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Nitrites understanding (2nd stage of nitrogen cycle)

The second stage in the nitrogen cycle. As nitrifying bacteria are readily available they will build a colony as Hawkfishsoon as the nutrient source (ammonia) is available. While ammonia is being converted predominantly by the species of nitrosomonas, nitrobacter is mainly responsible for convertin...Readmore

Aquarium fish vets

How to breed Oscar fish

Betta Fish (Mahachai species)

Repairing leaking fish tank

Oscar fish (Astronotus ocellatus)

Blood parrot fish (doesn't have a sc. name)

More: Fish profiles & tips

What to feed my snails?

Mostly they love algae. This is why they move up and down the sides of your tank-they are eating algae. Even if the glass looks clean, there is microscopic algae there. However, if you have a brand-new tank that has no algae at all, you may purchase algae tablets at the pet store so the snails will not starve before the tank grows it's own algae. Here is more on what you can feed them:

1. Apple snails cannot thrive on algae, and they're not very effective at removing it. They do love apples and other fresh fruit, vegetables, and sinking herbivore wafers. If you visit the discussion forums on applesnail.net you will even find recipies that people have created for apple snail food and treats. :)

2. Floating pond fish food called Ten Six. They love it and will take it from your fingers if they are foraging at the top of the tank.

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Albino Tiger Barb (Barbus tetrazona)

albino tiger barb

The Albino Tiger Barb is one of many different barbs that can be seen in aquariums. Like all of their cousins they do best kept in a group of 6 or more, and they are lively and active so they need plenty of room to swim. Albino Barbs are hardy and a great fish for beginners, though they can be nippy with their tank mates.

They have been known to nip the fins of slower moving and long-finned fish such as guppies, goldfish, gouramis and angelfish, but this problem seems to be demonstrated when they are being kept individually or in a smaller group. Presumably in a larger school they are too busy chasing each other to bother with their other tank mates

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Why using salt in fish tank?

Why would an aquarist put salt in a freshwater aquarium? Aquarium salt has been used for decades as a sort of "tonic" for freshwater fish. While it's hard to put a finger on just why salt is beneficial, many aquarists have noticed that certain fish simply do better with a small amount of aquarium salt added to their tanks.

Do all fish appear to benefit from adding salt? Certain fish, like livebearers and of course brackish water specimens (those that inhabit waters with significant salt levels) like monos, scats, puffers and fiddler crabs seem to have far better survival rates and fewer disease problems when kept with salt. Many others, like most barbs and tetras, seem more indifferent. A few, notably Corydoras catfish, are said to have very low tolerance for salt, although our experience has been that they do quite well at the salt levels we use.

Red Flame Sword Plant (Echinodorus Red Flame)

What all swords need, in the substrate and in the water (via fertilization) is chelated iron. If you sword's leaves start to yellow, iron is what it lacks. People who fail with the plant usually do so by forgetting that fact.

You really don't need to buy a substrate made especially for planted tanks. Laterite, a iron-rich clay collected on the banks of rivers in the tropics, is available boxed in granular form. An inch wide layer under two inches of fine (between course sand and regular gravel) will be all your swords need. If you wish to use a planted tank substrate (Eco-complete, Florite) if you put a layer of laterite you'll add the needed long-term 'kick' to it.

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Algae Eater (Epalzeorhynchos)

This fish is often purchased as an algae eater for smaller community tanks, for which it is not really suitable. Firstly, it grows larger than many realise, and secondly, it has a tendency to become aggressive when older. In the limited confines of a small tank, it may terrorise other aquarium inhabitants.

Algae eater is a common name for many bottom-dwelling fishes that feed on algae. Algae eaters are important for the fishkeeping hobby and many are commonly stocked by the trade.

In addition, they often become less inclined to eat algae as they grow,particularly if other food sources are available.

Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris)

The Queen Angelfish is one of the most striking of all angelfish. Vibrant yellow and electric sapphire-blue highlights give the Queen Angelfish an almost iridescent appearance. It has a dark spot on the forehead surrounded by bright blue. The dorsal and pelvic fins are elongated.

With the potential of reaching an impressive 18 inches, the Queen Angelfish needs a large tank - at a minimum of 150 gallons, with lots of hiding places and live rock for grazing.

Not a good reef dweller, the Queen Angelfish is prone to nip at stony and soft corals (sessile invertebrates) and clam mantles. It can be aggressive, so it must be introduced to the community tank last. A somewhat difficult angelfish to keep, Queen Angelfish often suffer from incorrect water parameters and diet.

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Aquarium Maintenance Explanied

Basic aquarium maintenance is not time consuming if the tank is set up correctly and you go about it properly. You should get in the habit of looking at the fish closely every day or two, as well as checking the water temperature.

Aquarium maintenance depends on three factors: crowding, overfeeding, and changing water. See more aquarium pictures. Once each week, clean the inside of the front glass (and the side glass if you want), change 10 or 15 percent of the water, and clean the outside of the glass.

You could do this every ten days, but it is usually easier to remember if you perform maintenance on the same day each week.

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