We often divide freshwater fish into two types - tropical and coldwater, but what defines a tropical fish, and what temperature is tropical?If you take the oceans, Tropical is determined when water temperatures are above 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit) year-round. Temperate refers to waters which are typically 10-20C, 50-68F year-round, and below 10C,50F year-round is referred to as polar....
Crystal clear, healthy-looking water is the aim of virtually every aquarium owner. We are drawn to clear water as a species, we like to live next to it, swim in it, and of course, drink it.But if not properly maintained aquarium water can quickly become cloudy, full of algae and discoloured. Dirty aquariums are one of the biggest reasons why people give up fishkeeping, so by keeping your tank...
Planted tanks can be some of the most beautiful aquariums, and live aquatic plants can benefit fish too. Plants definitely grow better with the addition of CO2, but some plants don’t need additional CO2 at all. A thriving, healthy planted aquarium can be created without CO2, as long as you choose the right plants, and light it accordingly.It's all about energyPlanted tanks can be divide...
GH is an abbreviation for General Hardness, and it's a reference to how hard or soft your water is. If freshwater contains lots of dissolved minerals it is described as hard, and if it is low in minerals or devoid of minerals altogether it is known as soft.Seawater contains huge amounts of dissolved minerals, so is always hard. Reverse Osmosis water has been stripped of minerals, so is always...
Filters and bacteria are the life support systems for aquariums. Filters trap physical waste and oxygenate water by agitating it. Beneficial bacteria then develop within the biological section of the filter, and break down harmful fish waste. It's actually the bacteria that keep fish alive, by first converting ammonia, then nitrite to nitrate. Without bacteria conventional aquariums would not be ...
Black beard algae (BBA) is a horrible, tenacious algae which is unsightly and hard to get rid of. It typically grows on the edges of the leaves of slow-growing plants like Anubias and Java fern, and once on the leaf, it’s difficult to eradicate it completely. It grows on rocks and bogwood too.Black beard algae may be caused by a number of factors including too much light, no CO2 or fluctuat...
The pH of freshwater varies around the world, and most fish have adapted to live and breed in a narrow band of pH values. Some fish prefer low pH, some neutral, and some high, and if your fish need a high pH, like Lake Tanganyika cichlids, you need to know how to raise it, if it’s too low.Test firstThe first thing you need to do is establish the pH in your tank, and in your tap water. D...
Cycling is the single most important phase that any aquarium goes through. Here’s how to do it. Cycling is the phrase given to the biological maturation of a new aquarium. Every fish tank must first be cycled before fish are added, as without it, pollutants will build up to toxic levels and the fish will die. To cycle, an aquarium must first have water and a filter. Ensure tha...
Where do snails come from?Snails are usually introduced on live aquarium plants, although they can come in on any decor or equipment that’s been used on another tank, like gravel, an ornament, or a mature filter. If you’re really unlucky they can be scooped up with fish in a dealer’s tank, and make it to your tank in fish bag water.Which snails are the pests?You can buy ornament...
Carbon Dioxide is fundamental to all plant growth, as carbon is a building block of life. Use it in your aquarium and your plants will thrive. As far as plants are concerned, most aquariums are deficient in CO2. Give them extra CO2, and as long as they also have good light, and other nutrients, they will grow big and strong, and stay healthy. But Carbon Dioxide products vary in price, co...