Saturday, August 11, 2012

Goldfish Bowls

Many people can remember having a Goldfish bowl at one time or another. Ever wonder if they were the best home for a Goldfish? After all, the bowl is named after the Goldfish, so it must be designed for them, right? Read on for reasons why you should rethink keeping Goldfish in a bowl.

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Velvet

Velvet might sound like something nice to have, but it's definitely not something desirable for your aquarium fish. Velvet can swiftly strike down every inhabitant in an aquarium before the unfortunate owner knows anything is amiss. Learn what to look for so you aren't caught unawares.

Photo © Tan Tze Sin

Brown Algae

Ever have your tank over-run with ugly brown stuff? If you have, you found out the hard way that being green isn't a requirement to be an member of the algae family. Wonder where the nasty brown algae came from? Here's what causes brown algae, how to cure it, and ways to avoid having it happen again.

Goldfish Bowls

Many people can remember having a Goldfish bowl at one time or another. Ever wonder if they were the best home for a Goldfish? After all, the bowl is named after the Goldfish, so it must be designed for them, right? Read on for reasons why you should rethink keeping Goldfish in a bowl.

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Velvet

Velvet might sound like something nice to have, but it's definitely not something desirable for your aquarium fish. Velvet can swiftly strike down every inhabitant in an aquarium before the unfortunate owner knows anything is amiss. Learn what to look for so you aren't caught unawares.

Photo © Tan Tze Sin

Brown Algae

Ever have your tank over-run with ugly brown stuff? If you have, you found out the hard way that being green isn't a requirement to be an member of the algae family. Wonder where the nasty brown algae came from? Here's what causes brown algae, how to cure it, and ways to avoid having it happen again.

Goldfish Bowls

Many people can remember having a Goldfish bowl at one time or another. Ever wonder if they were the best home for a Goldfish? After all, the bowl is named after the Goldfish, so it must be designed for them, right? Read on for reasons why you should rethink keeping Goldfish in a bowl.

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Velvet

Velvet might sound like something nice to have, but it's definitely not something desirable for your aquarium fish. Velvet can swiftly strike down every inhabitant in an aquarium before the unfortunate owner knows anything is amiss. Learn what to look for so you aren't caught unawares.

Photo © Tan Tze Sin

Brown Algae

Ever have your tank over-run with ugly brown stuff? If you have, you found out the hard way that being green isn't a requirement to be an member of the algae family. Wonder where the nasty brown algae came from? Here's what causes brown algae, how to cure it, and ways to avoid having it happen again.

Goldfish Bowls

Many people can remember having a Goldfish bowl at one time or another. Ever wonder if they were the best home for a Goldfish? After all, the bowl is named after the Goldfish, so it must be designed for them, right? Read on for reasons why you should rethink keeping Goldfish in a bowl.

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Velvet

Velvet might sound like something nice to have, but it's definitely not something desirable for your aquarium fish. Velvet can swiftly strike down every inhabitant in an aquarium before the unfortunate owner knows anything is amiss. Learn what to look for so you aren't caught unawares.

Photo © Tan Tze Sin

Brown Algae

Ever have your tank over-run with ugly brown stuff? If you have, you found out the hard way that being green isn't a requirement to be an member of the algae family. Wonder where the nasty brown algae came from? Here's what causes brown algae, how to cure it, and ways to avoid having it happen again.

Goldfish Bowls

Many people can remember having a Goldfish bowl at one time or another. Ever wonder if they were the best home for a Goldfish? After all, the bowl is named after the Goldfish, so it must be designed for them, right? Read on for reasons why you should rethink keeping Goldfish in a bowl.

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Velvet

Velvet might sound like something nice to have, but it's definitely not something desirable for your aquarium fish. Velvet can swiftly strike down every inhabitant in an aquarium before the unfortunate owner knows anything is amiss. Learn what to look for so you aren't caught unawares.

Photo © Tan Tze Sin

Brown Algae

Ever have your tank over-run with ugly brown stuff? If you have, you found out the hard way that being green isn't a requirement to be an member of the algae family. Wonder where the nasty brown algae came from? Here's what causes brown algae, how to cure it, and ways to avoid having it happen again.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Goldfish Bowls

Many people can remember having a Goldfish bowl at one time or another. Ever wonder if they were the best home for a Goldfish? After all, the bowl is named after the Goldfish, so it must be designed for them, right? Read on for reasons why you should rethink keeping Goldfish in a bowl.

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Velvet

Velvet might sound like something nice to have, but it's definitely not something desirable for your aquarium fish. Velvet can swiftly strike down every inhabitant in an aquarium before the unfortunate owner knows anything is amiss. Learn what to look for so you aren't caught unawares.

Photo © Tan Tze Sin

Goldfish Bowls

Many people can remember having a Goldfish bowl at one time or another. Ever wonder if they were the best home for a Goldfish? After all, the bowl is named after the Goldfish, so it must be designed for them, right? Read on for reasons why you should rethink keeping Goldfish in a bowl.

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Velvet

Velvet might sound like something nice to have, but it's definitely not something desirable for your aquarium fish. Velvet can swiftly strike down every inhabitant in an aquarium before the unfortunate owner knows anything is amiss. Learn what to look for so you aren't caught unawares.

Photo © Tan Tze Sin

Goldfish Bowls

Many people can remember having a Goldfish bowl at one time or another. Ever wonder if they were the best home for a Goldfish? After all, the bowl is named after the Goldfish, so it must be designed for them, right? Read on for reasons why you should rethink keeping Goldfish in a bowl.

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Velvet

Velvet might sound like something nice to have, but it's definitely not something desirable for your aquarium fish. Velvet can swiftly strike down every inhabitant in an aquarium before the unfortunate owner knows anything is amiss. Learn what to look for so you aren't caught unawares.

Photo © Tan Tze Sin

Goldfish Bowls

Many people can remember having a Goldfish bowl at one time or another. Ever wonder if they were the best home for a Goldfish? After all, the bowl is named after the Goldfish, so it must be designed for them, right? Read on for reasons why you should rethink keeping Goldfish in a bowl.

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Velvet

Velvet might sound like something nice to have, but it's definitely not something desirable for your aquarium fish. Velvet can swiftly strike down every inhabitant in an aquarium before the unfortunate owner knows anything is amiss. Learn what to look for so you aren't caught unawares.

Photo © Tan Tze Sin

Goldfish Bowls

Many people can remember having a Goldfish bowl at one time or another. Ever wonder if they were the best home for a Goldfish? After all, the bowl is named after the Goldfish, so it must be designed for them, right? Read on for reasons why you should rethink keeping Goldfish in a bowl.

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Velvet

Velvet might sound like something nice to have, but it's definitely not something desirable for your aquarium fish. Velvet can swiftly strike down every inhabitant in an aquarium before the unfortunate owner knows anything is amiss. Learn what to look for so you aren't caught unawares.

Photo © Tan Tze Sin

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Goldfish Bowls

Many people can remember having a Goldfish bowl at one time or another. Ever wonder if they were the best home for a Goldfish? After all, the bowl is named after the Goldfish, so it must be designed for them, right? Read on for reasons why you should rethink keeping Goldfish in a bowl.

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Goldfish Bowls

Many people can remember having a Goldfish bowl at one time or another. Ever wonder if they were the best home for a Goldfish? After all, the bowl is named after the Goldfish, so it must be designed for them, right? Read on for reasons why you should rethink keeping Goldfish in a bowl.

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Goldfish Bowls

Many people can remember having a Goldfish bowl at one time or another. Ever wonder if they were the best home for a Goldfish? After all, the bowl is named after the Goldfish, so it must be designed for them, right? Read on for reasons why you should rethink keeping Goldfish in a bowl.

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Goldfish Bowls

Many people can remember having a Goldfish bowl at one time or another. Ever wonder if they were the best home for a Goldfish? After all, the bowl is named after the Goldfish, so it must be designed for them, right? Read on for reasons why you should rethink keeping Goldfish in a bowl.

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Goldfish Bowls

Many people can remember having a Goldfish bowl at one time or another. Ever wonder if they were the best home for a Goldfish? After all, the bowl is named after the Goldfish, so it must be designed for them, right? Read on for reasons why you should rethink keeping Goldfish in a bowl.

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Brown Algae

Ever have your tank over-run with ugly brown stuff? If you have, you found out the hard way that being green isn't a requirement to be an member of the algae family. Wonder where the nasty brown algae came from? Here's what causes brown algae, how to cure it, and ways to avoid having it happen again.

Velvet

Velvet might sound like something nice to have, but it's definitely not something desirable for your aquarium fish. Velvet can swiftly strike down every inhabitant in an aquarium before the unfortunate owner knows anything is amiss. Learn what to look for so you aren't caught unawares.

Photo © Tan Tze Sin

Aquariums For Bettas

Bettas are often seen in little cups or vases, but are those little containers the best habitat for a Betta? If they aren't, then what is the ideal home for a Betta?

This list of small aquariums that are Betta friendly helps answer that question. Do you have a mini-aquarium? If so, what are your thoughts on them, are minis great or terrible?

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Do You Change Your Aquarium Water

We all talk about the benefits of water changes, but who actually does them? Be honest now, how often do you perform a water change on your aquarium?
(click your choice to vote)
1. Weekly
2. Every two weeks
3. Monthly
4. Every few months
5. Never
(Click to view results without voting)

Learn more about aquarium water, with this aquarium water reference.

Do Fish Qualify as Pets

Some say pets are only animals that you can touch and pet, like cats or dogs. What do you think - do your fish qualify as pets? How about petting them? Do you ever touch or pet your fish? Cast your vote in the pet fish poll.

Are Your Fish Pets?
1. Absolutely!
2. No, fish aren't pets
(Click to view results without voting)

Do You Touch/Pet Your Fish?
1. Yes, I touch my fish
2. No, I don't touch my fish
(Click to view results without voting)


Buenos Aires Tetra Hyphessobrycon anisitsi

A long time favorite among aquarium owners, the Buenoes Aires Tetra isn't seen for sale as often as in the past, due to its tendancy to eat live plants. However, if you have artificial plants and want to an easy to care for schooling fish, it's worth your while to shop around for these attractive tetras.

Have you kept Buenos Aires Tetra? If so share your experiences with other fish owners. Photo © Nick Sc

How Do I Upgrade An Aquarium

Upgrading to a larger tank is an exciting opportunity. However, it takes some planning to accomplish successfully. Here are some tips for making the move from a small tank to a larger tank go smoothly.
Photo © Bruce DeArmond

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Seeding a New Aquarium

Seeding an aquarium is a great way to get a new tank off to a quick start. Never heard of it before? Although it's been around for a while, it's recently acquired new popularity. Learn how to seed your new aquarium and why you should try it.

Where Did The Fish Go

Where are my fish? More than one fish owner has looked at their well crafted tank and wondered where their fish went. Why are they hiding all the time? Here are the possible reasons and ways to get those shy fish to show themselves.

Zoo Med Mini Heater Review

A fish bowl may be large enough for a Betta, but what about heating the water? The Zoo Med Betta Therm mini heater is one option you should consider. Here are the pros and cons for this mini heater.

More About Heating
Heater Size Guide
Heater Types
Heater Placement

Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber

Do Fish Feel Pain

This morning a reader posted a question that bears discussion.

"My Betta is about 3+ yrs old. He's in a 3 gallon tank but for the last 6 months he rarely moves and a few times I thought he was dead. He's not eating much and I'm wondering if he's in pain. Is that possible?"

What do you think, can fish feel pain? Cast your vote by clicking on your choice, then join the discussion.
1. Yes
2. No
3. Don't Know

(Click to view results without voting)

Aquarium Filter Media Order

Canister filters are used by many aquarium owners. One question surfaces over and over - what order should the filter media be put in? Rings first, or is it the sponge? Although personal preference and experience factor in, there are some basics to remember when determining the aquarium filter media order.

If you've tried arranging filter media and found an order that works well for you, share what you do and why.

Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber

Veggies For Your Fish

Silver Dollars are one of a number of fish that are primarily vegetarian. But they aren't the only fish that should have their veggies. Almost all fish will benefit from some vegetable matter in their diet. So even if you don't eat your veggies, don't skimp on vegetables in your fishes diet.

Photo: Getty Images

Temperature or pH

Temperature has traditionally been what people are cautioned about when taking a new fish home. Truth be told, temperature differences are often not as dangerous to the fish as a significantly different pH. The mysterious death of a newly purchased fish is more likely to be the result of a major difference in pH than a temperature change.

Water Testing
Testing Kits
Rocks and pH
Forum Discussions About Water

The Shape of Things

Tank size has been debated for ages, but what abut the shape of the tank. Does it make a difference? Aside from aesthetic appeal, there are genuine reasons why tank shape can impact the health of your fish.

More About Aquariums
How Many Fish Will My Aquarium Hold?
Aquarium Heater Size Guide
Before You Buy An Aquarium
Which is Best, Acrylic or Glass Aquarium?

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Aquarium Water Test Kits

Testing your aquarium water is a key part of maintaining a healthy environment for your fish. The question is, what should you test for? Is there a difference between test kits? This list of aquarium water test kits helps you sort out what to test for, and provides information about what products are available.

Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber

Maggots For Aquarium Fish

Everyone knows fish enjoy worms and insects, but did you know they also enjoy maggots? Maggots might not seem tasty to you, but few fish can pass them up, which is why fisherman often use them as bait. Usually you can find a fresh supply of maggots at any bait shop. Here's why you might want to buy some maggots for your aquarium fish.

Photo Courtesy Getty Images / Steve Gorton

Bleach For Aquarium Use

Mention even the possibility of using bleach to clean an aquarium, and a heated discussion about safety is sure to follow. Bleach will kill everything within a 10 foot radius of your tank, didn't you hear? So now you are wondering, is bleach safe or not?

Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber

Goldfish Bowls

Many people can remember having a Goldfish bowl at one time or another. Ever wonder if they were the best home for a Goldfish? After all, the bowl is named after the Goldfish, so it must be designed for them, right? Read on for reasons why you should rethink keeping Goldfish in a bowl.

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Gifts For Plant Lovers

If your family or friends are aquarium owners who love live plants, this list of gifts for live plant lovers is perfect for you.

More About Plants
Converting to Live Plants
Plant Profiles
Real or Artificial?

Friday, August 3, 2012

Ammonia Silent Fish Killer

Ammonia poisoning is possibly the greatest silent killer of aquarium fish. Virtually every fish owner has, or will be, faced with the potential for ammonia poisoning, even if they never know it. Knowing how to spot rising ammonia and the steps to take to correct the problem, will allow you to avoid losing your fish to ammonia poisoning.

Swim Bladder Disorder

If you've ever seen a fish struggle to keep its head up, or float upside down, it could be suffering from a potentially serious ailment known as swim bladder disease. Most commonly seen in Goldfish and Bettas, this disorder can be caused by a variety of factors.

Have your fish ever had Swim Bladder Disorder, and if so, how did you cure it? Share your experiences with others.

Photo © Michelle Jo

DIY Projects for Aquariums


Have you ever faced an aquarium problem, and found your own method to solve it? Perhaps it was as elaborate as an aquarium stand or water changer, or as simple as a tank divider or background. If you've done it, please tell your story so other fish owners can benefit from your ingenuity.

If you haven't done your own do it yourself aquarium project, read the article for ideas and instructions. You might be surprised to find out what you can do yourself.

Photo © Mark Shoemaker

Limescale on Aquarium Glass

White residue on aquarium glass, equipment and other surfaces is an all too common and annoying fact of life. Fortunately you don't spend a fortune on cleaning products to get rid of it. Just use this inexpensive and simple way to remove white residue from your aquarium.

Mothers Day Gifts

Mother's Day or any day is a good time to consider one of these gifts for Mom. Bookmark this gift suggestion list for future events, such as her birthday, Christmas, or anytime you want to put a smile on her face.If your mother has always wanted an aquarium, why not get her started in the hobby? Include a gift certificate for the fish, plants, and other items she might want to add. Here is a checklist of the things you should get.

Chloramine Treated Water

For many years chlorine was the standard treatment for city tap water, and aquarium owners knew they had to treat tap water before using it in their aquarium. In recent years many cities are switching to chloramine treatment instead.

Now the question is, do you have chloramine treated tap water, and is it safe for use in your aquarium? Here's what you need to know about identifying and using chloramine treated water in your aquarium.

Figure 8 Puffer Fish

Pufferfish are have a way of enticing people to buy them. Perhaps it's their appearance, with comical faces and propeller like fins. Or maybe it's their inquisitive nature that gives them such an interesting personality. Regardless of what it is, the Figure 8 Puffer is a very popular freshwater fish.

However, just because they are sold in the freshwater section of the store doesn't mean they belong in a freshwater community aquarium. Puffers require different food and water conditions than most freshwater aquarium fish. Before you purchase one, learn know how to care for it.

If you have kept a Figure Eight Puffer, share your experiences. Your insights could help other owners.

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Aquariums For Bettas

Bettas are often seen in little cups or vases, but are those little containers the best habitat for a Betta? If they aren't, then what is the ideal home for a Betta?

This list of small aquariums that are Betta friendly helps answer that question. Do you have a mini-aquarium? If so, what are your thoughts on them, are minis great or terrible?

Photo © Shirlie L Sharpe

Cotton Wool Disease

Frequently mistaken for a fungal infection, Cotton Wool disease is a highly contagious disease that can be a challenge to diagnose and treat. It produces fluffy mold-like lesions that belie the fact that its is caused by a common bacteria, not by fungi. Here's what to do if you think your fish may be suffering from from Cotton Wool disease.

Buenos Aires Tetra

A long time favorite among aquarium owners, the Buenos Aires Tetra isn't seen for sale as often as in the past, due to its tendancy to eat live plants. However, if you have artificial plants and want to an easy to care for schooling fish, it's worth your while to shop around for these attractive tetras.

Have you kept Buenos Aires Tetra? If so share your experiences with other fish owners.

Other Tetras
Bleeding Heart Tetra
Neon Tetra
Red Eye Tetra

Photo © Nick Sc

Fish Food Nurtrition

What you feed your fish one of the most important choices you make. Although the subject of fish food nutrition may sound boring, it's an important one. Do you know if you are providing your fish with the nutrients they need to lead long healthy lives? Don't worry, Nutrition 101 has all the information you need about fish food nutrition.

Photo © Michael Rosenfeld