Comments on: Tropical Fish How To Guide

By: R.C.

R.C. — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:06:18 +0000

I have a 30 gallon tall tank with just a few hardy fish (guppy, danio, loach) and some basic plants and no filter for about two years. Love it. No algae, no fuss….but I definitely do not feed them every day. I don’t have the light on much either but all has been going great. No fish have died ( 2 years) and they seem happy.

By: Ryan Simmons

Ryan Simmons — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:33:34 +0000

I would have to disagree with the 25% water change every month. That is really too little too infrequently. Especially as a guide for people new to aquaria.

The reason why is that the vast majority of new aquarium keepers add way too many fish and underfilter their tank. If you only change 25% ever month the water parameters of the tank will change drastically from the tap water. You want to keep the parameters as closely together as possible.

When I’m keeping up with my normal maintenance I regularly do 80% water change weekly. There is really no reason to not change out as much water as possible unless it has been a long time since the water has been changed.

The benefit of this is obvious. If anything goes wrong with your tank like adding too much of a medicine, or the kid dumping the entire can of fish food into the tank, or the tank breaks, the fish are going to need brand new water immediately. If the tank’s water parameters are way off from the tap water (say as in Old Tank Syndrome), the sudden change in the quality of water will produce osmotic shock in the fish and likely kill them.

Over filter your tank and change as much of the water as often as you can make yourself do it.

By: ABHISHEK

ABHISHEK — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 09:36:14 +0000

VERY GOOD WEB SITE FOR FISH LOVERS

By: James

James — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:26:11 +0000

Good article. I have just bought a new 240Litre Tank after upgrading from my 180L one and am very happy. Its great and very relaxing after a hard day at work to come home and just stare at the fish in the tank. My newest member a Red Parrot Fish seems very happy and gets on with all tank mates, including the Male Betta (have had for 8 months) and my Grumpy (but good) Angel :)

By: Megan

Megan — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 19:02:02 +0000

i have only just bought a new fish tank and found this guide very usfull because it told me exactly what i ead to do!!! thanks

By: Eric

Eric — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:06:03 +0000

Great Site. I bookmarked this! Thanks so much!

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:31:44 +0000

Fantastic article! So many people think you just fill a tank with water a plunk any old fish in there when the truth is quite different. I agree with Sarah take it slow, follow the proper set up tasks like you have described above and your overall aquarium experience will be that much better.

By: SarahB

SarahB — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:30:42 +0000

Life is definitely easier if you take it slowly with aquarium fishes. I’ve got a 20 gallon long with danios, guppies, mollies and a couple of albino catfish. Life got easier once the tank was up and running. The first weeks are the hardest. Now the tank never gives me any bother. I make sure I do all my water chores though.

By: Snouty98

Snouty98 — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:28:22 +0000

Hey, you missed out step 11 – watch the tank turn into a green slimy mess!

Just kidding, neat guide.