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...
Starting from scratch with tropical fish? Here’s our guide to everything you need to get started, and why you need it.TankThe tank itself is of course, essential, but they come in many shapes and sizes, and cater for all tastes.As tempting as it is to go for a whacky shape, a standard rectangle is best for the following reasons:It has a large surface area in relation to its vo...
Surface skimmers are a very worthwhile addition to any pond filtration system. Whereas a typical pond pump only removes debris that sinks down to the bottom, a surface skimmer will remove any surface debris that won’t sink, aiding water quality, and improving viewing.Surface skimmed water is healthier because any oils or residues are removed, meaning better gaseous exchange. Pollen, petals,...
Two of the biggest problems any aquarium owner will face, are fish disease and nuisance algae.Anything that helps to reduce or prevent both of those is a welcome addition to the aquarium cupboard, and an aquarium UV steriliser can do just that.UV stands for ultraviolet, and a special UV bulb emits light at 254 nanometres.At that wavelength the light is damaging to our eyes (so it’...
There is a plethora of fish foods available, and almost as many foods as there are fish. Here’s our handy guide on selecting the right food for your fish.Flake or pellet?The most popular fish food available is flake food. The vast majority of tropical fish will eat it, and it’s a complete diet, meaning that for many fish, if they had to, they could just eat flake every day for their e...
Do you need a pond filter, and if so, which one? We show you your options in this easy to follow guide.You need a pond filter in order to achieve one or both of the following things: Clean, clear water, or a healthy environment for fish. Pond water often goes green, and the combination of a pond filter and an ultra violet clarifier can prevent this. Pond fish also produce waste, but are not e...
Own an aquarium and there will always be one type which will be sure to allure you - marines. In terms of colour, variety and movement, there is nothing else like it, and set-up a reef aquarium and dreams of keeping clownfish, anemones and corals can all become a reality. The basicsCoral reefs inhabit the tropical oceans, between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. They naturally in...
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...
It’s every pond owners’ nightmare – perfecting your pond, getting it all set up with your beautiful fish, and then some pesky bird coming through and attacking them. But how do you stop them? There are lots of products available on the market, but do they really work? The products out there all have their pros and cons, but which is right for you?The most advanced option, and therefore t...
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...