fine, use distilled water as it has no mineralsadditives and toxic compounds
Complete guide to saltwater aquarium maintenance and care
Text and Photo Source: Saltwater Aquarium Online Guide
Saltwater Aquarium Water Testing
As discussed before the testing of our saltwater in our aquarium is a must for all. When we first set up the aquarium we need to test the water every day to monitor the balance.
Water chemistry continually changes with the adding of more fishes. So for several week after adding our fish we must test the water.
Use quality testing equipments or kits to monitor your Aquarium water parameters. Keep and write down your results for reference in future.
If you notice any dramatic change since you last tested the water, action may be required.
See the following:
- If the pH is too low, conduct a water change. See Acid and pH page for more information on how to raise the pH again.
- If the ammonia, nitrite or nitrate is too high, conduct water change. see how the saltwater aquarium nitrogen cycle works to understand more..
- If carbonate hardness is too low, again, conduct water change and refer to Hardness and Alkalinity page.
- If your salinity or specific gravity in your aquarium is too high or too low, adjust it accordingly.
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Complete guide to maintenance and care of your saltwater aquarium
Text and Photo Source: Saltwater Aquarium Online Guide
Saltwater Aquarium Care and Maintenance
We have gone though the beginners guide to saltwater aquarium and we have learnt how to set up your saltwater aquarium, next comes the critical maintenance and care of your saltwater aquarium.
First we need to set up a strict maintenance schedule for our saltwater fish and other inhabitants to thrive in your aquarium. By applying simple maintenance techinques our inhabitants will stay healthier and your saltwater aquarium’s physical environment will look cleaner.
A Proper and routine cleaning schedule is the key to success and is long term beneficial, to avoid loss of saltwater fish and of course loss of money and time invested.
You may be asking right now, how often do i need clean my saltwater aquarium? or how often does maintenance take place?
Well it all depends on the following questions:
- What is your aquarium size?
- What kind of saltwater aquarium filters do you use?
- What types and numbers of inhabitants/fishes do you have?
- lastly, how often do you feed them?
When you can answer these questions you can decide on how often your saltwater aquarium needs cleaning.
Here is a suggestion or recommendation on how often your saltwater aquarium should be checked and what should be checked and/or be monitored.
Daily
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- Make sure all equipments are running properly and smoothly.
- Salinity
- Temperature (twice a day – in the morning and at night)
- Check your fish to make sure they are actingnormally. Checking this daily will help you find out the first signs of disease and treat it early.
Weekly and/or Bi-Weekly
- Partial water change of about 15-20% of your saltwater aquarium.
- Vacuum gravel or sand.
- Check water parameters – pH, Hardness, Nitrite, Nitrate
- Rinse your filter. Tip: Rinse it out with your old aquarium water that you are changing. Using chlorinated water will cause temperature change and can kill the bacteria that accumulated.
Monthly
- Replace your saltwater aquarium filter media if necessary.
- Check expiration dated on the boxes and bottles of your aquarium supplies that you use.
When required
- Algae clean up on aquarium glass and decorations.
Good water quality ensures health for your saltwater fish and other inhabitants.
Here are some more guidelines on routine care and maintenance for your saltwater aquarium:
- Testing your saltwater aquarium water
- Changing your saltwater aquarium water
- Maintaning the amount of algae
- Feeding saltwater fish
Complete guide to maintenance and care of your saltwater aquarium
Text and Photo Source: Saltwater Aquarium Online Guide
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