Keeping fish in aquariums is a hobby which is quite common. In fact there are myths surrounding this hobby and believing in these can ruin your interest in this wonderful hobby.
The few myths that will be busted are as follows:
1. It is expensive to maintain This is absolutely untrue. In fact the bigger the aquarium, it is easier to maintain. Fresh water fish are very easy to maintain and cost effective. The fresh water fish can easily adapt to new surroundings. The only expenses that come with maintaining a water tank is the fish food, filtration and sufficient lighting.
2.The water in the tank has to be changed everyday This is wrong and following this can actually kill your fish. The thumb rule is to never change the water completely. Water change ideally should be only 10-20 per cent every week. If you have a filtration system, then even a month`s gap can be managed before changing 30-50 per cent water. The bacteria in the water helps the fish survive and changing the water completely may be harmful.
3.Small tanks should be for beginners If you are starting out with this hobby, never go in for a small tank. Small tanks are very difficult to maintain. Big tanks are very easy to maintain and the mortality rate of the fish are also low. Keeping fish (especially Goldfish) in a fish bowl is a very bad idea. The fish have very little space to move around and can die easily.
4. Over-populating your tank is harmful Fish need sufficient oxygen to breath, or they can suffocate in the tank. They also need to have their waste diluted and processed before they poison themselves with it. A fixed amount of water has a fixed capacity to handle these two requirements and only water change periodically is good enough for your tank.