Doing things the "right" way.

[tbfoto]

Hello everyone. I have been reading this forum for about a month now and like alot of my other hobbies I find that there are many different ways to do things. So my question is...what is the "prefered" way to operate an aquarium? What I mean is for instance...filteration.....should EVERY aquarium have an undergravel filter? Do all aquariums need an air pump w/stone? Do you have to add salt? Do you have to do weekly water changes?

[gm72]

1. Fishless cycle, no question there.
2. Filtration--UGFs are mostly a thing of the past. I don't know of any of the regulars here who use them. Go with a canister or Hang-On-Back (HOB) filter. Filtration largely depends on the size of the tank.
3. Airpump/stone is not necessary.
4. No need to add salt for most freshwater fish. Some fish prefer some salt, mollies are such a specimen.
5. Weekly water changes absolutely is recommended, more important as stocking levels increase.

[RobbieG]

Also research and ask questions about what you plan to do and which fish you want to keep.

There's not a lot you might want to try that someone here hasn't had some experience with. The cute little fish at the LFS might be perfect for your setup and might grow into a tankbusting 4 foot monster! Its better to find that out before you get him home.

[gm72]

Oh, GOOD one, Robbie. Research. Research the fish you want. Then research some more. Then come and ask us to make sure your research is accurate.

[Fishguy2727]

No salt is needed for almost any freshwater fish. Mollies are brackish, so they are a sort of exception and should have marine salt. Rift lake cichlids are native to waters with a natural level of certain salts, so special salts should be used with them. Lots of evidence shows that goldfish tend to do better with some salt, so they would be the one to get a usual dose of freshwater salt. There is also evidence that shows that if they are not under any adverse or harmful conditions, that salt is not beneficial.

UGFs are overall a holdover from earlier in the hobby. They may have been the best thing then, but better options are available now that do not have some of the consequences that UGFs frequently cause. So in my opinion and experience, NO aquarium should have an UGF.

Air pumps are not a necessity. However they do seem to be of great benefit. I think it is like being in a room with all the windows closed and just the house's venitlation, and having an open window for a little movement and fresh air.

Water changes should be at least weekly, but a little longer between them is usually fine as long as you are consistant and make sure the water quality stays top notch. The amount can vary, but I would consider 25% minimum, but many things affect this.

Most important things include: research, diet, water quality, and compatibility.

[zackish]

I would recommend setting up your tank and starting to cycle it and then researching your fish while it cycles. Keep in mind it is going to take several weeks to cycle so you will have plenty of time to research.

And don't be afraid to ask question, a million things are going to pop up as you go on. Even the people that have been here for a while still ask occassional questions or for suggestions.

[gm72]

I really like the analogy of air pumps to windows. Well put, Fishguy!

[NWMountainTroll]

Air pumps really are not necessary if you have enough surface agitation.

[zackish]

Air pumps really are not necessary if you have enough surface agitation.

Hmmm....that brings up a good question.
I will be removing my HOB soon and I just have a canister filter so I will have 0 surface agitation. However, I do have DIY Co2 so does that count as surface agitation? Will I need an air pump at all?

[NWMountainTroll]

If you're adding CO2 into the water then you will definitely need a pump to get as much movement as possible. It's that surface exchange that is important.

[zackish]

I was told that surface movement for CO2 wasn't good....

[Drumachine09]

If you're adding CO2 into the water then you will definitely need a pump to get as much movement as possible. It's that surface exchange that is important.



Thats the exact opposite of what you want. CO2 dissolves into your water. When you provide more surface area on the surface of the water, more CO2 will deplete faster than usual.

I did read something about using an airstone at night to ward off large pH swings though.

[zackish]

I just confirmed it with chrona. Breaking the surface at night is only to create oxygen and take away that film you see in your tank. However, with most DIY Co2 he said not to worry about it.

[Fishguy2727]

At night plants use oxygen and give off CO2, that is why aeration at night is important. With CO2 from the plants and the diffuser, your pH can drop like a rock and that much CO2 can cause problems with the fish.

Even with adequate surface agitation, an air pump is not a bad idea. It is not necessary, but it will not do any harm, and it will help a little. Again, you don't need your windows open, but some fresh is really nice and will help.

[Lady Hobbs]

should EVERY aquarium have an undergravel filter?

In my opinion, there is no use for them in any tank. It's the way things were done years ago. My son had many tanks before I got into this hobby and he insisted I buy those. They didn't last in my tanks a month and I pulled them out.

They are useless in sand bottoms, for instance, and also if you decide you want your tank planted. You need air pumps to use them, as well. In all honesty, all I can see that they do is pull "some" of the gunk out of the gravel, spread it around in your water for your other filter to get rid of. You can do the same thing by vacuuming your gravel now and then.

Do all aquariums need an air pump w/stone? No. Some fish prefer calmer more still water. I use air stones in my tanks that have no plants. I have put my air pump away. Air pumps can pose a problem at feeding time and throw the food all over with it's circulation. I have lost no fish due to swimmers bloat since removing my pump. It finally occured to me that as they were grabbing the food they were also swallowing air bubbles which later lead to their demise. If your tank is planted and you plan to run CO2, you want to use no pumps, air stones or bubbles as it will deplete the CO2.

Do you have to add salt? Not really. Many don't use it at all on community fish. I use it when I cycle a tank, is all, or to remove meds that have been used. It's needed for some cichlids but that's a different kind of salt.

Do you have to do weekly water changes? Yes, yes and yes. I personally do 50%. Some do less and some more. Some more often and some less. I also vac the gravel at least every other week. Large fish or heavily stocked tanks should definately be done weekly.

[NWMountainTroll]

I'm confused, do you have fish in your water? How many? And what sort of plants do you have?

[Fishguy2727]

NWMountainTroll: who was that to?

[Tres]

should EVERY aquarium have an undergravel filter? Do all aquariums need an air pump w/stone? Do you have to add salt? Do you have to do weekly water changes?
I am assuming you are talking fresh water tropical set up here:

Under gravel filters are not my favorite, as they can collect muck beneath the substrate and eventualy develop anaerobic bacteria... bad news.
If you are planning on having live plants, an under gravel filter is a no no.

Depending on the size of the tank i would go with a cannister filter or a hanging filter.
Personally, I buy live bacteria (not "Cycle".. look for something your store keeps refrigerated) and my tank is ready for fish after 24 hours.
I put only sponges in my filters, and I put sponges on the intake of any filter, and if it is possible, also on the exiting flow. A biological filter is the best filter, in my opinion, and every sponge you can add is another biological filter. they also serve as a mechanical filter, collecting debris.

Not all aquariums need an air pump., but most do. If you have a heavily planted tank with good surface current, no air stone is needed. Otherwise, yes, air pump is a must. There are some fish that can survive without aeration, (Gouramis and Betas come to mind) but in my opinion that is inhumane. Imagine you being allowed only to breath just enough oxygen to keep you alive.

Salt is a no no for planted tanks,. but low levels of salt is considered a beneficial tonic for non planted tanks for "most" fish.

Yes, do weekly water changes, a minimum of ten percent. use a vacuum siphon to get all the junk out of the substrate. Personally, I clean my substrate every 2 days, and that ends up being a 10% water change every 2 days. Make sure the new water is the same ph and temperature as the water in the tank, and of course, dechlorinate it. If you do not do frequent water changes, nitrate levels will creep up and kill your fish.


Hope my opinions helped.

[gm72]

I am assuming you are talking fresh water tropical set up here:

Under gravel filters are not my favorite, as they can collect muck beneath the substrate and eventualy develop anaerobic bacteria... bad news.
If you are planning on having live plants, an under gravel filter is a no no.
Agreed, great point.

Depending on the size of the tank i would go with a cannister filter or a hanging filter.
Personally, I buy live bacteria (not "Cycle".. look for something your store keeps refrigerated) and my tank is ready for fish after 24 hours.
I put only sponges in my filters, and I put sponges on the intake of any filter, and if it is possible, also on the exiting flow. A biological filter is the best filter, in my opinion, and every sponge you can add is another biological filter. they also serve as a mechanical filter, collecting debris.
Canister #1, HOB #2 dependent upon the size and type of tank. Preference for the use of biospira is good for a super-fast cycle.

Not all aquariums need an air pump., but most do. If you have a heavily planted tank with good surface current, no air stone is needed. Otherwise, yes, air pump is a must. There are some fish that can survive without aeration, (Gouramis and Betas come to mind) but in my opinion that is inhumane. Imagine you being allowed only to breath just enough oxygen to keep you alive.
An airstone is NOT a must. Surface agitation allows gas exchange. The purpose for the airstone is to break up the water, which could just as easily be done with a filter. Think about a pond or lake in nature. Very little surface agitation, no airstones. Fish do very well. Some fish can not/do not prefer aerated water. Bettas also come to mind for this.

Salt is a no no for planted tanks,. but low levels of salt is considered a beneficial tonic for non planted tanks for "most" fish.
Sometimes true re: tonic, agreed.

Yes, do weekly water changes, a minimum of ten percent. use a vacuum siphon to get all the junk out of the substrate. Personally, I clean my substrate every 2 days, and that ends up being a 10% water change every 2 days. Make sure the new water is the same ph and temperature as the water in the tank, and of course, dechlorinate it. If you do not do frequent water changes, nitrate levels will creep up and kill your fish.
10% is nowhere near enough to remove levels of nitrAtes, particularly in a well-stocked tank. You do a 10% change every 2 days, making it about a 35% change weekly. That's more like it. Try 10% every week and I'll tell you that I'm sorry that you killed your fish due to nitrAte poisoning.

Hope my opinions helped.
Please see above in RED.

[Fishguy2727]

Surface agitation is low in nature, but so is the stocking level. If we had the stocking levels found in nature, we would have massive tanks for even the smallest fish. And, most of those still lakes and ponds are fed by highly oxygenated streams.

It really is one of those borderline things. There is nothing really wrong with the fish if they don't have an air pump, but when you see them when they do, there is a difference. The best analogy I can think of is still being in a room. You do not need to open the windows. You will be perfectly fine with the windows closed, just sitting there enjoying the house's ventilation. But, it is nicer and fresher with the windows open with a slight breeze in the early spring.

I used to hate air pumps, I just stopped using them. But over time after trying them a few times again, a good air pump with a nice ceramic diffuser can work wonders. Filters can accomplish the same thing, but since most have either canisters or HOBs, unless your HOB has a return where the water is just free-falling, you probably are not getting the same effect. This is why I am trying to get an air pump on every one of my tanks. It is not necessary, but it does seem to perk them up a bit.

[hungryhound]

Hello everyone. I have been reading this forum for about a month now and like alot of my other hobbies I find that there are many different ways to do things. So my question is...what is the "prefered" way to operate an aquarium?

I do not know if there is really a preferred method set in stone for every aquarium. Different aquariums have different requirements and need different equipment.


What I mean is for instance...filteration.....should EVERY aquarium have an undergravel filter?

I think this has been covered to death. Undergravel filters are a thing of the past. you are much better off with a good canister and in some instances a HOB as well.

If you are planning on doing a a planted tank I would go with a nice canister only. most planted tanks require the supplementation of CO2 and surface agitation caused by HOB tends to cause all the CO2 bubbled into the tank to be released into the atmosphere. Plus the plants work as your back up filtration system eleviating the need for the back up filtration of the HOB.

Do all aquariums need an air pump w/stone?

Once again this varies between planted and non planted tank. On non planted tanks an air stone is a beneficial to the fish, but on a planted tank the air stone causes surface agitation and the loss of CO2. But don't worry about the loss of oxygen by not adding an airstone in a planted tank because the plants release oxygen into the tank as a result of phtosynthesis.


Do you have to add salt?
You do not need to add salt and there are some fish who are not tolerant of it.

Do you have to do weekly water changes? Weekly water changes are a good habit to develop, and the improved water quality that they create will most likely translate into a longer life span for your fish, but no you do not have to do weekly water change.


I know alot of this has been posted, but I wanted to add the parts how a planted tank differs from a non planted tank.

[gm72]

Good posts, Fishguy and Hungry. Good to have a consensus.

I use airstones or a bubbling decoration in all of my tanks. I just like how it looks and some of the fish, my clown loaches in particular, like to play in the bubbles.