Feb 06 2020
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Aquascapes
beginner
guest blog
guide
layout/styles
plants
tips
Most of the aquatic plants we use in the aquascaping hobby are not truly aquatic plants. In nature, you are more likely to find them along a shoreline, often in areas that have fluctuating water levels. Depending on what the situation requires, they are equally adept at surviving underwater or on dry land (ie, moist soil) indefinitely. This makes them different from obligate aquatic plants, which can only survive underwater (one example of a true aquatic is Blyxa). No one would blame you for thinking ‘emersed’ is a typo of ‘immersed,’ but the word immersed is actually another way...
Nov 29 2019
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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,...
Mar 29 2019
1 Comment
beginner
guest blog
guide
shrimp
tips
Shrimp are Friends, Not Food! As rewarding as fish can be to keep, sometimes more variety is needed. As you may have guessed by my Instagram handle (@shrimpery), I am a big fan of keeping freshwater shrimp as pets. In fact, they are what introduced me to the aquarium hobby! Here is a brief primer on how to go about keeping these friendly, colorful and prolific animals in your own tank. First things first: the species of shrimp you select will determine how easy it is to keep and breed. I break down the selection into three categories- Neocaridina shrimp...
