Attiland
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
We are in a world where everything is automated, loaded with technology or digitalised. Even in an aquarium we use 5-6 level filters all sort of water condition checking systems, digital thermometers etc, so the question is if I have to go for all this?Well I have an opinion about this, but the decision needs to be done you.
I have some sort of aquarium for 30 years. I have started with a catfish caught in a canal while I was fishing with my dad and kept it in a 3l bottle. I had no filtration or heating not even an air pump. I knew nothing about the aquariums, just one thing that I like it.
Didn’t took me long to join to the local aquarist club (I didn’t know that then but that was the biggest in the country) where I could learn about what to do and what not to do.
I couldn’t afford to buy an aquarium myself so was happy to look after the fish at the club. I was there every day and tried to learn everything from the older generation. I have learnt from people who could first bread neon tetras in Europe or first looked after African cichlids in Eastern Europe. I didn’t know that then how lucky I was to know all these people. Later they wrote down in books what they know about this hobby and ever since I didn’t see so accurate descriptions of the spices like those were.
They hardly checked the water conditions in the beginning, but still could manage to keep the fish alive and bread them with minimal equipment. Those kits could be used to test the water conditions were so expensive hardly anybody could afford them. Later of course these and other kits become more affordable so we all had air pumps, and electric motor powered filters and some of us even water tests.
So what was the secret? Our guideline was what the nature can do for us let the nature to do it. We maintain it, but not do anything what is not a must. We learned to use our senses to check the water conditions; we knew by colour or smell of the water if it is good enough for the fish or not. I still do not test my water condition with chemicals and I can’t remember when last time had issues with starting an aquarium. All I do is fallowing simple rules while set up a new tank.
And how to maintain in an old fashion way?
I have some sort of aquarium for 30 years. I have started with a catfish caught in a canal while I was fishing with my dad and kept it in a 3l bottle. I had no filtration or heating not even an air pump. I knew nothing about the aquariums, just one thing that I like it.
Didn’t took me long to join to the local aquarist club (I didn’t know that then but that was the biggest in the country) where I could learn about what to do and what not to do.
I couldn’t afford to buy an aquarium myself so was happy to look after the fish at the club. I was there every day and tried to learn everything from the older generation. I have learnt from people who could first bread neon tetras in Europe or first looked after African cichlids in Eastern Europe. I didn’t know that then how lucky I was to know all these people. Later they wrote down in books what they know about this hobby and ever since I didn’t see so accurate descriptions of the spices like those were.
They hardly checked the water conditions in the beginning, but still could manage to keep the fish alive and bread them with minimal equipment. Those kits could be used to test the water conditions were so expensive hardly anybody could afford them. Later of course these and other kits become more affordable so we all had air pumps, and electric motor powered filters and some of us even water tests.
So what was the secret? Our guideline was what the nature can do for us let the nature to do it. We maintain it, but not do anything what is not a must. We learned to use our senses to check the water conditions; we knew by colour or smell of the water if it is good enough for the fish or not. I still do not test my water condition with chemicals and I can’t remember when last time had issues with starting an aquarium. All I do is fallowing simple rules while set up a new tank.
- I start with research. Even after 30 years in this hobby I start in the library or on the net to find out what exactly I want and what I need to do. At this point I don’t even have the tank. Why? Because different fish have different needs. I check the local water conditions on the website of the water provider for hardness where these details are available and up-to date. It is important to able to select the fish you can have without the hassle of keep treating the water with chemicals. I only go for the fish which is fine the water available from the tap.
- I do my plans. I start to draw a pictures for how the tank would look like where the rocks/plants would be. At this point I still don’t have a tank, just a few coloured drawings of an optimal setup. Why? Because in this way I will able to have time to find out which plan I would go for. Recently getting lazy and just save some pictures from the net and only doing rough sketch before I storm down to the local shop but still do some plans.
- By the time I get to the shop I know what I want. Funny but usually I test the stuff if I can rely on the advice of them or not and then I buy what I had planned. So a heater an analogue thermometer, a tank, a well oversized filter and decoration is the only thing I buy in the first visit. I have a special obsession of South African cichlids so plenty of rock I use. Driftwood is also a good natural decoration which can be bought in almost any shop. You can use your own peace of wood from the local forest, but make it ready for the aquarium is a long process can take up to 2-3 month while it starts to sink, but the results will be more unique then the one from the shop.
Never miss out to purchase some background as well because later it is hard to install. I usually go for the 3D ones, I did it DIY as well but If you want fast results you can buy pretty good ones on the net for cheap. If you want just a background picture that is fine as well just go for one which is in harmony with the fish and plants you are planning to have.
I only use live plants, so if they have what I want I buy that as well. The only chemical I use is some antichlor. I don’t want to mention brands but almost every brand works just fine. If I were you would never use any non natural looking decoration. Plastic plants are not natural!!! - I go home and put my tank together. I usually play around with the rock/wood on the floor before I put it in to the tank and always make sure it is stable. Plant your plants and fill it up with water. Turn on all the equipments and your job is done for a while.
- I watch what is going on in the tank. Your plants will start to turn in to the light source, maybe start to grow as well. You will recognise some small snails came with the plants and in a few weeks time you will find some algae patches on the decorations. Now this is the time when you can say you have planted life to your tank. If everything was brand new this might take up to 3-4 weeks. I only do my regular weekly 15-20% water change during this period. There is no need to keep check the water condition because you will smell if the water is healthy. Looking from the side of the tank you will see if the water is clear or cloudy. Cloudy water generally speaking is no good and smells different too. I don’t stress myself with water tests. Cycling the tank is not something you do it happens if you want it or not. Can be speed up but what is the point?
- I introduce the first fish in about a month after setting up the aquarium, and usually start with some sort of catfish then every week a new set of fish till I have planned amount of fish and usually introduce one species a time. In this way I haven’t lost any fish in the last 20 years due to wrong water conditions in a new tank. I only buy healthy fish, which is in a shop/breeders aquarium where there is no ill fish and the water seems to be clean smells healthy.
And how to maintain in an old fashion way?
- Don’t overstock your tank.
- Do your weekly water changes. If you miss out one that is not a problem, but next week you have to do it. Once a month collect the dirt from the bottom of the tank and clean the filter. If you have biological filters clean it in aquarium water only. Don’t use any carbon filter media unless you need to remove medication from the water.
- Feed only what your fish eat in 2 minutes or if you can do it in two parts the 2 times 1 minute is better. Don’t forget your fish will eat while food presents. Be weary with live food but I believe that is a good exercise for your fish to hunt for food. In no circumstances let the neighbours feed your fish while you are on holiday. If it is more than a week use auto feeders or holiday foods.
- If you need to replace your dead plants. Some will work in your setup some won’t. When you feed your fish have smell of the water. Soon you will learn what is good or bad.
- being as you asked.
