Aquariums

The main purpose of activated charcoal in aquariums is to chemically filter the water by absorption of toxins, thereby elevating water quality, cleanliness and promoting the health of the fish.

GloFish are fluorescent, genetically modified zebrafish that absorb and reflect light. Black light (a type of light with a purple-blue bulb shaped as a bar) used at night in a dark room can make...

Caulk, or aquarium sealant, is an adhesive commonly used to keep the panes of glass of a fish tank solidly held together. Like all substances, however, this caulk will deteriorate over time,...

Adjusting the pH of your fish tank's water and properly removing the chlorine are necessary skills in order to maintain a healthy aquarium and extend the life of your fish. The pH is a measure of...

The quality of your aquarium's water is the most important variable in determining the health of your fish. Two aspects you must consider are the water's pH level, which essentially measures its...

Freshwater fish, saltwater fish and fish in backyard water features require regular care and maintenance. Keeping your fish tank or pond healthy begins with proper feeding, cleaning and attention...

Aquarium light bulbs are different than normal light bulbs. Average household light bulbs promote algae blooms in water, and so should be avoided for aquarium usage. Common aquarium light bulbs...

Rising ammonia levels in an aquarium can be scary for any fish owner. Left untreated, high ammonia levels can lead to ammonia stress or even ammonia poisoning, which can quickly kill fish. Some...

Aquariums benefit from the introduction of plants. Plants serve as natural hiding places for the fish. They can also hide unsightly equipment. Silk aquarium plants are always an excellent choice...

An aquarium brings color and life to your home. Fish are interactive and beautiful, and they will quickly become beloved pets. There are a variety of environments you might create for your fish,...

Fluorescent lighting is effective for lighting home or office aquariums. Fluorescent lights are standard white lights that provide evenly distributed lighting throughout the fish tank. They also...

Understanding pH levels doesn't have to be hard if you remember a few things. When the pH is neutral--commonly known as 7.0--hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions are equal. Increase the hydrogen and...

After introducing a new plant or feeding your fish live food, you might discover aquarium snails in your aquarium. Snail eggs can hitch a ride on these products and later hatch in your aquarium,...

Properly set-up and maintained aquariums are beautiful man-made environments meant to add a sense of peace and offer an excuse to slow down a hectic life. Those foul, algae-ridden death pots...

Fluorescent lights make an excellent lighting option for fish tanks due to the light's ability to distribute light evenly, stay cool and save energy. Fish tank covers sometimes come with built-in...

Learning to safely raise or lower the pH levels of your fish tank's water is a necessary skill to maintain a healthy environment for your fish. Aquariums are delicate ecosystems, and their proper...

People throughout the generations of fish keepers have cherished the art of nano-aquaculture. Being able to have an entire ecosystem in such a tiny space is an amazing concept. With proper care...

A beautiful well-maintained fish tank filled with healthy and well cared-for fish can be as enjoyable to watch for the fish keeper as it is for other family and friends when they look into it. A...

If the main reason you have an aquarium is that you like to share your living space with fish, it's likely that the second reason you have an aquarium is because you like to ponder and arrange the...

Setting up an aquarium involves running lights, pumps or other electrical equipment, so it's important to ensure that you follow proper electrical safety protocols to avoid harming yourself or...

Many aquarists keep cichlids because of their beauty and become interested in breeding the fish. Cichlid breeding can be difficult, while sometimes it may happen without the intent of the aquarium...

Everyone loves to look at a nice aquarium, but if you want yours to be a true hobby rather than just an expensive decoration, consider designing and building your own aquarium stand. Anyone can do...

Air pumps in fish tanks are quite common, as they supply added oxygen to the aquarium that standard filters can't. By pumping air into the water, it churns it, creating currents and supplying...

Filters are essential in fish tanks to maintain proper chemical balance and healthy aquarium inhabitants. Not only do they keep the water clean, but they remove harmful chemicals that may be...

Removing paint from an aquarium is a relatively straightforward process, but it does take some time and effort. Generally, aquariums are painted on the back side to provide a backdrop for the...

A gravel vacuum is a plastic tube about two inches in diameter and six to 12 inches long with a half inch diameter plastic tubing attached to the closed end. The tube is used as a siphon to...

Aquatic plants make a wonderful addition to any aquarium. They provide a natural food source to your fish, but also a shelter to the smaller aquatic life. These plants can be acquired in different...

The term pH refers to how acidic or alkaline water is. This is very important for aquariums because most fish have a specific pH range in which they can thrive. For example, angel fish can live in...

If your aquarium has a painted background, it is likely detracting from the beauty and colors of your fish and coral. Unfortunately, if you already have fish in the tank, then you have only one...

For fish to remain healthy in their fish tank, the water must remain at a certain pH, and improper pH can even kill the fish in your tank. PH is the level of hydrogen in the water. The lower the...

When dealing with home aquariums, you will almost inevitably have to face the challenge of altering your water's pH level. A measure of water's acidity or alkalinity, pH is an extremely vital...

When measuring the quality of aquarium water, one of the most important aspects is its pH, which measures its acidity and alkalinity. Most freshwater fish require a pH of 7.0, or neutral, for a...

Decreasing the pH of water may be a necessary task in many home aquariums. Certain types of fish, particularly those from the Amazon regions of South America, prefer a pH level lower than the...

Water's pH is one of the most vital aspects of its chemistry in terms of keeping aquarium fish. It is essentially a measure of the water's alkalinity or acidity, based on a 0 to 14 scale, with 7.0...

If the glass stains on your aquarium are making it an unsightly mess, you may be tempted to reach for the Windex, but that decision could prove fatal to your fish. Chemicals in Windex and similar...

With the recent introduction of new t5 lamps, which are capable of replicating the spectrum of light corals need to grow, there has been much debate over whether t5 is better than metal halide.

Aquariums are an enormously popular piece of décor in many homes across America. They're also very common, with many being bought pre-owned at thrift or second-hand stores. Unfortunately,...

Though popular, aquariums can sometimes be very expensive, often ranging up into the hundreds, even thousands of dollars for larger tanks. Luckily, there are many options for purchasing used...

You can make a freshwater aquarium out of just about anything that will hold water. However, saltwater tanks are not quite so straightforward. If you are thinking about creating a saltwater fish...

One of the best ways to keep your fish healthy is to test the water they live in. Chemicals caused by the decomposition of waste in the tank can build up in a surprisingly short time in a closed...

Fish tanks make beautiful additions to any home. From the common rectangular tanks to spherical tanks and polygonal tanks that sit in corners, there's virtually no end to the variety. Some may...

Fish tanks can bring a unique beauty to any home, especially if they're carefully and properly maintained. Routine maintenance of your aquarium not only ensures that your tank will remain...

The turnover rate of an aquarium, or how many times the volume of water in the tank cycles completely, is a critical factor in freshwater and marine aquariums. If the rate is not high enough, the...

Maintaining a fish tank is a delicate process that requires monitoring of water and the chemical make-up of it. While temperature is often looked at as the top priority in keeping fish healthy,...

A coral reef is composed of the accumulation of the skeletal structures of corals--living organisms that protect themselves by creating a hard exoskeleton made primarily of calcium. Coral reefs...

A water's alkalinity can be a very important factor in the health of your pet fish. Though many fish prefer a neutral water of around 7.0, some, like African cichlids or saltwater fish, prefer a...

Aquarium sealant is a solid, adhesive rubbery gel composed primarily of silicone. It is extremely strong and used to bond heavy sheets of glass together in most aquariums. Along with strength,...

There are three things needed for algae to grow in a fish aquarium: water, light and nutrients. Since all three are also vital to the fish, you can't eliminate them, but there are steps you can...

A protein skimmer is a device used to extract organic materials and protein from water. Protein skimming is also called "foam fractioning," and this type of filtration is helpful with maintaining...

A saltwater aquarium can be a gorgeous addition to any home or apartment, but they are notoriously difficult to maintain and expensive compared to fresh water tanks. A small, simple saltwater tank...