Series · Part 1
The Aquarium Journal
An aquarium — the beautiful little glass box where you try to re-create nature. This is a journal from newbie-fish-killer to Multi-Tank-Syndrome-affected individual.
An aquarium — the beautiful small glass/acrylic box where you try to re-create nature, so to say.
I've been interested in this hobby for a couple of years now. And before I begin, let me confess: I am guilty of killing 2 sunset platies, 2 mickey mouse platies, 2 swordtails, and 1 serpae tetra to newbie mistakes. So treat this as a journal from newbie-fish-killer to MTS (Multi-Tank-Syndrome) affected individual.
I always wanted an aquarium, and two years back we bought the Marineland Eclipse 3 system — essentially a 3-gallon acrylic tank with a built-in hang-on-back (HOB) filter and a bio-wheel, giving mechanical, chemical and biological filtration. We filled it with water, bought the “Aquariums for Dummies” book, and read it. A good start. We ran the tank for 2–3 days, then added a serpae tetra. I asked the pet-store assistant if a single serpae tetra was okay, and he said yes. All seemed happy and well.
The newbie mistakes
- Not getting a big enough tank. Always get the biggest tank you can afford. Bigger tanks are far more forgiving of water-parameter changes and hence easier to maintain — contrary to common belief.
- Not adding a de-chlorinator. Chlorine makes water safe for humans but is fatal to fish. Always add a de-chlorinator to tap water, or leave the water in sunlight for a day first.
- Trusting the pet-store personnel. Not all of them care or know enough about fish. They try to sell stuff to make money — fine for their business, probably not for the fish.
- Not researching the fish. A serpae tetra is a tropical fish and needs a heater; my 3-gallon had none. Serpae tetras also want much more swimming room than 3 gallons, and prefer a group of three or more.