When most people start keeping fish in an aquarium, they start with a smaller aquarium that is easy to fit on a dresser, desk, or table at home.  This is usually a good enough place to hold a fish tank for awhile.  When it comes to owning multiple aquariums or setting up a large tank, it is a good idea to consider investing in a nice fish tank stand.  There are a few things to consider when picking out an aquarium stand that will look great in your home. Read more »

When buying an aquarium air pump, it is easy to just buy the first one you see.  This may not be the best idea if you are interested in getting a quality fish tank pump that will last as long as your aquarium does.  The pump is important to the health and vitality of your fish because it is one of the few fish tank supplies that provides the much needed oxygen that your tropical fish depend on.  Any good air pump will provide sufficient air flow, be quiet, and durable. Read more »

Many newcomers to the salt water aquarium hobby ask how easy or difficult it will be to keep a marine aquarium for the first time. This is never an easy answer to give because there are so many factors involved in setting up and taking care of a salt water fish tank. On the bright side, there are certainly many tips that can make having a first marine fish tank easy on the newcomer! Read more »

Two of the most common issues that arise in a freshwater tropical aquarium are cloudy water and green water. These can be a nuisance to deal with if you don’t know a few tricks of the trade. This article will focus on cloudy water and green water in tropical aquariums and will help you understand what causes them and how to fix them quickly! Read more »

When it comes to fish tank plants, there is a wide variety to choose from.  Aquarium plants come in 5 or 6 different types - stem, rhizome, bulb, rosette, and floating plants.  The planting techniques will vary depending on the type of plant you have.  Read more »

For very good reasons, bettas are the most popular fish around. They are personalities, are great first fish for kids, and come in a variety of colors and tail types. When you know what you’re doing, betta fish care can be quick and easy. Here you can learn how to care for your Siamese fighting fish. Read more »

If you are looking to setup a refugium for your reef tank, but do not want to spend the money on an expensive refugium, DIY may be the best route for you.  There are many things to consider when it comes to setting up your own DIY refugium.  These include the location of your refugium, the source of the water, and the aesthetics.  The refugium plans are also very important, and you should consider buying a proper set of DIY instructions. Read more »

While anyone can do away with plastic and artificial plants when it comes to aquariums, nothing still beats the natural beauty of live aquarium plants for many reasons. They help in providing a more balanced and stable aquarium environment. Aside from that, they are more colorful and vibrant than artificial plants. Also, they help in providing oxygen to, and removing carbon dioxide from the water in your fish tank. Read more »

The location of the home aquarium is an important consideration when it comes to setting up any aquarium in your home. Unlike other kinds of pets, it can be placed in almost any part of the house as it doesn’t require space for movement and growth. However, placing them just anywhere is something that must not be done because doing so can potentially lead to frustration and headaches in the future – something we all want to avoid! Read more »

No matter how much effort you put into regular aquarium maintenance, there will come a time when you have no choice but to do a thorough job cleaning your aquarium glass.  There are actually three surfaces you need to consider when it comes to this specific task.  These include the inside, the outside, and the glass that protects the aquarium light from spashes.  Each surface can be cleaned quickly and efficiently. Read more »

The benefits of buying online include convenience, lower prices, and better selection of fish tank supplies. Many people have started buying things like books, DVDs, electronics, and many other items online, but do not realize that there are many great deals that can be found for aquarium supplies on the internet. You might be nervous about buying fish tank supplies online for the first time, but the goal of this article is to help show you some of the compelling reasons to buy your aquarium supplines online. Read more »

Siamese fighting fish are such a unique species of tropical freshwater fish.  They have unique personalities, are easy to keep, and are available in a huge range of colors and fin types.  Anyone who has this type of fish has, at some point, considered what it would be like to breed bettas.  While many nay-sayers dismiss this idea by saying it is too difficult and expensive, if you follow a simple guide you can keep costs down and find success with breeding bettas. Read more »

Many people wonder if adding fish tank salt to a freshwater aquarium is a good idea or if it should be avoided. This is often considered if fish are ill or appear to be coming down with an illness, but some people consider adding salt on a regular basis. For the purpose of this discussion, it will consider adding salt to an aquarium that houses a few rasboras, dwarf gouramis, bristlenose plecos, mollies, guppies, and perhaps a few ghost shrimp in a 30 gallon aquarium. Read more »

Many people keep siamese fighting fish in bowls or vases.  A betta in a plain bowl with nothing else in it can be a boring site to see sometimes.  If you find yourself in this scenario, you’re in luck because there are a few tricks you can use to make your betta fish bowl unique and entertaining - for you and the betta! Read more »

One of the best things about aquariums is that they are a source of both excitement and learning.  Many people will be daunted by the thought of setting up their first tropical fish tank.  By following the simple steps of purchasing the necessary supplies, finding the best location, adding water to the aquarium, choosing the accessories, and introducing the inhabitants, you will see that anyone can easily handle fish tank setup. Read more »

Say you just brought home a great new aquarium. It has several fish added to it and maybe a few plants and rocks or fun ornaments to it. The fish are healthy and active, as are the plants. While you definitely enjoy watching the new fish in their excellent tropical aquarium, something seems missing. After a bit of thought you realize the fish tank will be much better with an attractive aquarium background! Read more »

Once someone settles into the aquarium hobby and has a grasp of the basics, they often become compelled to start aquascaping.  Aquascaping is basically “landscaping the interior of your fish tank to give it a more interesting appearance.  Most aquascapers start with gravel, add various plants, driftwood, and aquarium rocks paying special attention to the interaction of the individual elements.  This article will focus on using aquarium rocks to help the fish tank mimic a natural river bed. Read more »

For newcomers to the aquarium hobby, determining the type of aquarium light bulbs needed for any given fish tank setup can be a confusing process.  The basic types of aquarium lighting include incandescent bulbs, fluorescent and compact fluorescent lights, and metal halide.  Other factors that are important to the type of aquarium light you need are the type of fish tank, and the size of your tropical fish tank.  The purpose of this guide is to help you decide which type and wattage of lighting you need for your fish tank. Read more »