How do you humanely kill a pest snail?Feed your extra snails to snail-eating fish (like puffers and loaches), give them to other hobbyists who own snail eaters, or crush them for a quick death. For more information, read our full article on how to get rid of aquarium pest snails.
Top 5 Freshwater Sharks for Aquariums (and How Big They Really Get)You may have gone to the pet store and seen some freshwater fish labeled as “sharks.” These species are not true sharks but rather are members of the Cyprinidae family of carp and minnows. They just happen to look like sharks because of their slender, torpedo-shaped bodies and pointy fins. Beginners often buy freshwater sharks because of their attractive shape and hardiness, but they can grow much bigger than expected and have large tank requirements in adulthood. So, before you take home tha...
What settings should I use when I first set up the Easy Plant LED light?For a newly planted aquarium, the plants will take some time to adjust to their new surroundings. Therefore, we recommend scheduling the light for less time duration at first for a total 6–8 hours a day using an electrical outlet timer like the Kasa Wi-Fi timer. Also, start with lower light intensity around 20–40% brightness (level 2—3) and gradually increase the intensity if there is no algae growth. If a significant algae bloom happens, then lower the brightness again. See the product page ...
How many fish can I put in a 30-gallon tank?One of the most common but hardest questions we get is “How many fish can you put in a 30-gallon aquarium? What about a 20-gallon tank? 55 gallons?” As you may guess, there is an infinite number of possible fish combinations for each tank size that we could recommend. To simplify things, read this article that discusses the three factors that will most impact your fish stocking levels, as well as our general guidelines for introducing the right number of fish to your aquarium.
Do I need to quarantine shrimp and snails?Dwarf shrimp can sometimes carry diseases, especially if purchased directly from importers, so if you are bringing in a batch to add to an existing colony, consider putting them in quarantine first to observe their condition. In our experience, snails rarely seem to carry illnesses, so we usually skip the quarantine step and add them directly to our aquariums. For complete instructions on setting up a quarantine tank, read our full article here.
How to adjust the Aquarium Co-Op heaterTo adjust the heater to the desired temperature, press the SET button once on the temperature controller. While the temperature display is still blinking, press the SET button again to change the desired temperature by 1°F increments. (The desired temperature cycles from 64°F to 91°F, meaning that you need to increase the heater up to the highest temperature setting of 91°F before it goes back down to 64°F.) When the desired temperature is reached, do not touch the SET button for 3 seconds. O...
Which size of the Easy Plant LED light do I need?See the Easy Plant LED product page to pick a light that matches the length of your aquarium. If your aquarium is bigger than our largest light, then use multiple lights to get enough coverage. If your aquarium is in between light sizes, then get the smaller of the two lights and extend the sliding brackets on each end of the light to securely fit it on the aquarium rim.
Can I still use the Easy Plant LED light if it is cracked?We recommend discontinuing usage of the light since we cannot determine the extent of the damage. Please contact the Aquarium Co-Op customer service so we can assist you with the warranty process.
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...
Should I use a DIY CO2 or pressurized CO2 system?We have tested many types of DIY systems using yeast, citric acid, and other mixtures, and while they may be cheaper, they are not as stable as a pressurized CO2 system using a regulator and cylinder. The DIY reactions often make lots of CO2 at the beginning and then decline over time, and the inconsistent amounts of CO2 can make it difficult to balance a planted tank. Furthermore, the pressure is not as high, temperature can affect the reaction, and the overall process is time-consuming to m...
What do the red and yellow lights on the Aquarium Co-Op heater mean?When you first plug in the heater, a yellow indicator light will briefly turn on and then turn off again. The yellow light will only turn on again once the unit has run for 17,520 hours, which is 2 years of being plugged in full time. At this point, the heater will still continue to work, but the yellow light reminds you that it has reached the end of its expected life and it may be time to start thinking about replacing the unit to ensure the highest performance. The red indicator light tur...
Can you put too much dechlorinator in your fish tank?With Easy Dechlorinator, you can treat extremely high levels of chloramine, nitrite, or other toxic chemicals by dosing up to 5 times the recommended amount within the span of 24 hours. This is a very large range that allows much room for error. Just keep in mind that potent concentrations of dechlorinator will quickly reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen, so it may be best to add an air stone for the next 3-4 hours to increase oxygenation in the water. For more information, read the full ar...
What fish can live in a 20-gallon tank?We often get asked "What can I put in a 20 gallon tank?," which is about as easy to answer as "What food can I get for under $20?" 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: 5 Best Fish Tank Ideas for a 20-Gallon Aquarium 7 Popular Fish You Should Try in a 20-Gallon Aquarium
What aquarium plants can grow in brackish water?While the internet has many forum posts and articles about brackish plants, we have not had much success in our testing so far. Anubias and java moss died, and the hornwort shed all of its needles in the water and made a big mess. The only two plants we've had luck with so far are mangrove trees and java fern. The java fern had to be slowly acclimated from freshwater to brackish water over the course of 2-3 months, and while it has not died yet, it does not grow very quickly either. In t...
Does Aquarium Co-Op sell to Canada?We do not ship directly to Canada from our website, but we have partnered with April's Aquarium so that they can sell our premium products online to Canadian customers. Go to their website at https://aprilsaquarium.ca to order some of our most popular items — such as Easy Green fertilizer, Easy Plant LED, our brine shrimp eggs, and more!
Top 5 Freshwater Sharks for Aquariums (and How Big They Really Get)
You may have gone to the pet store and seen some freshwater fish labeled as “sharks.” These species are not true sharks but rather are members of the Cyprinidae family of carp and minnows. They just happen to look like sharks because of their slender, torpedo-shaped bodies and pointy fins. Beginners often buy freshwater sharks because of their attractive shape and hardiness, but they can grow much bigger than expected and have large tank requirements in adulthood. So, before you take home tha...
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...
