Persistent cloudy water, floating particles, and fish stress often mean your hang-on-back filter is undersized. Learn the signs of weak filtration and how to upgrade your system.
Fish lying at the bottom of a new tank usually suffer from ammonia or nitrite poisoning. Learn the immediate steps to save them and how to prevent this in future tanks.
When Java Fern narrow leaf fails in hard tap water, switch to these tolerant alternatives: standard Java Fern, Anubias species, and Java Moss all thrive where narrow leaf struggles.
Fish dying around day 15 in a new aquarium is usually caused by ammonia or nitrite poisoning during nitrogen cycling. Learn why test strips fail to detect the spike and how to save your fish.
White cloudy water in a new aquarium can mean two things: a harmless bacterial bloom or a dangerous nitrification collapse. Learn how to tell the difference and what action to take.
White slime on driftwood is a harmless biofilm caused by bacteria breaking down organic compounds. Learn why it appears in new tanks and when you should actually take action.
Java Fern narrow leaf deteriorates in hard tap water due to mineral sensitivity. Learn why this cultivar fails where standard Java Fern thrives, and how to fix the problem with RO water or alternatives.
Learn the correct procedure for introducing new fish to an established aquarium without causing stress or death. This guide covers temperature matching, water mixing, and optional methylene blue treatment.
Learn how to properly prepare and condition tap water before adding fish to a new aquarium. This guide covers dechlorination methods, tank filling steps, and common mistakes to avoid.
Aquarium moss can spread through floating fragments if left unchecked. Regular trimming every 2-4 weeks prevents overgrowth and keeps moss contained.
21°C (70°F) is safe for most tropical community fish including tetras and guppies. Stability matters more than the exact temperature. Learn which species thrive at cooler temperatures and when you might still need a heater.
Aquasoil can lower pH in an established aquarium, but gradual addition and regular water changes prevent dangerous pH swings. Learn the safe method to add planted substrate with fish present.
Black shell shrimp can eat black hair algae under certain conditions, but results vary significantly. Here is what happened when I added 80 shrimp to a heavily infested 30cm tank.
Green water in your aquarium is caused by floating algae blooms. This guide explains why it happens and shows you the fastest ways to get your water clear again.
The best low-light plants for South American biotope tanks are Anubias, Moss, Echinodorus, and Java fern. These thrive in soft acidic water at 27C without CO2.
Learn why temperature alone does not cause white spot disease (ich) in aquarium fish. The parasite must be introduced through infected fish or equipment. Temperature stress can weaken immunity, but stable cool temperatures are safe for many species.
What small fish can you add to a 40cm tank with Cardinal Tetras? Ancistrus (Bristlenose Pleco) is the best choice for algae control, plus small schooling fish options.
Algae-eating shrimp often starve after successfully clearing algae from a tank. Learn why this happens and how to prevent shrimp deaths when algae is eliminated.
White bacterial film appearing after filter maintenance is caused by flow changes dislodging biofilm from pipes and surfaces. Learn the mechanism, why it is harmless, and how to prevent it.
A previously stable aquarium can suddenly develop milky white water when the nitrifying bacteria colony crashes. Learn why this happens and what risk factors make your tank vulnerable.