The "DO NOT..." Advice List for Saltwater Aquarists

[neutronics]

On many occasions, we, as learning aquarists, make mistakes in this wonderful hobby. It would be good if we can share our mistakes here so as not to have unnecessary fish deaths due to our negligence, which most of the time is unintentional.
If you could share your experience/mistakes/advice, please post it here for all to learn and not commit the same mistake. It would be greatly appreciated.
Do start your reply with " DO NOT......"
I'll share my first mistake to start the ball rolling.

 

[neutronics]

DO NOT place newly bought fish into your display tank immediately. Have a quarantine tank.
While some may get lucky, your tank can fall prey to ich outbreak. I lost all fishes a few months back, including my delicate regal angel.

 

[marvida]

DO NOT impulse buy. If you see something at your LFS do the research prior to bringing it home.

 

[stumpdog]

DO NOT buy a tank from someone without checking it for leaks.
DO NOT take your LFS word as absolute law.
I could go on and on.
Jeremy

 

[reefnut]

I like this post!!
DO NOT use tap water.

 

[drakken]

DO NOT rush a saltwater tank. Go slow and have patience.

 

[michelle13]

DO NOT leave your light plugged in while messing with the tank if there is a chance it could fall in!
DO NOT leave your heater plugged in while it's out of the water!
Michelle + Electricity = Disaster

 

[neutronics]

DO NOT place damsel/s (except for chromis) in your tank if you want to keep other peaceful smaller fishes like firefish, wrasses, cardinals. etc.
Damsels, although cheap, hardy and colourful, are too aggresssive most of the time for the small tankmates!

 

[reefnut]

DO NOT tell your significant other how much you spend each week.

 

[thomas712]

Do not use live fish, for example Mollies to cycle your tank, a raw shrimp works fine.
Do not plug a single thing in until you have installed a Ground Circut Interupt Outlet in first.

 

[fishy88]

DO NOT put a broomtail wrasse with damsels.

 

[beaslbob]

this is fun
do not conduct water changes.
do not constantly change things
do not forget macro algae.
Do not use RO/DI water.
DO take some advise with a grain of salt!
Especially 3 of the above suggestions!
Do not get upset when mods edit your post

 

[maroonclownfan]

Do not believe everything you hear...and only half of what you see.
Do not put your head in your tank to get a fish eye view.
Do not buy a mandarin because it "looks cool" ...until you understand its nature.
MCF

 

[flamehawk]

1-DO NOT OVERCROWD....this is the number cause of stress and death of fish and leads to many hobbiest giving up.
2- DO NOT OVERCROWD
3-DO NOT OVERCROWD.......I guess you get the point.

 

[stumpdog]

DO NOT listen to the LFS guy/girl when they say those little white dots on the fish are natural.
Jeremy
ReefNut-
That's the truth.

 

[thomas712]

Ah Stump dog true story ( *I heard a kid at the LFS say that the fish come packed around styrofome and some of it must have gotten into the water and is clinging to the mucus on the fish.) LOL
Thomas

 

[eelfreakrobi]

DO NOT keep your tank in an AC room if you live in warm tropical weather(change of temp.)

 

[maroonclownfan]

Do not under estimate the stupidity of SOME LFS workers.
Do not under estimate how gulible some SW owners are.
Do not try to cover up a trip to the LFS from your wife....they know...they always seem to know.....blast
MCF

 

[stumpdog]

DO NOT use table salt in your tank. This a corner that can't be cut.
Jeremy

 

[ryebread]

Originally posted by beaslbob
do not conduct water changes.
Do not use RO/DI water.
DO NOT listen to everyone on the internet.