Aquarium at home? Avoid these mistakes
Keeping an aquarium full of beautiful fish at home can be both fun and rewarding as besides being a stress buster, it also contributes to your home decor. However, in the process of doing so, many people end up making some common mistakes that can impact the fish. Steer clear of the following things to set up your aquarium right.
Opting for a small tank
No matter if you are keeping only a few fish or small ones, the size of the aquarium should never be small. This is because the fish will only have a limited space to move around, which can hinder their growth and health. Not only that, it can even cut short their life and create troubles in the cleaning process.
Not changing water frequently
Frequent water changes are a must when maintaining an aquarium since they help maintain the balance of nutrients and eliminate toxins. Even if your tank looks clean, small food particles and algae may still be present, which can impact the health of your fish. According to experts, one should do a 25% water change every two to four weeks.
Overfeeding the fish
Another prevalent error among fish keepers is overfeeding, which often goes unnoticed until the fish start to fall ill. Generally, the fish in an aquarium should only be fed once a day and the food must be eaten within two minutes. Leftover food in the tank can pollute the water, causing increased nitrate and ammonia levels.
Keeping the light of your aquarium switched on
Your fish also need to rest; leaving the light switched on for several hours can cause them stress and health issues. Extreme and prolonged lighting can also lead to unwanted algae growth. The best way to avoid this is to put a timer on the light so that it has a fixed time to switch on and shut off.
Overstocking
If you are keeping an aquarium for the first time, chances are that you may put every fish you see. Well, that's a big mistake. Regardless of its size, every aquarium has a limited capacity to accommodate fish as they may grow larger with time or turn aggressive when too crowded. Always have fewer fish in your aquarium for their health and your enjoyment.
