General Aquarium Tips

Starting your aquarium journey is an exciting, often daunting, first step. Fish tanks are a big investment, whether as a casual hobby or whether you fancy yourself a serious enthusiast (many "hobbyists" have turned enthusiasts after seeing how much fun home aquariums can be!).  Get off to the right start, whatever your path, with our handy pocket guide on aquariums for beginners. 1.) Saltwater or Fresh? Determine which kind of tank is right for your home. Tropical fish can be beautiful to observe and tempting to buy, but it's important to examine the logistics of owning sensitive species prior to...

Home aquariums are sensitive environments. From saltwater to fresh, every tank is its own unique micro ecosystem with one overarching factor that affects everyone from fish to snails -- temperature. Regulating aquarium temperature to maintain a comfortable habitat is one of the most challenging, and often confusing, ventures of owning fish. The good news is that managing temperature doesn't have to be a wade through uncharted waters. Consider these 4 Simple Tips for Keeping Aquarium Temperatures Constant. 1.) Know Thy Tank The ideal temperature range for each aquarium depends on the kind of species you intend to house. Generally speaking,...

Keeping your aquarium clean is critical to the health of your fish. Therefore, understanding the problems that may affect your aquarium's water quality is essential for this venture. In this article, you will learn about the most common water issues in aquariums and how to deal with the issues effectively. Issue #1 Foul-Smelling Water Having excess waste or excess food in your aquarium can cause the water to develop a foul smell. Fix this issue by testing for nitrite and ammonia levels. Next, do a water change and ensure you're using an ideal-sized filter. Other notable solutions include reducing the...

Ammonia is a silent, invisible killer in aquariums. Because it is clear and dissolves easily in water, even a clean, beautiful tank could be full of ammonia, and even low levels of this toxic byproduct are harmful, even fatal to fish. Unfortunately, by the time signs of ammonia stress are noticeable in fish – lethargy, appetite loss, gasping, inflammation of the gills, eyes or fins – it may be too late to take corrective action that can save the fish. So how can you safely monitor the ammonia levels in your tank to keep fish healthy? Sources of Ammonia Understanding...

A healthy aquarium is a delicate balance. Water chemistry such as hardness and pH play an important role in a thriving fish population. Most water problems are easily solved. A few simple adjustments can give you a stable pH environment for your finned friends. What Is pH And Its Importance? In order to talk about adjusting pH levels in an aquarium, we must first understand what it is and why it is important. In its simplest definition, a water's pH is the measure of its acidity on a scale of 1-14, with 7 being neutral. The lower the number the...