My Fish Tank Blog

Setting up a tropical freshwater tank: basic equipment

Good preparation will contribute to a fantastic fish tank.  Here are some of the basic things which prospective keepers of tropical fish will need… Aquarium and stand Nowadays, aquariums come in all different shapes and sizes.  Take some time to think about where you will position your tank.  Remember that the tank may need space behind for pipes and wires. Also, the tank will need an electricity...

Alternative foods for tropical freshwater fish

When I started keeping fish, I would simply feed them tropical fish food and live food from the fish shop.  But, after a while, I offered my fish a little cucumber and haven’t looked back.  Here are some of the readily available alternative foods which I have given to my tropical freshwater fish: Cucumber My fish like it best when peeled.  I remove the very soft centre and slide a spoon through....

Bullying: a dwarf loach and an angelfish

There’s little more relaxing than watching a thriving aquarium and the wonderful  interaction between fish and their environment.  However, when things inside the aquarium cease to be wonderful, it becomes a stressful experience for both fish and fishkeeper. A number of factors conspired (in my opinion) and contributed to what I perceive to be a persistant bullying problem in my aquarium.  I...

Cleaning aquarium glass

Although fish are generally not bothered by the clarity of their tank’s glass, unclear glass can hinder our enjoyment of them. The interior glass of a fish tank can become obscured by algae.  This can be easily removed with an algae scraper.  On a glass tank, use a scraper with a metal blade. The exterior glass should not be cleaned with conventional glass cleaners as they contain chemicals...

Advantages and disadvantages of using wood in a freshwater aquarium

Most people consider wood to be an attractive aquarium feature.  There are some significant advantages and disadvantages to using wood in a fish tank. Advantages: Wood will lower the water’s pH level.  As such, it is particularly useful for fish who prefer acidic water (eg angelfish). Some fish, such as plecos, need wood as part of their natural diet. Pieces of wood can provide excellent hiding...

Angelfish dilemna

Recently, I sadly lost one of a pair of freshwater angelfish.  I have read that the remaining angelfish could stop eating with the worst case scenario being its death.  However, I have also heard that the remaining angelfish may not bond with a new angel and could become aggressive and territorial.  I sought professional help and was advised that the decision would always be a gamble as it would...