One of the most common causes of disease in freshwater and marine fish is stress. Poor water conditions in the aquarium typically cause stress, so keeping your tank scrupulously clean is critical if your fish are going to thrive. But it’s not always easy to remove fish waste and uneaten food from the substrate, which … Read more
If you’ve been in the aquarium hobby for a while, you’ll probably have heard of UV sterilizers. By passing water through UV light, the sterilizer reduces the number of algae and bacteria suspended in the water column. But while many people claim that UV sterilizers are useful for clearing up cloudy or green water, there … Read more
If you’re new to the aquarium hobby, you might think that keeping fish is a tad – dare we say it – boring! After all, your pets spend their days swimming around the tank, eating and nibbling on algae, and not really doing much else, right? However, that’s not the case with every fish species. … Read more
Owning an aquarium is a fun hobby that’s popular worldwide. Picture the scene; you’ve spent many hours and a lot of cash on designing the perfect aquascape and providing the perfect habitat for your pets. But what’s that horrendous smell coming from your fish tank? That can’t be happening! You maintain your tank correctly, and … Read more
Nothing sets off a tank full of beautiful tropical fish like a lush backdrop of healthy aquatic plants. But maintaining a thriving planted aquarium takes time, effort, and attention to detail. Don’t let that put you off! Even a complete beginner can successfully keep a planted fish tank, provided you choose types of plants that … Read more
Keeping fish is a wonderful hobby enjoyed by millions of people across the globe. However, caring for your precious pets can be expensive and time-consuming, even if you only have a small tank. Recently, a few hacks have been circulating online that purport to save you time, money, and effort. However, the bad news for … Read more
Cloudy aquarium water is frustrating for any aquarist, especially if you’re new to the hobby. After all, you want to enjoy a clear view of your fish, and if the water turns murky, you can’t do that. In addition, cloudy tank water can’t be good news for your fish, right? But what does it mean … Read more
Have you ever gazed into a thriving community tank and wondered how every fish, plant, and critter appears so healthy and glowing with vitality? The answer often comes down to a few simple habits that separate pro fishkeepers from the rest. If you want to boast a vibrant community tank, in radiant health, we suggest … Read more
There’s so much to learn about routine aquarium maintenance that it can take a while to learn the ropes, and longer still to become a maintenance master at all times! In reality, most of us have made many routine maintenance errors, especially when we were starting out with our first fish tank. Occasionally, even experts … Read more
If you’re in the market for a fancy goldfish, you may be considering a Ranchu goldfish. With their swollen heads and short bodies, Ranchu’s are one of the most iconic fancy goldfish varieties. But Ranchu goldfish are also lacking a dorsal fin, causing some animal rights advocates to suggest the breed should be outlawed. Let’s … Read more
If you’ve discovered some black spots on your live plants, you may be concerned that there’s a problem to be addressed. In many cases, you’d be right. Black patches growing on aquarium plants is often due to ‘black beard algae’, a problematic type of algae that can overwhelm your aquarium if not dealt with urgently. … Read more
Goldfish are notoriously messy fish, and this often leads to algae problems in their fish tank. Since plecos are such excellent algae eaters, you may be wondering, ‘Can I keep a pleco in my goldfish tank?’. Well, the answer is yes, but with some conditions to be fulfilled. Only certain types of pleco are suitable … Read more
The Hydra is the scourge of many fish tanks and is definitely not a creature that you want to have in your aquarium, especially if you have small fish or a breeder tank. This guide explains how to identify, eliminate, and prevent a Hydra population from invading your setup! Ancient Origins The original Hydra monster … Read more
When I got my first aquarium twenty years ago, I just assumed that the filter would do most of the cleaning work and didn’t realize that I’d have to change the water frequently too! But I soon learned that partial water changes are a standard part of good aquarium maintenance. While aquarium filters perform an … Read more
Algae is an occupational hazard for aquarium hobbyists. Even a healthy fish tank has some of these green plants growing on the decorations, filter equipment, and viewing panes. Although algae won’t harm your fish, too much of the green stuff leaves your tank looking decidedly untidy. What can you do besides scrubbing your decorations and … Read more
