Performing partial water changes every week or so is an essential part of your aquarium maintenance routine. But even though keeping your aquarium water in good condition and free from toxins is crucial for good fish health, your fishy friends can get pretty stressed out during the process. This guide explains how you can make … Read more
Knowing how to achieve the right water pH for a particular community of fish is a skill that separates fishkeeping pros from the rest. But what if your water pH is inconsistent and keeps fluctuating? Because unstable water pH can be dangerous to fish health and tank ecology, it’s important to know how to correct … Read more
When it comes to testing aquarium water parameters, you’ve got two main options: liquid test kits (aka. drop test kits), and test strips. While test strips are sufficient for offering quick, approximate readings, liquid test kits offer a more accurate and reliable method to test both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. But which liquid test kit … Read more
When I got my first aquarium twenty years ago, I just assumed that the filter would do most of the cleaning work and didn’t realize that I’d have to change the water frequently too! But I soon learned that partial water changes are a standard part of good aquarium maintenance. While aquarium filters perform an … Read more
The KH levels in your fish tank are directly linked to the health and well-being of your fish and other livestock. Sometimes, those levels become out of kilter, being too low or too high, which can affect other crucial water quality factors, such as pH. But why is the correct KH level important? How do … Read more
If you have well water and are thinking about getting an aquarium, you’re probably wondering if you can use it for your fish. The short answer is yes! You can use well water or borehole water for your fish, although in some instances you’ll need to treat it first. This involves a bit of understanding … Read more
Most freshwater aquarium fish prefer to live in a hard water environment in your fish tank. However, there are quite a few fish species that prefer softer water conditions. Providing the optimum water conditions for your fish is essential for their well-being and overall health. But how do you determine whether your fish tank water … Read more
Tannins in an aquarium can darken the water, as well as make conditions more acidic. But what levels of tannin are good for your fish? And how can you remove them if you need to? Luckily, removing tannins from water is relatively straightforward and there are two easy methods, although in some cases you may … Read more
Powerheads are essential in saltwater aquariums to recreate ocean currents and circulate water. In my first experience setting up a saltwater tank, I didn’t use a powerhead, and my fish was not happy. I was on the hunt for the best powerhead for my saltwater tank. I tried a bunch of different ones, but none … Read more
Every fish keeper should have an aquarium testing kit, but perhaps you don’t have it to hand for some reason, or maybe it simply doesn’t work and kit testing is not possible. Whether you cannot find a kit in the pet store, or you are out of testing strips, sometimes you need to keep an … Read more
You can use spring water in a fish tank, but it is not a good idea — unless you are trying to lower the pH or hardness of your aquarium water. Even if you are using spring water for a specific reason, you must test and treat the water before adding it to your fish … Read more
If you put untreated tap water directly into your fish tank, you will most likely kill your fish pretty quickly! But why is tap water so dangerous to your fish, and how can you make it safe? Keep reading to find out! Key Takeaways What’s So Bad About Tap Water? So, why is tap water … Read more
What’s so important about the pH levels in your freshwater aquarium? Why is a common water quality issue like low pH not suitable for some species of fish in your marine tank? Well, if the pH levels in your fish tank are unstable or not suitable for the fish species you keep, your fish could … Read more
When I started fishkeeping, I was lucky enough to have access to excellent well water. No chlorine or contaminants, just pure, soft water that was ideal for South American fish. If your source of water isn’t so pure, however, you may need to find a way to purify it. Distillation is one such method, although … Read more
While slightly less critical than pH, water hardness is an important aspect of water chemistry to understand. In this guide, we’ll explain what water hardness is, how it affects your fish, and how you can alter it to your advantage. Key Takeaways What Is Water Hardness? According to greenfacts.org, water hardness is ‘a measure of the … Read more
