General Aquarium Tips

Ammonia is a silent, invisible killer in aquariums. Because it is clear and dissolves easily in water, even a clean, beautiful tank could be full of ammonia, and even low levels of this toxic byproduct are harmful, even fatal to fish. Unfortunately, by the time signs of ammonia stress are noticeable in fish – lethargy, appetite loss, gasping, inflammation of the gills, eyes or fins – it may be too late to take corrective action that can save the fish. So how can you safely monitor the ammonia levels in your tank to keep fish healthy? Sources of Ammonia Understanding...

A healthy aquarium is a delicate balance. Water chemistry such as hardness and pH play an important role in a thriving fish population. Most water problems are easily solved. A few simple adjustments can give you a stable pH environment for your finned friends. What Is pH And Its Importance? In order to talk about adjusting pH levels in an aquarium, we must first understand what it is and why it is important. In its simplest definition, a water's pH is the measure of its acidity on a scale of 1-14, with 7 being neutral. The lower the number the...

A fish tank can be a beautiful piece of living art, a thriving aquatic ecosystem, and a healthy home for swimming friends, but it won’t be any of those things if it is excessively dirty, grimy, or algae-coated. Fortunately, there are many easy tips and tricks to clean your fish tank and keep it in lovely condition for you and your fish. Why Cleanliness Matters While cleaning an aquarium is never the most pleasant chore, there are several reasons why it is important to clean your tank regularly and keep it in good condition. Health – A dirty tank can harbor...

You've got your aquarium beautifully balanced to be a healthy environment for the fish you've carefully selected, but you check the tank one day and you notice a number of tiny fry (baby fish) swimming happily around. This will upset that delicate tank balance, disrupt your carefully planned aquatic art and make more work for feeding, cleaning and maintenance. But what can you do to prevent unwanted breeding? The Problems With Excess Fish It may seem like "the more the merrier" ought to be the motto in any aquarium – after all, breeding fish must be healthy, happy and comfortable,...

Being a fish and pond owner is all about having the chance to relax and watch your fish enjoy its watery home. However, there is nothing more frustrating than skittish fish. Skittish fish will dart away at the first hint of movement or worse, perpetually stay in the shadows of the pond. This frustration is only compounded when you cannot figure out why your fish is constantly hiding. Below are some possibilities to consider that may help you figure out why your fish are suddenly shy and unresponsive. Pond fish are easily spooked when they are transplanted from one environment...