Category: Aquarium
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Mastering the aquarium: 5 tips on keeping African Cichlids
African cichlids are one of the most colorful fish in the freshwater aquarium. It is widely available in most pet stores and they can be absolutely gorgeous. They are so beautiful that it becomes a statement piece in your home. However, because of their aggressive nature, it is often difficult for beginners to successfully keep…
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Understanding the aquarium: why you should use sponge filters?
The filter system is one of the most critical components of your aquarium hobby. It houses beneficial bacteria, and it acts to filter out the mechanical debris of your water system. It, therefore, lowers toxic nitrogenous compounds such as ammonia and nitrite. There are several types of filter systems. These include a sponge, hang-on-the-back, sump,…
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Understanding the aquarium: why you should stay freshwater?
The freshwater aquarium hobby can be gratifying. Compared to the saltwater counterpart, some people may say that the freshwater aquarium is less exciting because of the lack of color, variety, and complexity. However, there are so many unique opportunities and different types of fish that you can keep. And these species are very colorful and…
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Understanding the aquarium: how to avoid overfeeding?
Overfeeding is the number one killer of aquarium fish. It is one of the easiest ways to prevent premature death in fish if done correctly. The stomach of a fish is the size of its eyes. In nature, fish graze on algae and micro-organisms in ponds and lakes. The algae not only act as laxatives,…
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Mastering the aquarium: choosing the best food for the ranchu goldfish
Choosing the right type of food is vital for the health of the ranchu goldfish. Unlike other tropical fish, food choice is critical for fancy goldfish. If chosen incorrectly, you can reduce their gut motility and lead to constipation, which leads to the compression of the swimbladder organ, affecting their ability to swim. Specifically, fancy…
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Understanding the aquarium: how often to perform water change?
Water change is an essential component of fish-keeping. It keeps toxins at bay and replenishes minerals for inhabitants in the aquarium. Specifically, nitrogenous-based compounds are neurotoxins that cause lethargy, skin irritation, and asphyxiation in fish. Most fish breeders in Asia perform as many as sixteen complete water changes per day to grow their goldfish. Make…
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Mastering the aquarium: Why should you care about total dissolved solid (TDS)?
As seasoned hobbyists, we learn to control the quality of our water. The measurement of hardness in the water is critical for the health of the aquarium. This is particularly important when keeping delicate species such as the cherry red shrimp (TDS goal 200-250 ppm) and the crystal red shrimp (TDS goal 80-150 ppm). Caridinias…
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Mastering the aquarium: taking care the Ranchu goldfish
The ranchu goldfish is one of the most highly sought-after fish in the goldfish kingdom. High-quality ranchu goldfish are challenging to find, especially in the United States. There are many importers in the states that help us obtain these gems. However, they can cost a fortune. An average 6″ adult ranchu goldfish with a good…
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Understanding the aquarium: what is the nitrogen cycle, and why do you need to know?
The nitrogen cycle is the basis of a successful aquarium. In this hobby, we are trying to replicate the nitrogen cycle in the glass box at home. The nitrogen cycle is the cycle of how nitrogen is processed to become a less toxic compound called nitrate. In nature, nitrates can further be degraded using bacteria…