We’ve all done it: second guessed ourselves during our fishkeeping journey. As caretakers, we want to make sure what we’re doing is correct and ultimately benefits the aquatic life that have become a part of our lives. LiveAquaria® is here to help you by compiling a list of topics and confirming or dispelling ten common myths.

On the surface, it may seem that a smaller aquarium would be easier to care for than a larger one. Because it is smaller it holds less water and is limited in the number of aquatic life it can hold. However, the larger volume of water allows it to absorb slight changes in water parameters easier. In addition, if the water chemistry needs to be corrected, having more water volume can provide additional time to address this change without affecting the health of the aquarium life (within reason). Having time to recognize and make corrections is especially important for beginner aquarists, simply because it may take them longer to realize there is an issue.

Though this may be a commonly followed practice, there are cracks to this reasoning because not all fish nor all aquariums are created equal. The one inch per gallon of water rule of thumb doesn’t take into account fish growth, shape, or behavior (such as swimming patterns). The shape of the aquarium matters. An aquarium that is longer than it is tall serves a different function than a taller one. For example, fish with tall or flowy fins need to be housed in a taller aquarium. It is best to research the aquatic life to be housed before securing an aquarium or selecting aquatic life that fits the orientation of the aquarium you already have and plan to use.

Bettas and Goldfish are freshwater fish species kept by a lot of beginner aquarists. The incredible variety of colors, fin formations and all around beauty coupled with the fact that they have easy care levels make them desirable. Can they live in small bowls? Maybe they can but they should not. A small bowl is not the optimal environment for providing them a fulfilling or long life. An aquarium that allows them more room to swim and is big enough to add a heater or filter is the best option. Bettas should be kept in at least a four gallon aquarium and Goldfish in ones with at least a capacity of 30 gallons (or larger, depending on the species).

Weekly water changes are not necessary. In our article, “Importance of Water Changes in Aquariums”, LiveAquaria^® recommends as a general guideline, a monthly 25% water change. However, smaller and more frequent water changes (15-20% every 1-2 weeks) are preferable for heavily stocked aquariums or aquariums with large fish.

This reasoning is flawed. In fact, instability to your aquarium water's parameters can be affected negatively by removing too much water or performing water changes too frequently. These practices can actually stress some fish, disrupt the beneficial bacteria present, and can disrupt your water's pH level or nitrogen cycle.

The LiveAquaria® article “10 Ways to Say Adios to Algae” can shed some light on this subject. Aquarists should know that some algae is okay. Take a moment to look at your aquarium. Does it look natural? Is there a hint of green covering driftwood or rocks which makes the structures blend in with the underwater garden? If it's not covering your glass or choking out the leaves of your plants, there's little reason to panic. Algae may be unsightly, but it actually consumes excess nutrients and provides oxygen. No one "wins" the battle against algae. Success is finding a natural balance in your enclosed ecosystem.

Putting together a cleanup crew to control algae should be a continuing commitment made to the health of your aquarium. Choosing a crew after an algae bloom is not the best way to contain algae. A better alternative would be to take remedial actions to contain algae by dealing with the underlying causes of the breakout, and then put into place a cleanup crew to curb future growth.

Beginner aquarists might think every fish needs to be fed once every day. While some may, others may not. It is best to follow the feeding requirements provided by your aquatic supplier. The truth is, some fish may need to be on a once a day feeding schedule, but smaller fish or fish with small mouths may require feeding multiple times per day. Some fish will only require a certain amount of food per week. Overfeeding can cause uneaten food to settle on the aquarium bottom or in the substrate and create unnecessary detritus in your aquarium, affecting water purity or causing ammonia spikes. Overfeeding can also cause fish to experience bloating or develop intestinal problems.

A benefit of keeping pets is the ability of people to develop a relationship with them. There are many fish that can live for years if kept in optimal conditions. Corydoras, Plecostomus, Goldfish, and Angelfish have been known to live to ten years or longer. Aquarists who are wishing to house long-living fish would do well to research this in advance of making purchases.

Many aquarists may enter their fishkeeping journey by keeping a freshwater aquarium and moving on to a marine or reef one. But what may be seen as a roadblock to doing so?

The cycling process that is necessary to keep a saltwater aquarium may be the main reason. But that should not be a deal breaker, because there are many resources on-line that will help you navigate the process. But learning the process is possible and does not require someone to be at an expert experience level. Once the saltwater parameters have been accomplished and the aquarium is stocked, the maintenance becomes straightforward. Regular water changes, testing, monitoring, and making necessary adjustments become part of a routine.

Selection of aquatic life may be seen as daunting, but there are plenty of affordable beginner saltwater fish, invertebrates, and corals available to make stepping into marine or reef fishkeeping easier. The recommendation is to start small and take it slow, learning as you go. With the right research and effort, maintaining a marine or reef aquarium can be rewarding.

Creating aquariums that become part of our daily lives are one of life’s greatest pleasures. Let’s enjoy the journey by gaining the knowledge we need to keep our aquatic life healthy and as stress-free as possible. We hope you’ve gained some inspiration for an existing setup or a new aquarium.

• Importance of Water Changes in Aquariums
• 10 Ways to Say Adios to Algae
• 3 Types of Saltwater Aquariums
• Step by Step Reef Aquarium