Frequently Asked Questions

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Choosing the right size aquarium depends on a few key factors. Here’s what to consider:

1. Available Space: Measure the space where you want to place the aquarium. Make sure you leave room for maintenance and accessories like filters or heaters. Don’t forget about the weight, especially when it's filled with water.


2. Fish Type: Different fish species have different space requirements. Larger species (like goldfish) need more room to swim, while smaller species (like bettas or shrimp) can thrive in smaller tanks. Research the specific needs of the fish you plan to keep.


3. Aquascaping and Equipment: The size should allow room for decorations, plants, and essential equipment like filters, heaters, and lights. This will ensure a healthy and visually appealing environment for your fish.


4. Budget: Larger tanks come with a higher upfront cost (tank, stand, equipment) and higher ongoing costs (electricity, maintenance, water treatment). Make sure you’re comfortable with both initial and long-term costs.


5. Maintenance: Larger tanks tend to be more stable and easier to maintain because water quality can fluctuate more slowly, but they also require more time and effort to clean. Smaller tanks need more frequent attention due to quicker changes in water conditions.


6. Future Expansion: Consider if you want the flexibility to add more fish or plants later. A slightly larger tank gives you room to grow your aquarium hobby.



In general, the most common beginner sizes are 20-30 gallons, which offer a good balance of space, ease of maintenance, and room for different species.

Choosing the right fish for your aquarium involves considering several factors to ensure the health and happiness of both your fish and the overall balance of your tank. Here’s a guide to help you pick the right fish:

1. Tank Size: Start by considering the size of your aquarium. Some fish need more space to swim and thrive, while others are more adaptable to smaller tanks. For example, goldfish, bettas, or guppies are great for smaller tanks, while larger species like cichlids or tetras may require more space.


2. Water Conditions: Different fish have specific water requirements, including temperature, pH, and hardness. Make sure you choose fish that can thrive in your tank’s current water parameters. For example, tropical fish like tetras prefer warm water, while goldfish are better suited for cooler temperatures.


3. Compatibility: Some fish are peaceful and get along with others, while others can be aggressive or territorial. When selecting fish, make sure they have similar temperaments and are compatible with one another. Research species that can coexist without harm.


4. Swimming Level: Consider where the fish like to swim in the tank (top, middle, or bottom). A variety of fish that occupy different areas of the tank creates a balanced ecosystem and makes for a visually appealing aquarium.


5. Fish Size: Be mindful of how large the fish will get as adults. A small fish like a neon tetra might be cute now but could get crowded in a small tank if you add too many of them. Larger fish require more space and might not be suitable for smaller aquariums.


6. Feeding Habits: Some fish are herbivores, some are carnivores, and others are omnivores. It's important to choose fish that can share the same diet or at least have compatible feeding habits.


7. Activity Level: Some fish are active and constantly moving, while others are more laid-back and prefer a calm environment. Think about how much activity you want to see in your tank, and choose fish accordingly.


8. Care Level: Some fish are very hardy and easy to care for, making them great choices for beginners (like guppies, bettas, or zebra danios). Others, such as discus or saltwater fish, may require more experience and specific care.


9. Lifespan: Make sure the lifespan of the fish matches the time you’re willing to commit to the aquarium. Some fish, like goldfish, can live for many years, while others, like bettas, typically have shorter lifespans.


10. Aquascaping and Environment: Think about the environment you want to create—whether you want plants, rocks, or substrate that suits certain species. Some fish, like plecos or catfish, enjoy hiding spaces or substrates they can sift through.



Once you’ve considered all these factors, you’ll be able to select fish that are not only compatible with each other but also suited to the tank you have. Always do some research about the specific care requirements of each species before making your final choice.

Maintaining an aquarium is essential to ensure the health of your fish and the overall balance of the ecosystem. Here’s a breakdown of the regular maintenance tasks:

1. Water Changes

Frequency: Weekly or bi-weekly, depending on tank size and fish load.

How: Replace 10-25% of the water. This helps remove excess nutrients, toxins, and waste products, while replenishing essential minerals.

Why: It prevents water conditions from becoming harmful and helps keep the tank clean.

2. Water Testing

Frequency: Weekly for newly set up tanks, or as needed.

What to Test: pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, hardness, and temperature.

Why: These tests help you ensure the water parameters are within the optimal range for your fish. Unbalanced levels can lead to stress or illness.

3. Cleaning the Filter

Frequency: Every 4-6 weeks (depending on the type of filter and tank size).

How: Remove and rinse the filter media (sponges, cartridges, etc.) in water taken from the tank during a water change to avoid killing beneficial bacteria.

Why: Filters help maintain water clarity and remove waste. A clogged or dirty filter can reduce its effectiveness and harm water quality.

4. Cleaning the Tank Glass

Frequency: Weekly or as needed.

How: Use an aquarium-safe sponge or scraper to clean algae off the glass. You can also use a magnetic cleaner for easier access to the inside of the glass.

Why: Algae growth on the glass can block your view and affect light penetration, which is important for both plants and fish.

5. Substrate Cleaning

Frequency: Every 1-2 weeks.

How: Use a gravel vacuum during water changes to suck up debris and uneaten food that collects at the bottom of the tank.

Why: Prevents waste buildup that can lead to poor water quality and promotes a healthy environment.

6. Pruning Plants

Frequency: Every 1-2 weeks for fast-growing plants.

How: Trim dead or overgrown leaves, and remove any decaying plant matter.

Why: Keeps plants healthy, promotes new growth, and prevents rotting that can affect water quality.

7. Checking Equipment

Frequency: Monthly.

What to Check: Ensure that the heater, filter, lighting, and any other equipment are working properly.

Why: Broken equipment can lead to temperature fluctuations or poor filtration, which can harm your fish.

8. Monitoring Fish Health

Frequency: Ongoing, during each maintenance session.

What to Look For: Check for signs of illness, unusual behavior, or injury.

Why: Catching problems early can help you treat sick fish before the issue spreads.

9. Feeding

Frequency: Daily (or per fish species requirements).

How: Feed appropriate amounts of food for each species, removing uneaten food after 5-10 minutes to prevent water pollution.

Why: Overfeeding can lead to excess waste, poor water quality, and obesity in fish.

10. Dealing with Algae Growth

Frequency: As needed.

How: If algae grows excessively, consider reducing lighting time or adding algae-eating fish or snails (e.g., plecos, nerite snails).

Why: Algae overgrowth can cloud the water, compete with plants for nutrients, and affect the overall tank appearance.

Regular maintenance may seem like a lot, but once you develop a routine, it becomes easier. Keeping your tank clean and monitoring the health of the water and fish will help ensure a thriving aquarium environment.

Aquascaping and terrarium making are both forms of creating miniature landscapes, but they differ in the environments they represent and the materials used.

1. Aquascaping:

Medium: Water-based, typically involving aquariums.

Elements: Includes aquatic plants, rocks, driftwood, and sometimes fish or other aquatic creatures.

Purpose: Designed to create a visually appealing underwater landscape or ecosystem, often resembling natural aquatic environments.

Care: Requires knowledge of water chemistry (pH, hardness, temperature), aquatic plants, and sometimes fish care.

2. Terrarium Making:

Medium: Land-based, typically involving a glass container with soil.

Elements: Primarily uses terrestrial plants, rocks, moss, and decorative items like figurines. Sometimes small reptiles, insects, or amphibians are added.

Purpose: Aims to create a small, self-contained garden that mimics a specific terrestrial environment, such as a rainforest or desert.

Care: Focuses on humidity, temperature, and plant health, and does not require managing water quality like aquascaping does.

In essence, aquascaping revolves around aquatic plants and water environments, while terrariums focus on land-based, often closed ecosystems.

Selecting plants for aquascaping depends on several factors, including the type of aquascape you want to create, the water conditions, and the level of maintenance you're willing to commit to. Here are some important considerations when choosing plants:

1. Water Parameters:

pH, hardness, and temperature: Different plants thrive in different water conditions. For example, some plants do well in soft, acidic water, while others prefer hard, alkaline water. Make sure the plants you select match the water parameters of your aquarium.

Lighting: Plants need light to photosynthesize. Depending on the amount of light in your tank (low, medium, or high), you'll need to choose plants that suit the light level. Low-light plants (like Anubias or Java Fern) work well in low-light setups, while high-light plants (like Glossostigma or Hemianthus callitrichoides) need more intense lighting.

2. Aquascape Style:

Type of aquascape: Your plant selection can be influenced by the style you're aiming for, such as a nature aquarium, iwagumi, or Dutch-style aquascape. Some plants are better suited to certain designs than others.

Growth form: Consider whether you want foreground, midground, or background plants. Foreground plants are typically smaller and form carpets (e.g., Dwarf Hairgrass), while background plants are taller (e.g., Vallisneria or Rotala species).

3. Maintenance Level:

Ease of care: Some plants require more care and attention, such as regular trimming, fertilization, or CO2 supplementation (e.g., carpeting plants), while others are more low-maintenance (e.g., Anubias, Java Moss).

CO2 injection: High-maintenance plants often require additional CO2, while low-maintenance plants can thrive without it. If you're not using CO2, choose plants that do well in lower-tech setups.

4. Compatibility with Tank Inhabitants:

Ensure the plants you choose are suitable for your aquarium's fish, shrimp, or other creatures. For example, some plants might be eaten by herbivorous fish, while others might be disturbed by snails or shrimp.

5. Aquarium Size:

Some plants are better suited for small aquariums, while others are ideal for large tanks. Choose plants that will grow proportionately to the size of your tank.

6. Plant Growth Rate:

If you're aiming for a lush aquascape quickly, consider fast-growing plants (e.g., Water Wisteria or Hornwort). If you want slow, steady growth, go for species like Anubias or Cryptocoryne.

By considering these factors, you can choose plants that not only complement the aesthetic of your aquascape but also thrive in your aquarium's environment.

Selecting plants for a terrarium involves considering the specific environment you're trying to create, the size of the terrarium, and the care requirements of the plants. Here's a guide to help you choose the right plants for your terrarium:

1. Determine the Type of Terrarium:

Closed Terrariums: These create a humid environment and retain moisture, making them suitable for tropical plants. They are best for plants that thrive in higher humidity.

Open Terrariums: These allow air circulation, making them better for plants that prefer drier conditions or don't require high humidity.

2. Consider Light Requirements:

Low-light plants: If your terrarium won't get a lot of direct sunlight (like if it's kept in a shaded area), choose plants that thrive in low light. Examples include ferns (like the bird’s nest fern), mosses, and air plants (Tillandsia).

Medium to high-light plants: If your terrarium gets good natural light or you plan to supplement with artificial grow lights, you can select plants that require more light. Examples include begonias, ivy, and pothos.

3. Humidity and Temperature:

For a humid terrarium (usually for closed containers), select moisture-loving plants. Tropical plants such as ferns, fittonia, st. augustine moss, and peace lilies work well in this type of environment.

For a drier terrarium, go for plants that can handle lower moisture, like cacti, succulents, and aloe. These plants prefer good airflow and dry conditions.

4. Plant Size and Growth Rate:

Size: Choose plants that are proportionate to the size of your terrarium. If the container is small, opt for compact plants like miniature ferns, mosses, or small succulents.

Growth Rate: Some plants grow quickly, and they may outgrow their space quickly, so if you’re looking for a low-maintenance option, go for slow-growers like mosses or air plants.

5. Layering and Aesthetic:

Foreground, midground, and background: Create visual interest by choosing plants for different layers of the terrarium. Use small plants or moss for the foreground, medium-sized plants for the midground, and taller plants for the background.

Color and Texture: Combine plants with different leaf shapes, colors, and textures for a more dynamic look. For example, pairing fern leaves with the veined texture of fittonia can create contrast.

6. Compatibility and Care:

Choose plants that have similar care needs (light, humidity, watering) to avoid one plant thriving while others struggle.

If you're creating a species-specific terrarium (e.g., a moss or succulent terrarium), make sure the plants' environmental needs align.

7. Maintenance Considerations:

Some plants require more care than others. If you want a low-maintenance terrarium, choose plants that don't need frequent watering or pruning, such as moss, snake plant, and succulents.

For a more intricate design, you can choose plants that require regular trimming, like fittonia or creeping fig.

8. Adding a Focal Point:

Consider including a striking plant or decorative item as the focal point of the terrarium, such as a bonsai tree, a large fern, or a unique air plant.

By selecting the right plants based on your terrarium's environment, size, and care level, you'll be able to create a thriving and aesthetically pleasing mini ecosystem.