The Most Common Saltwater Aquarium Mistakes
It would be great if you could stop mistakes that cost a lot of money from happening before they happen. When you learn to drive, for example, you learn that being young can get you in trouble with the law. Similarly, when you start building, you learn that there is a tool for every job that can make things easier. Sadly, we usually find out about these mistakes after we’ve already made them. I almost call them “beginner’s mistakes,” but I don’t because everyone makes mistakes, no matter how much experience they have. Sad to say, some mistakes lead to big tank accidents that make people quit the sport. Even though there are better ways to keep fish and corals alive, about one-third of hobbyists will give up within three years. There is a big waste of time, money, and animal life here. This will happen less often if you know some mistakes that both new and experienced artists can make.
Be patient:
Being impatient is one of the most common mistakes people make when they first start having aquariums. People who are impatient might set up a tank without thinking it through and then expect it to do well, or they might add fish or corals too quickly or think they will grow faster than they do. Anyone who changes the way they care for their aquarium or adds a new coral needs to know that it will take at least three to four months before they can see any noticeable improvements. So, you shouldn’t expect changes to happen quickly.
Make too many changes too soon:
One mistake that new aquarium owners often make is not waiting long enough to take care of their tank. They might try to make changes based on what other people have said, thinking that it will make a big difference in their tank. But it’s important to know that changing the basic rules of stability, water chemistry, light, and flow will only make the tank a little better. Even though these rules aren’t set in stone, you should keep in mind that it will take time to see how the changes or improvements work.
I’m the one who made this mistake. I don’t always give new things enough time to work before I try them that look like they might be good. This makes it harder to figure out how the first change affected things. Sometimes I even make another change on top of the first one. To avoid making this mistake, you must stick to a plan for at least six months before you make any changes. Please keep in mind that the changes you make will not show up for months, so don’t make any more changes during that time.
Size of the tank:
The size of the tank you choose for your aquarium is very important and will affect the whole process. Some people think that smaller tanks are easier to handle, but it takes more work to keep the environment safe in them. Because of this, it’s important to do a lot of study to find the best course of action and not take on more than you can handle.
Buying the Wrong Corals:
One of the best things about having a saltwater tank is that you can keep beautiful corals in it. But it’s important to keep in mind that corals need certain conditions to grow and do well. Depending on the type of coral you want to buy, your needs may be different. It is very important to know how to take care of your specific type of coral. It is best to start with LPS corals because they don’t need as much light or water flow.
