Care Guide for Java Moss - Easy Low-Light Plant for BeginnersIf you don’t have a green thumb and are looking for a nearly indestructible plant, the Java Moss is for you! Java Moss is one of the easiest plants you will ever grow. This moss is hardy, versatile, and beautiful. You can be sure it will add a flash of green to your tank. You would have to work harder to kill this moss than you do to keep it alive! Great Durability Java Moss is an extremely durable plant. There are instances where a plant has been forgotten in a bucket for up to two months...
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...
Keeping and Breeding Cherry Shrimp – Neocaridina davidiAs an easy addition to your community tank that’s also simple to keep, cherry shrimp are increasingly popular. These little freshwater crustaceans grow to be about 1.5” in length. Like their saltwater cousins, they have a curved body, small legs, and spend most of their time seeking shelter in tank plant life and eating. In this article, we’ll talk about the basics of both keeping and breeding cherry shrimp. The Cherry Shrimp Diet Keep your shrimp healthy by giving them a great diet, consist...
Top 5 Centerpiece Fish for Your Small to Medium Sized Community AquariumCreating your own ‘school of fish’ in a medium-sized or small fish tank is a fun and rewarding experience. It’s made even more fun by introducing a showpiece fish to serve as your aquatic pride and joy. A centerpiece fish draws attention, stands out through either color or size, and also gets along with the other swimmers in the community tank. Which one should you get, though? It’s a tricky question to answer since we don’t want a larger fish to gobble up the others! What to Look for in a Ce...
Caring for African Dwarf FrogsAfrican Dwarf Frogs are some of the most popular additions to tanks. These little frogs are fully aquatic, so you don’t have to worry about a half aquatic and half terrain aquarium. African Dwarf Frogs will actually die outside of the water. The frogs are bottom scavengers and are a fantastic choice for kids or controlling your fry population. If you have too many fry guppies in a tank, add some African Dwarf Frogs and they’ll eat guppy fry to ease the population. But, if you aren’t using the...
Top 5 Easy Aquarium PlantsHey everybody, Cory here. I made a video a couple of days ago about what is, in my opinion, the top 5 aquarium plants that are not only beautiful but very easy to grow. In no particular order, my top 5 easy aquarium plants are: Amazon Swords Vallisneria Pogostemon Stellatus Octopus Cryptocoryne Anubias 1. Amazon Sword Amazon swords get most of their nutrients from their substrate. They love dirted tanks or soil-type substrates. For swords to thrive, they do need additional nutrients in...
Our Favorite Easy & Low Light Plants: Cryptocoryne Lutea and VallisneriaLots of aquarists are drawn to planted aquariums. They are, of course, natural and beautiful to look at and they also provide a rich and healthy environment for the fish and other animals that live in them. A lot of times, however, newer aquarists especially, struggle with choosing the right plants for their planted aquarium. There are many things to consider when choosing plants that will yield the most successful results. So what should be considered when choosing plants? Well, light requir...
Neon Tetras and Cardinal TetrasIncorporating a colorful fish into your tank can make it pop and stand out. A tank can become the center of attention. However, adding more than just a few new fish may not be bold enough for you. Instead, adding an entire school of them may give the tank the appearance you are looking for. From far away, your tank can be eye-catching as a school of small, colorful fish dance their way into view. A school of Cardinal or Neon Tetras could be your next perfect addition to your aquarium. The ...
Is a Nano Aquarium right for me?In recent years, the nano aquarium section of the aquarium hobby has been exploding in popularity. With many small fish becoming more available in the hobby, increased popularity of shrimp and other inverts, and even a few striking new discoveries in the last several years, the appeal has never been higher. For many people, the convenience of a small home aquarium is very inviting; however, there are some potential difficulties to consider. The definition of a “nano aquarium” differs from per...
Which Planted Tank Fertilizer Is Right for You?Ever wonder how professionals and even advanced hobbyists make those gorgeous aquascapes bursting with plant life? It all comes down to having the three essentials that make aquatic plants happy: Good lighting Substrate as needed Nutrients, like fertilizers Many beginners will ignore that last piece of the puzzle because the world of fertilizers seems like a complicated hot mess. Everyone on the internet is pushing for dry fertilizers because they’re cost-effective and highly customizable, ...
Red Cherry Shrimp "Neocardinia davidi" - Breeding - Detailed VersionOver the past few years, there has been a great deal of interest in keeping dwarf shrimp in the home, usually planted, aquarium. Keeping dwarf shrimp is fun, rewarding, and beneficial to the planted tank; but a word of warning – once you get hooked on these interesting creatures it is hard not to want to explore the more exotic and usual varieties. One of the most popular, relatively inexpensive, and colorful varieties for the beginner is the Red Cherry Shrimp, Neocardinia davidi var. red. Re...
Livebearers are Becoming Weaker.In many older books and magazines, you'll read how livebearers like Endler’s Livebearers and Guppies are great for beginners because they're hardy. This was once true, however now that we are many generations away from the wild stock, some of them have become quite weak. Unfortunately, most livebearers are now mass produced. As we all know, when things go into mass production, the quality will decline. I hope to offer some tips to help you be successful with livebearers in spite of th...
Zenzo Tazawa | Director of Company Culture and TeamsWhat is your favorite thing about working at Aquarium Co-Op? My favorite thing that I love about working with Aquarium Co-Op is that it allows me an opportunity to help people solve challenges. That could be challenges internally, where we are looking to improve the way we do business. It can also be challenges that our customer may be faced with, where we have helped them with their aquarium journeys and maybe solved a problem with their aquatic pet or plant. What has been your best moment ...
Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus) an Easy Aquatic Plant.Java Fern is one of the world’s most widely used plants in planted aquariums. It slow growth, unique leaf structure, and reproduction method makes it an aquarium smash hit. Java Fern tolerates most lighting conditions and many environments – from soft acidic water to alkaline conditions, and even brackish tanks! It is also easy to find in most local fish stores; but if not, there is always some available on our website. Java fern Now if you've found this article, you're obviously loo...
David Broncheau | Retail Store ManagerWhat is your favorite thing about working at Aquarium Co-Op? The best thing about working at Aquarium Co-Op is being part of an amazing team that helps enrich the hobby that I enjoy so much. I enjoy working for a company that is always looking to improve. What has been your best moment while working for Aquarium Co-Op? Everyday here is almost surreal. Fish help to keep me grounded and centered. There has yet to be a better feeling than when I received a message telling me to keep an eye out ...
How Often Do You Have to Change Water in a Fish Tank?To mimic nature, we as hobbyists many times, need to do water changes. Most waterways have very low nitrates in the water because wastes are constantly being flushed downstream. Unfortunately for us, the byproduct of feeding our fish is nitrates. When this parameter is kept low, fish will be at their healthiest. Generally below 40 parts per million is considered safe for most fish. A simple way to regulate this is by changing water. The act of changing water is as simple as it sounds. We want...
Care Guide for Java Moss - Easy Low-Light Plant for Beginners
If you don’t have a green thumb and are looking for a nearly indestructible plant, the Java Moss is for you! Java Moss is one of the easiest plants you will ever grow. This moss is hardy, versatile, and beautiful. You can be sure it will add a flash of green to your tank. You would have to work harder to kill this moss than you do to keep it alive! Great Durability Java Moss is an extremely durable plant. There are instances where a plant has been forgotten in a bucket for up to two months...
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...
Keeping and Breeding Cherry Shrimp – Neocaridina davidi
As an easy addition to your community tank that’s also simple to keep, cherry shrimp are increasingly popular. These little freshwater crustaceans grow to be about 1.5” in length. Like their saltwater cousins, they have a curved body, small legs, and spend most of their time seeking shelter in tank plant life and eating. In this article, we’ll talk about the basics of both keeping and breeding cherry shrimp. The Cherry Shrimp Diet Keep your shrimp healthy by giving them a great diet, consist...
Top 5 Centerpiece Fish for Your Small to Medium Sized Community Aquarium
Creating your own ‘school of fish’ in a medium-sized or small fish tank is a fun and rewarding experience. It’s made even more fun by introducing a showpiece fish to serve as your aquatic pride and joy. A centerpiece fish draws attention, stands out through either color or size, and also gets along with the other swimmers in the community tank. Which one should you get, though? It’s a tricky question to answer since we don’t want a larger fish to gobble up the others! What to Look for in a Ce...
Caring for African Dwarf Frogs
African Dwarf Frogs are some of the most popular additions to tanks. These little frogs are fully aquatic, so you don’t have to worry about a half aquatic and half terrain aquarium. African Dwarf Frogs will actually die outside of the water. The frogs are bottom scavengers and are a fantastic choice for kids or controlling your fry population. If you have too many fry guppies in a tank, add some African Dwarf Frogs and they’ll eat guppy fry to ease the population. But, if you aren’t using the...
Top 5 Easy Aquarium Plants
Hey everybody, Cory here. I made a video a couple of days ago about what is, in my opinion, the top 5 aquarium plants that are not only beautiful but very easy to grow. In no particular order, my top 5 easy aquarium plants are: Amazon Swords Vallisneria Pogostemon Stellatus Octopus Cryptocoryne Anubias 1. Amazon Sword Amazon swords get most of their nutrients from their substrate. They love dirted tanks or soil-type substrates. For swords to thrive, they do need additional nutrients in...
Our Favorite Easy & Low Light Plants: Cryptocoryne Lutea and Vallisneria
Lots of aquarists are drawn to planted aquariums. They are, of course, natural and beautiful to look at and they also provide a rich and healthy environment for the fish and other animals that live in them. A lot of times, however, newer aquarists especially, struggle with choosing the right plants for their planted aquarium. There are many things to consider when choosing plants that will yield the most successful results. So what should be considered when choosing plants? Well, light requir...
Neon Tetras and Cardinal Tetras
Incorporating a colorful fish into your tank can make it pop and stand out. A tank can become the center of attention. However, adding more than just a few new fish may not be bold enough for you. Instead, adding an entire school of them may give the tank the appearance you are looking for. From far away, your tank can be eye-catching as a school of small, colorful fish dance their way into view. A school of Cardinal or Neon Tetras could be your next perfect addition to your aquarium. The ...
Is a Nano Aquarium right for me?
In recent years, the nano aquarium section of the aquarium hobby has been exploding in popularity. With many small fish becoming more available in the hobby, increased popularity of shrimp and other inverts, and even a few striking new discoveries in the last several years, the appeal has never been higher. For many people, the convenience of a small home aquarium is very inviting; however, there are some potential difficulties to consider. The definition of a “nano aquarium” differs from per...
Which Planted Tank Fertilizer Is Right for You?
Ever wonder how professionals and even advanced hobbyists make those gorgeous aquascapes bursting with plant life? It all comes down to having the three essentials that make aquatic plants happy: Good lighting Substrate as needed Nutrients, like fertilizers Many beginners will ignore that last piece of the puzzle because the world of fertilizers seems like a complicated hot mess. Everyone on the internet is pushing for dry fertilizers because they’re cost-effective and highly customizable, ...
Red Cherry Shrimp "Neocardinia davidi" - Breeding - Detailed Version
Over the past few years, there has been a great deal of interest in keeping dwarf shrimp in the home, usually planted, aquarium. Keeping dwarf shrimp is fun, rewarding, and beneficial to the planted tank; but a word of warning – once you get hooked on these interesting creatures it is hard not to want to explore the more exotic and usual varieties. One of the most popular, relatively inexpensive, and colorful varieties for the beginner is the Red Cherry Shrimp, Neocardinia davidi var. red. Re...
Livebearers are Becoming Weaker.
In many older books and magazines, you'll read how livebearers like Endler’s Livebearers and Guppies are great for beginners because they're hardy. This was once true, however now that we are many generations away from the wild stock, some of them have become quite weak. Unfortunately, most livebearers are now mass produced. As we all know, when things go into mass production, the quality will decline. I hope to offer some tips to help you be successful with livebearers in spite of th...
Zenzo Tazawa | Director of Company Culture and Teams
What is your favorite thing about working at Aquarium Co-Op? My favorite thing that I love about working with Aquarium Co-Op is that it allows me an opportunity to help people solve challenges. That could be challenges internally, where we are looking to improve the way we do business. It can also be challenges that our customer may be faced with, where we have helped them with their aquarium journeys and maybe solved a problem with their aquatic pet or plant. What has been your best moment ...
Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus) an Easy Aquatic Plant.
Java Fern is one of the world’s most widely used plants in planted aquariums. It slow growth, unique leaf structure, and reproduction method makes it an aquarium smash hit. Java Fern tolerates most lighting conditions and many environments – from soft acidic water to alkaline conditions, and even brackish tanks! It is also easy to find in most local fish stores; but if not, there is always some available on our website. Java fern Now if you've found this article, you're obviously loo...
David Broncheau | Retail Store Manager
What is your favorite thing about working at Aquarium Co-Op? The best thing about working at Aquarium Co-Op is being part of an amazing team that helps enrich the hobby that I enjoy so much. I enjoy working for a company that is always looking to improve. What has been your best moment while working for Aquarium Co-Op? Everyday here is almost surreal. Fish help to keep me grounded and centered. There has yet to be a better feeling than when I received a message telling me to keep an eye out ...
How Often Do You Have to Change Water in a Fish Tank?
To mimic nature, we as hobbyists many times, need to do water changes. Most waterways have very low nitrates in the water because wastes are constantly being flushed downstream. Unfortunately for us, the byproduct of feeding our fish is nitrates. When this parameter is kept low, fish will be at their healthiest. Generally below 40 parts per million is considered safe for most fish. A simple way to regulate this is by changing water. The act of changing water is as simple as it sounds. We want...
