Ok I would by no means call myself an expert aquarist but Im definetly not a noob either. Lets go with advanced beginner-intermediate lol but main point is that I almost didnt get to enjoy the hobby because we were givin some really bad advice.
I will include some information here to help people avoid bad advice and if you know of anything I missed then please add to the list.
1) Stocking is based on how you care for your tank. You can have as many fish as you want given they are an appropriate size, are not crowded, and are taken care of! General rule is 1 inch of fish for every gallon of water. NOT 1 fish for every gallon (like we were told)
2) Carefully check what size the fish will GROW to! Most fish are not adults when they are sold. Many pet stores wont tell you this. For example. We had a 10 gallon tank. The clerk at the store was willing to sell us a bala shark (2-3 inches at that time) She failed to mention however that it would grow to over a foot long!
3) Just because your tank has been sitting for a week doesnt mean it is safe to add all the fish you want. You could probably add a few but it is best to first either let the tank cycle, add a bacteria (seachem stability), or get bacteria from a trusted tank (filter cartridge)
4) Make sure the fish are compatable. This means ensure that they will not kill/eat each other but it also means make sure they enjoy the same water parameters such as ph and temperature and in some cases same tank size and shape. Also make sure 1 fish wont be completely outcompeted for food by all the other fish.
5) DO NOT USE SOAP TO CLEAN YOUR TANK!!!!!! Rinse with water only! If it goes in the tank it should be rinsed but only with water!
6) If treating your tank remove carbon from the filter as it absorbs the medication. (Pet store forgot to mention this to.
7) Make sure you feed the right food.
8) BETTAS DO NOT LIKE TINY UNHEATED BOWLS! A betta needs to be in a TANK with a heater and filter.
That is all I can think of at the moment but these are things to remember if you are just starting out! God Bless and happy Fishkeeping!
I will include some information here to help people avoid bad advice and if you know of anything I missed then please add to the list.
1) Stocking is based on how you care for your tank. You can have as many fish as you want given they are an appropriate size, are not crowded, and are taken care of! General rule is 1 inch of fish for every gallon of water. NOT 1 fish for every gallon (like we were told)
2) Carefully check what size the fish will GROW to! Most fish are not adults when they are sold. Many pet stores wont tell you this. For example. We had a 10 gallon tank. The clerk at the store was willing to sell us a bala shark (2-3 inches at that time) She failed to mention however that it would grow to over a foot long!
3) Just because your tank has been sitting for a week doesnt mean it is safe to add all the fish you want. You could probably add a few but it is best to first either let the tank cycle, add a bacteria (seachem stability), or get bacteria from a trusted tank (filter cartridge)
4) Make sure the fish are compatable. This means ensure that they will not kill/eat each other but it also means make sure they enjoy the same water parameters such as ph and temperature and in some cases same tank size and shape. Also make sure 1 fish wont be completely outcompeted for food by all the other fish.
5) DO NOT USE SOAP TO CLEAN YOUR TANK!!!!!! Rinse with water only! If it goes in the tank it should be rinsed but only with water!
6) If treating your tank remove carbon from the filter as it absorbs the medication. (Pet store forgot to mention this to.
7) Make sure you feed the right food.
8) BETTAS DO NOT LIKE TINY UNHEATED BOWLS! A betta needs to be in a TANK with a heater and filter.
That is all I can think of at the moment but these are things to remember if you are just starting out! God Bless and happy Fishkeeping!