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Solutions for common aquarium problems part two

In part one of this mini series, we outlined four common aquarium problems along with a variety of solutions that can go a long way in addressing those problems. In part two, we will touch on another four common problems along with many ways hobbyists go about fixing them. Regardless of what issue you are currently facing, know that there have been other hobbyists who have gone through the exact situation you are currently in and with the right approach, you can get the issue resolved in an efficient and timely manner. obviously we cannot touch on every single problem a hobbyist could face. That being said, our customer care team would be happy to assist you with any issues or questions you may have. 

In this article we will address some aquarium problems that have been proven challenging but, with the proper approach and dedication, you can eradicate them quickly. We will first discuss how best to end an Aiptasia invasion and how to deal with fish aggression. Then, we will mention how best to care for your aquarium when going on vacation. Finally, we will discuss the best solutions for dealing with an auto-top-off problem.

Summary:

How can I get rid of all the Aiptasia in my aquarium?

One of my fish is bullying the rest of its tankmates. what should I do?

What is the best way to keep my aquarium in good shape while on vacation? 

I added too much top off water and my salinity is low. What should I do next?

How can I get rid of all the Aiptasia in my aquarium?

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Aiptasia: Reef Tank Pest Control

If you ever notice pest anemone’s such as Aiptasia taking hold of your aquarium, it is important to take swift action to prevent them from spreading. The best way to address Aiptasia is to take steps from every letting them grab a hold of your tank in the first place. Taking steps like dipping all corals and introducing a peppermint shrimp to scan for any pest anemones that do make it into your display tank can be very valuable. If the Aiptasia have already invaded your tank then using medications such as Red Sea’s Aiptasia X and Joe’s Juice Aiptasia Eliminator would be an ideal option. When using these medications, it is important to make sure that you aren’t missing any individual anemones as they can spread rapidly. Introducing multiple peppermint shrimp is also an option for aquariums with widely spread pest anemones. As was previously stated the best solutions for getting rid of Aiptasia include preventing them from entering the tank in the first place. Continue to dip your corals and monitor your tank constantly for any signs of pest anemones.

One of my fish is bullying the rest of its tankmates. what should I do?

Marine Depot Acclimation Box
Marine Depot Acclimation Box

If you notice one particular fish in your aquarium who is bullying other livestock within your tank, you may be facing an important decision. Before deciding what needs to be done, the most important thing you can do is evaluate whether it would be a good idea to add to your livestock in the first place. Once you bring your new tank inhabitant home, it is crucial to fully acclimate them and see how they adjust to the other species within your tank. If you see the fish being immediately chased or attacked you may need to intervene by removing the fish and adjusting them to each other over time using an acclimation box. Continue to observe how the two fish interact and if there are still signs of aggression, it may be in your best interest to remove one of them from your aquarium and put it into a different tank or, return it to your local fish store. While you may want to force the fish to get along, ultimately one of the best solutions is to separate the fish from the start. Forcing them to live together will endanger the two fish, it can also cause stress induced disease and excess nutrients that can ultimately cause a tank crash. 

What is the best way to keep my aquarium in good shape while on vacation? 

Heading out for vacation or any sort of travel can present quite the conundrum for aquarium hobbyists. Luckily, as technology has improved, we are able to offer a few products that still allow us to care for our beloved tanks while we are away from home. One of the innovations that make life much easier is an auto top off system to add RODI water to ensure the water level of your tank is ideal. Another important factor that needs to be addressed when leaving your aquarium for an extended period of time are feedings. We do offer a good variety of auto feeders that can be programmed to disperse food at the same time everyday. While both of these tools will keep your tank running while away for a short time, we recommend having someone drop by to check on the tank if you are planning on leaving for more than a week. Another good addition may be some sort of baby monitoring camera that will allow you to keep an eye on the tank no matter how far from home you are.

Eheim Auto Feeder
Eheim Auto Feeder

I added too much top off water and my salinity is low. What should I do next?

Salinity is one of the most important things to monitor within your saltwater aquarium. Frequent testing for salinity will alert you to any rapid changes that you will need to act on. In terms of finding solutions, adjusting your salinity is quite simple but, you want to be certain to make changes to it slowly so as to not shock any of your tank inhabitants. The best way to adjust your salinity, whether you want to increase or decrease it, is through conducting water changes. Salt should never be added directly into your aquarium as it will not dissolve and could cause more alkalinity swings in the future. After conducting a water change, we recommend waiting at least 20 minutes before testing your salinity again. Once your salinity is back where you want it, it is crucial to take steps to prevent it from fluctuating again. One of the best steps to take would be to measure the salinity of your aquarium along with checking the salinity of the saltwater you are using for a water change. You want these readings to be around 33-35 PPT in order to keep the salinity in your tank relatively stable. We hope this paragraph has provided you with some solutions to think about when attempting to get your aquarium salinity in check.

Final Thoughts:

We hope part two of this series has given you even more information on how to address any aquarium problem you may face. While solving many of these issues can be daunting, you will not need to address them alone. Our customer care team will  be there to help answer any questions and lead you in the right direction. The aquarium hobby is full of challenging moments and difficult to make decisions but, when your tank is fully healthy and glowing, all of the effort will indeed be worth it. Marine Depot looks forward to helping bring your tank to that level.