The aquarium hobby has various subsets beyond simple freshwater and saltwater tanks. Aquascaping refers to tanks that focus on creating lushly planted ecosystems. They may also feature a nice assortment of fish and some invertebrates, but the focus is on keeping gorgeous aquatic gardens. Within the realm of aquascaping, there’s a technique that involves injecting carbon dioxide into the planted aquarium for better results. CO2 is an important nutrient for aquatic plants. In natural habitats, plants are able to feed on CO2 from a variety of sources, mostly from the waste fish produce through their breathing processes. Abundant CO2 results in lush plants, which is why many aquascapers prefer artificial …

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According to estimates by marine biologists at the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there were more than 30,000 fish species classified as of 2006, and approximately half of them live in freshwater habitats. Tropical fish are the most popular in the freshwater and saltwater aquarium hobbies, although cold water species such as koi can thrive in ponds located in regions with tropical climates. Within this great diversity of fish, a few species stand out for their resilience, hardiness, and adaptability. These are the kinds of traits rookie fish keepers should look for when they stock their first aquariums. Let’s look at a few species seasoned aquarists often recommend to …

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The use of carbon in the fish keeping hobby is relatively new. While many bodies of water are exposed to carbon in the form of bituminous coal, which is a form of organic rock, the biochemical processes that carbon deposits generate in natural habitats aren’t necessary in fish tanks. They’re complementary, but they can also provide benefits that make fish keeping more efficient. Unlike other important fish tank supplies, carbon isn’t something you’ll normally find as part of an aquarium starter kit. Incorporating it into your tank maintenance routines is a personal choice. A healthy aquatic ecosystem doesn’t hinge upon using carbon, but some of its properties make it ideal …

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Fish tanks come in many shapes and sizes, but not all of them can be described as being the most adequate for either aquatic species or their human keepers. The main goal of the aquarium hobby is to replicate natural ecosystem conditions in an enclosed artificial environment. With such a goal in mind, the best habitat size and shape for freshwater species wouldn’t be a tank at all. A very large garden pond that can hold about 50,000 gallons of water would be perfect for tropical fish. In the case of saltwater species, an artificial lagoon with 100,000 gallons would do the trick. Naturally, very few aquarists have the space …

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