By Madhu Soodhanan of India, Aquarticles

Whenever one surfs the net or refers to a book about fish-keeping, pH would be a short-listed, important point of concern. Many of us have read articles/books saying fishes are not tolerant to wide pH ranges or pH fluctuations. But is pH that important in fish-keeping? Is it easy to handle pH? Read the rest of this entry »

by Grant Gussie, CAS
Originally published in The Calquarium Volume 42, Number 2, October 1999 Aquarticles

I hear that jellyfish were recently all the rage in Japan. Watching the pulsating bells slowly move about the aquarium is supposed to be very relaxing; reducing blood pressure and clearing the mind. I have no doubt that this is true…at least until the jellyfish die on you. Read the rest of this entry »

by Andy Gordon of England, and Michelle Stuart of Ontario Canada.
Reprinted, with permission, from their web site Fishtanksandponds.net Aquarticles

There are a good number of fish that have become established as good fish to keep in a community aquarium and with most of them that is the case. But there are some that a lot of books and dealers recommend as being fine but in fact they are poor subjects for the general community tank for varying reasons. Here is a “rogues list” of fish that should be treated with caution. This does not mean that all the following fishes can’t be kept, because in the proper sized aquarium with suitable tank mates and conditions they all still have something to offer. Read the rest of this entry »

by Grant Gussie
Originally published in The Calquarium,Volume 40, Number 7 Aquarticles

Your first tank arrives home, possibly with a bag of fish, possibly not. Possibly with a kit-type collection of assorted lights, heaters, and filters, possibly not. What are you going to do with it all? This article is intended to provide you with instructions for setting up your first tank. I assume you want your new tank to be something to admire, and that the typical “starter kit” aquarium complete with bubbling plastic skeleton is not going to cut it. Instead, this approach will give you a showpiece aquarium; one that will be an attractive feature in a semi-formal living room rather than an eyesore in the family rumpus room. As such, it will be naturally aquascaped with hardy, attractive, and (most of all) living plants, and be supplied with a nice collection of attractive, peaceful fishes. Read the rest of this entry »