Nothing can be more frustrating than bringing home your new fish only to watch it die a couple of days later. Not only is this a waste of resources it is also a drain on your emotions and psyche. As one whose worked in a pet store in the past I am aware of the questions and issues that people deal with when they want to start keeping fish. Fish are not like other pets such as birds, small animals (rodents), or a reptile because it is a process. It is like keeping a garden because you need to make sure the soil, or in our case the water, is properly cycled and conditioned. So let’s go through 3 things that will get you started in the right direction.
The first step is to select the proper sized aquarium for your fish. When selecting the aquarium, it is always better to go with a larger aquarium than a smaller one. With a smaller aquarium it is more difficult to keep the water conditions safe for the fish. For instance, if you overfeed the fish, the leftover food will work more quickly to foul the water in a smaller tank than in a larger one. Another issue is the temperature. With a larger tank it is easier to keep the climate stable. So, if you’re just starting out keeping fish, resist the temptation to go with a 3-5 gallon tank, and go with a 20-40 gallon aquarium.
The second step is to fill the tank, add one or two fish, and wait. After bringing the tank home, setup it up along with the filter, heater, and fill it with water. Don’t forget to dechlorinate the water if using tap water. Once the temperature has stabilized (usually 3-4 hrs after filling), then add a fish or two. Don’t get too attached to these fish as these will be considered the “tester” fish. These fish will initiate the nitrogen cycle. There are many products available that claim to cycle the tank within hours. In the past these products have not worked for me and I’ve spent countless dollars trying to find that miracle product. The best product is time. Just wait for the cycle to take its course. The most important thing you can do in the meantime is feed the fish sparingly. You don’t even need to feed them every day. A three feeding per week routine will work fine. If the fish survive for about 14 days and they look healthy (i.e. not breathing hard, no white spots, laying on the ground, or hovering in a corner) then it is usually safe to say that you can add more fish.
When adding more fish don’t forget to acclimate them safely. It really stinks when you’ve waited this long on to bring home more fish and improper acclimation induces sickness. So float the bag they came in for about 5-10 minutes, and then open the bag and fold over the top. Slowly add about a ½ cup of tank water into the bag. Wait another 5-10 minutes and add another ½ cup. Repeat this process 3-4 times and then add the fish only into the tank, and discard the water in the bag. This is a good practice that has worked for me in the past.
Follow these three simple steps, and keep your freshwater fish alive longer. Be patient, wait for nature to work out, and avoid the pitfalls that other hobbyists have had to experience.
Leave a comment, let me know if you like this post, don’t like this, or want to continue this discussion. Thank you and Love Your Fish.
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I just wanted to say the information was very helpful. I am looking forward in getting my 60 gallon tank off to a good start.
Mary
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