The filter is the most important piece of equipment for any aquarium, but there is a huge array of models available, so how do you choose? Here’s our essential guide.The BasicsAll aquariums containing fish need a filter of some kind. The filter traps debris, clearing the water and enabling better viewing of your fish. The trapping of physical waste is called mechanical filtration.Fi...
As with most aspects of life, the best nutrition for our pets is something we learn about constantly, and we are constantly aiming to improve all aspects of their husbandry, diet included. As each year passes and we gain more knowledge, the top brands are able to grow and develop to incorporate all this new information. Vitalis Aquatic Nutrition is one of these companies, that has been able to co...
When it comes to lighting for your fish tank, it can be a minefield. Not only are there different fittings of bulbs to consider, but also it seems an infinite amount of variations in colours and names – is there really that much difference in them?Firstly, let’s look at the basics. If you’re looking for high spec lighting for marine corals for example, this isn’t for you. Tha...
The aquarium hobby is continuing to advance at a rapid pace. One of the many great things about this is that there are an abundance of modern and unusual fish tanks available, complete with state of the art filtration and care systems that not only serve as the perfect dwelling for your fish, but also make a great, inspiration and relaxing addition to your home. Here’ s the Swell UK team’s pi...
When problems with algae appear in your aquarium, it’s all too easy to jump straight to the chemical solutions, but keeping a set of aquarium custodians or ‘Clean-Up Crew’ can be just as effective, and far more natural when it’s done right.The phrase ‘clean-up crew’ has been around since the 1980’s, and has been used by professional aquarists and vendors all over, and refers to o...
When keeping an aquarium, fish feeding is one of those things that you want to get just right.Using the right methods, the right food, the right schedule and the right quantities can effect much more than just the basic nutrition of your fish, extending to tank-wide consequences if you get it wrong.At Swell UK, we take hundreds of advice calls every week about fish feeding, and usually it boil...
One of the most dangerous times for your fish tank is the introduction of new fish into the ecosystem, and learning to identify healthy fish for tropical aquariums is one of the most useful skills you can develop as an aquarist.At Swell UK, we still hear about people getting it wrong from time to time, but we are happy to say we have a few tips to help you make getting a new fish as safe as po...
Understanding just how your aquarium filter works is one of the major milestones when you begin you aquarium hobby. Essentially, your fish tank filtration system is the key to keeping healthy water, and therefore healthy fish, generating hundreds of calls to the experts at Swell UK each week.The best information comes free, and we thought we’d walk any newcomers to the aquarium hobby through t...
Regular water changes are a big part of fish keeping, both in ponds and aquariums. Often considered one of the draw backs of fish keeping, it is nevertheless essential in most cases. But at Swell UK, we’ve learnt there are a few tricks and toys that can make this task easier, cheaper and faster.Why do we need to do water changes?Not only are regular water changes a great way to keep your wat...
While there are plenty of chemical balances that effect your aquarium water quality, Ammonia has to be near the top. At Swell UK, we see plenty of calls and queries about ammonia levels, and rightly so! Ammonia in your tank cannot be completely avoided, and needs to be regulated with filtration to avoid poisoning your fish, effecting pH and creating blooms of nasty looking algae.First and foremo...