Share What You Have Learned As An Aquarist Hobbyist!

I wanted to share my experiences that I have learned in this hobby over the course of 2.5 years! Some of the information I have provided may help other aquarist or feel free to ask for more details, and I will more than happy to explain! Also please share your experiences as well that may not be well-known information but information that you have personally experienced!

1. Angelfish loves newly planted Blyxa Japonica plant and will consistently uproot it
   
2. Emperor Tetras should be classified as "Semi-Aggressive" rather than community.
   
3. Emperor Tetras are not compatible with Apistogramma at all
4. Do not use a CO2 reactor with a Spray Bar because there is not enough flow and water will trickle out the spray bar instead of spray out
5. Use an inline CO2 Diffuser with a Spray Bar to keep high flow when using a spray bar
6. A soft bristle toothbrush is a very handy tool because it can clean algae off equipment, the suction cups, plants, decorations, the silicon corners of the aquarium, etc where the algae scraper cannot reach
   
7. There are more medicine for my fish than for myself
   
8. Seachem StressGuard is an invaluable asset when transporting fish, moving it into a new tank and curing diseases
9. Worms in the substrate is a very clear indicator of overfeeding and high organic waste
10. A clown pleco will use every opportunity to hide its existence from you
11. Fish that loves caves, do not use Dragonstone aka. Ohko Stones in your Aquascape because one of those holes will become a death trap
    
12. Beginners to Apistogrammas, I recommend 1 per 24ft for the highest success rate. I have a 48ft tank, the two I have left that does not get along rarely ventures across the middle line of the tank.
    
13. is my one stop plant and hardscape decor store
14. Digital Timers, it brings great joy just to automate the lights
    
15. Using a glass top during the winter time to retain the heat and reduce evaporation will reflect a lot of light and greatly reduce PAR rating causing plants to deteriorate
    
16. Python water changer, buy one, there is no regret. Your hands, arms, and back will instantly thank you.
    
17. Flow is very important in a planted aquarium
18. Know the difference between emersed and submersed state of the plants. It saves headaches when you think that your plants are dying.
    
19. Aquascaping Tools, the Stainless Steel one makes planting and plant maintenance so much easier
    
20. Spring Scissors makes plant trimming super easy especially when working with Anubias and Mosses
    
21. Quarantine Tanks saves both money and fishes and contributes to anti-aging due to reducing stress
    
22. Surface Agitation is very important even when using CO2
    
23. Get rid of Carbon and use Seachem Purigen
24. A test kit helps to greatly narrow down your aquarium problems
25. Add new fish once every two weeks to allow the biological filtration to keep up with the new bioload
    
26. Add fish in this order: Community School Fish First then Semi-Aggressive/Terrorital Fish Second. Preferably, add all "Semi-Aggressive" fish at once to establish their own terroritory
27. Aquarium water is liquid gold for the garden
28. There are always exceptions to this hobby, but always strive for the highest success rate before venturing into exceptions!

 

I wanted to share my experiences that I have learned in this hobby over the course of 2.5 years! Some of the information I have provided may help other aquarist or feel free to ask for more details, and I will more than happy to explain! Also please share your experiences as well that may not be well-known information but information that you have personally experienced!

1. Angelfish loves newly planted Blyxa Japonica plant and will consistently uproot it
   
2. Emperor Tetras should be classified as "Semi-Aggressive" rather than community.
   
3. Emperor Tetras are not compatible with Apistogramma at all
4. Do not use a CO2 reactor with a Spray Bar because there is not enough flow and water will trickle out the spray bar instead of spray out
5. Use an inline CO2 Diffuser with a Spray Bar to keep high flow when using a spray bar
6. A soft bristle toothbrush is a very handy tool because it can clean algae off equipment, the suction cups, plants, decorations, the silicon corners of the aquarium, etc where the algae scraper cannot reach
   
7. There are more medicine for my fish than for myself
   
8. Seachem StressGuard is an invaluable asset when transporting fish, moving it into a new tank and curing diseases
9. Worms in the substrate is a very clear indicator of overfeeding and high organic waste
10. A clown pleco will use every opportunity to hide its existence from you
11. Fish that loves caves, do not use Dragonstone aka. Ohko Stones in your Aquascape because one of those holes will become a death trap
    
12. Beginners to Apistogrammas, I recommend 1 per 24ft for the highest success rate. I have a 48ft tank, the two I have left that does not get along rarely ventures across the middle line of the tank.
    
13. is my one stop plant and hardscape decor store
14. Digital Timers, it brings great joy just to automate the lights
    
15. Using a glass top during the winter time to retain the heat and reduce evaporation will reflect a lot of light and greatly reduce PAR rating causing plants to deteriorate
    
16. Python water changer, buy one, there is no regret. Your hands, arms, and back will instantly thank you.
    
17. Flow is very important in a planted aquarium
18. Know the difference between emersed and submersed state of the plants. It saves headaches when you think that your plants are dying.
    
19. Aquascaping Tools, the Stainless Steel one makes planting and plant maintenance so much easier
    
20. Spring Scissors makes plant trimming super easy especially when working with Anubias and Mosses
    
21. Quarantine Tanks saves both money and fishes and contributes to anti-aging due to reducing stress
    
22. Surface Agitation is very important even when using CO2
    
23. Get rid of Carbon and use Seachem Purigen
24. A test kit helps to greatly narrow down your aquarium problems
25. Add new fish once every two weeks to allow the biological filtration to keep up with the new bioload
    
26. Add fish in this order: Community School Fish First then Semi-Aggressive/Terrorital Fish Second. Preferably, add all "Semi-Aggressive" fish at once to establish their own terroritory
27. Aquarium water is liquid gold for the garden
28. There are always exceptions to this hobby, but always strive for the highest success rate before venturing into exceptions!

One thing that I've learned is that everyone will have to learn about Chemistry a little in keeping water perameters proper. I've also learned that we need some Biology with understanding the nitrogen cycle and the genetic needs and behaviors of aquatic life. I have also learned that a fishe's behavior can go from peaceful to dominate aggressive without warning. I also learned that the success of aquarium keeping requires work due to partial water changes and water testing...even of the tapwater. But I've learned that once the work is done, watching the tank is a beautiful way of relaxing. It's so calming to watch the fish do what the fish do.

 

The one thing I learn is that fishkeeping isn't math. One equation does not fit all, and everyone has their own experiences on successful fish keeping.

For example, I never found emperors to be aggressive to other fish, but males will readily display to eachother.

Every fish has personality! The hard part is ensuring that all your fish stay happy within a closed environment.



Do not skimp of expensive equitment like filtration and heating, these form the backbone of a successful aquarium... and underfiltering or being impatient leads to more headache.


Second hand is everyone friend, you can get great deals where you know where to look.


Find a great LFS and form a relationship of sorts with them. They more likely to help you out - like a couple of bucks too short, they'll let it slide... - and more willing to assist you.

 

One thing that I've learned is that everyone will have to learn about Chemistry a little in keeping water perameters proper. I've also learned that we need some Biology with understanding the nitrogen cycle and the genetic needs and behaviors of aquatic life. I have also learned that a fishe's behavior can go from peaceful to dominate aggressive without warning. I also learned that the success of aquarium keeping requires work due to partial water changes and water testing...even of the tapwater. But I've learned that once the work is done, watching the tank is a beautiful way of relaxing. It's so calming to watch the fish do what the fish do.

I absolutely agree, once the work is done, an aquarium is a rewarding relaxing experience

The one thing I learn is that fishkeeping isn't math. One equation does not fit all, and everyone has their own experiences on successful fish keeping.

For example, I never found emperors to be aggressive to other fish, but males will readily display to eachother.

Every fish has personality! The hard part is ensuring that all your fish stay happy within a closed environment.



Do not skimp of expensive equitment like filtration and heating, these form the backbone of a successful aquarium... and underfiltering or being impatient leads to more headache.


Second hand is everyone friend, you can get great deals where you know where to look.


Find a great LFS and form a relationship of sorts with them. They more likely to help you out - like a couple of bucks too short, they'll let it slide... - and more willing to assist you.

That is very interesting about the Emperor Tetra! I found them not aggressive with my Angelfish or my Pleco; however, with my Apistos, they chased them all around the tank constantly. Also, I agree with about the LFS relationship as I have developed one with mine and they will purchase some of my plants like Blyxa Japonica and Weeping Moss. They also give me a discount when I go there to restock so most definitely this is so true! Lastly, I agree about the equipment, it is costly and expensive; however, it saves the headaches!

 

I’m always learning...you think you have it all figured out and wham...knowledge bomb.

 

I’ve always thought that angelfish were peaceful fish.... haha I’m guessing you know what happened next...

 

Probably the biggest thing I have learned and keep experimenting with is you can have some strange combinations of fish in a larger tank.

 

I’ve always thought that angelfish were peaceful fish.... haha I’m guessing you know what happened next...

My Angelfish are very peaceful, and I think it comes down to hopefully pairing up! I watched a YouTube video of an Angelfish eating a Neon Tetra

Probably the biggest thing I have learned and keep experimenting with is you can have some strange combinations of fish in a larger tank.

Very interesting! What strange of combination of fish did you come across in a larger tank?