AQUARIUM INFORMATION; Aquatic Resources Well researched and up to date aquarium and pond information, articles, answers, help, and links. Based on 29 years of professional aquarium maintenance experience & research. Resources to keep your aquatic pets (fish and more) happy and healthy.
• Aquarium Answers; Posts from aquatic forums and more. Check this article (blog) regularly for new aquatic answers backed by research you will not find anywhere else!
• Why Use a UV Sterilizer and Information how UV Sterilization works;
• Aquarium and Pond Sponge Filters;
• Calcium, Magnesium, & KH in Aquariums;
• Aquarium Medications & treatments;
• A Clear Pond, Proper Pond Filtration and general pond help;
• Aquarium Filters and Filtration;
• Basic Freshwater Aquarium Principles;
• Aquarium Plants; Ferts, CO2, Substrate, and more
• Basic Saltwater (Marine) Principles and information;
• Aquarium Disease Prevention;
• Aquarium Lighting;
• Goldfish Disease, Prevention and Treatment;
• Aquarium Cleaning;
• Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle and aquarium cycling
• The Redox Potential in Aquariums (& Ponds) and how it relates to proper Aquatic Health
• Aquarium Ich: Ichthyophthirius multifilis and Cryptocaryon irritans.
• Freshwater Velvet/ Marine Oodinium
• Quality Fish Food; What ingredients are needed for proper fish nutrition, growth and health.
• Spirulina Algae; The aquatic health benefits for Tropical, Marine and Goldfish
• Proper Goldfish Feeding
• Testimonials
• Hobbyist Aquarium Articles
• Videos
FOR EACH FULL AQUATIC ARTICLE, Please scroll down and click on the appropriate link (or use the top navigation bar)
You can use the Google Search Box to search for more information here and also at our vast AQUARIUM ANSWERS BLOG. Please note that Google sometimes takes up to 120 days to add new articles.
A great resource for answers to aquatic questions;
AQUARIUM AND POND ANSWERS has unique posts taken from questions on different aquarium forums or simply asked of me directly.
This a great place to look for answers not answered here or at other sites. Here are just a few: • Tap water; • Do bio wheels really work; • Do fish drink? Proper osmotic function; • Marine Protein Skimmers; • Wild Betta Habitat • How to tell the sex of fish; • Dropsy; • Aquarium/Pond Water Conditioners • Blue Green Algae (Cyanobacter) • The lateral line in fish, what is it; • Aquarium Test Kits and MANY more.
CHECK THIS BLOG, AS NEW WELL RESEARCHED ANSWERS ARE POSTED REGULARLY (& old ones are updated)!
Many aquarists overlook the need for CALCIUM, ELECTROLYTES, KH, GH, AND MAGNESIUM IN AQUARIUMS and the effect of a proper KH (Carbonate hardness) in their freshwater & saltwater aquarium. This is especially important with livebearers, goldfish, African cichlids, brackish and many other freshwater fish. The production of Nitrates (nitric acid) will slowly reduce your pH, but a proper KH will keep a more stable pH, while a proper GH will provide necessary minerals and electrolytes. Also there is much misunderstanding of Calcium and its importance to ALL fish from discus to marine, this article explains this and also provides outside references as well. Also information about an Amazon River water low pH aquariums.
PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE AND OTHER LINKS.
This article (which will continue to grow with information); “AQUARIUM MEDICATIONS, treatments, how they work, and which ones to use and not to use” has information about different aquarium (and pond) treatments. I give the gram negative or gram positive applications where they apply. Not all human medications (or veterinary medications meant for cat or dog disease treatment) are practical in most aquarium or pond applications, a good example is penicillin and ampicillin.
PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE AND OTHER LINKS.
Information about maintaining a clean and healthy pond environment; A CLEAR POND; Proper Pond Filtration, Cleaning, care, chemistry, Predators, basics, and more, includes these steps: Adequate water circulation and movement, good filtration, plant Filtration (Often called Veggie Filters), UV Sterilization, and cleaning. This article also has several links to more pond care and design resources. This is a must read resource for those who would like to keep a beautiful garden pond.
PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE.
There are several different kinds of aquarium filters and AQUARIUM FILTRATION methods. Most work best when used in combination to compliment each other, this redundancy is also important for peace of mind in case one filter fails, another will keep your aquarium filtering. This article includes DIY and trouble shooting as well.
PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE.
This article; BASIC FRESHWATER AQUARIUM PRINCIPLES is a useful freshwater aquarium resource that is a must read for those thinking of getting a freshwater tank or have been just given one as a gift. This article deals with these subjects; Including Information about: • Aquarium • Substrate • Filters • Heater • Water Conditioning • Cycling • Live Plants • Fish Acclimation • Feeding • Cleaning • Chemistry • Smelly Water • Green Water • Cloudy Water
This article; “AQUARIUM SALTWATER (MARINE) BASICS AND INFORMATION (advanced too); Fish and Nano-reef” deals with these subjects; Including Information about: • Nano Reefs • Filtration • Live Rock • Lighting • Test Kits • Water Chemistry • UV Sterilization • Proper fish feeding, including species specific diets • Poisonous Marine Animals • Marine Ich Treatment PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE.
I have kept up many aquariums (marine and freshwater) during my years of aquarium maintenance. It was more of a challenge than my personal aquariums as many of customers overfed or did not tell me fish were sick until it was too late. That is why AQUARIUM DISEASE PREVENTION is the best remedy for a healthy aquarium (or pond too)
PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE.
When choosing lighting for your aquarium, there is much more to consider than watts per gallon. The 2-4 watts per gallon for a Nano reef or freshwater plant aquarium, less for fish, more for hard coral; is a start but that is very general. There are other factors effecting lighting for your aquarium than just watt output. For example: You cannot compare the output of a 150 watt Metal Halide to a 150 watt outdoor floodlight. What I am trying to say is sometimes it comes down to comparing apples to oranges. This article; “AQUARIUM LIGHTING, Kelvin, Nanometers and more” will explain detail the important parameters and aspects of lighting. This is also my most updated article do to the amount of new information and research constantly available in this field, including the new SHO, T-2, LED lamps and more!
PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE.
This article; “AQUARIUM PLANTS; Substrate, Ferts, CO2, Lighting, and other Factors” deals with several aspects of aquarium plant keeping, also aquarium plant information about Hornwort, Anubias, Java Fern, Java Moss, and more. Also information about algae control, algae eating fish (Oto Catfish) and Snails (nerite).
PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE.
Many goldfish are imported in very cold water, in crowded conditions, making them very susceptible to disease (especially ich). That is why knowing some “GOLDFISH BASICS; Disease Prevention & Treatment” are very important to successful goldfish keeping. Also breeding basics.
PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE.
There are many reasons and methods for AQUARIUM CLEANING This article will help you keep fish happy and healthy and your tank a compliment to your home furnishings. Reasons included: • Nitrate, Ph and KH control • Removal of harmful elements • Rinsing of bio-sponges, media, ect • Removal of waste • Control of algae growth • DIY Python Style Super Gravel Vacuum Also a cleaning video and methods explained. PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE.
Information about the AQUARIUM NITROGEN CYCLE AND CYCLING (freshwater and saltwater) including nitrification, de-nitrification, and methods for aquarium cycling.
PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE.
An aquarium or ponds health can be affected by THE REDOX POTENTIAL. A Redox Potential in the -200-400 mV range in human studies has been shown to have the same affect as anti-oxidant preparations such Vitamin C (and many others). This article shows that the health of aquarium fish can be maintained proper electrolytes and by a UV Sterilizer not just by the killing of potential disease pathogens, but by the maintenance of a proper Redox Potential. This is an article every serious aquarist SHOULD READ!
PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE.
This article deals with a common disease (protozoan infection) in freshwater and saltwater; “AQUARIUM ICH: Ichthyophthirius multifilis and Cryptocaryon irritans” and the treatment, identification, and life cycle. The scientific name for freshwater ich is “Ichthyophthirius multifilis”. The marine protozoan causing ich is “Cryptocaryon irritans”. Both organisms cause whitish spots, called “cysts”, to appear on the bodies and fins of the infested fishes. Included in this article are: Identification, Life Cycle, Prevention, and Treatments. PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE.
This article deals with “The Treatment and Identification of Vibrio, Aeromonas, & Furunculosis in Aquariums and Ponds”. Vibrio a lactose-fermenting, gram-negative bacteria, opportunistic pathogen, is found in aquatic environments. Vibrio is more common in Saltwater. One of the most common infections in freshwater fish is caused by the rod-shaped bacteria Aeromonas, which is also a gram negative, lactose-fermenting bacterium. Aeromonas is another common cause of hemorrhagic septicemia, especially in freshwater. Also information about Pop-Eye and the coldwater version of Aeromonas; Furunculosis. PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE.
There is a lot of confusion about what constitutes Fish Nutrition and what ingredients are needed for proper fish nutrition, growth and health. The aquarist needs to understand that there are similarities and differences between fish and other animals. For example; Fish get most of their energy needs from fat, but in humans carbohydrates are a better source. Another point is amino acids (the building blocks of proteins); almost all animals have different amino acid needs. For example; Cats need Taurine in there diet or they can suffer heart problems…. PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE.
This article: “Spirulina Algae; The aquatic health benefits for Tropical, Marine and Goldfish” deals with Spirulina a planktonic blue-green algae found in warm water alkaline volcanic lakes rich in raw protein and seven major vitamins: A1, B1, B2, B6, B12 (one of the best natural sources for B12), C and E. It naturally contains beta-carotene, color enhancing pigments, and whole range of minerals. In addition, Spirulina has a 62% amino acid content and contains all essential fatty acids and eight amino acids required for complete nutrition.
PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE.
A quality Koi and goldfish food starts with quality aquatic based ingredients and “PROPER GOLDFISH FEEDING”.
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For help in connecting aquarium tubing to hose barbs or similar connection, please click here.
This section is for Hobbyist Aquarium Articles submitted by aquarium hobbyists. This is where you can share information and knowledge with others.
CURRENT ARTICLES: • Betta Sexing • Aquarium Catfish
This section is for Aquarium and Pond Information Articles Testimonials. This is not to brag, but for the many nay-Sayers who would rather believe anecdotal advice thrown around the internet and elsewhere.
For interesting (& more educational) Aquatic Videos, please see this page: Aquatic Videos
Not really aquarium or pond information articles, but just interesting and entertaining videos. I will post more as I find them.
Aquarium UV Installation Demonstration using an Internal Filter (or power head) Video
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AQUARIUM INFORMATION; Aquatic Resources
Freshwater Fish Profiles
FRESHWATER VELVET - Piscinoodinium pillulare (also known as oodinium). Also Costia
