How to Upgrade an Aquarium Filter (and Save Money!)Have you ever bought a new hang-on-back filter from the pet store and noticed that the instructions say you have to change out the filter cartridge at least once a month? Most beginner fish keepers don’t realize that you can replace those disposable cartridges with reusable filter media that can last for the lifetime of the filter. In this article, we teach you how to optimize your aquarium filter in four simple steps, using only a pair of scissors. Step 1: Get a Prefilter Sponge Beneficial b...
10+ Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Fish KeeperIt’s that time of year again! With Thanksgiving’s meal reduced to leftovers and festive decorations popping up around the neighborhood, most of us start thinking about what to get our friends and family for the holidays. If your loved one is obsessed with aquariums but you know nothing about fish, here’s our official holiday gift guide to help you become the best Santa ever! Tank Upgrades Most fish keepers are always jonesing to upgrade their tanks, whether in size, quantity, or stocking sele...
Care Guide for Betta Fish – The Best Beginner Pet FishBetta fish (also known as Betta splendens or the Siamese fighting fish) are a long-time favorite pet for both beginner and veteran fish keepers because of their colorful finnage and spirited personalities. If you’re brand new to the aquarium hobby, this care guide is for you! Find out the key essentials you need to know to successfully keep your first betta fish. Is It OK to Keep Betta Fish in a Bowl? If you haven’t bought a small bowl yet, we highly recommend that you get a larger aquarium t...
5 Best Tank Mates for Betta FishBetta fish are known to be fierce fighters, especially towards their own species, but did you know you can add tank mates to their aquarium? Yes, depending on your betta’s personality, he or she can peacefully cohabitate with other fish and invertebrates. However, make sure their aquarium is at least 10 to 20 gallons with lots of cover and live plants or else the betta fish may become overly territorial. Here’s our top 5 list of favorite tank mates for you and your betta fish to enjoy. 1. Kuh...
How to Fight 6 Types of Algae in Your Fish TankDo you dream of having a beautiful aquarium but end up constantly fighting to keep algae at bay? It’s a familiar struggle that many of us have been through, so in this article, let’s get a better understanding of the root causes of algae, the most common types found in freshwater aquariums, and how to gain the upper hand. Is Algae Bad for a Fish Tank? Contrary to popular belief, algae are not evil. Like plants, they use photosynthesis to convert light and organic nutrients in the water (such ...
10 Best Aquarium Fish for BeginnersIf you’re getting into freshwater aquariums for the first time, it can be intimidating to know which fish to pick. Ideally, you want something hardy, budget-friendly, and colorful with an interesting personality. Check out our list of top 10 beginner fish (in no particular order) that are easy to care for and would make a great addition to your aquarium! 1. Rasboras There are many types of rasboras, but our favorite ones are the harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) and lambchop rasb...
How to Treat Ich or White Spot Disease on Freshwater FishIch is one of the most common diseases that your aquarium fish can encounter. Many different approaches exist for combating this illness, but based on more than a decade of experience running 100 to 200 tanks in a fish store and importing wild-caught species, this is our go-to method for treating ich. What is Ich? Also known as ick or white spot disease, the Ichthyophthirius multifiliis protozoan is an external parasite that attaches to your fish’s fins, body, and gills by forming a tiny whit...
How to Get Started with Aquarium PlantsAquarium plants are an amazing addition to nearly any fish tank. Not only are they beautiful and natural-looking, but they also help greatly with biological filtration and create a comfortable environment for your fish. However, many people are afraid to try them because growing plants underwater is such unfamiliar territory. Not to worry – here are our top four tried-and-true tips for getting started with your first aquarium plants! Tip #1: Use a Good Fertilizer Easy Green all-in-one fertil...
How to Set Up an Easy Planted Tank for African CichlidsIt’s a popular belief that African cichlids and live aquariums plants can never go together. But with the right stocking choices, plants can be an excellent means of blocking line of sight and keeping alpha males from getting too aggressive. Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to set up an eye-catching planted tank that will do well with fish like mbuna and peacock cichlids. Step #1: Prepare the Aquarium For our setup, we purchased a 75-gallon aquarium that is approximately 4 feet long and...
The 5 Best Betta Fish Foods You Need to TryNot all betta fish are created equal. Some are born with bottomless stomachs like a miniature shark, and others are picky eaters who turn their noses up to everything you offer. If you have the latter type, this refusal to eat can be quite stressful. Fortunately, there are many high quality, high protein foods you can try feeding them to whet their appetites. #1 Frozen Bloodworms Given that betta fish eat small insects, crustaceans, and other meaty foods in the wild, frozen bloodworms (the br...
How to Pick the Best Planted Aquarium LightOne of the most common questions we get asked is “What light should I get for my planted aquarium?” The short answer is that it depends. To help you get started on your planted tank journey, let’s talk about three different lighting parameters and what they mean for beginner hobbyists. #1 Color Spectrum If you’ve ever looked at the lighting in a cozy coffee shop versus a sterile hospital, you know that “white” lights all vary in color temperature, which is measured in units of Kelvin (K). A s...
Sponge Filters: The Easiest Fish Tank Filter EverSponge filters are one of the most popular filters used in fish stores, fish rooms, and breeding tanks because they’re so reliable and easy to use. But beginners often have many questions on how they work, how to set one up, and how to keep them clean. Check out our step-by-step instructions to help you get started with your first sponge filter. Sponge filter setup diagram What is a Sponge Filter? This most basic of all filters requires at least three components: a sponge filter (which sits ...
Care Guide for Kuhli Loaches – The Coolest Oddball Fish for BeginnersKuhli loaches will either fascinate or freak you out because they look like a wriggly mass of miniature snakes hiding in your aquarium. In this care guide, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this popular oddball fish. What Are Kuhli Loaches? Kuhli loaches are a hardy, beginner-friendly fish, known for their unique eel-like bodies, beady black eyes, and bristly barbels or whiskers around their mouths. Multiple species are labeled as kuhli loaches, but Pangio kuhlii is ...
Echinodorus Vesuvius – An Oddball Sword Plant with a TwistHave you ever heard of the narrow-leafed sword plant that grows in a spiral? Meet the Vesuvius sword plant – also known as Echinodorus angustifolia, Echinodorus ‘Vesuvius,’ and Helanthium ‘Vesuvius.’ Similar to corkscrew vallisneria, vesuvius looks like curly underwater grass, but its blades are narrower and grow in a tighter twist. Its common name was chosen because the leaves appear to be rising from the base of the plant much like the smoke wisps spiraling out of Mount Vesuvius. However, b...
Aquarium Salt: When and How to Use It ProperlyShould aquarium salt be used in freshwater tanks? Some people recommend dosing it all the time to provide fish with essential electrolytes, while others say it’s mostly used for treating diseases. After years of testing with hundreds of fish, we’ve witnessed the true power of salt. Sodium chloride (NaCl) is one of the best, all-encompassing “medications” on the market that’s effective against bacteria, fungus, and external parasites. We love it because it’s cheap, readily available in all cou...
How to Set up a Beautiful Betta Fish TankCongratulations on getting your new betta fish! Betta splendens is one of the most stunning, beginner-friendly fish out there, so of course he needs to have a beautiful aquarium to match. Check out our recommended shopping list and setup tips to give your new betta the warm welcome he deserves. Betta Checklist: Everything Your New Fish Needs Before setting up your betta fish’s new home, let’s go shopping for the necessary components. All of these items can be easily found at your local pet st...
How to Upgrade an Aquarium Filter (and Save Money!)
Have you ever bought a new hang-on-back filter from the pet store and noticed that the instructions say you have to change out the filter cartridge at least once a month? Most beginner fish keepers don’t realize that you can replace those disposable cartridges with reusable filter media that can last for the lifetime of the filter. In this article, we teach you how to optimize your aquarium filter in four simple steps, using only a pair of scissors. Step 1: Get a Prefilter Sponge Beneficial b...
10+ Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Fish Keeper
It’s that time of year again! With Thanksgiving’s meal reduced to leftovers and festive decorations popping up around the neighborhood, most of us start thinking about what to get our friends and family for the holidays. If your loved one is obsessed with aquariums but you know nothing about fish, here’s our official holiday gift guide to help you become the best Santa ever! Tank Upgrades Most fish keepers are always jonesing to upgrade their tanks, whether in size, quantity, or stocking sele...
Care Guide for Betta Fish – The Best Beginner Pet Fish
Betta fish (also known as Betta splendens or the Siamese fighting fish) are a long-time favorite pet for both beginner and veteran fish keepers because of their colorful finnage and spirited personalities. If you’re brand new to the aquarium hobby, this care guide is for you! Find out the key essentials you need to know to successfully keep your first betta fish. Is It OK to Keep Betta Fish in a Bowl? If you haven’t bought a small bowl yet, we highly recommend that you get a larger aquarium t...
5 Best Tank Mates for Betta Fish
Betta fish are known to be fierce fighters, especially towards their own species, but did you know you can add tank mates to their aquarium? Yes, depending on your betta’s personality, he or she can peacefully cohabitate with other fish and invertebrates. However, make sure their aquarium is at least 10 to 20 gallons with lots of cover and live plants or else the betta fish may become overly territorial. Here’s our top 5 list of favorite tank mates for you and your betta fish to enjoy. 1. Kuh...
How to Fight 6 Types of Algae in Your Fish Tank
Do you dream of having a beautiful aquarium but end up constantly fighting to keep algae at bay? It’s a familiar struggle that many of us have been through, so in this article, let’s get a better understanding of the root causes of algae, the most common types found in freshwater aquariums, and how to gain the upper hand. Is Algae Bad for a Fish Tank? Contrary to popular belief, algae are not evil. Like plants, they use photosynthesis to convert light and organic nutrients in the water (such ...
10 Best Aquarium Fish for Beginners
If you’re getting into freshwater aquariums for the first time, it can be intimidating to know which fish to pick. Ideally, you want something hardy, budget-friendly, and colorful with an interesting personality. Check out our list of top 10 beginner fish (in no particular order) that are easy to care for and would make a great addition to your aquarium! 1. Rasboras There are many types of rasboras, but our favorite ones are the harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) and lambchop rasb...
How to Treat Ich or White Spot Disease on Freshwater Fish
Ich is one of the most common diseases that your aquarium fish can encounter. Many different approaches exist for combating this illness, but based on more than a decade of experience running 100 to 200 tanks in a fish store and importing wild-caught species, this is our go-to method for treating ich. What is Ich? Also known as ick or white spot disease, the Ichthyophthirius multifiliis protozoan is an external parasite that attaches to your fish’s fins, body, and gills by forming a tiny whit...
How to Get Started with Aquarium Plants
Aquarium plants are an amazing addition to nearly any fish tank. Not only are they beautiful and natural-looking, but they also help greatly with biological filtration and create a comfortable environment for your fish. However, many people are afraid to try them because growing plants underwater is such unfamiliar territory. Not to worry – here are our top four tried-and-true tips for getting started with your first aquarium plants! Tip #1: Use a Good Fertilizer Easy Green all-in-one fertil...
How to Set Up an Easy Planted Tank for African Cichlids
It’s a popular belief that African cichlids and live aquariums plants can never go together. But with the right stocking choices, plants can be an excellent means of blocking line of sight and keeping alpha males from getting too aggressive. Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to set up an eye-catching planted tank that will do well with fish like mbuna and peacock cichlids. Step #1: Prepare the Aquarium For our setup, we purchased a 75-gallon aquarium that is approximately 4 feet long and...
The 5 Best Betta Fish Foods You Need to Try
Not all betta fish are created equal. Some are born with bottomless stomachs like a miniature shark, and others are picky eaters who turn their noses up to everything you offer. If you have the latter type, this refusal to eat can be quite stressful. Fortunately, there are many high quality, high protein foods you can try feeding them to whet their appetites. #1 Frozen Bloodworms Given that betta fish eat small insects, crustaceans, and other meaty foods in the wild, frozen bloodworms (the br...
How to Pick the Best Planted Aquarium Light
One of the most common questions we get asked is “What light should I get for my planted aquarium?” The short answer is that it depends. To help you get started on your planted tank journey, let’s talk about three different lighting parameters and what they mean for beginner hobbyists. #1 Color Spectrum If you’ve ever looked at the lighting in a cozy coffee shop versus a sterile hospital, you know that “white” lights all vary in color temperature, which is measured in units of Kelvin (K). A s...
Sponge Filters: The Easiest Fish Tank Filter Ever
Sponge filters are one of the most popular filters used in fish stores, fish rooms, and breeding tanks because they’re so reliable and easy to use. But beginners often have many questions on how they work, how to set one up, and how to keep them clean. Check out our step-by-step instructions to help you get started with your first sponge filter. Sponge filter setup diagram What is a Sponge Filter? This most basic of all filters requires at least three components: a sponge filter (which sits ...
Care Guide for Kuhli Loaches – The Coolest Oddball Fish for Beginners
Kuhli loaches will either fascinate or freak you out because they look like a wriggly mass of miniature snakes hiding in your aquarium. In this care guide, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this popular oddball fish. What Are Kuhli Loaches? Kuhli loaches are a hardy, beginner-friendly fish, known for their unique eel-like bodies, beady black eyes, and bristly barbels or whiskers around their mouths. Multiple species are labeled as kuhli loaches, but Pangio kuhlii is ...
Echinodorus Vesuvius – An Oddball Sword Plant with a Twist
Have you ever heard of the narrow-leafed sword plant that grows in a spiral? Meet the Vesuvius sword plant – also known as Echinodorus angustifolia, Echinodorus ‘Vesuvius,’ and Helanthium ‘Vesuvius.’ Similar to corkscrew vallisneria, vesuvius looks like curly underwater grass, but its blades are narrower and grow in a tighter twist. Its common name was chosen because the leaves appear to be rising from the base of the plant much like the smoke wisps spiraling out of Mount Vesuvius. However, b...
Aquarium Salt: When and How to Use It Properly
Should aquarium salt be used in freshwater tanks? Some people recommend dosing it all the time to provide fish with essential electrolytes, while others say it’s mostly used for treating diseases. After years of testing with hundreds of fish, we’ve witnessed the true power of salt. Sodium chloride (NaCl) is one of the best, all-encompassing “medications” on the market that’s effective against bacteria, fungus, and external parasites. We love it because it’s cheap, readily available in all cou...
How to Set up a Beautiful Betta Fish Tank
Congratulations on getting your new betta fish! Betta splendens is one of the most stunning, beginner-friendly fish out there, so of course he needs to have a beautiful aquarium to match. Check out our recommended shopping list and setup tips to give your new betta the warm welcome he deserves. Betta Checklist: Everything Your New Fish Needs Before setting up your betta fish’s new home, let’s go shopping for the necessary components. All of these items can be easily found at your local pet st...
