Nov 29 2019
5 Comments
algae
beginner
fertilizer
guest blog
guide
maintenance
tips
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,...
Jun 12 2019
2 Comments
fertilizer
guest blog
lighting
plants
tips
Red in a Planted Aquarium? One of the more mystifying subjects in the realm of aquascaping seems to be red plants: why do some people have intense reds, while others struggle to get much color at all? I can humbly admit that I am in the first category- but it took some trial and error to get my plants to reach their full potential in terms of rich coloration. As usual, it can be challenging to get good information on the subject, so I wanted to take a little time to break down my techniques and observations in order to...
May 02 2019
8 Comments
beginner
fertilizer
fish
guest blog
maintenance
plants
tips
water
NINE COMMON PLANTED AQUARIUM MISTAKES TO AVOID Having trouble finding a good balance in your new tank? Can’t understand why your plants won’t take off, but algae is thriving? Setting up a successful planted tank is supposed to be fun, but it can be frustrating when things don’t turn out as planned. I made many errors when I set up my first few aquascapes back in 2015, and I see plenty of people facing similar challenges online. I hope that the following list of mistakes to avoid will help everything go more smoothly! In no particular order: NOT ENOUGH WATER...
Mar 06 2017
4 Comments
algae
beginner
fertilizer
fish
maintenance
shrimp
snail
tips
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. Plants vs. Algae It is important to understand that aquatic plants and algae both need light and nutrients to survive. When you see a beautiful...
