THE TRUTH
BY TWISTED
this article was modified
to not offend anyone
Over the years, the aquarium hobby has become more and more popular as diversity among fish availability and aquarist's alike expands. These days it seems as if everyone who lays their eyes on a beautifully set up aquarium wants one as their own. Unfortunately, in spite of the plethora of information on aquarium-keeping available, most people set an aquarium up on impulse, assuming the equation: " starting tank + water + fish = a gorgeous, relaxing conversation piece " is true. That equation is about as far from the truth as can be. I will now explain why I believe people behave this way, and what they can do to avoid possible setbacks.
First off, what makes a fish tank so desirable? Those who have never kept one may ask that. The most common reason I believe the average person keeps aquariums is because they consider a fish tank a novelty, something to be noticed once in a while, and tended to even less often. Many people feel as if a fish tank is a sign of prosperity or success. Classy restaurants, hotels, and homes contain breathtaking aquaria. Obviously, owning and maintaining a tank proportional to many of those massive tanks is downright impractical. However, many find satisfaction in having a smaller aquarium. In my experience, new aquarium owners are so concerned with the tastes of others that may visit their homes as guests. For example, they like the 75- gallon tank, but rant about how great that super-tall hexagonal tank would look to company. What they don't consider is the fact that most fish prefer a tank that contains more length and width as opposed to exaggerated height. To them, it won't matter to the fish, but to them, since their reputation as a dignified homeowner is on the line. Hence, their fish are not animals but novelties…swimming objects that are quickly replaced after death by live ones.
It is said that having an aquarium in the home can help relieve stress in the aquarist. For the knowledgeable, experienced aquarist's, this is true. However, keeping an aquarium can be a nerve-wracking experience to the misinformed and to the ignorant. Everyone seems to believe that in order to keep a clean, healthy aquarium, the tank must be cleaned rigorously. Now, although it is true that some fish species (discus, etc) require extremely- frequent water changes, most don't. I can say that I meet about 50 people a week who explain their problems with their aquariums, problems stemming from too much maintenance. The truth is, 100% water changes are almost never necessary. Gravel should never be removed and rinsed. Changing entire filter units can be devastating to the fish inhabitants. Nitrifying bacteria live on and colonize the surface areas of the gravel and filter media. By removing bacteria, toxins such as ammonia and nitrite take over and weaken or kill the fish. Aquarist's see that the water has become cloudy after a water change and they become frustrated. They claim their fish "die on them" as if the fish had a choice. Needless to say, these catastrophic events could have easily been avoided with a little reading on the subject.
Those who know me personally know that I become upset very quickly with impatient, giddy newbies. They concentrate their efforts on the aesthetic quality of their aquarium. They let the store employee point them to the cheapest filters and heaters. In their mind, their cute little fish will swim around in little circles, happy and playful as they entertain their keepers. In reality, the fish soon succumb to high toxic levels after swimming in a downward spiral style, seemingly aware of the fact that they were purchased by someone who has no clue as to what they are doing.
Everyone wants to mix everything and anything. Those cute fancy guppies they want would enhance the colors of the lone tiger barb they already have. That grotesque-looking bubble-eyed goldfish would look so appealing with those angelfish. And of course, no reef tank is complete without the addition of a cute baby undulated trigger (yes, that is a true situation…the owner of the reef just KNEW it was ok because supposedly, he was God and whatever he thought to be true was). Many people can't realize why some of their fish live and some always die. For instance, the customer with the livebearer tank (platys, swordtails, etc) who can't seem to keep his cardinal tetras alive. He never took the time out to learn that, although neither fish is typically aggressive, both require different pH levels.
I find it funny that the average aquarist considers any fish disease "Ich". "Ich" (which is a unicellular parasitic protozoan known as Ichthyophthirius multifilis) is often the cause of death in many fish, but the uninformed aquarist usually assumes it is the universal fish ailment, as if fish only get Ich. They proceed to purchase Ich medication, and are upset when their fish meet their demise in a few days, regardless of the amount of medication they added. If only people knew how to identify other signs of disease or pathogen, and realized that Ich isn't the only threat to their aquarium, then more fish would be saved.
Not surprisingly, no one seems to know why their aquatic plants wither away and die after a few weeks. Again, a little reading on the subject could have saved a little frustration, as well as money and the plant itself. Most plants won't live long under regular fluorescent light, and require more intense light.
Hey, the truth hurts, but until you render your actions to suit the requirements of the fish, fish will keep dying, and you won't be considered a successful aquarist. If you are the type that doesn't mind constantly replenishing fish in your tank because of your actions (or lack of), and if your attitude toward aquarium-keeping is careless maybe keeping fish isn't for you. To those who read this and really want to be successful, the best words of advice are these- READ READ READ…and READ some more…and don't wait until after you begin losing fish. Read as much as you possibly can BEFORE attempting to set up an aquarium. DO NOT refer to chat room dolts for information. You will receive nothing but conflicting, contradicting (mis)information. DO NOT take advice from anyone employed at any of the many large-chain pet stores. Also, beware of many small pet shop employees who will tell you that you need this and that and proceed to sell you anything for a buck. Learn to sense desperation. And most importantly, be patient. The most critical time your tank will experience is the first several months. Learn about how to properly cycle a tank.
That's all I've got to say for now.
Excuse the truth
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