How to Choose the Right Aquarium HeaterOne of the most common questions we get is, “Does my aquarium need a heater?” Well, most fish are cold-blooded animals that rely on the surrounding waters to regulate their body temperature, and most freshwater pet fish are tropical species that enjoy balmy temperatures around 78-80°F. So, if you usually keep your home cooler than that, then the answer is yes. Now it’s true that the majority of aquarium fish can tolerate cooler temperatures than recommended because in nature, the environment ...
Freshwater Fish Tank Cycling - How to Prepare for New FishHave you ever seen a fish in the wild living in pure, crystal clear water with no other contaminants? Probably not. That’s because life isn’t sterile; it doesn’t flourish in “pristine” conditions, but rather when there’s a whole ecosystem of microorganisms, plants, and animals that are in balance with one another. So, if you’re looking to set up a brand-new fish tank, let’s talk about aquarium cycling and how to prepare a healthy, thriving environment for your fish to live in. What is the Aqu...
Air Stones: The Secret Weapon Every Aquarium NeedsHaving enough oxygen in your aquarium is one of those things people often take for granted, but it’s so vital to your fish’s health. How can you make sure your fish is getting enough air? Typically, the most obvious signs of oxygen deprivation in fish include lots of resting at the bottom of the tank, a lack of appetite, and rapidly moving gills. In a worst-case scenario, your fish may start gasping for air at the surface of the water, which means it’s definitely time to take action! The firs...
5 Quick and Easy Steps for Treating Fin RotWhat do you do if your fish’s fins and tail are looking ragged or discolored? It may be a bacterial disease called fin rot. This illness is simple enough to treat but can lead to other serious complications if left unchecked, so follow our five easy steps for curing fin rot. How Do I Know If My Fish Has Fin Rot? Fin rot is commonly found in aquarium fish such as betta fish and goldfish. The symptoms can vary based on how long the fish has been affected: Stage 1: The fins and/or tail start s...
Care Guide for Cory Catfish – The Perfect Community Bottom DwellerLooking for a peaceful beginner fish with tons of personality? Look no further! The cory catfish, or Corydoras catfish, is one of the most popular community fish because they’re so happy-go-lucky, easy to breed, and helpful as a clean-up crew. In this care guide, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this adorable bottom dweller. What are Corydoras? This genus of South American catfish includes more than 160 species, with several hundred more that are waiting to be class...
Marimo Moss Balls – The World’s Easiest Aquarium “Plant”Do you lack a green thumb when it comes to keeping live aquarium plants? Or maybe you want to add a touch of nature to your betta fish tank without a lot of effort? Let me introduce you to the marimo moss ball. This velvety green orb is neither a moss nor plant, but a species of green algae known as Aegagropila linnaei that gets its unique shape from tumbling about the bottom of freshwater lakes. The nickname “marimo” roughly translates from Japanese as “water plant that’s kind of like a boun...
Banana Plant – An Unusual Aquarium Plant for BeginnersHave you ever seen this bizarre plant at your local pet store that looks like it’s growing a bunch of baby bananas? Say hello to the aquatic banana plant, also known as the banana lily or Nymphoides aquatica. This species is native to slow-moving waters in the southeastern United States and is quite popular as a beginner-friendly, low light plant. Nymphoides aquatica with banana-like tubers How to Plant Your Banana Plant Introducing a new banana lily to your fish tank is very simple. First, ...
Daphnia Culturing – How to Raise DaphniaHow would you like to cultivate and raise your own separate tank of Daphnia (also known as water fleas)? These tiny plankton-like freshwater crustaceans grow to about 3 millimeters in length or less. They’re actually kind of cute looking as you watch them swim almost vertically in their tank. They live quite happily in large groups within a tank, so that you can harvest them when you need them to feed your fish, tadpoles, salamanders, newts, or aquatic insects. In this article, we’ll discu...
5 High-Quality Fish Foods That You Have to TryWhen it comes to prepared fish foods, what do you feed? Are you a die-hard fan of Team Hikari or a DIYer on Team Repashy? Or are you like me, who has a serious case of fish food collectoritis and a fridge door filled with half-empty bottles? In today’s world of fish keeping, we have the luxury of choosing from hundreds of fish foods produced by companies all over the world, so when I test out a new product, I generally look for: Ingredients – What is the food made out of and what nutrients d...
DIY Planted Background WallHave you been wanting to change up your aquarium background to something unique? Perhaps it’s time to try a planted wall! A wall of plants is a great way to add extra foliage and shelter for your tank while giving your tank an incredible and unique look. When most people think of planted walls in aquariums, they think of moss walls. For those of you who have made successful moss walls for your aquariums, can you share your secrets? We haven’t had huge success with moss-only walls. In the past...
5 Steps to a Better 10 Gallon Fish TankA 10-gallon fish tank is the most sold fish tank size in the USA each year. With so many sold, they are also the cheapest fish tank sold and, when sold as a kit, quality equipment is often swapped out for cheaper equipment to be more price competitive. In this guide you’ll learn how to get your 10-gallon fish tank up to speed in 5 easy steps. 1. Upgrade your Lighting Many of the fish tanks produced today come with built-in tops with LED lights. Unfortunately to keep the cost down, these light...
Fish Tank Filters: Which One Should You Get?What do most people think when they hear you keep pet fish? They probably conjure up memories of their great aunt’s dirty goldfish tank, covered in mystery slime and reeking of stagnant swamp water. But you and I know the secret to having a beautiful aquarium with crystal clear water… clearly, we just need to find the perfect fish tank filter! Why do Aquariums Need Filtration? As one of the key components of an aquarium, filtration is responsible for moving and cleaning the tank water, making...
How to Care for a Tiger LotusWhen looking to add plants to a freshwater aquarium, there are endless choices. Color and shape are some important things to consider when trying to achieve the most pleasing look overall. One plant that is both beautiful and relatively simple to maintain is the tiger lotus or Nymphaea zenkeri. With its broad, wavy-edged leaves and variegated color pattern, it can bring a new and stunning aesthetic to your aquarium. The tiger lotus is a bulb plant that has two kinds of leaf structures. The fi...
How to Plant Anubias or Java Fern on Rocks Anubias and Java Fern are two excellent freshwater plant options for low light tanks. Unlike most freshwater plants, they can go in aquariums that feature African Cichlids or Goldfish. These two plant species are easy to care for and not demanding at all. You can leave them in the pot, attach them to driftwood, or, like we’re doing here in this week's blog, plant them on aquarium rocks. They’re the hardiest and easiest to work with. If you prefer a video format of this tutorial, watch the...
Rasbora Hets and Espei Rasboras – Great For Planted AquariumsThe Rasbora fish species deserve their great popularity for so many reasons, including their docile temperaments, their easy care, their bright colors, and their relatively small size. They are a social fish, so it’s recommended that you get at least six of the kind that you choose! Why are Rasboras so great for planted aquariums? It’s because their colors really pop out against the waving greenery of the background. The Harlequin Rasboras (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) have more of a pinkis...
Tetraodon MBU - The Under Water Giant PuppyThe Tetraodon MBU puffer is the largest freshwater species of puffer fish. Getting 22+ inches in a home aquarium. With the fish getting so big, most aquarists struggle to keep one healthy. While my largest one has only gotten to 22 inches, I suspect they’ll grow to as large as 30 inches depending on how they are raised throughout their extended lives. The first question is always what size of an aquarium? Some say 300 gallons, some say 1000 gallons etc. The reality is the foot print is much m...
How to Choose the Right Aquarium Heater
One of the most common questions we get is, “Does my aquarium need a heater?” Well, most fish are cold-blooded animals that rely on the surrounding waters to regulate their body temperature, and most freshwater pet fish are tropical species that enjoy balmy temperatures around 78-80°F. So, if you usually keep your home cooler than that, then the answer is yes. Now it’s true that the majority of aquarium fish can tolerate cooler temperatures than recommended because in nature, the environment ...
Freshwater Fish Tank Cycling - How to Prepare for New Fish
Have you ever seen a fish in the wild living in pure, crystal clear water with no other contaminants? Probably not. That’s because life isn’t sterile; it doesn’t flourish in “pristine” conditions, but rather when there’s a whole ecosystem of microorganisms, plants, and animals that are in balance with one another. So, if you’re looking to set up a brand-new fish tank, let’s talk about aquarium cycling and how to prepare a healthy, thriving environment for your fish to live in. What is the Aqu...
Air Stones: The Secret Weapon Every Aquarium Needs
Having enough oxygen in your aquarium is one of those things people often take for granted, but it’s so vital to your fish’s health. How can you make sure your fish is getting enough air? Typically, the most obvious signs of oxygen deprivation in fish include lots of resting at the bottom of the tank, a lack of appetite, and rapidly moving gills. In a worst-case scenario, your fish may start gasping for air at the surface of the water, which means it’s definitely time to take action! The firs...
5 Quick and Easy Steps for Treating Fin Rot
What do you do if your fish’s fins and tail are looking ragged or discolored? It may be a bacterial disease called fin rot. This illness is simple enough to treat but can lead to other serious complications if left unchecked, so follow our five easy steps for curing fin rot. How Do I Know If My Fish Has Fin Rot? Fin rot is commonly found in aquarium fish such as betta fish and goldfish. The symptoms can vary based on how long the fish has been affected: Stage 1: The fins and/or tail start s...
Care Guide for Cory Catfish – The Perfect Community Bottom Dweller
Looking for a peaceful beginner fish with tons of personality? Look no further! The cory catfish, or Corydoras catfish, is one of the most popular community fish because they’re so happy-go-lucky, easy to breed, and helpful as a clean-up crew. In this care guide, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this adorable bottom dweller. What are Corydoras? This genus of South American catfish includes more than 160 species, with several hundred more that are waiting to be class...
Marimo Moss Balls – The World’s Easiest Aquarium “Plant”
Do you lack a green thumb when it comes to keeping live aquarium plants? Or maybe you want to add a touch of nature to your betta fish tank without a lot of effort? Let me introduce you to the marimo moss ball. This velvety green orb is neither a moss nor plant, but a species of green algae known as Aegagropila linnaei that gets its unique shape from tumbling about the bottom of freshwater lakes. The nickname “marimo” roughly translates from Japanese as “water plant that’s kind of like a boun...
Banana Plant – An Unusual Aquarium Plant for Beginners
Have you ever seen this bizarre plant at your local pet store that looks like it’s growing a bunch of baby bananas? Say hello to the aquatic banana plant, also known as the banana lily or Nymphoides aquatica. This species is native to slow-moving waters in the southeastern United States and is quite popular as a beginner-friendly, low light plant. Nymphoides aquatica with banana-like tubers How to Plant Your Banana Plant Introducing a new banana lily to your fish tank is very simple. First, ...
Daphnia Culturing – How to Raise Daphnia
How would you like to cultivate and raise your own separate tank of Daphnia (also known as water fleas)? These tiny plankton-like freshwater crustaceans grow to about 3 millimeters in length or less. They’re actually kind of cute looking as you watch them swim almost vertically in their tank. They live quite happily in large groups within a tank, so that you can harvest them when you need them to feed your fish, tadpoles, salamanders, newts, or aquatic insects. In this article, we’ll discu...
5 High-Quality Fish Foods That You Have to Try
When it comes to prepared fish foods, what do you feed? Are you a die-hard fan of Team Hikari or a DIYer on Team Repashy? Or are you like me, who has a serious case of fish food collectoritis and a fridge door filled with half-empty bottles? In today’s world of fish keeping, we have the luxury of choosing from hundreds of fish foods produced by companies all over the world, so when I test out a new product, I generally look for: Ingredients – What is the food made out of and what nutrients d...
DIY Planted Background Wall
Have you been wanting to change up your aquarium background to something unique? Perhaps it’s time to try a planted wall! A wall of plants is a great way to add extra foliage and shelter for your tank while giving your tank an incredible and unique look. When most people think of planted walls in aquariums, they think of moss walls. For those of you who have made successful moss walls for your aquariums, can you share your secrets? We haven’t had huge success with moss-only walls. In the past...
5 Steps to a Better 10 Gallon Fish Tank
A 10-gallon fish tank is the most sold fish tank size in the USA each year. With so many sold, they are also the cheapest fish tank sold and, when sold as a kit, quality equipment is often swapped out for cheaper equipment to be more price competitive. In this guide you’ll learn how to get your 10-gallon fish tank up to speed in 5 easy steps. 1. Upgrade your Lighting Many of the fish tanks produced today come with built-in tops with LED lights. Unfortunately to keep the cost down, these light...
Fish Tank Filters: Which One Should You Get?
What do most people think when they hear you keep pet fish? They probably conjure up memories of their great aunt’s dirty goldfish tank, covered in mystery slime and reeking of stagnant swamp water. But you and I know the secret to having a beautiful aquarium with crystal clear water… clearly, we just need to find the perfect fish tank filter! Why do Aquariums Need Filtration? As one of the key components of an aquarium, filtration is responsible for moving and cleaning the tank water, making...
How to Care for a Tiger Lotus
When looking to add plants to a freshwater aquarium, there are endless choices. Color and shape are some important things to consider when trying to achieve the most pleasing look overall. One plant that is both beautiful and relatively simple to maintain is the tiger lotus or Nymphaea zenkeri. With its broad, wavy-edged leaves and variegated color pattern, it can bring a new and stunning aesthetic to your aquarium. The tiger lotus is a bulb plant that has two kinds of leaf structures. The fi...
How to Plant Anubias or Java Fern on Rocks
Anubias and Java Fern are two excellent freshwater plant options for low light tanks. Unlike most freshwater plants, they can go in aquariums that feature African Cichlids or Goldfish. These two plant species are easy to care for and not demanding at all. You can leave them in the pot, attach them to driftwood, or, like we’re doing here in this week's blog, plant them on aquarium rocks. They’re the hardiest and easiest to work with. If you prefer a video format of this tutorial, watch the...
Rasbora Hets and Espei Rasboras – Great For Planted Aquariums
The Rasbora fish species deserve their great popularity for so many reasons, including their docile temperaments, their easy care, their bright colors, and their relatively small size. They are a social fish, so it’s recommended that you get at least six of the kind that you choose! Why are Rasboras so great for planted aquariums? It’s because their colors really pop out against the waving greenery of the background. The Harlequin Rasboras (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) have more of a pinkis...
Tetraodon MBU - The Under Water Giant Puppy
The Tetraodon MBU puffer is the largest freshwater species of puffer fish. Getting 22+ inches in a home aquarium. With the fish getting so big, most aquarists struggle to keep one healthy. While my largest one has only gotten to 22 inches, I suspect they’ll grow to as large as 30 inches depending on how they are raised throughout their extended lives. The first question is always what size of an aquarium? Some say 300 gallons, some say 1000 gallons etc. The reality is the foot print is much m...
