Search Results

Should I boil Indian almond leaves? We do not boil them because it releases all the tannins and then you don’t get their benefits. However, if you don’t like the way the leaves look, some people like to make a catappa leaf extract by boiling one leaf for every 0.5 gallon (2 liters) of water. (Make sure to use a cheap pot you don’t care about because it may become stained.) Once the liquid has cooled, pour a little into the tank until you reach the color you want. If you add too much extract, just do a water change to dilute the...

Do I need carbon in my aquarium filter? Because activated carbon (and most chemical filtration) is disposable and cannot be reused, we like to save it for specific instances when we know there are pollutants or tannins that we wish to remove. If you are preparing for an aquarium photoshoot, you may choose to use carbon to ensure the water is extremely clear. However, most hobbyists do not use carbon on a daily basis because it gets depleted so quickly and the results may be temporary. For more information on filter media, read the ...

How do I use Indian almond leaves? If the dried leaves are very dusty or dirty, you can gently rinse them in water first, but the catappa leaves sold by Aquarium Co-Op are clean enough that we just drop them directly into the fish tank. They usually float for the first 3-7 days, so if it bothers you, weigh them down with a rock or decoration. Also, you can break the leaf in half to just use part of it or crumble it into smaller pieces to speed up the decomposition process. For more details on the benefits of catappa leaves, re...

Are hydra bad for aquariums? Hydra are ambush hunters that like to eat microworms, insect larvae, and tiny crustaceans (e.g., cyclops, daphnia, scuds, and baby brine shrimp). In our experience, they are a natural part of the aquarium ecosystem and do not seem to greatly impact baby fish and shrimp populations. Adults are too big to be eaten, and fry have a strong flight response that causes them to jerk away from any stimulus, like a stinging tentacle. For more information, read our full article on How to Get Rid of Hydr...

How do I control my aquarium snail population? Despite these many benefits of snails, some people do not like being overrun by so many snails that they start covering the glass and every surface in the fish tank. To keep your aquarium snail population under control, try one of these 5 proven methods covered in our article on how to get rid of aquarium pest snails.

What’s the difference between a powerhead and a wave maker? A fish tank powerhead typically shoots a narrow jet of water in one direction, whereas a wave maker is meant to imitate the back-and-forth motion of ocean waves. For more information, read our full article on water circulation.

Are hydra dangerous to humans? No, their stinging cells are too weak to affect humans. If you try to touch them, they quickly retract their tentacles and ball up to avoid predation from larger animals. For more information, read our full article on How to Get Rid of Hydra in Your Aquarium.

Top 5 Bottom Dwellers If you are in the market and looking to add a few bottom-dwelling cleaners to your tank, this list is for you! Our list of the Top 5 Bottom Dwellers gives you a list of our top choices for the best fish that you can add to your tank to keep it functional and attractive. 5. Geophagus Our number 5 top pick is the Geophagus. Geophagus translates to sand-sifter or eartheater. These fish will go to the bottom of your tank, grab mouthfuls of sand, sift through it, and then spit it out. This proc...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

How to use a check valve for aquariums If you only get one item from this list, a check valve is an essential must-have. It contains a flapper or stopper that allows air to flow in one direction (into the tank) and stops water from flowing in the other direction (out of the tank). This cheap but important accessory prevents water from siphoning out of your aquarium if the air pump turns off or stops running during a power outage. Water leakage out of the airline tubing usually results in damage to your air pump, as well as floodin...

Can I put real plants in my betta tank? Yes, aquarium plants are a great way to take your betta fish tank to the next level. Not only do aquatic plants help purify the water from your fish’s waste, but they also provide a beautiful, natural environment for your betta. In the wild, Betta splendens are commonly found in tropical marshes and rice paddy fields chock-full of thick vegetation. Therefore, aquarium plants serve as excellent enrichment for your betta to explore, obstacles to block line of sight in case he gets territorial, ...

How to use an aquarium gang valve A more efficient accessory for splitting one air stream into multiple paths is a gang valve. The model we offer features four outlets and up to two inlets. The two inlets allow you to add one or two air pumps as desired and then split it up four ways. Alternatively, you can connect daisy-chain two gang valves together, giving you eight ways to split your air. Keep in mind that each time you split the air, each outlet has a weaker output and less air going through it. The more outlets you hav...

Do my neon tetras have neon tetra disease (NTD)? NTD is one of the most misdiagnosed diseases in the hobby. Just because a neon tetra is sick doesn’t automatically mean that it has neon tetra disease. If your tetra has white spots, it probably has ich. If your tetra has a white patch, it could be symptom of NTD, but it could also be a symptom of many other illnesses. NTD is fairly rare, so the white patch is more likely caused by a common bacterial or fungal infection. We recommend using the quarantine medication trio (which treats bacteria...

What fish can live in a 10 gallon tank? We often get asked "What can I put in a 10 gallon tank?," which is about as easy to answer as "What food can I get for under $10?" Fish stocking choices depend on your personal preference and what kind of animals appeal most to you. To help inspire you, here are several articles with our favorite ideas: Top 10 Fish for a 10-Gallon Aquarium 7 Best Fish Tank Ideas for a 10-Gallon Aquarium Top 7 Colorful Fish for a 10-Gallon Aquarium Top 5 Oddball Fish for a 10-Gallon Aquarium C...