Gravel is one of the most common aquarium substrates. It is pretty, looks natural, allows plants to grow freely, and provides surface aplenty for beneficial bacteria to live. It is not without its drawbacks, but the benefits it adds to any aquatic ecosystem are numerous. Arguably, one of the greatest gravel pros is the ease…
Oak is a fairly common tree in the northern hemisphere. Its gnarly twists and hardiness make many budding aquarists wonder how well it would sit in their fish tanks. Oaks are among the hardest trees in the world (not in the Top 10 but ranking fairly highly all the same) and that’s important if you…
Aquarium and fish tank are the two terms used to describe the place we keep our aquatic pets and plants. In many languages, there is a single word fir for purpose, but English uses both. Often, they are used interchangeably. Which is fair enough. When you compare directly fish tank vs. aquarium, the similarities in…
Are fish good pets? They don’t wait for you at the door and won’t snuggle in your lap when you need company. They can go weeks without feeding. Are fish pets at all? Fishkeeping is a hobby with many benefits. Fish are diverse pets but however many forms, colors, and unique personalities they display, the…
As far as pets are concerned, fishkeeping is one of the most tech-heavy hobbies. For the inexperienced, it seems daunting and complex, a plunge into the unknown the cost of which is hard to predict. All these gizmos cost money, right? And little things surely add up, eh? Is it expensive to have fish? Fishkeeping…
Is fish a pet since you can’t touch it and, for the most part, interact with it? Most fishkeepers will readily give (our biased) opinion on the matter, which will be a resounding “yes”. No wonder there. People who prefer dogs or cats might disagree. In fact, that’s the very thing that prompted me to…
We all know that animals, aquatic and terrestrial, can harm plants. Usually by eating them, but they can also uproot them and break them. But are plants really that helpless and incapable of inflicting damage? Can plants kill fish and other animals in your fish tank? Plants, for the most part, just look cool and…
Fish are opportunistic eaters and will use any chance they have to eat. In most cases, that means they will beg for food anytime their feeder approaches the feeding spot. Or whenever another human passes by. Can you — or another well-wishing household member — overfeed the fish? Definitely. Will it harm them? The occasional…
What did you just buy from the fish store? Is it a root-feeding plant or a water column feeder? The terms are used quite often among fish keepers. And even though the distinction is somewhat artificial, it has practical applications. It helps plan our tank layout, choose substrate, and fertilization method (if any). To illustrate…
Plants contribute massively to any self-sustainable ecosystem. That’s true for terrestrial and aquatic species alike. When it comes to the aquarium hobby, plastic plants certainly are an option. They are not without merits, but live plants add so much more. Their value stretches far beyond aesthetics. They are dynamic, actively contributing members of any aquatic…