May 27 2021
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algae
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AQUASCAPER'S GUIDE TO AN ALGAE-FREE TANK Written by: Gracie Mandel Algae, (or as some of our British friends pronounce it “Al-Guee”), is a pain that almost every aquascaper or aquarium-keeper in the hobby will experience at one point. You invest your time, money, and patience into building a beautiful landscape of aquarium plants and animals, just to be bombarded the unexpected nuisance of an algae bloom. Now, you find yourself with the ultimate predicament: how to get rid of algae. But, you may have forgotten the most important aspect of keeping a planted tank; research. With proper research, you...
Apr 22 2021
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How to Quarantine New Aquarium Plants Written by: Tammy (@aquarist_tl) Most of us are eager to get our newly received aquatic plants into our established planted tanks, but there are potential pests and that could be transferred into the aquarium through newly added plants. These pests are a natural part of the environment, and unless you purchased tissue culture plants, these hitchhikers might make your planted tank their new home. Many of these multiplying pests can become an eyesore, while others are harmful to your fauna and can result in the loss of your fish and shrimp. In this article, we’re going to...
Nov 27 2020
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algae
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Top 5 Algae Eaters for a Planted Aquarium Written by: Tammy (@aquarist_tl) One thing many aquarium owners can relate to is our efforts in keeping algae out of the planted tank. During aquarium maintenance, there usually exists a step or two in the process where algae removal is involved. This can include scraping it off the walls of the tank, using pinsettes to pluck out hair algae attached to aquatic plants in the aquarium, or brushing it off rocks or other hardscape decorations. It can be a hassle trying to perfect the look of your planted aquarium when the...
Oct 15 2020
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How to Do Planted Tank Maintenance Without Going Crazy by: Chris (@shrimpery) Tank maintenance is one of those topics that planted aquarium hobbyists sort of gloss over when talking shop. Most hobbyists recognize the importance of keeping their tanks clean and healthy, but it can seem difficult to get good information on the subject beyond the basics. Routine upkeep is often portrayed as a tedious task, outshined by more interesting details such as specs, setup, and flora/fauna. In reality, it’s the cornerstone of having a great-looking scape. I’d like to share my process in an attempt to show that...
Nov 29 2019
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Sometimes the perfect space for an aquarium is near a window, or in a bright, sunny spot. Unfortunately, the idea that sunlight causes algae, scares many hobbyists into keeping their tanks in darkened rooms. In reality, it is perfectly possible, even preferable, to keep your tank in a bright, cheery, sun-filled environment, with no algae problems. All you have to do is avoid three common pitfalls that can lead to trouble. Here is a quick guide to keeping your aquarium bright and clean, even if it is situated right next to a window. As I tell people all the time,...
Apr 24 2018
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Guest blogger: Chris (IG @shrimpery) Shrimpery Blog Entry 2: Advice on Algae in the Planted Aquarium Algae can be a major challenge for planted aquarium hobbyists. On my instagram account @shrimpery, I get asked about algae at least once a day. Whether you struggle with algae breakouts or algae is simply an occasional annoyance, I hope this entry will help you get algae under control once and for all. There are many competing folk theories on algae management. A quick review of planted aquarium forums will reveal heated arguments that, at best, often amount to pseudoscientific posturing. To understand what actually...
Mar 06 2017
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algae
beginner
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One of the greatest concerns of all aquatic plant enthusiasts is algae prevention. Once algae get a foothold in a planted aquarium it can be hard to bring it under control. We’ll take a look at the different kinds of algae that make trouble in planted tanks, what stimulates their growth and how to keep algae under control. But first let’s compare aquatic plants to algae so we can understand the similarities and differences. At the end of this article is an Algae Clean-up Crew list. Plants vs. Algae It is important to understand that both aquatic plants and...
