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...

Whether you are looking to purchase your first fish aquarium or you are ready to upgrade your fish tank, there is no reason to pay exorbitant amounts of money on your aquarium setup. After all,...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

There are many reasons why a person would set up a filterless fish tank. An internal, mechanical power filter can easily suck-up and kill many aquatic creatures including small fish fry, daphnia,...

Maintaining good water quality is important when keeping fish as pets. You can use water quality test strips to monitor your water quality. These are easy-to-use water quality testing kits that...

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...

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.

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...

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,...

Ich (or Ick) is a common bug that infects aquariums. It is easily treated if caught in time and very cheaply. This article discusses the simple “heat method” to cure a tank of ich. Ich is...

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...

Do you plan to buy aquatic frogs but unsure as to how to introduce frogs to the frog aquarium? Introducing aquatic frogs to the aquarium is actually quite easy and can be done almost the same way...

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...

If you cannot find aquarium rocks that suit your style, you should consider making your own. Homemade aquarium rocks are simple and fun to make, and you can create hundreds for the cost of just...

Tetra filters are a very economical and an easy way to maintain the water quality of your freshwater fish tank. These filters use three components to deliver the clearest water possible. These...

It is reasonably simple to convert a saltwater tank to a freshwater tank. However, you must be very thorough when you are cleaning out the tank and making the conversion, or you will promptly kill...

Whenever Disney releases a new film, collectors have a field day as millions of toys, clothing, DVDs and other related merchandise appear in stores around the world. In 2003, even aquarists got...

Aquatic plants and animals contribute to making an aquarium or pond a healthy, balanced ecosystem. Plants will remove toxins and purify the water, while snails and bottom feeders can be used to...

Sea apples are a form of sea cucumber. They are brightly colored to warn of their poison. They are available for aquaria but require expert care and maintenance. They have an interesting array of...

Keeping an aquarium full of fish and other wildlife is a simple and relatively easy way to bring animals into your life. Maintaining a saltwater tank opens up a realm of new possibilities....

Tropical fish have certain aquarium requirements in order to stay alive and healthy. Warm, moving water with plenty of places to hide and healthy plant growth will help the fish thrive.

Aquarium plants do poorly and even die in fish tanks for many reasons. Tanks must have a balance of light, carbon dioxide, appropriate substrate and nutrients for the plants to thrive. The plants...

Cleaning and maintaining your aquarium equipment is very important. Clean equipment can reduce the risk of disease to your animals, allow your aquarium to perform better, and aid in the overall...

Tank filters are necessary for keeping fish healthy. A filter helps purify the water by removing toxins. Commercial filters can be pricey, but a homemade filter can be made cheaply and will be...

Mushroom corals are one of the most popular live corals available to reef aquarists. This is due in part to their ease of growth and care, as well as cost, as mushroom corals are quite inexpensive...

Sea-Monkeys can seem a bit magical as they spring to life when reintroduced to water. However, they aren't from the sea and don't have anything to do with monkeys.

Creating your own beautiful decor for an aquarium is very rewarding. Not only do ornaments make the tank look great, but they will also keep the fish healthy and happy by providing a place to...

A refugium is an area of a saltwater tank that has been set aside from the main aquarium. Refugiums are generally used to give the creatures "inside" protection from the creatures "outside." These...

A refugium is an area of a saltwater tank that has been set aside from the main aquarium. Refugiums generally are used to give the creatures inside protection from the creatures outside. These...

Red Sea Berlin protein skimmers, and indeed all protein skimmers, function to remove organic waste from saltwater aquaria. They are also known as foam refractionators for the principle by which...

One of the easiest ways to diversify your fish collection is to switch from a freshwater aquarium to a saltwater aquarium. While this may sound like a daunting and complicated task, in reality it...

Rocks are a great addition to any home aquarium. Some fish, like the Mbuna cichlids, are rock-dwelling creatures and need a rocky aquarium to thrive. Though many shops sell prefabricated rocks,...

African cichlids are freshwater fish and can experience any freshwater fish disease, many of which may be caused by poor water quality or the introduction of ill fish to the tank. The cichlid will...

Fluorescent lighting systems are widely used and very efficient. Fluorescent lighting is used primarily in public places like schools, libraries and stores because of their durability. This...

Keeping a saltwater aquarium or reef tank can be a very rewarding pastime, but it is important for hobbyists to learn about the various diseases, fungal infections and other conditions that can...

Snails are mollusks and have a shell to protect their bodies. They can be a helpful addition to an aquarium, cleaning algae and debris, or an unwanted pest that pollutes water and overpopulates. ...

Green water often occurs in an aquarium due to high nitrogen levels in your tank, resulting in an algae bloom. Letting algae go unchecked in your aquarium can produce unwanted results in your...

A study done by Purdue University found that oral surgery patients who watched fish prior to their procedure were more relaxed and had lower blood pressure and less muscle tension. Unfortunately,...

When most people visualize a freshwater aquarium, a colorful gravel substrate is usually part of the picture. While gravel is the most common substrate for aquariums, there are actually other...

The aquarium hobby can be educational and rewarding, but many beginners wonder if a freshwater or saltwater aquarium is the best choice. It is important to weigh the pros and cons of both...

Setting up a saltwater aquarium requires some preparation to be successful. Education about the proper techniques for maintaining a saltwater tank helps create a hardy, beautiful aquarium.

Having an aquarium can be a satisfying and fun adventure for the whole family. In order to make sure that your fish are happy and healthy, you need to know how many fish is too many in one aquarium.