Nitrates in a fish tank can be lowered naturally by having live plants. Live plants will absorb nitrates as well as other nutrients from the water and use them to grow, thus helping to keep levels down. Regular partial water changes should be done using dechlorinated tap or reverse osmosis (RO) water. This removes some…
Jack Dempsey fish are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. In their natural environment, Jack Dempseys feed on worms, insects, crustaceans and other small aquatic creatures like snails and shrimp. They will also eat a variety of vegetables such as zucchini slices, spinach leaves and blanched lettuce. Additionally, they enjoy commercially available…
Copepods are small aquatic crustaceans that feed on a variety of different food sources. Commonly, copepods eat algae and other tiny zooplankton such as rotifers or cladocerans. They will also consume bacteria, detritus (decaying organic matter), and even the eggs or larvae of other animals. Copepods can be found in both freshwater and marine environments,…
Kuhli loaches are omnivorous fish, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. They prefer a diet of small invertebrates like worms, insect larvae and tiny crustaceans. In the wild, they also feed on algae and soft bottom detritus. In aquariums, kuhli loaches can be fed daily with a variety of frozen or live foods…
Coral is a type of invertebrate animal that forms the foundation for many marine ecosystems. It eats by filtering organic particles and microorganisms from the water column using its tentacles, which are covered with tiny stinging cells called nematocysts. The most common predators of coral include other animals such as sea stars, mollusks, crustaceans, snails,…
Lowering GH in an aquarium can be achieved by using reverse osmosis (RO) or deionized (DI) water. RO and DI filters remove the minerals from tap water, making it very soft. To use these filters you will need to purchase a filter system with a membrane element that will remove calcium and magnesium from the…
To plant aquarium plants in gravel, start by preparing the substrate by rinsing it with water to remove any toxins. Then, place the substrate on the bottom of your aquarium and use a spoon or similar tool to make a small hole in which you will insert your plant’s roots. Push some of the gravel…
To clean an aquarium filter sponge, first take it out of the tank and rinse it in cold water. Make sure to squeeze it several times to remove any debris from the sponge. Place the sponge into a bowl with warm water and add some aquarium-safe detergent or vinegar. Let the sponge sit for 15…
Cleaner shrimp are scavengers and will eat a variety of different things. They feed on small pieces of decaying organic matter, uneaten food particles, algae, and even parasites off other fish. In the wild they can also be observed picking at coral polyps for their nutrition. Some people find that keeping live rock or feeding…