Planted Aquariums
Dipping Plants to Eliminate Snails
Jul 20th
Outbreaks of nuisance snails are one of the most common problems encountered in planted aquariums. Though much maligned, snails are perfectly normal in tanks with live plants and can even help with algae control. The problems occur when the snails reproduce and become out of control. Throughout our blog posts, we’ve gone over a number of methods of controlling snails through predators and removal methods, but as with any problems, the problem can be avoided with preventative measures.
A common way of cutting down snail populations is to dip new plants, killing snails and snail eggs before they enter your aquarium. We have here a few different “recipes” for these dips. Keep in mind that while these have been used successfully by many aquarists, sensitive plants may still be damaged. You can try your chosen method on one plant before using it on all of your new plants. These are also all solutions that are to be utilized in a separate bucket, tub or sink – NOT in the aquarium! More >
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Loading ...Tips for Great Aquarium Photography
Jun 15th
While browsing at aquarium and fish-related websites, books, magazines, other media, it can be easy to take for granted how difficult the beautiful images you see were to capture on film….until you try to take a photo of your own tank. It’s not as easy as taking a snapshot at a family picnic. Aquarium photographs often turn out blurry, overexposed, underexposed, discolored and otherwise unrecognizable, a far cry from what you were trying to capture. So how do you get calendar-worthy snapshots of your tank? Here are a few tips and tricks I’ve come across: More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Doomed to Dissolve – Plants to Avoid in Freshwater Aquariums
May 27th
Once upon a time you set up your first aquarium. You can remember the excitement of getting it all together, arranging everything perfectly, and introducing your first fish and plants. Chances are you also remember the disappointment and frustration when something in the tank just didn’t thrive the way you wanted it to. In many cases, beginner aquarists struggle with keeping live plants looking as good as they did in the store, but the speedy decline of pet store plants may not be due to your black thumb. While most plants offered in the aquarium trade are true aquatic plants, other plants simply aren’t meant for fully aquatic environments, waning and falling apart in the aquarium within days or weeks. More >
(+1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...New Fluval Nano Aquariums – the Chi
Nov 26th
With the holidays upon us I decided to say a few words about some exciting new nano tank kits coming to us from Fluval. Not long ago we introduced you to the Fluval Edge aquarium, the unique nano aquarium from Hagen with the Frank Lloyd Wright-like design. Hagen has developed a whole series of Fluval aquariums over the last several months to complement the Edge tank, the first of which is the Fluval Chi. Hitting the market earlier this summer, the Fluval Chi is another unique aquarium, designed to radiate positive energy (“chi” is roughly translated as energy in Chinese). More >
(+1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...The Pearl Gourami – A Classic Aquarium Fish
May 24th
Everyone has that one fish that started it all for them. Most aquarists can remember that one species of fish that got them hooked into this hobby. Maybe it was an Oscar that would beg for food like a dog, a pair of black convicts that would spawn like rabbits every few weeks, or maybe those beautiful fancy tailed guppies got you interested in keeping fish. For me, it was the Pearl Gourami. I can still recall seeing that first adult trio of Pearl Gouramis in a fully planted aquarium. I was amazed at how the male almost glowed when he was around the two females. More >
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