1. You should keep some brushes on hand, especially if you are a reef aquarium owner. With your brushes you will be able to clean off any built up grime from inside your aquarium or on the surfaces of your hard corals.
2. Research the aquarium equipment you are looking at before you purchase it. Different sizes of aquariums require different pumps and heaters. Find out which products are best for your aquarium before you start ordering the wrong products.
3. Make sure you ask plenty of questions when you are buying accessories or fish for your aquarium. The salespeople are there to help you, and should be able to handle any concerns you have when buying items for your aquarium.