Freshwater Tropical Fish Tank Setups

Please thoroughly cleanse these items and gravel now, before putting them into the system.

Unplug everything, drain the system down, and carefully place the substrate over the sub-gravel filter (if youre using them) and the rest of you CC (chemically-correct) decor.

Have you set up a "mixing tank" for blending synthetic seawater? This is better than just pouring it into a bucket and trying to "make it on the run". Dont mix it in the system.

Whether youre using natural or fabricated saltwater, this is

Or, you could use quick connect unions and hard PVC pipe to minimize potential leaks or salt creep associated with barb fittings and hose clamps.

Zoo-Med Power Sweep

Photo Adam Cesnales

These wavemakers are quite simple. They are a nothing more than a powerhead with a small geared device at the end which oscillates the ejected water back and forth. This rather simple setup though ha

Unfortunately, it just does not work too well in aquariums.

Powerhead Maintenance

Regardless of brand, all powerheads are going to require some routine maintenance to keep them functioning properly. Intake screens should be cleaned at least once per month. Every three to six months I give my pumps a series of chemical bathes to clean them thoroughly. First, unplug the pump, remove it from the tank, and place it in a clean bucket that is only used for the aquarium. No mop buckets! Be sure to arrange the powerhead such that the output nozzle is aimed sideways (Not up! Youll see why in a minute!). Add enough hot tap water to completely subm

This kind of fish can often be seen going to the surface of the water to take in fresh air, making them survive waters with low oxygen levels. There are many different types of gouramis, which all originally came from South and Southeast Asia. Most species are easy to breed, however a few species like Helostoma temmincki (the Kissing Gourami), Osphromenus goramy (the Giant Gourami), Sphaerichthys osphromenoides (the Chocolate

They are generally constructed for short to medium-term life, with many being so inexpensively constructed and offered that they are regarded as "disposable". Some will last more than five years (uncommon), but even they are generally "tired" and only able to provide reduced flow. Most have a useful lifespan of less than 5 years. While we are on the topic of failure and modest construct what about shock hazards? Good heavens, it is amazing and frightfully common how many people have gotten a shock from a faulty powerhead! Yet it is not actually surprising. Take a look and you will find that most have no

Reply to Need more fishy advice please

mrbigmuscles posted a reply:

In regards to what "Funfishtank" has to say, I disagree. Whether you cycle fishy or fishless does not affect how many fish you can add at once after they cycling process is complete.

If you add a fish.

Daphnia For The Aquarium

Daphnia are a great food source for both young and adult aquarium fish, you could catch them with a net in a pond, but their's a risk of bringing in parasites. I just found an article about growing daphnia yourself, nice read for the real tinkers out there :-)