After setting up your aquarium and succesfully getting everything up and running, it can be easy to forget to do regular maintenance. Weekly water changes are something most aquarists will remember to do, but there’s more to keeping your aquarium healthy: don’t forget to pay some attention to your filter as well! It contains all the … Read more
Malaysian trumpet snails are seen by many aquarists as ‘pest’ snails. While they do reproduce quickly, they are also great detritus feeders and help prevent compaction of your substrate by burrowing through it. Keep reading for more information about Malaysian trumpet snail care, how they can be useful and how to prevent overpopulation. Note: If you … Read more
The black neon tetra is a lot less well known than their more colorful namesakes, the neon tetra. Which is a shame! Their striking black and white horizontal stripes and peaceful nature make them a great minimalist addition to any community aquarium. These freshwater fish are an ideal choice for anyone looking for something a … Read more
I recently bought a large used canister filter (review soon!). Unfortunately, it came without any filter media. As ‘branded’ filter media can quickly become very expensive, I decided to go for the more DIY & budget route which worked out quite well. If you’re looking to fill up a canister filter (or even just a … Read more
A jewel in the freshwater community tanks, the swordtail brings an energetic aura into their aquarium. Their quick movements and ease of care make them easily one of the best freshwater community fish. Keep reading for everything you need to know about swordtail care and keeping your swordtails happy and healthy! This swordtail caresheet is … Read more
Juvenile clown loaches can be found for sale in almost any aquarium store. Their contrasting black and orange stripes and their tendency to snack on nuisance snails make them a popular beginner’s choice, but they are actually on the list of the 8 worst beginner aquarium fish! Keep reading to find out everything you need … Read more
Vallisneria varieties, also known simply as ‘Vals’, are an aquarium plant species popular for their resemblance of sea grass, quick growth and easy care. They can reach a height of anywhere between a few inches to right across the top of your tank and the tall leaves make a great hiding place for shy fish. … Read more
If you’re looking for a versatile, attractive, and almost-carpeting aquarium plant that’s suitable for beginners, chances are you may end up buying a species of moss. While the terrestrial version of this plant may not be regarded as very exciting, aquarium moss has many uses and looks great as a part of almost any aquascape. … Read more
Although an aquarium dedicated to something as seemingly boring as tiny shrimp may not be everyone’s cup of tea, the (dwarf) shrimp hobby is growing fast. Knowledge about their existence and care is spreading and exciting color varieties are being developed. More and more aquarists are giving shrimp keeping a try; if you are, too, keep … Read more
Cichlids are known for belligerence and having an aggressive nature. However, it is possible to keep dwarf cichlids in a harmonious community setup, provided you choose the right species to live together. There are a few dwarf cichlid species for beginner aquarists that provide a gentle introduction to keeping these lovely fish. As you become … Read more
Plants from the genus Cryptocoryne, usually referred to as ‘crypts’ by aquarists, are one of the easiest aquatic plants to keep. This, combined with the fact that they are available in many different color varieties that all look beautiful without needing special care, makes them one of the most popular plant species in the hobby … Read more
You wouldn’t dream of driving your car for more than 3,000 miles without changing your oil. You’d never let your computer operate for months at a time without some software cleanup. So why would you treat your aquarium any differently? Like most long term concerns, periodic maintenance is a must if you want to keep … Read more
Anubias is one of the most popular aquarium plant species and a favorite for many beginners and more experienced aquarists. It doesn’t require any special care, grows well in low-light aquariums, and has large broad leaves that are appreciated by fish that prefer some extra hiding places. As an added bonus, it also comes in … Read more
Although it’s important to keep in mind that no fish is ever going to fully fix an algae problem and manual cleaning will always be necessary, it can still be a great idea to go for an algae eating species to help you out with this task. If your aquarium set-up is suitable for them, … Read more
Java fern is one of my personal favorite freshwater aquarium plants for many reasons! This particular fern is very easy to care for as it doesn’t need additional carbon dioxide, a strong light, specific substrate, or any extra fertilizers. It’s also one of the only plants that work great with fish that are prone to … Read more
