What's something you do that people would hate you for on the internet?

Title says it all - what's something you do in your aquarium hobby that you'd get a lot of hate for? None of us are perfect, and I guarantee we all have at least a few bad habits.

I'll start.

1) I use test strips 9 times out of 10. I own a ton of liquid kits too, but I have 9 tanks set up, so liquid testing each one takes a lot of time. So unless I'm needing super accurate readings or I'm testing for something like copper, I choose test strips.

2) I don't temperature match my water change water. At least, not to the degree like I see so many people do online. If it's less than a 50% water change, I just dip my finger into the bucket and into the tank - if it feels close, it's good enough.

3) I'm convinced that most of us are better off managing disease than eradicating disease. This is a big thing in saltwater tanks, but I don't think I've seen the discussion on freshwater forums. Basically, most parasites (and some bacterial/fungal infections) can be fought off by the fish's immune system, and assuming the fish is healthy enough, can be kept at bay for a long time. But the fish almost never completely defeats the parasite - it's still there, just in very small numbers. If we're talking about ich, for example, that means that we may never see spots (or we may only see a spot every now and then), but it's living in the gills of the fish. The parasite doesn't begin to overwhelm the fish until it's sufficiently stressed - a second illness, bad tank parameters, being netted, or just old age can cause the immune system to weaken and then you see a million spots on the fish. I'm all for eradicating the disease if possible (if you can see it), but treating EVERY fish you encounter with harsh meds like Ich-X (or copper in saltwater) is very aggressive and will probably have at least some long-term effects on some fish. So, for most of us, I'd say we're better off observing the fish, and if everyone looks healthy, assume that they are. The only time I might be hesitant to do that is if they're going in with fish that can't be treated easily - puffers, scaleless fish, stuff like that. And, of course, in saltwater, it's a little tougher to treat parasites like this, so again, YMMV. I know for a fact that I've got a tank with ich in it, but they're all damsels and clownfish, so I've never seen the current fish exhibiting symptoms. A good diet and a light touch (no huge rescapes) keeps them healthy, even though they definitely have ich. Quarantining is still important - if you put a fish into your tank with velvet or some other fast-moving disease, you'll probably wipe out your tank.

 

I thought this thread would be pretty interesting! I try to practice what I preach, but I always inevitably find my own shortcuts and ways of doing things.

I don't remember if I've mentioned this one, but this should upset some of our salty friends:

I don't usually test my brackish/saltwater WC water for salinity. I know that for my full saltwater tanks it takes a little over 2 1/2 cups of salt for a 5 gallon bucket, it takes around 2 for my Green Spotted Puffer, and then only 1/2 cup for my brackish tank. I dump in that much and then add it to the tank. I watch for the water to get hazy, as it usually only happens when the salinity is off compared to the tank water. If it doesn't, I keep going. I test salinity once a week, just to make sure I haven't drifted too far off target.

Back when I had more reef tanks I was more careful. But most hardy inverts and fish don't seem to care as long as you're not WAY off.

 

GBR HAVE to be in 82+ water or do not have them. The end. They are not "fine" in colder temps to accommodate your cories or danios. They are also not good community tank fish. These reasons are why I don't have them anymore. They should be in a species only tank IMO.

 

I feed my fish (including my Rams) bloodworms EVERY DAY.

 

I feed my fish (including my Rams) bloodworms EVERY DAY.

I would but that is a bit out of my budget lol

 

I would but that is a bit out of my budget lol

Yep, they’re spoiled rotten fish! With an attitude.

 

#1. I do not use water conditioner. Ya, ya, ya, haven't for over 5 years and my fish are fine, thriving at that lol. (I have country well water )

#2. The only time I test my water is when cycling.

#3. I bettas SHOULD NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, BE HOUSED IN LESS THEN A 2.5. Oh, they also like, need a filter and heater.

#4. I am very straight forward, I don't cover ya in sugar.

#5. I LOVE "pest" snails!!

(I can see the mobs of haters runn'in with pitchforks at torches)

 

I always make sure my hands are clean (no harsh soap or sanitizer) before I do this but I feel like I stick my hands in my tank way too much (usually adjusting misplaced plants, adjusting heater or fixing the gravel after top offs.) Don't know how sinful this is considered in the aquarist community but at least I always clean my hands beforehand! :0

 

I refuse to go out and buy posh, brand named tools for my aquariums....

A spaghetti spoon for moss ball placement/retrieval

A giant turkey baster for spot cleaning, water tests (if required when whiffy water present) and sand puffing to prevent over compaction

Bamboo tweezers for moving plants

A bottomless 2 litre water bottle to gently replace substrate without moving the hooligans or making a sandstorm

 

I refuse to go out and buy posh, brand named tools for my aquariums....

A spaghetti spoon for moss ball placement/retrieval

A giant turkey baster for spot cleaning, water tests (if required when whiffy water present) and sand puffing to prevent over compaction

Bamboo tweezers for moving plants

A bottomless 2 litre water bottle to gently replace substrate without moving the hooligans or making a sandstorm

Done most if these lol!!

Here is a list of things such as opinions and preferences that many people seem to go against:

- I don’t like wild caught fish. Why would I keep the majority of fish in the hobby if they’re wild caught provided my tap water has a dKH of 13 and a pH of 7.5?

Maidenhead Aquatics, a popular fish retailer in the UK, is notorious for selling overpriced, wild caught fish. Unless I intend on keeping hardwater fish I’ll pass on the wild caught fish thank you.

- Most gouramis and cichlids annoy me. I’ve found solitude in bettas, geophagus and rainbow cichlids so far though.

- This next might spark some controversy, but that’s the point of this thread, right?

Anyway, I dislike most fish forums and I dislike all fish Facebook groups. They’re mostly full of people who are mean, think they’re experts just because they heavily understock, never try anything new in the hobby or all of those. Some people on the internet fail to comprehend they’re job is to help, not judge. Often I’m scared to share things about my fish and how things are going in the hobby online.

Many users (this mainly applies to Facebook groups; I haven’t seen this on forums before) will beg for your fish so they can place them in inadequate setups.

The internet can be a dangerous place where you find lots of conflicting information from various people, starting debates which quickly become arguments, leaving the researcher worried and befuddled in the end. I don’t see this here but on other forums I see it too frequently...

- Bottled bacteria is rarely useful. Why do so many people think adding it to a cycled tank will do anything?

- I like to see diatoms. It’s free fish food and always removing it like I’m commanded to disrupts the ecosystem that is the aquarium.

- I like to see some algae. When in the right numbers it’s fine and can look nice on decorations.

- I like to see some biofilm. Free food and usually a sign that the tank is doing well.

- I like to see tannins, and I imagine the fish do too. If any hardwater fish in the tanned water are captive bred then it shouldn’t bother them enough to cause problems; the tannins in my 30 gallon don’t seem to affect the chemistry anyway.

- I like to see snail and/or detritus worm infestations. My trumpet snails are precious like gemstones to me. No harm is done by leaving them be; remember to respect that they’re harmless and an important part of the ecosystem in our tanks.

- I don’t like bright lighting or long periods of lighting on tanks. My parents want one of our tanks to stay on from 7am to 10pm, so I argue about it and change nothing in the end. I’m not having the light on for what, 15 hours a day? If they complain whenever they see a small patch of diatoms I’m not sure why they want bright, long periods of light. The fish definitely don’t.

- I aim for 30-50% weekly water changes (seriously, my parents complain that if I do more than 20% I’m “taking all of the good stuff out,” so I ask them what they mean by that only to receive a blank stare).

- While on the topic of water changes, they are fun! 30 gallon tanks are the most fun to maintain.

- I don’t panic about having someone to babysit fish if I’m gone for a few days to a week max. As long as a water change isn’t due whilst I’m gone, it’s all good.

- While it’s usually advised not to listen to your kids in the hobby I think my parents should listen to me because when I don’t buy their advice they punish me until I‘m forced to consider it, only for things to go wrong or at least worse than they could’ve went. When I try to tell them something’s wrong I’m usually hit with the blown out excuse “it’s fine.” I’m sure this applies to the parents of kids who are also fish enthusiasts who care about the hobby.

- I’ve come to hate naming fish. My mum always tries to name them and it’s so hard to keep track. I’m content with ”Doug” the geophagus and “Koi” the koi angelfish, but that’s all I need. Any more becomes annoying. I’d much prefer to identify fish by their species.

Almost everything you've listed, I totally agree with! XD

 

I have occasionally rinsed media under running tap water. I’m sorry. Don’t hurt me.

How? The bb will die. When people say they do that, my mind starts to hurt. Just how don't your fish die?

 

How? The bb will die. When people say they do that, my mind starts to hurt. Just how don't your fish die?

Years ago I rinsed media in tapwater too (before I moved to my current home). It never had an affect on the fish cos by the time the media was installed and the aquarium was running, the chlorine had been so heavily diluted by the existing water that it was cancelled out.

 

Fun.

1) I always rinse filters in my city tap water....because science (dosage and dwell)

2) I manipulate my water chemistry, and use concrete cleaner ( muriatic) to lower my pH....again, because science.

 

Oh boy here we go... I think the best method of euthanasia is a good ol knife. Instant and painless.

 

Oh boy here we go... I think the best method of euthanasia is a good ol knife. Instant and painless.

I use a different method, not often, but I have before, especially for small fish. I have only done it twice, but I whip fish at the wall at mach 5. Both times I have done it, they die instantly, and I do feel remorse for it, but I feel it is the fastest method. I have never done it to a larger fish, but I generally like to let my fish pass in peace if I can. I feel their last moments should be left alone to die in piece as they would in nature.

The thing I do that the internet would honestly cringe at, other than my euthanasia method, is the amount I feed. I feed my 75g tank a 3 finger+thumb full pinch of food- every day. I feed all of my tanks like this. I have never seen anybody feed anywhere near the amount I do.

 

How? The bb will die. When people say they do that, my mind starts to hurt. Just how don't your fish die?

Do they really die though? I don't use tap water to disinfect my kitchen bench and the BB in my stomach don't die when I drink tap water.

To be honest though I do (mostly) use tank water to rinse bio media. I use tap water sometimes for quick and thorough rinsing of mechanical or pre filter sponges.

 

How? The bb will die. When people say they do that, my mind starts to hurt. Just how don't your fish die?

Um, the purpose of this thread is to share, not to get haters lol. You RINSE it, you don't scrub it or replace the filter media. The fish are definitely not going to die. I've done it randomly for over five years, no dead fish over here!

 

Rinsing media in straight tapwater doesn't harm anything cos once rinsed you wring it out so the amount of actual tapwater that enters the filter and aquarium is truly negligible and soon removed by the aquarium's own defenses.

It's only in recent decades that conditioners are routinely used for tapwater in aquariums. Mainly due to the addition of chlorine and other weird and not so wonderful stuff to the supply being a relatively recent method of water treatment. When I started keeping fish, there wasn't any need for conditioners of any kind.

 

2) I manipulate my water chemistry, and use concrete cleaner ( muriatic) to lower my pH....again, because science.

But once you explain your process it becomes clear that you know what you're doing. You are not THAT kind of user of that method you think people make you out as.

Oh boy here we go... I think the best method of euthanasia is a good ol knife. Instant and painless.

Agree, though depending on the fishes size. I couldn't do this to a 2cm pencilfish without eventually cutting myself and simply squeezing it to death while trying to keep a hold of it. No problem with a 20cm cichlid though. I prefer the same method as coralbandit.

How? The bb will die. When people say they do that, my mind starts to hurt. Just how don't your fish die?

Some countries don't have chlorine in their tap. When I do bigger water changes or redo scapes I just put my whole filter in a bucket of tap with the same temp as my tank.

 

Some countries don't have chlorine in their tap. When I do bigger water changes or redo scapes I just put my whole filter in a bucket of tap with the same temp as my tank.

We also don't have chlorine in our tapwater here in the Netherlands. In fact, a few shops that sell dwarf shrimp state that their shrimp are raised in tap water!

 

In fact, a few shops that sell dwarf shrimp state that their shrimp are raised in tap water!

Completely normal for continental Europe.

 

My tapwater...courtesy of Yorkshire Water...for my postal code.

 

Hey guys, interesting discussion on tap water and filter media but let's get this thread back on topic.

Here's the original post:

Title says it all - what's something you do in your aquarium hobby that you'd get a lot of hate for? None of us are perfect, and I guarantee we all have at least a few bad habits.

 

Forgot to add my own!

I don't remember the last time I tested my water.

I anthropomorphise some fish /frogs and I call them fin/flipper babies AND I don't care who thinks less of me for it.

I also think the internet is full of fish snobs.
(Went to a now defunct fish club meeting once. Full of cichlid keepers who looked down on tetra keepers. No wonder it's defunct.)

 

I rarely test my water unless somethings off and I can’t remember when I last did a waterchange on my 40 gal (it’s been atleast 6 months ? ) so far so good though.

 

How? The bb will die. When people say they do that, my mind starts to hurt. Just how don't your fish die?

Science, dude. Prime Time Aquatics has a great video on it explaining the science behind and why they do it. Granted, i wouldn't suggest doing it on a filter less than several months old, and they don't either.

 

Um, the purpose of this thread is to share, not to get haters lol. You RINSE it, you don't scrub it or replace the filter media. The fish are definitely not going to die. I've done it randomly for over five years, no dead fish over here!

I wasn't trying to hate.....If I sounded rude I am sorry. Here's what I am getting to so far: when you rinse filter (all the filter media in the filter) media under tap water that kills the bb. If that tank is still new, that would be disastrous, but if the tank is established, that wouldn't hurt the tank or kill the fish because there is still bb in the substrate, wood, decor, and plants. B

Science, dude. Prime Time Aquatics has a great video on it explaining the science behind and why they do it. Granted, i wouldn't suggest doing it on a filter less than several months old, and they don't either.

I will watch that video

 

Ok well I think I may have a few. First off there are no rules in fish keeping!! It a hobby always was and will be!
The rule you need 6 of this or 6 of that was made by the wholesaler! Great for business!! Sells fish and meds! Yes after people by 6 of this and that and throw them into there 10 gal : hey you need meds cause there all sick . Next you need a bigger tank . Wholesalers!!! This all started with the internet!!
YES you CAN keep 2 corys in a fish tank!! Humans are happy fish are fish . I was once called cruel and inhuman by some prominent people here for pushing that .
Always change water and if you think it’s a problem add salt.
Fish meds as a last result.
If your trying to do a water change free fish tank keep lizards .

 

If your trying to do a water change free fish tank keep lizards .

Can I use that statement for a T-Shirt?

 

Can I use that statement for a T-Shirt?

All yours .

 

Ok well I think I may have a few. First off there are no rules in fish keeping!! It a hobby always was and will be!
The rule you need 6 of this or 6 of that was made by the wholesaler! Great for business!! Sells fish and meds! Yes after people by 6 of this and that and throw them into there 10 gal : hey you need meds cause there all sick . Next you need a bigger tank . Wholesalers!!! This all started with the internet!!
YES you CAN keep 2 corys in a fish tank!! Humans are happy fish are fish . I was once called cruel and inhuman by some prominent people here for pushing that .
Always change water and if you think it’s a problem add salt.
Fish meds as a last result.
If your trying to do a water change free fish tank keep lizards .

I agree with every point wholeheartedly so you will get no grief from me. I cringe each time I read one HAS TO HAVE at least 6 of a species for the fish to be happy. I normally don't say anything because it wouldn't do any good. It has been said so often it has become fact for some. Some corys may be more active with more than one and with just one we won't get babies but we don't have to have a specific number for them to thrive. I love corys so the more the merrier for me.

 

I shop at Petsmart and Petco. Let the rounds fly! Lol

Yessir BUT it's Petco for me going forward..

How? The bb will die. When people say they do that, my mind starts to hurt. Just how don't your fish die?

My aunt rinses her filter cartridge with hose water and I'm still very confused as to how her fish are alive but it's all good..lol.

 

I agree with every point wholeheartedly so you will get no grief from me. I cringe each time I read one HAS TO HAVE at least 6 of a species for the fish to be happy. I normally don't say anything because it wouldn't do any good. It has been said so often it has become fact for some. Some corys may be more active with more than one and with just one we won't get babies but we don't have to have a specific number for them to thrive. I love corys so the more the merrier for me.

That's how I ended up with 9 Pandas....

 

I shop at Petsmart and Petco. Let the rounds fly! Lol

Lol! So do I. The dog gets groomed at Petsmart and the cat has a chicken sensitivity. She just can't eat any food unless we want to spend the next three hours cleaning up cat vomit. I've bought frozen fish food from petsmart (road construction by the fish store makes it hard to get in and out). I've bought heaters from petsmart and Pet co. Both of my tanks came from Petco. Nothing wring with shopping at either. I would buy fish from my local petco over petsmart.

 

Nothing wring with shopping at either. I would buy fish from my local petco over petsmart.

I got my topfin tank from petsmart. However with my betta (I've also never seen the koi/marble variation at petsmart), I got him from Petco. I honestly prefer Petco over Petsmart anytime.

With Petco, they say that if your fish dies within 30 days you can return it. In contrast, Petsmart gives you a pathetic 14 days to return your fish. I really don't know but I get better vibes from Petco than Petsmart..

Kinda like a McDonalds Chick-fil-a situation.. -->

**Chick-fil-a is better IMO lol.

 

I got my topfin tank from petsmart. However with my betta, I got him from Petco. I honestly prefer Petco over Petsmart anytime.

With Petco, they say that if your fish dies within 30 days you can return it. In contrast, Petsmart gives you a pathetic 14 days to return your fish. I really don't know but I get better vibes from Petco than Petsmart..

Kinda like a McDonalds Chick-fil-a situation..

**Chick-fil-a is better IMO lol.

I agree with all of that

 

I stick my fingers in the tank water and compare it to the temp coming out of the tap. As long as its not too warm or too cold, everything has been fine.

I do a 50% water change every week.

PH chasing isn't worth it.

I only test when it seems like something it off.

Just joined the Facebook group for the local aquarium club and wow. Some people try to be helpful but everyone else....not sure if I would even want to go to a meeting.

 

My aunt rinses her filter cartridge with hose water and I'm still very confused as to how her fish are alive but it's all good..lol.

Another probably unpopular opinion. Once a tank is firmly established rinsing media in tap water isn't going to crash the cycle. Once firmly established bacteria will have grown on everything in the tank. Losing a little bit of it by rinsing the media in tap water normally isn't a big deal. Way back when I was still using cartridges I would take them to the kitchen sink and scrub them under hot running water. I no longer do that but then I no longer use cartridges either.

 

Another probably unpopular opinion. Once a tank is firmly established rinsing media in tap water isn't going to crash the cycle. Once firmly established bacteria will have grown on everything in the tank. Losing a little bit of it by rinsing the media in tap water normally isn't a big deal. Way back when I was still using cartridges I would take them to the kitchen sink and scrub them under hot running water. I no longer do that but then I no longer use cartridges either.

Yeah that makes sense. She never cycled her tank the 1st time she set up her 20. I guess that because she did 50% WCs frequently and had hardy fish, majority of the fish survived.

 

Another probably unpopular opinion. Once a tank is firmly established rinsing media in tap water isn't going to crash the cycle. Once firmly established bacteria will have grown on everything in the tank. Losing a little bit of it by rinsing the media in tap water normally isn't a big deal. Way back when I was still using cartridges I would take them to the kitchen sink and scrub them under hot running water. I no longer do that but then I no longer use cartridges either.

I completely agree with you, especially once the tank in question is completely mature/established and not just cycled. There is much more bacteria in your tank than just on the filter media.

Also, my own unpopular idea that I will get a lot of hate for is not using quarantine. Not only do I not want to have a barren tank taking up space, but I generally have a good idea if the fish are healthy or not by looking at the store tanks. I look at every tank and the health of all their fish and not just the one the fish I want is being kept in as well and I have not had any fish deaths from illness in a long time.

 

Yeah that makes sense. She never cycled her tank the 1st time she set up her 20. I guess that because she did 50% WCs frequently and had hardy fish, majority of the fish survived.

She cycled it. We don't have to be watching the numbers to cycle a tank. Add fish, do water changes as needed and the tank will cycle (bacteria will grow) whether we are watching the numbers or not.