Substrate is the very foundation of an aquarium. The bottom of the tank determines the overall look and feel of the slice of nature you are going to install in your home. Aesthetics aside, each substrate has unique properties that include whether and by how it impacts the water quality, and also its maintenance requirements….

Lava rock is one of the best types of rock you can safely put into your aquarium. It is light, looks great, and can support much more bacterial life compared to regular rocks. Their uneven shapes and surface make them ideal for stacking and creating captivating hardscapes. But even though most hobbyists acquire volcanic rocks…

Rocks come in many shapes, texture, and colors. Stacking them carefully or gluing them together can be the basis of stunning aquascapes or peaceful slices of underwater nature. But fish do not need rocks in their tank. All the same, rocks provide a number of benefits. They are natural hiding places for fish, regulate the…

Bare bottom tanks are a divisive topic in the fishkeeping world. Maybe their polarizing power stems from their looks or maybe many hobbyists associate them with fish stores, where numerous fishes are crammed together in glass tanks with barely any decorations. It isn’t a particularly pleasant sight but fish stores often opt for bare-bottom tanks…

Sand and gravel are the most popular substrates in the fishkeeping hobby. Beautiful and affordable, each one is a great choice in its own right. But what about mixing sand and gravel in the same fish tank? What if some fish prefer it sandy, others stoney? Can you create beauty with both substrates? You can…

Creating a DIY substrate is very easy: put together a couple of inert substrate types like sand, gravel, volcanic rock, or pebbles, and you will have your DIY substrate mixture. But adding active elements like dirt makes things a bit more complicated and rewarding for planted tanks. Topsoil is the most crucial element in any…

Can you plant aquatic plants in dirt? Of course, you can! So many bottoms of rivers, swamps, and lakes are nothing but wet soil, more commonly known as mud. Plants love it, but they aren’t the only living things that thrive on dirt. The real question is whether you can use topsoil for your aquarium…

Danios are entertaining little fish. They love living in groups of 6-10 individuals who swim around like maniacs. Small as danios are, rarely exceeding two inches or four centimeters, they need ample space to play around, but also to establish peaceful hierarchies. Indeed, the minimal tank size per danio is quoted as 10 gallons or…

Fish tanks, especially in their early days, generate plenty of wastewater. Regular water changes are par for the course. Wondering where to put the dirty fish tank water is a question that rises to the surface quickly.  Is it safe to water plants with it? Or is it better to toss it down the drain?…

New fish tanks are like freshly planted flowers — you cannot expect them to be beautiful and to smell nice. In fact, quite the opposite is true in the early weeks. They are susceptible to all sorts of messes, life finds it hard to establish, and they may look (and smell) funny. Cloudy water is among…