doug z
04-25-2008, 06:48 PM
Tips for Beginners
1. Read, read, and read some more..
Be it the Internet, magazines, or books.
Books and magazines are the best of course, as they have been meticulously edited, and the information has been checked and re-checked for their accuracy, which cannot always be said for Internet blogs, articles, etc.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that especially when it comes to the equipment involved in fish husbandry (lights, heaters, etc.), what was top of the line when the book was written and edited can often be quite dated by the time the book actually hits the bookstores. Easily a year or more can go between the time a book is written, edited and published and when it appears in bookstores, let alone in libraries. So always check to see when the book was published, and take that into account, especially where equipment is involved.
Magazines are more up-to-date, and will have cutting edge information you need. They are also generally well edited and will have advertisements for the products you may be looking for.
2. Be wary of the Local Fish Store/ Look before you leap.
It's BEST (can't stress this enough) if you do your research BEFORE darkening the door of any fish store. If you've done your homework, you will be far better equipped to assess whether the staff know what they are talking about - how well they are caring for their fish, and whether they are stocking the best equipment, medications, etc.
Believe me when I say that the fish store that has a knowledgeable, enthusiastic staff that really care about their fish and their customers are unfortunately the exception, rather than the rule. Once found, if ever, treasure them! Spend your money there, even if it's cheaper to go to the Walmarts of the pet world (truly dismal places for fish, in my admittedly limited experience as an aquarist, and you'll undoubtedly know to whom I refer).
Even when an employee IS enthusiastic and seems knowledgeable they can unintentionally give you inaccurate information. If you do your homework, even if you don't know whether or not they are right or wrong, you know where you can go to check. ALWAYS double and triple check!
On some issues, there will of course, be different schools of thought (carbon vs. no carbon, sand vs. gravel). But look at each and decide for yourself, armed with your research, which way you want to go.
3. Be prepared to spend more, to save more.
I'll say this time and time again, without apology, doing your research will save you time, money, and effort.
Sure, that Under Gravel Filter is a lot cheaper than that Hang On Back filter, and cheaper still than that canister filter. And it all comes with the tank! Heater, fish net, all in one! But consider how much you will have saved by buying the canister filter from the get-go, rather than buying the UGF, and then having to toss it in the garbage, or go through the hassle of selling it to someone else for a pittance, when you discover it's no good for your high-tech planted tank.
If that book that you really could use is not available from the library, look in a used bookstore, or bite the bullet and just get it for full retail. Sometimes you'll get burned and the book turned out to be not that earth-shattering. But this is where doing your homework (I'll be mentioning this, ad nausium, too) pays off here, as well. Read reviews and see what others thought of the book first.
The right book can you get turned onto a totally different kind of tank than the one you originally envisioned, and may require totally different equipment! Or a book can lay out for you exactly how to do something.
So a book can really save you money, in many ways!
4. Really ask yourself what you want out of this hobby.
Do you like looking at the plants more than the fish? Do you like docile, friendly fish, or aggressive, spunky fish? Do you like salt water (marine) fish or freshwater fish? Do you enjoy the technical aspects (water changes, water testing, tank maintenance)? Are you going to be able to moniter your tank often? Do you have friends or family that can help take care of your fish when you go away? How much can you afford to spend? Do you have room for the tank you have in mind? Do you move around a lot? Do you want to be moving a 75 gallon aquarium to a new house, or three 25 gallon tanks?.
5. Some basics to consider regarding aquariums and their placement.
Make sure the tank is close to an electrical outlet. You would be surprised at how many people don't consider this aspect until they have 70 gallons of water in their tank!
Make sure you get a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) adapter for the power outlet, which will keep anyone from getting electrocuted if there is an unfortunate mishap involving water and the electrically-powered tank equipment (lights, etc). Also get a surge-protected power bar to keep the equipment from getting fried in the unlikely event of a power surge.
Make sure there is no DIRECT sunlight shining into the tank at any time of the day. This leads 9 times out of 10 to annoying algae issues. So keep it away from windows if at all possible, or make sure you have drapes that will negate any light penetration. Indirect light is fine, and a nice boost to lighting any plants in your tank receive from your aquarium light fixtures.
Make sure there are no inside or outside doors close to the aquarium. The fish will not appreciate the loud, concussive racket from the opening or closing of the doors, and outside doors if left open will affect the temperature of your tank (sunlight, wind).
Make sure the aquarium is in a low-traffic area. A little traffic will get the fish used to people and keep them from scattering to the 4 winds every time someone approaches the tank, but too much traffic will stress them excessively.
Consider how close the aquarium is to the source of water you will be using for water changes. The shorter the distance you have to lug water back and forth, the better.
Consider the sheer weight involved in an aquarium full of water. Even a small 25g tank will weigh over 250 pounds! Let's look at a 55 gallon tank. 55 gallons of water alone weighs over 400 lbs, but you must also include the weight of the aquarium, plus any rocks or driftwood you have in it, and the sand or gravel substrate. Add it up and you are looking at least 500 lbs! Be sure that the floor you will be placing the aquarium on can handle that kind of weight. You may very well want to consult a professional, like a structural engineer. Even if it looks solid, an older house or one that was built with substandard materials or building practices may well mean trouble. The same rule applies to the stand the tank will be resting on. If it is not specifically designed for aquariums it could fail, with disastrous results.
Consider tank shape and its implications for your application. If it's a reef tank, you will be ok using a taller tank, as you will probably be using a metal-halide fixture for it, which can penetrate deeper than fluorescents (which won't do the plants much good past 18-20")..
6. Be prepared to make mistakes!
All the research in the world cannot save you from foreseeing EVERY eventuality, or learning some things the hard way. The key is to always learn from your mistakes, and keep moving forward! Have FUN!! It's a hobby, what we do to escape from work.. If it ever feels like WORK, you have some soul searching to do..
1. Read, read, and read some more..
Be it the Internet, magazines, or books.
Books and magazines are the best of course, as they have been meticulously edited, and the information has been checked and re-checked for their accuracy, which cannot always be said for Internet blogs, articles, etc.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that especially when it comes to the equipment involved in fish husbandry (lights, heaters, etc.), what was top of the line when the book was written and edited can often be quite dated by the time the book actually hits the bookstores. Easily a year or more can go between the time a book is written, edited and published and when it appears in bookstores, let alone in libraries. So always check to see when the book was published, and take that into account, especially where equipment is involved.
Magazines are more up-to-date, and will have cutting edge information you need. They are also generally well edited and will have advertisements for the products you may be looking for.
2. Be wary of the Local Fish Store/ Look before you leap.
It's BEST (can't stress this enough) if you do your research BEFORE darkening the door of any fish store. If you've done your homework, you will be far better equipped to assess whether the staff know what they are talking about - how well they are caring for their fish, and whether they are stocking the best equipment, medications, etc.
Believe me when I say that the fish store that has a knowledgeable, enthusiastic staff that really care about their fish and their customers are unfortunately the exception, rather than the rule. Once found, if ever, treasure them! Spend your money there, even if it's cheaper to go to the Walmarts of the pet world (truly dismal places for fish, in my admittedly limited experience as an aquarist, and you'll undoubtedly know to whom I refer).
Even when an employee IS enthusiastic and seems knowledgeable they can unintentionally give you inaccurate information. If you do your homework, even if you don't know whether or not they are right or wrong, you know where you can go to check. ALWAYS double and triple check!
On some issues, there will of course, be different schools of thought (carbon vs. no carbon, sand vs. gravel). But look at each and decide for yourself, armed with your research, which way you want to go.
3. Be prepared to spend more, to save more.
I'll say this time and time again, without apology, doing your research will save you time, money, and effort.
Sure, that Under Gravel Filter is a lot cheaper than that Hang On Back filter, and cheaper still than that canister filter. And it all comes with the tank! Heater, fish net, all in one! But consider how much you will have saved by buying the canister filter from the get-go, rather than buying the UGF, and then having to toss it in the garbage, or go through the hassle of selling it to someone else for a pittance, when you discover it's no good for your high-tech planted tank.
If that book that you really could use is not available from the library, look in a used bookstore, or bite the bullet and just get it for full retail. Sometimes you'll get burned and the book turned out to be not that earth-shattering. But this is where doing your homework (I'll be mentioning this, ad nausium, too) pays off here, as well. Read reviews and see what others thought of the book first.
The right book can you get turned onto a totally different kind of tank than the one you originally envisioned, and may require totally different equipment! Or a book can lay out for you exactly how to do something.
So a book can really save you money, in many ways!
4. Really ask yourself what you want out of this hobby.
Do you like looking at the plants more than the fish? Do you like docile, friendly fish, or aggressive, spunky fish? Do you like salt water (marine) fish or freshwater fish? Do you enjoy the technical aspects (water changes, water testing, tank maintenance)? Are you going to be able to moniter your tank often? Do you have friends or family that can help take care of your fish when you go away? How much can you afford to spend? Do you have room for the tank you have in mind? Do you move around a lot? Do you want to be moving a 75 gallon aquarium to a new house, or three 25 gallon tanks?.
5. Some basics to consider regarding aquariums and their placement.
Make sure the tank is close to an electrical outlet. You would be surprised at how many people don't consider this aspect until they have 70 gallons of water in their tank!
Make sure you get a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) adapter for the power outlet, which will keep anyone from getting electrocuted if there is an unfortunate mishap involving water and the electrically-powered tank equipment (lights, etc). Also get a surge-protected power bar to keep the equipment from getting fried in the unlikely event of a power surge.
Make sure there is no DIRECT sunlight shining into the tank at any time of the day. This leads 9 times out of 10 to annoying algae issues. So keep it away from windows if at all possible, or make sure you have drapes that will negate any light penetration. Indirect light is fine, and a nice boost to lighting any plants in your tank receive from your aquarium light fixtures.
Make sure there are no inside or outside doors close to the aquarium. The fish will not appreciate the loud, concussive racket from the opening or closing of the doors, and outside doors if left open will affect the temperature of your tank (sunlight, wind).
Make sure the aquarium is in a low-traffic area. A little traffic will get the fish used to people and keep them from scattering to the 4 winds every time someone approaches the tank, but too much traffic will stress them excessively.
Consider how close the aquarium is to the source of water you will be using for water changes. The shorter the distance you have to lug water back and forth, the better.
Consider the sheer weight involved in an aquarium full of water. Even a small 25g tank will weigh over 250 pounds! Let's look at a 55 gallon tank. 55 gallons of water alone weighs over 400 lbs, but you must also include the weight of the aquarium, plus any rocks or driftwood you have in it, and the sand or gravel substrate. Add it up and you are looking at least 500 lbs! Be sure that the floor you will be placing the aquarium on can handle that kind of weight. You may very well want to consult a professional, like a structural engineer. Even if it looks solid, an older house or one that was built with substandard materials or building practices may well mean trouble. The same rule applies to the stand the tank will be resting on. If it is not specifically designed for aquariums it could fail, with disastrous results.
Consider tank shape and its implications for your application. If it's a reef tank, you will be ok using a taller tank, as you will probably be using a metal-halide fixture for it, which can penetrate deeper than fluorescents (which won't do the plants much good past 18-20")..
6. Be prepared to make mistakes!
All the research in the world cannot save you from foreseeing EVERY eventuality, or learning some things the hard way. The key is to always learn from your mistakes, and keep moving forward! Have FUN!! It's a hobby, what we do to escape from work.. If it ever feels like WORK, you have some soul searching to do..