No Quick Fix - Developing A Problem-Solving Mindset In The Aquarium Hobby

[00:00:00] Welcome to this episode of The Aquarists Edge, a podcast for home aquarists just like you. Learn more about how to keep a thriving aquarium and discover ideas and tips to give your aquarium the edge. And now over to our host Arthur Preston. Anyone who's been in this hobby for a little while knows that things can and will go wrong.

[00:00:25] Maybe you wake up one day to a tank that's clouded with kind of a pea soup green algae green that wasn't there yesterday. Or perhaps your favourite fish who is usually darting around excitedly at feeding time is now acting lethargic and hiding in the corner. Perhaps your usually vibrant red plants are turning brown and transparent. These things are somewhat inevitable in a closed ecosystem such as an aquarium. Your first reaction might be panic or reaching for that quick fix product on the shelf.

[00:00:55] But what if I told you that the best tool you have is not in a bottle but between your ears? What if the answer doesn't come from a product at all but rather from observation and critical thought? In today's episode I want us to tackle the topic of developing a problem-solving mindset within the aquarium hobby. So what exactly is a problem-solving mindset?

[00:01:22] It's really about approaching challenges in your aquarium with curiosity, logic and a willingness to learn. It means resisting the urge to just throw money at the problem or blindly follow advice on the internet and instead rather focus on understanding the root cause. It's about methodically eliminating possibilities, not overthinking things and not beating yourself up when things don't go exactly as planned. And because they really will.

[00:01:51] It's about accepting that every problem is a learning opportunity in disguise. There are several key components to a problem-solving mindset. I'd like to go through each one with you and see how they relate to the aquarium hobby. And we're going to start with a very obvious one and that is observation. Again, I've said this often on the podcast. You've heard me repeat this time and time again. Spend time watching your fish.

[00:02:19] Spend time at your aquarium. Don't just glance at your tank. Study it. What are the specific symptoms you're seeing? Is it a change in water parameters? If so, which ones? Is it specific fish behavior such as fleshing or gasping at the surface? Or is it isolated to plant health like yellowing leaves or stunted growth? Make notes of your observations. Perhaps even take pictures or videos and track progress and change over time.

[00:02:52] Gather information. Arm yourself with knowledge. Unfortunately, we live in an age where information is so readily available. But you do need to consider the information you're receiving. Use reputable sources or university websites, journals, fish forums with people who've been around this probably for a long time. Ask questions. Gather information. Just be wary of anecdotal advice on social media.

[00:03:19] And while it can be helpful, it's certainly not a substitute for science-based information. So if you're really serious about figuring out a problem, solving a problem, look for peer-reviewed research articles if you really want to dig deep. Now, most people aren't necessarily going to do that. They're going to go for the quick fixer, a YouTube video here, a podcast there, a quick little article on the website. And those have their place. For the average fish keeper, the home aquarist, that's absolutely fine.

[00:03:48] But there are times when you're faced with a problem that really needs a better answer. Take the time. Dig into those research articles. Do the research. And you'll be glad you did. Now, we can find all this information, but what do we do with it? That is where the critical thinking comes in. You need to evaluate the information you've gathered and try to identify the most likely cause of the problem. It's a bit like being an aquarium detective, I guess.

[00:04:19] Consider all the factors such as your water quality, your lighting, your feeding habits, the specific needs of your aquarium inhabitants. And be careful of jumping to conclusions. Weigh the evidence and consider multiple possibilities. And then once you've identified the likely cause, develop a plan of action. Now, this shouldn't be a knee-jerk reaction, but a carefully considered strategy. This may involve making gradual changes to your tank environment, adjusting your maintenance routine,

[00:04:47] or introducing new elements to support the ecosystem, such as adding plants or introducing beneficial bacteria. Break down your plan into small, manageable steps to avoid overwhelming the system. Make sure that you exercise both patience and persistence. You know, aquariums are complex ecosystems where you take what we would find in nature and stick it into a glass box. They're complex. And solutions often take time.

[00:05:15] So don't be discouraged if you don't see results immediately. You need to resist the urge to make drastic changes. Keep monitoring the situation closely and be prepared to adjust your approach as needed. Just remember it took time for the problem to develop in the first place. And it will likely take time to resolve it. Even the most experienced aquarists make mistakes. Often. And so we need to learn from our mistakes as well.

[00:05:44] And the key is to learn from them and not repeat them. So keep a journal or a log of what you've tried, what worked, what didn't work. Note the dates, the times and the actions you took. And over time, you'll build a wealth of knowledge that will make you a more confident and effective fishkeeper. Share your experiences with others to help them also avoid similar pitfalls. One of the things you really need to do is to test your water. Because you can't simply solve problems effectively without knowing your water parameters.

[00:06:14] Invest in a quality test kit and test your water regularly. Again, track your results over time to identify trends and patterns. Knowing your water parameters is like having a vital sign monitor for your aquarium. It will tell you what's going on beneath the surface. So let's look at a couple of common aquarium problems and how a problem solving mindset can be put into action. Let's start with something that many of us have experienced. In fact, I currently have a tank that is going through this. And that is an algae blend.

[00:06:43] And instead of immediately reaching for an ultracide, which is often just a temporary fix that can disrupt the balance of your tank. A problem solving approach would involve a multi-pronged strategy. Firstly, you're going to test your water to identify any imbalances in the nutrients. Are your nitrate or phosphate levels too high? And if so, consider reducing feeding, increasing water changes, or adding phosphate absorbing media to your filter. Are you providing too much light, either in intensity or duration?

[00:07:10] If so, reduce the photoperiodal dim the lights. Improve water circulation to distribute nutrients and prevent dead spots where algae can thrive. Introduce algae eating inhabitants such as snails or shrimp. By addressing the underlying causes, you can create a long term solution that minimizes the need for chemical treatment. Always remember that some algae is natural and even beneficial. But it really shouldn't be allowed to take over the tank.

[00:07:40] What about having a sick fish? You might notice that a fish is acting lethargic, has clamped fins, is flashing against objects, or has visible signs of disease such as white spots or fuzzy growths. Well, don't just assume the worst and stop medicating with a broad spectrum antibiotic, which can harm the balance in your tank. First, carefully observe the fish's behavior and physical condition. Research the potential diseases it may have and their symptoms using a reputable fish disease guide.

[00:08:09] Then, test your water parameters immediately to rule out poor water quality as a contributing factor. Ammonia or nitrite poisoning can mimic many disease symptoms. If necessary, quarantine the affected fish in a separate hospital tank to prevent the spread of disease and allow for targeted treatment. And only administer meds after you have a good idea of what is affecting the fish. And what about your plants? What if you notice that your aquatic plants are looking pale, yellow, stunted?

[00:08:40] You need to consider whether they are receiving enough light and nutrients and carbon dioxide. Plants need light for photosynthesis. Macronutrients, that's nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and the micronutrients such as iron and trace elements. You need to research the specific needs of your plant species and adjust your tank environment accordingly. You may need to add a liquid fertilizer or root tabs or upgrade your lighting system to provide the correct spectrum.

[00:09:06] Or introduce a CO2 injection system to provide the carbon dioxide that the plants will need to thrive. Again, this is in practice what problem solving looks like. It's not reaching for the first assumptive solution. It's figuring things out. Being that detective. Trying to find out what are the causes, what might the solutions be, and not just jump into conclusions.

[00:09:34] And don't forget that there's huge value in asking others. Again, we've said this before, remember you're not alone in the hobby. There's a vast community of aquarists out there, eager to share their knowledge and experience. Don't be afraid to ask for advice from experienced aquarists. Be sure to evaluate the information you receive critically. You need to look for consensus and cross-reference information from multiple sources. Ask questions to clarify the advice and understand the reasoning behind it.

[00:10:00] Remember that every aquarium is unique and what works for one person may not work for you. I've really loved it on the Artificial WhatsApp group as people have asked questions and folks have come on board and they've made suggestions of solutions. They've tried to figure things out and collectively an answer is found. That's the power of community at work, developing a problem solving mindset. Remember that setbacks are normal and they're an expected part of the aquarium hobby.

[00:10:31] Even the most experienced aquarists experience challenges along the way. We just tend not to talk about them as much. So don't be discouraged by initial failures, but rather learn from them and keep improving. The key is not to get discouraged, but to embrace the learning process and develop a problem solving mindset that will serve you well in the long run. Not just in aquariums to be honest, but it's something you'll take into the rest of your life as well.

[00:10:56] So that's it for this episode of the Aquarist Edge. Keep developing that problem solving mindset. Stay curious and keep enjoying this amazing hobby. I wish you all a fantastic week ahead. See you next week on the next episode of the Aquarist Edge. Take care. Bye. That's it for this episode of the Aquarist Edge. Please consider subscribing to this podcast so that you don't miss further episodes.

[00:11:23] We would love it if you would also rate and review the podcast as this helps make it visible to others. Until next time, keep learning and discovering and keep finding your Aquarist Edge in this captivating and fascinating hobby. Bye.