Saltwaterfish - Becoming Better Aquarists

In almost any endeavor in life there are some people that seem to soar above the rest, seemingly overcoming their challenges effortlessly. This is no different when we consider the hobby of saltwaterfish and reef aquarium keeping. Some aquarists excel while others have modest success or fail miserably in the hobby. What is it that makes achieving your goals a reality? Are some people just born with a wet thumb? Is it a matter of intelligence? Could luck be a factor in how well your saltwaterfish aquarium is running? Are some personalities better at this sort of thing? While there is some credence to the previously mentioned factors, I believe other things play a larger role.

There are many things that can be done to become a better aquarist. The first and most obvious is to become an avid reader. You might ask, what has aquarium keeping to do with being a bookworm? Actually, reading is one of the best ways to gain new knowledge. If you really want to get good at this hobby invest in a small library of aquarium related books. Even the most seasoned aquarist learns by reading a new book now and then. These books can be used for easy reference whenever you want to seriously study a particular aspect of the hobby. Want to know how to reduce the impurities in your aquarium water? How about the best ways to treat or control a disease or infection? When I want to review something I take a look at what several of the books in my library have to say on the subject. That way I not only get varying opinions, I learn something from one author that another might not mention. The fact is that over time we all forget some of the things that we already know. Periodically rereading a book will refresh your memory.

There are plenty of good books available that are written by knowledgeable authors. I suggest that you include some of the classics written by Julian Sprung, Charles Delbeek, Martin Moe, John Tullock, Alf Nilsen and Svein Fossa to name just a few.

After you've gained a basic understanding of what it takes to have a successful aquarium, go back and choose one aspect of the hobby to study in depth. Compare the different approaches and form your own opinions. This is a good way to master each portion of the hobby one piece at a time. Magazines that are devoted to aquarium keeping can be used in much the same manner as books. Keep learning about your chosen subject until you feel like you could give someone good advice about it and answer all their questions.

Another way to have some fun and learn new things is to hang out with fellow aquarists. Chances are that you will meet others that share your interest if you spend any time at your local tropical fish or pet store. A good time to do this is when the retailer has just received a fresh shipment of animals to restock their displays. This is typically a busy time for the retailer because a lot of people will come in to see what has just arrived. This is a perfect opportunity to meet other aquarists by talking to them about the new fish or invertebrates.

If you can find an aquarium club in your area join it. This is where the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable hobbyists can be found. Many of these people join these clubs to share their knowledge with anyone interested. Take advantage of their willingness to convey their wisdom (warning: most of us are willing to talk about the hobby until our lips chap) and you just may make a new friend as a bonus.

Time is also a factor in becoming better aquarists. The fact is that time and experience are the finest teachers because we tend to retain what we learn from them the best. Use time and experience as your allies by striving to learn from each mistake that you make along the way. Don't be embarrassed to share your failures as well as your successes, we should learn from both.

Then we come to the five "Ps" of aquarium keeping. These are planning, patience, prevention, preparedness and passion. Planning is the foundation upon which all future success is built. Learning all you can is the first step to planning. With planning you can have a successful aquarium, with the right equipment and healthy, long-lived inhabitants.

Plan what you intend to keep in your aquarium starting with your "must have" species. Then you can chose other inhabitants that will be compatible with them. What sort of set-up will they require? Which equipment will help you create a healthy habitat for them?

It has been said that, "patience is a virtue". This is certainly true when it comes to marine aquarium keeping. Good things don't happen quickly in this hobby, and rushing often causes serious problems. Having patience is not always fun, but the rewards are great. Resist the temptation to stock your aquarium too quickly. In the long run, you will have a fully stocked, well running aquarium with healthy animals sooner.

Prevention is key to avoiding costly pitfalls and losing animals. You can prevent problems from sneaking up on you by regularly testing the parameters of your tank. Make sure that your test reagents have not expired. Keep a log of your tests and maintenance routines. Do you know when you last changed the light bulbs? Prevention also means taking safety precautions like grounding your tank and unplugging the equipment when you will be putting your hands in the water (don't forget to turn it back on when you have finished). Do you have a backup if an essential piece of equipment fails?

Prevention also means properly quarantining new acquisitions. In my opinion, failure to quarantine saltwaterfish causes more loses than any other single factor other than capture and transport methods. Your investment in a simple inexpensive quarantine will save you money, prevent animal loses and eliminate frustrations.

Being prepared will also help you to avoid potential disasters. Always keep a fresh batch of saltwater ready for an emergency water change. Make sure that you have a supply of fish food in your freezer just in case. Do you have some battery-operated air pumps available in the event of a power failure? With the recent news of power shortages in some states this becomes even more important. Everybody should know a reliable person who can take care of the aquarium if you should get sick, go on vacation, or have to take a business trip away from home. Do you have some notes and a checklist that they can follow while you are away?

Then we have the element that holds it all together. This is something that you either have or you don't. I am talking about passion! If you have a passion for your hobby you will be motivated to do all the things necessary for success. Do the challenges and beauty in aquarium keeping inspire you? Are you excited about learning and sharing your hobby? Ask any serious, successful reefkeeper, and you will learn that this hobby is a love affair of sorts. If you truly are passionate about it your heart will be in it! If you have this passion little can stand in your way to a beautiful, healthy aquarium.